This Preliminary information communication provides information to the technician with diagnostic tips for diagnosing reduced or low engine power with no Driver Information Center messages, that may be caused by an inaccurate brake pedal position sensor.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Chevrolet Equinox airbags problems
severe 21 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
21
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
9crashes
8injuries
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Special Coverage. Some vehicles equipped with a 2.4L engine (RPO LEA) may exhibit excessive engine oil consumption (less than 2,000 miles [3,200 km] per quart [0.946 L] of engine oil), due to piston ring wear. If this condition is present, an audible rattle or knock from the engine may be heard. The engine oil pressure telltale may illuminate on the instrument panel or the following message may appear in the Driver Information Center: "Oil Pressure Low ? Stop Engine". Dealers are to perform an oil consumption test and install new pistons and piston rings if excessive consumption is found. In addition, dealers are to repair or replace any engine components that require repair or replacement i
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Special Coverage (Revised Warranty). Some vehicles equipped with a 2.4L engine (RPO LEA) may exhibit excessive engine oil consumption (less than 2,000 miles [3,200 km] per quart [0.946 L] of engine oil), due to piston ring wear. If this condition is present, an audible rattle or knock from the engine may be heard. The engine oil pressure telltale may illuminate on the instrument panel or the following message may appear in the Driver Information Center: "Oil Pressure Low ? Stop Engine". Dealers are to perform an oil consumption test and install new pistons and piston rings if excessive consumption is found. In addition, dealers are to repair or replace any engine components that require repa
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information on Passenger Presence System (PPS) May Command Seat Belt Reminder Chime and Passenger Airbag Indicator On or Set DTC B101D When Electronic Devices or Conductive Objects are Placed on Front Passenger Seat
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2013 Chevrolet Equinoxes report two broad categories of airbag failure: nondeployment during impact and electrical/sensor malfunctions.
In frontal and side collisions, drivers report airbags that failed to inflate when struck. Several owners hit deer or other vehicles at speeds ranging from 5 mph to 60 mph; in each case, airbags either did not deploy or deployed only partially and with delay. One owner hit a deer at low speed and found the airbag had "activated" (sensor registered the impact) but the bag itself never inflated—visible as a small gap around the cover and dust residue in the cabin. Another frontal collision at 60 mph resulted in vehicle destruction, a rear-seat occupant's head injury, and zero airbag deployment. In a third case, a driver suffered a concussion and head strike to the window because airbags deployed five minutes after impact rather than immediately. Combined, these failures have led to serious injuries: concussions, head wounds requiring medical attention, rib and neck trauma.
One unusual report describes a driver-side airbag deploying unexpectedly while driving at 45 mph downhill with no prior collision, causing loss of control and an embankment crash with serious injury.
Electrical faults are equally common. Starting around 50,000–85,000 miles, owners experience a persistent or intermittent "Service Airbag" warning light. Dealership diagnostics consistently point to an internal short in the passenger presence module or occupancy sensor malfunction. Dealers typically charge $105 for diagnosis and $656–$688 for parts and labor, yet the light often reappears or cannot be replicated during testing. Some owners reference a Takata recall but note their vehicle is not included despite similar issues.
Same Chevrolet Equinox airbags reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag failed to deploy in frontal collision/impact
Driver-side or passenger-side airbags remained undeployed during accidents where frontal impact should have triggered deployment. In one case, an erroneous driver-side deployment occurred, but in most complaints the bags simply did not inflate when struck.
When: At impact; failure mileage reported from 50,000 to 93,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag inflation during collision; Airbag sensor activated (OnStar notification, dash alert) but bag did not inflate; Vehicle occupants sustained head, neck, rib, and other injuries due to lack of cushioning; Small gap or dust visible around airbag housing indicating partial activation without deployment; Service airbag warning light illuminated post-incident
Repairs/costs cited: Airbag and sensor replacement at dealership; crash damage ($6,000–$14,000+) reported; vehicles totaled in severe collisions
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM opened claim for investigation (20–30 day timeline cited in one case); Takata recall referenced by owners but some 2013 Equinoxes reported not included in recall
Erroneous airbag deployment
Driver-side airbag deployed without collision or at low-impact event. One driver reported spontaneous deployment while driving at 45 mph on an inclined road with no prior impact mentioned, causing loss of control and crash down embankment.
When: At 93,000 miles (one reported case); during low-speed rear-end incident (5 mph, case #11)
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deployed unexpectedly during normal driving or very low-speed incident; Loss of vehicle control following deployment; Driver sustained concussion, arm, neck, and rib injuries; Vehicle destroyed
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled; medical treatment required
Intermittent Service Airbag warning light (sensor fault)
Service airbag warning light illuminates intermittently or persistently without crash or impact. Most commonly traced to passenger presence module short circuit or occupancy sensor malfunction. Light may turn off and back on during normal driving or after ignition cycle.
When: Starting around 50,000–85,000 miles; persistent or intermittent through 91,000–95,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag warning light comes on at startup or during driving; Light may disappear after vehicle restart; Light appears and disappears randomly with or without occupants; Code reader indicates passenger occupancy sensor fault; Dealership unable to replicate or diagnose in some cases
Codes mentioned: Passenger presence module short circuit, Passenger occupancy sensor fault
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnostic fee $105 at some dealers; passenger presence module replacement $656–$688.49; seat belt sensor replacement also cited
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall referenced by owners; some 2013 Equinoxes reportedly not included in recall coverage; recall completion target 2019
Airbag chemical release without deployment
Airbag propellant (nitrogen gas or chemical charge) vented as fine mist or smoke but airbag bag itself did not inflate. Occurred during side-impact and rear-impact collisions.
When: During multi-impact rear-end collision; one case at impact with deer
Symptoms owners cite: Fine mist or light smoke released into cabin; Airbag activation detected (sensor triggered) but no cushioning inflation; Seat belt locked; Service airbag warning light illuminated post-incident
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle scheduled for repair; chemical residue present in cabin
Delayed or partial airbag deployment
Airbag deployed several minutes after impact rather than immediately, or deployed only partially. In one frontal collision, steering wheel and side airbags deployed approximately 5 minutes post-impact.
When: 5 minutes after frontal collision impact
Symptoms owners cite: Delayed inflation of airbags; Occupant head impact with interior (window, steering wheel) before deployment; Concussion and head injury sustained due to lack of timely cushioning
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled
Side airbag failure to deploy
Side airbags did not deploy during side-impact and rear-end collisions where side protection should have been triggered.
When: During side-impact and rear-impact events
Symptoms owners cite: No side airbag inflation during lateral impact; Occupant struck by vehicle interior or window; Injuries (head trauma, bleeding) sustained due to lack of side protection
Synthesized from 21 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had airbags trouble with your 2013 Chevrolet Equinox?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox?
It's a meaningful issue. 21 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 27,000 and 92,000 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 27,000; a quarter make it past 92,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Chevrolet/Equinox.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.