I MADE AN APPOINTMENT 2013 EQUINOX INTO THE DEALER BECAUSE I WAS SMELLING STRONG EXHAUST SMELL IN THE CAB. AS SOON AS I TALKED TO THE MECHANIC HE TOLD ME IT WAS MOST LIKELY A CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THAT IT IS HAPPENING FREQUENTLY IN THE EQUINOX MODELS. THEN 2 DAYS BEFORE MY APPOINTMENT TO GET MY CAR LOOKED AT MY CHECK ENGINE LIKE TURNED ON SO I PARKED IT AND DIDN'T DRIVE IT UNTIL IT WAS TIME…
2013 chevrolet Equinox powertrain problems
moderate 77 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
77
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
PURCHASED VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY JUNE 29, 2019 FROM CHEVY DEALER IN ROSEVILLE CA. ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED VEHICLE I NOTICED THE LIFTGATE COMING DOWN BY ITSELF. I NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING VEHICLE IN. IN THE MEANTIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON AND STAYING ON, SO WHEN I MADE THE APPOINTMENT I ALSO MENTIONED THIS TO THE SERVICE AGENT. I TOOK THE VE…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2013 chevrolet Equinox?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 77 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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