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…
2013 Chevrolet Equinox powertrain problems
moderate 77 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
77
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 77 powertrain complaints filed for the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 77 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2013 Chevy Equinox has widespread, chronic engine problems centered on excessive oil consumption, PCV freezing in cold weather, and premature timing chain wear—all of which can cause sudden stalling, loss of power, or catastrophic engine failure with no warning. Repair costs routinely exceed $2,000–$3,600, and GM has excluded many 2013 model VINs from coverage while issuing recalls only for earlier model years. Seriously consider walking away unless you're prepared for major engine work within the first 100,000 miles.
Owners of 2013 Equinoxes describe a pattern of failure centered on the 2.4L Ecotec engine burning oil at an alarming rate—often 1 to 3 quarts per week or 1 to 2 quarts between scheduled maintenance. The engine's oil-level monitoring system consistently underreports actual consumption, leaving owners with a dry dipstick while the dashboard still shows 18–38% oil remaining. No warning lights alert drivers before the oil runs critically low.
The result is engine starvation and internal damage: timing chains stretch and fracture, pistons and rings wear, and the rear main seal blows out—sometimes triggered in cold weather when the PCV valve freezes, pressurizing the crankcase. Owners report sudden engine stalling at traffic lights and highway speeds, loud metal-on-metal crunching, and loss of all power without warning. One owner's engine seized at 70 mph; another experienced 12 stalls in a single day.
GM issued Service Bulletin 14882 for PCV freeze and rear seal failure in 2010–2012 models, but many 2013 model VINs are excluded. A transfer case also ruptures without warning in some vehicles. Repair bills run $1,800–$3,600 for seals and chains alone, and $4,000–$5,000 when timing chains, pistons, and rings are all involved. Owners report dealers acknowledging the oil-consumption issue as common and "frequent," yet GM has issued no recall for the 2013 model year, leaving owners responsible for repairs.
Same Chevrolet Equinox powertrain reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Excessive oil consumption and low-oil stalling
Engine burns oil rapidly between service intervals, often 1–3 quarts per week or 1–2 quarts between scheduled changes. Oil life monitoring system fails to warn before critical low-oil condition. Owners report check engine light, engine stalling at stop lights and while accelerating, metal-on-metal crunching, and loud ticking from insufficient lubrication. Mechanics find no visible oil leaks but piston rings, timing chain, and VVT components are damaged by oil starvation.
When: Typically 45,000–117,000 miles; failures reported from 33,000 miles onward. Incidents occur in cold weather and during normal city/highway driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Dipstick reads dry despite recent oil change; Check engine light and low-oil warning; Engine stalling at traffic lights and during acceleration; Loud ticking, metal-on-metal crunching, and knocking noise under load; Loss of power and jerking/lurching during acceleration; Dashboard oil-life percentage inaccurate (e.g., shows 18% when oil is nearly empty); No warning lights appear despite critical oil shortage
Codes mentioned: P0011 (camshaft position error), P0014 (VVT system), Timing chain wear codes
Repairs/costs cited: Piston and ring replacement ($2,000–$3,000), timing chain and VVT component replacement ($1,500–$2,000), full engine rebuild or replacement (cost varies). Owner carries oil in vehicle to add between stops; one owner reports needing to restart engine every 200–300 miles after adding oil.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued TSB #14882 (2010–2012 Equinox) for PCV valve freeze and rear main seal failure; 2013 model VIN exclusions prevent coverage. GM sent letter (per #2) alerting to oil-consumption discrepancy between dashboard and actual level, but no recall issued for 2013 model year. Special coverage program limited to 2010–2012 only. Class-action lawsuit (arbitration) for piston ring failure; many claims denied, leaving owners responsible for cascading engine damage.
PCV valve freeze and rear main seal failure (cold-weather related)
PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valve accumulates condensation and freezes in cold weather, causing crankcase overpressure. This forces oil through the rear main seal, causing massive oil loss while the vehicle is parked or driving. Occurs most often in sub-zero temperatures. No warning lights or symptoms until oil is already lost and owner discovers puddle under vehicle or experiences low-oil symptoms while driving.
When: Cold weather months, especially below-zero temperatures. Vehicles at 36,000–88,000 miles; one at 45,000 miles reported during sub-zero weather in Minnesota.
Symptoms owners cite: Large puddle of oil under rear of engine/transmission junction; Trail of oil from driveway/street; Burning oil smell in garage or under hood; No check engine light or warning before seal failure; Engine hesitation on start (one owner noted slower start in cold); Oil light and stalling occur after seal failure and oil is already lost
Codes mentioned: Low oil pressure codes (appears after failure has occurred)
Repairs/costs cited: Rear main seal replacement ($1,300–$2,200). Often requires transmission and/or intake manifold removal, compounding labor costs. One owner paid $2,606.76 total; another $1,800. Timing chain may be damaged and require additional $500–$1,500 repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM TSB #14882 covers 2010–2014 Equinoxes with PCV freeze leading to rear seal failure, but many 2013 model VINs are excluded from coverage. GM offered partial payment ($500–$1,000) toward timing chain on case-by-case basis but refused full coverage. Owners report GM told them, 'We already helped you; be grateful.' No recall issued despite multiple complaints matching TSB description exactly.
Timing chain wear and failure
Timing chain stretches, wears, or fractures prematurely due to poor lubrication (exacerbated by excessive oil consumption and PCV issues). Symptoms include loud ticking, rattling on acceleration, shuddering while braking, and eventually complete engine seizure. Engine damage occurs without warning; vehicle may lose all power or stall unexpectedly.
When: 73,500–132,000 miles; some failures at lower mileage when combined with oil-consumption history. One owner reports engine seizure at 70 mph after 1,500 miles since oil change.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud ticking or rattling from engine, especially on acceleration; Shuddering during braking; Engine stalling without warning; Complete loss of power on highway; Metal shavings found on camshaft position solenoid (indicating chain wear)
Codes mentioned: Timing chain fault codes, Compression test failure indicating worn pistons
Repairs/costs cited: Timing chain replacement ($1,500–$3,600). Often combined with piston/ring and seal repairs, driving total bill to $4,000–$5,000+. One owner paid $3,600 for timing chain; engine still failed 1.5 years later.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or service bulletin specific to 2013 timing chain failure. Service manager told owner (narrative #5) that timing chain wear is a known design flaw in these engines and would eventually occur. GM has not acknowledged or offered coverage.
Cracked exhaust manifold and exhaust-into-cabin leakage
Exhaust manifold cracks, allowing hot exhaust gases to escape near the fresh-air intake. Owners smell strong exhaust odor and rotten-egg smell in the cabin, especially when heater is running. Exhaust fumes (carbon monoxide) enter the passenger cabin, requiring windows to be opened even in cold weather. No warning lights typically illuminate.
When: Occurs in conjunction with or following oil-consumption issues. One vehicle at 117,000 miles; mechanic attributed it to engine damage from oil starvation.
Symptoms owners cite: Strong exhaust/rotten-egg smell in cabin; Smell stronger when heater/AC is running; Windows must be opened to reduce fume exposure; Rubbing noise from manifold area
Codes mentioned: P0420 (catalyst efficiency) or related emission codes sometimes appear
Repairs/costs cited: Exhaust manifold replacement (cost not stated in narratives). One mechanic noted it is a common failure in Equinox models.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None mentioned in narratives. Service manager noted issue is 'happening frequently in the Equinox models' but no recall or TSB cited.
Transfer case failure and rupture
Transfer case cracks or ruptures, typically in cold weather or during normal driving. Fluid leaks out, causing the transfer case to become inoperable. Vehicle becomes immobile without warning. Some owners report an internal part within the case causing the crack. No warning lights before failure.
When: One vehicle at unknown mileage; another at an unknown point in vehicle lifecycle during normal driving or cold-weather operation.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud pop or abnormal noise from underneath; Rotten-egg smell (gear oil oxidation); Rubbing noise that stops at stop lights; Fluid (gear oil) pouring from underneath vehicle; Vehicle unable to move (inoperable transfer case)
Codes mentioned: Transfer case fault codes (not specified in narratives)
Repairs/costs cited: Complete transfer case replacement. One owner waited for dealer inspection; another had difficulty finding a shop willing to perform the repair due to rust/chassis damage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM manufactured a replacement transfer case without the internal defect, but no recall issued. Owners report online complaints show this is widespread, and GM appears to have known about the problem but chose not to recall.
Transmission failure and shifting problems
Transmission fails to shift gears or shift harshly, causing loss of power or erratic acceleration. Vehicle may remain stuck in one gear, refuse to shift out of Park, or jerk during acceleration. Some failures occur after high-mileage oil-consumption damage; others appear to be independent electrical/mechanical failures.
When: 116,000 miles (shift failure); 39,000 miles (stalling due to transmission); early mileage (200 miles, transmission control module issue); failures recorded from approximately 3 months of ownership onward.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls or loses power when accelerating from stop; Hesitation or jerking during gear changes; Transmission remains stuck in Park; key will not turn off; Vehicle jerks back and forth when accelerator pressed; Erratic RPMs and loss of drivability
Codes mentioned: Transmission control module reprogramming error (no programming available)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement (cost not detailed, but one owner reports engine + transmission replacement within two months near 100k miles); transmission control module reprogramming attempted but failed due to unavailable programming.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None specified. One case involved recall 16V502000 (Electrical System, Power Train) but affected vehicle was not included despite matching symptoms.
Engine stalling and loss of power while driving
Engine stalls without warning at stop lights, during acceleration, on highways, or while parked. Vehicle may require multiple restarts or complete shutdown-and-restart sequence to regain power. Often correlated with low oil or transmission issues, but some stalls occur independently of detected oil consumption. Creates serious safety hazard on highways and busy intersections.
When: Throughout vehicle lifecycle; one owner experienced 12 stalls in one day. Most common at low speeds (turning, accelerating from stop) or highway speeds (60–75 mph).
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off without warning while driving; Complete loss of power steering and throttle control; RPMs teeter around 1,000 before stall; Vehicle lurches or jerks before stalling; Multiple restarts required to restart; sometimes requires key cycle
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (source varies: oil pressure, camshaft, timing chain)
Repairs/costs cited: Varies by underlying cause. Spark plug replacement attempted (temporary fix). Often requires oil change, seal repair, or timing chain/piston replacement once root cause diagnosed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented for stalling itself; usually attributed to oil consumption or PCV issues, which lack recall coverage.
Inaccurate or missing oil-level warning systems
Oil life monitoring system displays incorrect percentage (e.g., shows 18% or 33% when oil is critically low or dry). System fails to alert owner before oil level becomes dangerous. No check-oil or check-temperature warning lights illuminate despite critically low oil. Owners maintain regular service intervals but cannot rely on dashboard indication to know when oil level is actually low.
When: Persistent issue affecting multiple vehicles; owner learning of problem for first time only after receiving GM alert letter postdated the crisis.
Symptoms owners cite: Dipstick reading dry while dashboard shows 18–38% oil; No check-oil or low-temperature warning light; Oil pressure warning light appears only after failure has begun; Dashboard oil percentage does not match actual consumption between changes
Codes mentioned: Oil pressure codes (P0520 or equivalent) appear late
Repairs/costs cited: None; this is a design/software defect. Owners resort to manual dipstick checking and carrying oil to top up between stops.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM sent letter to at least one owner notifying of discrepancy between dashboard oil-life reading and actual oil consumption, but no recall or fix provided. Service adviser told owner (narrative #2) that GM has known about the problem but has not alerted customers proactively.
Liftgate opening/closing malfunction and safety hazard
Liftgate operates erratically, opening and then closing forcefully or violently without warning. Can trap or injure occupants. Occurs after purchase or during normal ownership. One owner reported injury when liftgate came down on shoulder. Some instances involve liftgate dropping on its own while vehicle is parked.
When: Approximately 3 months after purchase; appears during normal vehicle operation.
Symptoms owners cite: Liftgate opens then closes violently/forcefully immediately after; Liftgate lowers itself while parked, without operator input; No warning before sudden closing
Repairs/costs cited: Not specified; liftgate mechanism repair or replacement required.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer witnessed issue but refused to diagnose or repair due to expired warranty (expired the prior month). No recall or service bulletin noted.
Check engine light and no clear resolution
Check engine light comes on without corresponding clear diagnosis or durable repair. Dealer diagnostic identifies one issue (e.g., spark plugs), fix is temporary, and light returns or symptoms persist. Multiple diagnostics may occur without resolving root cause.
When: Various mileages; one owner at 84,000 miles with check engine light leading to incorrect diagnosis (spark plugs instead of seal/manifold issues).
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated; No consistent or reproducible drivability symptom; Diagnostic codes vary or are misinterpreted
Codes mentioned: Multiple, inconsistent; typical codes include P0011, P0014, P0420, P0520
Repairs/costs cited: Initial repair attempts (e.g., spark plug replacement) fail to resolve issue. Root cause often discovered only after secondary diagnosis ($130+ diagnostic fee).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No proactive guidance; dealers charge diagnostic fees and may recommend incorrect repairs.
Synthesized from 77 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
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…
Had powertrain 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 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?
Across the 51 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 52,535 and 115,986 miles, with the median around 86,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 52,535; a quarter make it past 115,986. 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 $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.
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.