This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Chevrolet Equinox steering problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox have filed 19 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 73,900 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Equinox | 5 |
| 2010 Equinox | 44 |
| 2011 Equinox | 43 |
| 2012 Equinox | 36 |
| 2013 Equinox (this page) | 19 |
| 2014 Equinox | 18 |
| 2015 Equinox | 14 |
| 2016 Equinox | 7 |
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 19 steering complaints filed for the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering 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 service bulletin provides a procedure to flush and bleed power steering system to correct a power steering noise or fluid leak concern that is caused during extremely low temperatures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a procedure inspecting for excess grease or Sealant on the Exterior of the steering gear due to seeing grease or sealant on certain locations on the gear.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report six distinct steering failures in this 2013 Equinox cluster: steering wheel lock-ups or seizures that freeze the wheel mid-drive and force stops; unintended steering pulls or aggressive turns without driver input; severe front-wheel wobble when flat-towing behind an RV that shakes the entire towed rig and stops only at complete halt; hard steering primarily on long drives; power steering loss or failure making steering difficult or impossible; and violent "death wobble" shaking of wheel and vehicle. Lock-ups and seizures occur across the mileage range—from 25K to 75K miles—and in various driving situations including highway speeds and tight turns. Wobble during towing appears linked to the electronic power steering system itself, per manufacturer statements to owners. One owner lost power steering at 25 mph and required a PSCM software update; GM declined to cover the cost. Another experienced complete power steering failure while steering around a curb, hitting a tree and rolling the vehicle. Owners report GM issued a warranty extension to 150,000 miles for hard steering but stated they will not repair the issue unless it occurs during a service appointment. Multiple owners describe these failures as dangerous—one almost hit by a semi after steering lockup on a highway, another felt wheels might fall off during wobble.
Same Chevrolet Equinox steering reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Steering wheel lock or seizure
Steering wheel suddenly locks, freezes, or becomes impossible to turn while driving, forcing the vehicle to slow or stop. Owners report the wheel becomes unresponsive for a period of time before resetting or releasing.
When: 25K miles; 75K miles; varies, some on highway at 70 mph, some at intersections
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel will not turn; Wheel locked/seized during turns; Difficulty steering at intersection; Loss of steering control
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had dealership diagnose the condition; repairs performed but specifics not detailed. One owner had software update applied to PSCM.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM extended warranty to 150,000 miles for 'hard steering' issue on long trips (owner did not experience the failure). Dealership stated 'no safety issues' in another case.
Unintended steering pull or aggressive turning
Vehicle pulls hard to one side (typically right) without driver input, or steering wheel turns sharply on its own. Steering wheel may turn 90 degrees before driver can correct.
When: Various; one incident at ~20 mph while exiting parking spot; occurs on both banked and flat roads
Symptoms owners cite: Car pulls to the right without driver turning wheel; Steering wheel resists movement; Aggressive 90-degree right turn without driver input; Car continues fighting driver input for multiple blocks before resolving
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 'Service Power Steering' warning appeared 2 days after event, then disappeared; warning not consistent on subsequent starts.
Steering wobble when towing or flat-towing
Front wheels develop severe, violent wobble when vehicle is flat-towed behind an RV, especially after hitting highway bumps. Wobble shakes entire RV and is dangerous at highway speeds. Wobble stops only when vehicle comes to complete stop.
When: Occurs after 9,000–10,000 miles of towing over 1.5 years; multiple incidents at 10–50 mph and 40 mph; one at 44,833 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Severe front-wheel wobble while flat-towing; Wobble shakes rear of RV; Occurs after highway bumps; Steering pulsates left to right during turns while towing; Wobble stops only at complete stop
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Blue Ox tow manufacturer and GM both stated the problem is inherent to vehicle's electronic power steering system, not the tow equipment. GM transferred contact to NHTSA without owner's knowledge.
Hard steering
Steering becomes stiff and difficult to turn, reported primarily on long trips. GM issued notice and warranty extension but would not repair unless the failure actually occurs during a service visit.
When: Primarily on long trips; one owner received GM notice but had not experienced the issue
Symptoms owners cite: Steering very hard
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM warranty extended to 150,000 miles for this issue. GM stated they will not repair unless hard steering occurs during service appointment.
Power steering loss or failure
Power steering function stops working, either partially or completely, making steering difficult or impossible. May occur suddenly while driving or after a service event.
When: At 25 mph; at various times after service; one incident attempting to steer around a curb
Symptoms owners cite: Lost power to steering; Unable to control vehicle steering; Power steering light illuminated; Difficulty steering around obstacles
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had PSCM (Power Steering Control Module) software update applied; another had $800 blower motor replacement followed by 'Service Power Steering' light appearing.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated they would not cover software update cost. One owner's case forwarded by manufacturer.
Death wobble (steering and vehicle shake)
Violent shaking of steering wheel and entire vehicle that feels like wheels are going to fall off. Owner calls this a 'death wobble.'
When: After purchase in Nov/Dec 2022; reported 11/08/23
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel shaking violently; Entire vehicle shaking; Feels like wheels could fall off
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
When towing with rv the front wheels start a severe wobble which shakes the rear of the rv. This has occurred several times; several at hwy speed after going over a bump in the hwy. The only way to stop the wobble is to stop the vehicle; this is very dangerous when in traffic at hwy speed. I had initially thought it was the new blue ox tow bar but I checked that with the manufacturer; they…
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 44,833 and 127,600 miles, with the median around 73,900. A quarter of owners report trouble before 44,833; a quarter make it past 127,600. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.