VehicleVerdict

2013 Chevrolet Equinox problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 984 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median Equinox year — the 2013 model ranks #3 of 22 Equinox years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 23 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 43% of all reports (422 of 984), far ahead of visibility & wipers at 164. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

984

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

27

Crash-involved

10

Fires reported

23

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other Equinox years?

Equinox NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted1,137 complaints2005: 950 complaints2006: 950 complaints2007: 950 complaints2008: 535 complaints2009: 151 complaints2010: 1,118 complaints2011: 1,137 complaints2012: 943 complaints2013: 984 complaints2014: 696 complaints2015: 844 complaints2016: 487 complaints2017: 367 complaints2018: 570 complaints2019: 408 complaints2020: 463 complaints2021: 117 complaints2022: 210 complaints2023: 119 complaints2024: 111 complaints2025: 331 complaints2026: 92 complaints
Equinox NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Equinox years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Chevrolet Equinox problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine42243%
Visibility & Wipers16417%
Electrical System899%
Transmission808%
Other636%
Fuel System455%
Airbags253%
Steering192%
Brakes131%
Speed Control121%
Tires & Wheels111%
Body & Structure101%
Suspension81%
Lighting71%
Seat Belts71%
Driver Assistance61%
Seats20%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V582000Visibility & WipersAugust 4, 2016 · 367,808 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ball joints in the windshield wiper module may corrode and wear over time, possibly resulting in one or both of the windshield wipers becoming inoperative.

Consequence

Inoperative windshield wipers may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, dealers will repair the AIP-hole, inspect and, if necessary, replace the front wiper module, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 25302.

16V502000Electrical SystemJuly 5, 2016 · 8,367 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence

If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“FIRE STARTED WHILE CAR WAS SITTING IN DRIVEWAY. FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS A ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT STARTED NEAR THE FUSE BOX. FIRE BURNED THROUGH FIREWALL AND CONTINUED UP THE CEILING CONSOLE. THIS CAR IS USUALLY PARKED IN MY GARAGE, WITH MY BEDROOM RIGHT ABOVE. FIRE STARTED AROUND 12:30AM.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 17, 2016 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS SEIZED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURED LINKAGE ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · July 3, 2016

“My car caught fire 1 minute after it started smoking while I was driving it due to an electrical issue. I nearly died. The fire totaled my car. I had to pull over as fast as possible and nearly caught a nearby restaurant on fire. It was inspected by the fire department. There was no warning…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 13, 2022 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 5, 2015 · crash

“2013 EQUINOX LT WAS STRUCK ON PASSENGER SIDE BY A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA WHILE DOING UNDER 10 MPH. THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 35 MPH FOR THE SONATA. THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT CAUSED THE EQUINOX TO ROLL OVER ONTO ITS SIDE AND ONLY THE SIDE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. EQUINOX RECEIVED DAMAGE TO ALL AREAS OF THE VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 23, 2013 · crash

2013 Chevrolet Equinox — common questions

Is the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 984 complaints put the 2013 model at #3 of 22 Equinox years. It is one of the Equinox years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 Equinox problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (422 complaints), visibility & wipers (164 complaints), electrical system (89 complaints).

Does the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Equinox years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Equinox years to avoid are 2011, 2010, 2013, 2005, 2007, 2006, 2012, 2015. The cleanest record among Equinox years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.