NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 751 owner complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. Most complaints involve engine (412) and visibility/wiper (144). The EPA rates it 19–26 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.
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.
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."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Equinox model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 638 |
| 2006 | 695 |
| 2007 | 685 |
| 2008 | 370 |
| 2009 | 94 |
| 2010 | 784 |
| 2011 | 783 |
| 2012 | 685 |
| 2013 | 751 |
| 2014 | 549 |
| 2015 | 680 |
| 2016 | 399 |
| 2017 | 276 |
| 2018 | 410 |
| 2019 | 310 |
| 2020 | 318 |
| 2021 | 100 |
| 2022 | 182 |
| 2023 | 99 |
| 2024 | 192 |
| 2025 | 407 |
| 2026 | 79 |
| 2027 | 1 |
“We changed the external fuel pump, we changed the oil cap to the vented oil cap, We changed the oil 2x within 2 days, once trying to get it by until we could get the new fuel pump on,and once directly after and still had issues. Losing power and getting stranded while trying to cross a busy highway is terrifying, 100% —it is an extreme, life-threatening safety risk.I returned the vehicle and took a heavy financial loss, The fact that this dangerous car is back with a seller means someone else is going to buy it, This report could prevent a fatal accident. We have seen multiple of these same vehicles all over places like facebook marketplace and on the side of the road. They are dangerous vehicles and I've heard multiple accounts in which even your dealerships dont know how to fix it. I believe you have a responsibility to consumers to pull these cars from use and make it right to all who have not gotten what they paid you for buying this car from you. Thank you for your consideration, [XXX]”
“I was driving my car like usual and I almost reached home and my windshield vipers stopped working. I parked my car and checked it and the wipers are not working.”
“My 2013 Equinox is experiencing the excessive oil loss without warning..this led to transmission..engine..timing failure. The car loses power jerks at slower speeds it sounds horrible and has cost a lot of money for repairs. Still don’t know if it will last much longer. This is a burden on my family as we can’t afford to just go buy another vehicle. I purchased it in 2022 and in 2019 there was a lawsuit being settled for these exact problems and I was not told this nor was it disclosed on the carfax report!! Very upsetting as I will be without a means of transportation.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equinox FWD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 31 | 26 | $2,450 | 347 |
| Equinox FWD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; FFV · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 31 | 26 | $2,450 | 347 |
| Equinox AWD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI · All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,800 | 381 |
| Equinox AWD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; FFV · All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,800 | 381 |
| Equinox FWD Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,200 | 454 |
| Equinox FWD Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,200 | 457 |
| Equinox AWD Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI · All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,400 | 481 |
| Equinox AWD Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV · All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,400 | 481 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
2 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 751 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (412), visibility/wiper (144), power train (80). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox at 19–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox 4 out of 5 stars overall.