2013 Chevrolet Equinox Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2013 Chevrolet Equinox has a complaint index of 80, ranking 5th worst out of 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. NHTSA logged 751 complaints, led by engine problems (57% of complaints), plus 2 recalls covering wipers and electrical systems.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #5 of 21 Equinox years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 751
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 20
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 20
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 18.5 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 20 / 0
Top 2013 Chevy Equinox problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine426 (57%)
- Visibility & Wipers155 (21%)
- Transmission & Powertrain80 (11%)
- Electrical System73 (10%)
- Other64 (9%)
- Fuel System45 (6%)
- Brakes32 (4%)
- Airbags25 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires22 (3%)
- Steering19 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in moderate-to-severe crashes, including deer strikes and rear-end collisions, leaving occupants without protection.
- Some drivers report brakes that did not slow the vehicle as expected, leading to collisions.
- One owner described the steering wheel locking briefly at 40 mph during a turn before resetting.
- Engine compartment fires occurred both while parked in a driveway and while driving at low speed, with smoke appearing under the hood.
- Driver seat back support and headrest reportedly broke during a rear-end collision, allowing the occupant to shift into the back seat.
2013 Chevrolet Equinox recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V582000Aug 4, 2016Visibility & Wipers367,808 vehicles
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 16V502000Jul 5, 2016Electrical System8,367 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition
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."
Risk: 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.
2013 Chevrolet Equinox fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18.5 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 21.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,025
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 Equinox ranks 5th worst among 21 model years with a complaint index of 80, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other Equinox years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox?
- Engine problems dominate, accounting for 426 complaints or 57% of the total, with a median mileage at failure of 92,750 miles.
- Does the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2013 Equinox: one for corroding wiper module ball joints and one related to electrical park lock/key cylinder issues.
- How many complaints does NHTSA have on file for the 2013 Equinox?
- NHTSA lists 751 complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox, including 20 crashes, 5 fires, and 20 injuries.
- What are better Equinox years to consider instead?
- Among Equinox model years, 2021, 2023, and 2024 earn Best verdicts with much lower complaint indexes of 5, 10, and 15 respectively.