2013 Chevrolet Equinox Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe excessive engine oil consumption, often noticing the oil level drops well before the next scheduled change and sometimes without a low-oil warning. Many complaints link the low oil to ticking or knocking noises, stalling, and in some cases timing chain damage and engine replacement, typically at higher mileage. A smaller but consistent group reports windshield wiper failures and transmission or electrical symptoms.

1. 1
   Engine

   Excessive engine oil consumption

   • 262 complaints (35%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 6.6 yrs old (179 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,200 (median of 32 quotes)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe adding a quart or more of oil between changes, in some cases every several hundred to a couple thousand miles, and report that the low-oil light does not come on when the level is low. Complaints mention that dealers performed an oil consumption test, cited piston ring wear, or replaced seals, and that some repairs were quoted at several thousand dollars or were not covered. Some owners also report a fuel smell or oil leaking onto the ground. Mostly reported between roughly 60,000 and 150,000 miles, with several owners saying it began around 90,000 to 100,000 miles.

   What to check: Check the dipstick level and look for a fuel smell in the oil, and ask whether an oil consumption test was ever performed. Review service records for oil additions between changes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My eco-tec engine burns oil. I have had the engine worked on twice for the same repair resulting in over $3,000 paid out of pocket. I have my oil changed every 3000 miles or less. I also have to add 2-3 quarts of oil on a weekly basis. Additionally, now my vehicle is experiencing a fuel issue where I'm now burning fuel.”

   NHTSA complaint #11365322, filed 2020-10, 100,000 miles

   “First problem since I bought car june of 2020 was the stalling issue. I changed exhaust and camshaft selenoids still idled rough but didnt stall.. The car would start ticking every other week from the excessive oil this vehicle consumed . Luckily I knew what the tick meant because no low oil light ever came on. Then I got the notice for the oxygen sensor recall and hoped itd take care of oil problem . …”

   NHTSA complaint #11395863, filed 2021-02, 104,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Timing chain failure and engine damage

   • 209 complaints (28%)
   • median 91,300 mi at 6.3 yrs old (157 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 28 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Complaints describe ticking or knocking noises, loss of power, reduced engine power messages, and stalling, after which mechanics found a fractured or stretched timing chain and recommended engine replacement. Several owners connect the failure to running low on oil; others say the failure occurred with no warning light beforehand. Typically reported from about 70,000 to 150,000 miles, often following a period of oil loss.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Listen for timing chain rattle at cold start and ask for evidence of regular oil level checks. A pre-purchase inspection that includes checking for stored engine codes is worthwhile.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My family and I were driving on the highway and my engine stopped without any warning lights or notifications. We were able to safely coast from the left lane to the shoulder. We had the car towed to a nearby dealership. When they inspected my car they said there was no oil in in the engine and that the crank was locked up. I was told I would need to replace the engine. My car has about 134,000 miles on it and was brand new when I bought it.”

   NHTSA complaint #11385747, filed 2020-12, 134,000 miles

   “We purchased a used 2013 Equinox for my daughter in 2016 and received regular maintenance including on-time oil changes. On jan 18 at 1:30 am my daughter was driving home and the check engine light came on, she pulled off to the side of the road and the car shut off. She tried to restart and it wouldn't start. We had the car towed to the local Chevrolet dealership and the first diagnosis was it needed a new drive belt and negative battery cable for $860. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11395785, filed 2021-02, 91,836 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Stalling and rough running with check engine light

   Mentioned in 9 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the engine stalling at stops or while driving, shuddering, and hesitating on acceleration with the check engine light on, sometimes with a stability control message. Owners report dealers replacing sensors, the catalytic converter, or the secondary air injection pump, and in some cases the problem returned. Reported from around 50,000 to 150,000 miles, with several cases in the 90,000 to 120,000 mile range.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the check engine light has been on and have any stored codes read before purchase. Check that the PCV valve and related updates were addressed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving my car home from work, on north capital street n.w. A very busy city street, when I stop at the red light my car started to shake,and when the light turned green, my car stalled and the car behind me almost ran into me. When I took my car to the mechanic he told me that my car was almost out of oil, and I told him that I gotten and oil change 1 1/2 months ago, and the meter on my dash broad said that I have 75% oil left in my car, he said to keep an eye on my oil. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11319346, filed 2020-03, 113,769 miles

   “I have a check engine light for clogged pvc valve. Special bulletin was released 14882 GM lost a class action for having limited cars with VIN # approved for the free fix so numerous other owners sued and won in 2019. But now my VIN with the same problem isn't being covered. It's a well known well complained about problem with 2010-2014 chevy Equinox's. With some cars catching fire. I brought in for what I thought would be a covered repair since the lawsuit and have been given the run around.”

   NHTSA complaint #11389925, filed 2021-01, 73,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Oil leaks from seals after PCV clogging

   • 89 complaints (12%)
   • median 95,034 mi at 6.4 yrs old (68 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 19 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners describe oil leaking onto the ground or under the vehicle, with dealers identifying the rear main seal, rear differential gasket, or PCV valve. Some complaints note the PCV valve clogging in cold weather, and some say a special coverage bulletin applied to other vehicles but not theirs. Reported from about 50,000 to 130,000 miles, several in cold weather conditions.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Look for oil residue under the engine and on the driveway, and ask whether the PCV valve and seals have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am very frustrated with GM right now! There is a known issue with the rear main oil seal on several of the vehicles from 2010-2014 but they are only covering repairs for certain VIN numbers. The seal broke on the engine causing oil to leak out of the vehicle. This left me stranded in freezing cold temperatures. Now I am being told that I am responsible for thousands of dollars to fix an issue that GM knows is their fault. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11395634, filed 2021-02, 110,000 miles

   “Found a pool of oil on the driveway in the morning, had it towed to a dealer, told the main rear seal let go, oil changed at dealer 5 days prior for an oil consumption check, because of constant oil loss, in the past two years. Never had a visible leak on the engine or oil spots on the driveway or garage since owning the vehicle since 2014.”

   NHTSA complaint #11395457, filed 2021-02, 89,700 miles

Buying note. Given how often owners describe oil consumption and its knock-on effects, a used example is worth checking for oil level, leaks, and stored engine codes before buying. Ask for service records showing oil changes and any prior oil consumption test or timing chain work.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.