10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 0
Average Mileage:
79,047 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #195

Jan 192020

Equinox

  • 124,000 miles
I was driving on the interstate at 75 mph with cruse control. All of a sudden with no notice I heard a loud pop and the car started jerking and vibrating real bad. When I pulled over to the side of the road the inside was full of smoke and smelt like burnt oil. After looking under the car there was alot of oil dripping out and behind me. I was able to get to a gas station that was about a mile away but going about 15 mph and sounded like a riding lawnmower and jerked the whole time.

- Knoxville, IL, USA

problem #194

Jan 192020

Equinox

  • miles
My car went through all 5 quarts of oil after one month. I put 2 quarts in to tide over H til I drove directly to the oil change place to have a top off. The engine burned up 2 quarts in a 15 minute (20 mile) drive. When they checked my dip stick was empty. I am having no external leaks and my car keeps dying while driving.

- Pekin, IL, USA

problem #193

Jan 042020

Equinox

  • 120,000 miles
While driving on a freeway I started to hear a loud knocking (diesel sound). I pulled off at nearest exit to check engine oil, due to using excessive amounts. Sure enough it was completely out of oil. I'm consistent on oil changes, and it's still needing oil in between changing. So I added 4 quarts of oil but the noise did not go away. I was 3.5 hours away from home with my children in the car. I started to check into this problem and seems I am not the only one with this exact issue. I owe on it still, now I'm going to need a whole new engine. To my surprise there is no recall for my engine with my VIN number so now I'm suppose to buy it out of pocket! not only that I now need to find a vehicle I can drive to work. Living in rural mn I drive a lot, I thought I was buying a reliable vehicle with decent gas mileage. After reading all the complaints I feel I'd be better off buying a Ford or Dodge truck. I need 44 but all these smaller SUV engines seem to have issues. I'd say if you want your money's worth steer clear of the 4 cylinder money pit that GM is selling to us middle class americans while completely ignoring our requests for help with their faulty product.

- Hill City, MN, USA

problem #192

Nov 212019

Equinox

  • 11,500 miles
The truck would cut off at red lights and stop signs and it has started was oil.

- Fairfield, AL, USA

problem #191

Dec 062019

Equinox

  • 70,000 miles
Vehicle constantly smells like gas. Also is not telling me when it is low on oil and over consumption of motor oil. I have oil changes done regularly and have almost run completely out of oil 2 times in last 5 months!

- Battle Creek, MI, USA

problem #190

Jan 012019

Equinox

  • 80,000 miles
There is an issue with excessive oil consumption. It causes the engine to run low on oil at about 30% oil life left, and the engine shudders and shakes. This can cause problems with other parts and cause them to fail as well.

- Wolfforth, TX, USA

problem #189

Aug 012019

Equinox

  • 102,000 miles
I have contacted my local dealership and been denied replacement of my pistons. I bought my vehicle April 2019 before it was even due for its first oil change it was extremely low. I started the oil change testing with the local dealership which I thought caused my car to disable itself because it's burning over a quart every thousand miles. Because my VIN number has yet to reach the dealership they refused to help me. Has put me in severe danger. I know they're waiting for a special coverage action for the 2013 liter motor mine was manufactured February 2013. The new motors without this problem were built in May 2013. I would greatly appreciate any help that you could offer me I have a vehicle that I just pop by that February 2013. The new motors without this problem were built in May 2013. I would greatly appreciate any help that you could offer me I have a vehicle that I just fault and it's unsafe to drive. The dealership refuses to help me.

- Weaverville, NC, USA

problem #188

Dec 262018

Equinox

  • 87,000 miles
At 87000 miles the engine had timing issue and valves mad piston contact. At 90000 miles engine had PCV valve freeze up and push main seal out of engine. Both are known recall issues but according to Chevy my VIN isn't included in these recalls. The engine is now using 2 quarts per thousand miles. I have spoke with Chevy reps and been told to basically pay for a new engine. I don't feel this is right since these are all known faults and there have been several lawsuits over the issues. I have paid over 5000 dollars for repairs on a engine that doesn't even have 100,000 miles. I have worked in the service industry for over 15 years and I know there are things that dealers can do to make this right with the customer. I would like to know how I am supposed to trust this engine with my families safety, the vehicle will either stall out and cause an accident or have a oil fire under the hood.

- Webster, SD, USA

problem #187

Dec 152019

Equinox

  • 141,000 miles
Fell victim to the PCV valve freezing this weekend and blew out the rear main seal on my Equinox. Was leaving the highway when vehicle stuttered and almost stalled into oncoming traffic at bottom of exit. Luckly it gained power back to avoid and accident. Got home and looked the car over to find oil sprayed all over the bottom of the car. No oil lights or indicators came on to let me know the oil was gone from the car. The dipstick was dry and now I'm stuck with a $1600 bill to replace a $30 seal. Car is in the shop to see if the rest of the motor survived or if it needs a rebuild and a new timing chain from the damages caused. I didn't even know there was a service bulletin for this issue but I was told my car VIN wasn't involved in the issue. Yet it has the same problem as those that were. Car is already using about 2 quarts of oil every 1000 miles due to faulty GM piston rings that aren't in a recall hopefully the class action lawsuit helps Equinox owners with unnecessary expenses. With a known issue like this GM should just replace the motors with a new improved one and save their customer base while they can. Will be calling GM in the morning to get the runaround like everyone else I'm sure.

- Reedsburg, WI, USA

problem #186

Feb 122018

Equinox

  • 120,000 miles
While driving on the interstate on a cold, winter day, my car started smoking and making a loud tapping sound. After pulling off of the highway, it was discovered that oil had splattered under and on all sides of my car. The rear seal in the motor broke resulting in me having to pay > $5K to have fixed because my car was not on the list of vehicles covered in a previous recall.

- Leavenworth, KS, USA

problem #185

Dec 092019

Equinox

  • 110,000 miles
I was driving my 2013 Chevy Equinox and it started making a loud diesel truck type of noise on a highway going about 60 mph after around 15 minutes of driving in 1 weather. I made it to my destination and turned it off. It sat for about 4 hours in a parking lot before trying to restart it and it started for less than a minute before dying. I added 3 quarts of oil to it and it sounded slightly better. Then I moved to a different spot to make sure it wasnt leaking oil which it was not before letting it sit for another 4 hours. Later in the day I turned it on to get it home to sit as the dealership couldn't get it in for a week, and when I put it in reverse to check for more oil under it there was about a quart worth of oil that had sprayed all over the ground and under my car. It leaked oil the entire way back to my home about 25 minutes away and left a trail of oil up my driveway. Chevy has recalled the part that is broken on my vehicle and model year but will not repair it due to it not being associated with my VIN.

- Savage, MN, USA

problem #184

Nov 122019

Equinox

  • 61,000 miles
The car is having oil consumption problems and makes very loud noises when starting up and idling. I took it to my dealer and was told it probably had piston ring wear and will probably need a new engine due to oil blockage. The car only had 61000 miles and had always been serviced by the dealer for all maintenance on time. I am very disappointed with action from Chevy on the problem because the car had been very well taken of and we like the car overall. I just can't afford to replace engines due to poor manufacturing. My dealer had been no help and just acts like it's normal to replace a engine due to oil consumption problems, . I have research a few forums and have found alot of Equinox owners are experiencing the same problems. I always loved Chevy but if I have a choice I will never buy again. Thanks

- Orlandhills, IL, USA

problem #183

Dec 052019

Equinox

  • miles
Our Equinox has had a check engine light come on stating the oil level is low. Since we checked tsb's and had the dealer scan it and found excess consumption of oil was do to, camshaft position and timing system. This caused are vehicle to stall out in stationary locations. We asked Chevy to fix the issue but no recalls have been volunteered. We've had these issues since purchasing the vehicle March 2019.

- Tremonton, UT, USA

problem #182

Aug 012019

Equinox

  • 123,876 miles
I was on the highway and my engine started running rough. Then at the stop light it completely cut off and did not start. When I towed it to the mechanic he said there was no oil in my car. I am very good at my oil changes.the engine light did not give me warnings. I had to replace the gasket rings and other parts. $1900. Now the intake sensor has to be replaced for the second time. The check engine light will not go off. The mechanic says it is the same code and these engines are problematic. My car still cuts off very frequently at stop signs and lights. I I would like to also note that I had to replace the manifold. It cracked

- Sicklerville, NJ, USA

problem #181

Nov 262019

Equinox

  • 149,000 miles
I took my car into my local Chevy dealership due to a check engine light, and it was determined that my exhaust manifold is cracked. After doing research online, this has been a long-term, ongoing issue with this model. As exhaust fumes can leak into the passenger compartment through the vent system (as I was informed by the service technician who told me of the problem), and it has apparently been an ongoing problem for years, I believe this is a safety issue that should merit a recall. My father, who has been an automotive mechanic for most of his life, has told me that this should not happen in a car that is only 6 years old. There would seem to be either a material, or design, flaw that is causing this to happen.

- Yelm, WA, USA

problem #180

Nov 142016

Equinox

  • 54,000 miles
This vehicle has had oil consumption problem for 3 years they replaced rings and all they said its common on this car well if it's common recall this car and replace the engine

- Liverpool, NY, USA

problem #179

Nov 192019

Equinox

  • 150,000 miles
While driving engine completely shutoff with no warning on a busy highway blocking traffic lights did not dim or anything. Something needs to be done about this engine. Timing. Was the issue due to burning so much oil.

- Selma, NC, USA

problem #178

May 012019

Equinox

  • 90,000 miles
Original owner of vehicle. Burns through full oil constantly while driving. Have to carry oil in car and check often. There is currently class action lawsuit over this issue as it is happening way to many cars for it to be a coincidence. Our other 2013 Chevy Malibu also is having this problem and ruined the engine before car loan was even paid off. This issue could cause the engine to stall while driving.

- Ennis, TX, USA

problem #177

Nov 172019

Equinox

  • 127,871 miles
Irregular oil consumption and engine problems leading to further repair and continuous diagnosis. Vehicle currently has a mileage of 127,871 and original owner of vehicle. Since February 2019, engine diagnosis is required between oil changes do to low idle and check engine light. Vehicle has stalled while stopped at traffic lights, but stalling has not yet occurred at slow speeds. Dealership has found oil engine level low, causing the timing chains to stretch and creating noise. Performed engine performance restoration service to clean piston rings and changed oil and filter; reset oil life and cleared codes. Dealership recommended to return in 1,000 miles to re-evaluate oil level and perform internal engine repairs. Past repairs included cam, timing belt, and catalytic converter,

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #176

Oct 192019

Equinox

  • 182,000 miles
Get away with motor oil bad. This isn't the only Equinox doing this. Don't know where it is coming from or going.

- Beaver Dam, KY, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »