Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 0
Average Mileage:
75,486 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Chevrolet Equinox engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox:

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

2013 Chevrolet Equinox Owner Comments (Page 7 of 20)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #265

Jan 182021

Equinox

  • 91,836 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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. They called back the next day with a new diagnosis and said it needed a remanufactured engine which would cost $8,000 because a piston rod blew and damaged the engine. The car has 91,836 miles. Luckily, she was in town, near home and not away at school and wasn't on the interstate when her car broke down. She is safe but I can't help but wonder what if she was on the interstate when this happened. The Equinox is not safe if it can easily shut down with no prior warning. After researching this problem I have learned that many Equinox owners have dealt with this issue and some are on their second and third engines. Unfortunately, this unexpected occurrence puts us in a very awkward, expensive situation. I refuse to pay $8,000 for a new engine for a vehicle that I still owe $6,000 on and the new engine can easily have the same issues. Chevrolet knows about this engine problem and does not want to be held accountable. I will never purchase a Chevy car again and will definitely let people know about the Equinox issues.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #264

Feb 092021

Equinox

  • 110,000 miles
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. They have a service bulletin out on the issue but are stating that because my car was manufactured at a different plant it is not covered. The service department let me that the hole in the engine was too small causing the seal to break. Had my car suddenly stalled on the highway there would have been a wreck. There was no indication of an oil leak or any issues with the car until the main oil still broke.

- Rochester, MN, USA

problem #263

Feb 092021

Equinox

  • 89,700 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.

- Troy, MI, USA

problem #262

Feb 082021

Equinox

  • 108,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My engine light came on and the shop diagnosed that the catalytic converter needs to be replaced. Looking online I see the 2012 is covered by Chevrolet but my 2013 is not. Speaking to the shop they tell me this is very common with these cars.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #261

Jul 022020

Equinox

  • miles
Excessive oil consumption. I have to add oil every week and check frequently so that I do not run out of oil when oil is low there is no safety feature that lets you know

- Saginaw, MI, USA

problem #260

Feb 012021

Equinox

  • 68,000 miles
I bought my 2013 Equinox in 2012. It now has about 68,000 miles. Oil changes are on time and regular. Recently I made a 7 hour round trip. Towards the end of the trip the car began to idle very rough and the engine sounded louder than normal. At the end of the trip the check engine light came on. The next day I took it for an oil change. I thought it might be the oil filter. After the oil change, it seemed to drive smooth for one day then the check engine came on again. The almost immediately a message that said 'reduced engine power.' The next time I drove it was to take it to the dealership for a diagnosis. On the way there the car stalled at a busy stop light. After a few minutes I was able to get it started again and made it the maybe 1000 feet to the dealer. The first diagnosis they gave me was a time chain issue ($1800) then they called me a day later and said pistons/piston seals were also an issue and now it would be ($2500). I started to do some research and I found the lawsuits about the piston issues and oil consumption. It sounds exactly like the problem w/my car. I can detail regular oil changes and never had an oil light come on but I see where other people describe how the screen that gives the oil % is not really monitoring the cars actual oil use. I relied heavily on this screen, always checking it to see if I needed oil. I would like info on how to access the special warranty to pay for these repairs.

- Sumter, SC, USA

problem #259

Feb 012019

Equinox

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Has excessive oil consumption due to faulty piston rings

- Fowler, IN, USA

problem #258

Jan 312021

Equinox

  • 84,549 miles
Three oil changes all done at carl black Buick GMC, llc, 11225 alpharetta hwy, roswell, ga 30076 when the vehicle states there is 40% oil life left. Each time, oil has been completely depleted creating a loud clicking sound in the engine. Next oil change schedule 1-month in advance of service recommendation from dealer oil sticker. This has been a persistent problem throughout the life of the vehicle. Dealership thus far has not been helpful contacting GM corporate to assist. This is the same 2013 Chevy Equinox already part of an approved and proven issue with GM motors that burn excessive oil even when being maintained by their certified mechanics at their dealerships. This is an 11-month follow-up after initially reporting the same issue on 2/21/20 - NHTSA id 11310678.

- Sandy Springs, GA, USA

problem #257

Nov 122020

Equinox

  • 101,716 miles
After performing a diagnostic check on January 15th 2021, I was informed by jefferson Chevrolet that my engine light was on because of the timing chain and misfiring pistons. I have not had this car six months. It has a hundred and one thousand miles on it and I have been excessively adding oil. Even the prior visit in December 2020, the representative at jefferson Chevrolet in detroit Michigan informed me that my car had no oil after a recent oil change and that he could not perform any inspections until they perform another oil change. I would like information on how to receive payment from the manufacturer to repair my vehicle.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #256

Dec 182020

Equinox

  • 92,000 miles
I am following up to an ongoing issue regarding our 2013 Chevy Equinox that recently had the lower end rebuilt due to excessive oil consumption. For some brief history on the vehicle, it began using a significant amount of oil around the 70,000-mile mark. Prior to the lower end rebuild, I was adding nearly 8 quarts of oil every 3,000 miles. The vehicle has 95,000 on it now. Fast forward to late this past winter [early 2020], I received a letter in the mail stating the sca (15285/16118 coverage) was extended for the 2013 model year 2.4L ecotec. Upon receiving the letter, I was in the process of making an appointment for the oil consumption issue, however, this was the same time the state of Wisconsin shut down for covid reasons. This was, unfortunately, was around the time the extension was going to expire. Once, restrictions were lifted an oil consumption test was performed. The initial oil change occurred in April 2020. The vehicle was found to consume a significant amount of oil. Holiday automotive of fond du lac, wi performed this test. The engine, without a doubt, was in need of a lower end rebuild. This rebuild was scheduled and completed in December of 2020. Via communication between myself and holiday automotive of fond du lac, GM has agreed to cover half of the costs, but in the end this is still very significant. The work has been completed, but I am now between a rock and a hard place with the vehicle. The extension window that GM provided was narrow to say the least.

- Ripon, WI, USA

problem #255

Aug 172020

Equinox

  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought my 2013 Chevy Equinox in July of 2019, about a month after buying it my husband checked the oil and the oil wasnt even on the dipstick. After that we kept an eye on it and every week we have to put at least a quart of oil in the vehicle. We have brought it to our shop and have determined that there is excessive oil consumption at the 100,000 mile mark.

- Becker, MN, USA

problem #254

Dec 262020

Equinox

  • 134,000 miles
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.

- Geneva, OH, USA

problem #253

Dec 182020

Equinox

  • 10 miles
My 2013 Equinox Chevy, I was driving down on the highway without engine light warning. Acting funny till I got home... then the engine light came on, next morning we were going to take it to GM for take a look at but won't stay running. Still didn't give any alert.

- Noblesville, IN, USA

problem #252

Dec 182020

Equinox

  • miles
My 2013 Chevy Equinox started burning oil around 80,000 miles and when I brought in for oil change to Chevy dealership the service advisor said some cars burn oil. No big deal they said just keep checking oil and fill if low. So did that for years and now over 120K (170K now) I received letter for recall if I'm under 120K bring car in to fix. But now I'm over 120K miles they won't fix it. So now car is getting worse by the mile and blowing grey smoke out my muffler. I can't believe they won't fix my problem. I should of had them note in comments about my burning oil issue. I now have to put 1 quart in every 1000 miles and the quote from Chevy dealership to fix is over $4,000. Even my extended warranty won't cover it saying it's a GM recall and they don't fix when GM should fix it. I have always changed oil every 6,000 miles and paper back up to prove it but that doesn't matter I guess. What a shame because I love my Equinox but now GM won't fix it I probably won't buy another GM car. So still making payments to GM financial for a car that's not work what I owe and with this issue the value of car is next to zero. Need car to make money so I have to fix it.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #251

Jan 262019

Equinox

  • 78,000 miles
Vehicle stalled out in an intersection after the oil burned up 1000 miles after an oil change.02

- Kennesaw, GA, USA

problem #250

Dec 102020

Equinox

  • miles
Hello, I bought this 2013 2 weeks ago. Had it checked out by the mechanic at the dealership for an extra charge and they said nothing was wrong with it! fast forward 2 weeks to the day I got the car....check engine lights came on...oil etc....took to mechanic and they said there was no oil, I got a $100 oil change and the next day the oil was gone again and has created me a problem now that I can't get to and from. What's going on" how come consumers aren't being made aware of the oil consumption issue before purchasing a vehicle" disgusting!

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #249

Dec 152020

Equinox

  • 88,000 miles
Massive oil consumption! in between oil changes constantly needing to put in at the least a 5 quart jug of oil. In turn causing my car to jump at stoplights almost causing me to hit the person in front of me which was caused from low oil. Then it is now causing my engine to misfire. Which includes very poor acceleration which almost caused an accident as I was crossing across another street to almost get hit from the side and another time when turning same thing almost happened. Then when my car is in park it is starting to stall out. Now needing to bring it to a shop once again.

- Saint Paul, MN, USA

problem #248

Dec 012019

Equinox

  • 110,000 miles
Excessive oil consumption with no warning light

- Luana, IA, USA

problem #247

Sep 092020

Equinox

  • miles
Severe oil consumption I'm adding oil constantly

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #246

Oct 282020

Equinox

  • 139,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving, an explosion occurred and the vehicle stalled. The contact called onstar and a police was sent out to assist with moving the vehicle to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was later towed to roger dean Chevrolet (2235 okeechobee blvd, West palm beach, fl 33409). The contact stated that three days later, the vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the timing chain failed and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired due to the repair cost. The contact stated that the vehicle was not drivable. The contact stated that the two year extended warranty had expired. The contact called a transporter to Transport the vehicle back to her residence in Delaware. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.

- Millsboro, DE, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?