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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
78,754 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2013 Chevrolet Equinox Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #31

Jan 152019

Equinox

  • 90,000 miles

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

My vehicle stalled at slow speeds. When gas pedal pressed the vehicle would rock back and forth then die. Very dangerous because it happened on the freeway. A year ago my vehicle was part of the oil consumption issues and the pistons and rings were changed. Now the 'I take camshaft solenoid' is affected possibly causing the current issue. I have done research and see that many people have had the same issues with the same vehicles. Why would something like this not be a recall?? it happened last year as well and was told that by changing the pistons and rings that that would solve the problem. Apparently it didn't.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #30

Sep 012018

Equinox

  • 135,000 miles
The check engine light turned on at around 135,000 miles. Following that, the vehicle began losing power, the rpms started to randomly spike up, and it began consuming a lot of oil. When idling or coming to a top the vehicle will turn off or begin shaking really bad and then turn off. I have contacted the Chevy dealer and there is nothing they will do about it.

- Rutledge, TN, USA

problem #29

Sep 142017

Equinox

  • 60,000 miles
Check engine light comes on and off for no reason. Rpms spike when ideling and vehicle physically jumps forward. Vehicle turns off while driving when coming to stop at intersection.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #28

Aug 092018

Equinox

  • 82,000 miles

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

82K miles on the vehicle and am having to put 2-3 quarts of oil in car between oil changes. Check engine light is coming on every few hundred miles now and the oil dipstick is dry. I fill up with approximately 2 quarts and the engine is fine until another 200-300 miles when the check engine light comes on again and the dipstick is dry again. Had this issue last year in may in tx and the technician stated that the gasket was bad and they replaced that. Car ran fine for almost a year and now I can not go over 1000 miles without putting in quarts of oil.

- Easley, SC, USA

problem #27

Jan 012018

Equinox

  • 84,000 miles
I purchased a 2013 Chevy Equinox on 5/2/16. On 1/1/18 with 84,000 miles, I was on the highway with my 4 children and the stability track, reduced power warning flashed, engine malfunction warning, and then a message to stop the engine. I pulled to the side of the highway in 0 degree weather with my and stopped the engine. After waiting over 2 hrs I was towed home. On 1/2/18 Chevy's corporate office advised towing to Chevy dealer. I took all of my service records as requested. 2 days later I was told the main seal failed and was not under warranty and Chevy had refused any repair cost assistance so $1500 was the quote later that day they quoted me $2000. I purchased the Chevy 18 months prior and owe way too much money. After going back and forth with jeff schmitt Chevy in beavercreek, oh and Chevy's corporate office, each blaming the other for refusing repair assistance and not honoring the warranty. I had the vehicle towed back home and was billed $130+ for a diagnostic. The dealer acted annoyed by my request to have the results of the diagnostics in writing on the bill. I was also racking up a rental car tab. The next day I called other dealers who quoted $1300 but the seal was on backorder. I located a dealer 2 hours away who had the part in stock and quoted $1300 based on the diagnostic. I had the car towed 2 hours away $ to find out the intake manifold had failed causing the seal to fail and cost $2200. [xxx] diagnostic" this Chevy burns oil like crazy. 1000 miles after an oil change and the dipstick is dry, but no oil leaks." Now the liftgate has gone rogue. It opens and then closes very forcefully (violently), immediatly after opening injuring me. I find it extremely hazardous and have banned my children from operating the liftgate for fear that it may crush one of them. Generations of my family have been very loyal to Chevy. Chevy, where does your loyalty lie? parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA),

- Xenia, OH, USA

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problem #26

Jun 082018

Equinox

  • 72,000 miles
The engine does not consume oil properly and uses an excessive amount of oil. The car has had regular and on time maintenance and oil changes. There is no warning or notice when the oil is low and this can cause engine failure while driving and I would have not notice. The Chevrolet dealership says they have seen this a lot in these cars. The dealership said the solution is the car needs new pistons a $2,000 repair. The car has only 72,000 miles on it. The car also needs new timing chains and the dealership said they also see this a lot. Another $2,000 repair. The timing chain problem caused the car to shake violently when braking.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #25

Apr 272018

Equinox

  • 113,195 miles

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

The 2013 Chevy Equinox burns so much oil in between oil changes that I am constantly dumping oil in. Chevy will not include my year in any service bulletins, making me responsible for repairs that may or may not work and buying oil every week. Also, the oil consumption problem is ruining the engine, leading to a crack in the exhaust manifold, which allows exhaust fumes to leak into the cabin. Especially if I use the heat or air conditioning, the windows have to be cracked for fear that I would gas myself to death.

- Yoe, PA, USA

problem #24

Apr 032018

Equinox

  • 50,500 miles
Differential transfer case cracked and spraying oil on engine according to mechanic. Also, according to mechanic this is a known issue regarding this vehicle. Considering the oil is spraying on the engine this should be considered as a recall issue.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #23

Feb 282018

Equinox

  • 106,000 miles
Just purchased vehicle amd trandmission is slipping in 3rd thru 5th. No warranty seems like this happens in alot of Equinox. This is a major safety concern in which GM is not taking serious.

- Sabina, OH, USA

problem #22

Feb 022018

Equinox

  • 84,613 miles
Intake PCV port froze-internal oil pressure in motion slowed then stopped then I would restart continually.

- Lisle, IL, USA

problem #21

Jan 032018

Equinox

  • 132,000 miles

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

This car has had documented excessive oil consumption issues since I bought it used in 2015. Chevrolet will not make right. So far I have had to replace the timing chain and main seal twice due to massive oil leakage and loss. Most recently engine seized up while I was going 70 mph and stopped in the middle of the highway. A very dangerous situation. Even though oil had been changed 1500 miles previously, it was bone dry and main seal blew out for the second time. GM says it "costs too much" to replace faulty piston rings which are the source of several service bulletins and recalls. This is a very dangerous car and someone is going to get killed driving these things!! this is the 3rd time the engine has seized up on me in traffic. Car only has 132K miles, problems started at around 45K miles.

- Franklin, TN, USA

problem #20

Dec 192017

Equinox

  • 177,000 miles
I made an appointment 2013 Equinox into the dealer because I was smelling strong exhaust smell in the cab. As soon as I talked to the mechanic he told me it was most likely a cracked exhaust manifold and that it is happening frequently in the Equinox models. Then 2 days before my appointment to get my car looked at my check engine like turned on so I parked it and didn't drive it until it was time to take it to the dealership. When I got there I let them know that the light had just came on. After inspecting my car they found that the exhaust camshaft actuator solenoid was out of spec. The removed it and replaced it and found a lot of metal shavings on the actuator. R/R intake solenoid and and cleaned more metal shavings off of that. They checked the oil and there was no oil on the dipstick, car is not leaking oil and has been regularly maintained. The service manager at the dealership came out and talked with us and said that we need a full engine rebuild because these cars will start to use oil and the timing chain wears the guide out at then the chain gets worn out and it ruins the entire engine. There was no indicators of issues until the engine is shot. The dealership and GM said that there is a special program for 2010 - 2012 euqinox to fix this problem but because mine is a year newer (2013) that my vehicle doesn't qualify. Not only is the engine totally shot after 117,000 miles and 4 years but the exhaust manifold is cracked right at the the fresh air intake and so it sucks exhaust right into the cab of the vehicle when the heat is running. It is so strong that the windows have to be rolled down to drive it. Not safe!!! super dangerous to be filling the cab with carbon monoxide! not to mention the engine is totally shot due to a designe flaw and could break down on the side of the road at anytime.

- Wendell, MN, USA

problem #19

Dec 122017

Equinox

  • 1,000,000 miles
My car is cutting off without any warnings in traffic and when parking also at stop lights. I took it to a local shop to have it checked due to the check engine light finally coming on. Only to find out my car had no oil. Note I keep my routine maintenance up on my car due to having a small child. Also cam shaft code my car is out of warranty and I just paid car payment. Reading complaints I see this problem is happening alot. Not sure if I will keep this car feeling very unsafe with a small child and car cutting off and oil running out without any warnings GMC should fix this problem should have been fixed years ago. Putting families life in danger just too make a dollar. Safety first is my #1 reason for sharing this my car cut off 12 times in one day really & I would keep this car.I could have been rear ended several times with the car turning off.I have to take the key out and restart it really on 2013.I can't believe this is happening to me once again I have a lemon and I know for fact I'm not the only one with this problem

- Cary, NC, USA

problem #18

Aug 052017

Equinox

  • 87,000 miles
My car engine light came on last week after I had picked it up from Chevy dealership after they had repaired my vehicle. Since the light has been on I am unable to use my remote start. My engine seems like it wants to cut out. My car does not run properly.

- Chillicothe, OH, USA

problem #17

Jun 252017

Equinox

  • 190,000 miles
6 months after purchase car began stalling. Vehicle always was low on oil, even with proper maintenance. Loss of acceleration speed and stalling became usual. Finally after filling the tank it stalled and would not start so we had it towed. Timing chain was the reason given so $3600 later I figured it was fixed. Not the case. Oil was still having to be added and 1.5 years later while driving, the motor has blown. We still owe 9K on a car that is inoperable and also usaa requires us to keep our insurance. I

- Canton, MS, USA

problem #16

Mar 082017

Equinox

  • 115,986 miles
I just recently replaced my engine that blew up. I was driving home from a doctors. Appt when all of a sudden my SUV went from driving the speed limit to barely moving. I had to turn it on and off several times to be able to park it in a safe place.I had it towed to a local dealership and was told my transmission died. So in less than two months I have had to replace both my engine and transmission once I hit 100,000 miles. The vehicle received routine maintenance and there is no reason for both to completely die back to back.

- Mccordsville, IN, USA

problem #15

Jan 122017

Equinox

  • 27,000 miles
These vehicles have a problem with transmissions. They seem to lurch forward when down shifting. Have brought it to several dealers, they say this is normal really. This is not safe. Called GM they are no help!!

- Newport, MN, USA

problem #14

Sep 252016

Equinox

  • 116,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving 45 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road where it was able to be restarted. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #13

Oct 232016

Equinox 6-cyl

  • miles
While driving on turnpike at about 75, stability control message can up followed by reduced engine power message. Car reduced speed very quickly while in moderate traffic. Managed to move to shoulder safely, however car would not restart. Powered off vehicle for a few minutes. When turned back on to attempt restart, messages are gone but left check engine light. Vehicle would turnover and sputter but would not remain running.

- Troy, NY, USA

problem #12

Aug 082016

Equinox

  • 39,000 miles
Vehicle shuts off while in drive, loosing all power to throttle, power steering and all other components of vehicle. This has begun happening over the last three days after having the vehicle for only three months. The vehicle currently has 39,000 miles on it. Today while traveling 70 mph on the highway the car shut off causing me to have to fight the cars steering to safely bring it to a complete stop in the breakdown lane. I had to put the car into park remove the key from the ignition and then re insert key and re start the vehicle.

- Andover, MA, USA

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