Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2013 Chevrolet Equinox: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox, most recently filed August 2016. Owners have filed 751 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 4 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V582000 Filed Aug 4, 2016

Windshield Wipers may become Inoperative

Visibility · windshield wiper/washer · motor
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
73.1% repairedof 367,808 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V582000
Listed for 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V502000 Filed Jul 5, 2016

Key May Be Removed When Not In Park/FMVSS 114

Electrical system · ignition
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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."
Consequence
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.
97.9% repairedof 8,367 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V502000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (751)

751 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.

20involved a crash
5involved a fire
20injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 751.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2013 compares with other Equinox years

Best and worst Equinox years →
2009201020112012201320142015201620172018
This year (2013)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 4 stars overall

Overall★★★★☆
Frontal crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 4★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 4★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 19.1%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2013 Chevrolet Equinox suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 26 mpg combined

26
mpg combined
22
city
31
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,600
CO₂ tailpipe
347 g/mi
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle

What it costs you to run

$2,512per year
$209per month
577gallons a year

Miles ÷ 26 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2013 Chevrolet Equinox configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 26$2,600347
2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 26$2,600347
2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23$2,900381
2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23$2,900381
3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 20$3,350454
3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 20$3,350457
3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 19$3,550481
3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 19$3,550481

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2013 Equinox for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Equinox years

Where to next

2013 Chevrolet Equinox FAQ

How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 16V582000 (visibility), 16V502000 (electrical). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2013 Chevrolet Equinox problems?

Owners filed 751 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (412), Visibility/wiper (144), Power train (80) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox get?

EPA rates the 2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 22 city, 31 highway and 26 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox get?

NHTSA rated the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox suv fwd 4 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (19.1% rollover risk).

How does the 2013 Equinox compare with other years?

Among the 2009–2018 Chevrolet Equinox model years at least five years old, the 2009 drew the fewest complaints (94) and the 2010 the most (784). The 2013 drew 751. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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