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2013 Chevrolet Equinox engine problems

420 complaints (56% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 93,500. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
420
of this car's complaints
56%
typical mileage
93,500
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)
    1
  • Exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor
    1
  • Exhaust system
    1
  • Engine: oil/lubrication: seals/gaskets
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Chevrolet Equinox engine problems in other years

20052010201520202027

Specific symptoms reported on the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Oil consumption 178Check engine light 113Stalling 92Engine failure 61Loss of power 34Knocking 33Won't start 16Misfire 7Overheating 7

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2013 Chevrolet Equinox owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 2, 2026 · Engine · MO

We changed the external fuel pump, we changed the oil cap to the vented oil cap, We changed the oil 2x within 2 days, once trying to get it by until we could get the new fuel pump on,and once directly after and still had issues. Losing power and getting stranded while trying to cross a busy highway is terrifying, 100% —it is an extreme, life-threatening safety risk.I returned the vehicle and took a heavy financial loss, The fact that this dangerous car is back with a seller means someone else is going to buy it, This report could prevent a fatal accident. We have seen multiple of these same vehicles all over places like facebook marketplace and on the side of the road. They are dangerous vehicles and I've heard multiple accounts in which even your dealerships dont know how to fix it. I believe you have a responsibility to consumers to pull these cars from use and make it right to all who have not gotten what they paid you for buying this car from you. Thank you for your consideration, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 29, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · CO

My 2013 Equinox is experiencing the excessive oil loss without warning..this led to transmission..engine..timing failure. The car loses power jerks at slower speeds it sounds horrible and has cost a lot of money for repairs. Still don’t know if it will last much longer. This is a burden on my family as we can’t afford to just go buy another vehicle. I purchased it in 2022 and in 2019 there was a lawsuit being settled for these exact problems and I was not told this nor was it disclosed on the carfax report!! Very upsetting as I will be without a means of transportation.

Filed Apr 5, 2026 · Engine · OH

While driving at around 110,900 to 111,115 miles(it being 111,115 now), it occassionally will get a very loud thumping sound and my car goes into limp mode and loses power. Shakes horribly bad in the process. I have to turn the car off and sit there waiting for it to calm down and then drive 35mph to get home. Piston problem ive been told. Every time this has happened, ive been on a very busy highway with my 2 kids in the car with me. Please send out a recall! The miles are not high. This started in February 2026.

Filed Feb 18, 2026 · Engine · KS

Excessive oil consumption i have the same 2.1 liter echo tech engine that was previously involved in the lawsuit against General Motors for the 2013 chevy equinox excessive oil consumption. My car has stalled, jerked and keeps me in the auto parts stores buying oil all the time even long before time to change the oil.

Filed Jan 27, 2026 · Engine · MI

Frozen PCV that blew rear engine seal

Filed Dec 17, 2025 · Engine · OH

PCV Valve froze due to poor design and crankcase couldn't vent which blew out the rear main seal. Obvious design flaw

Filed Dec 4, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · IN

My 2013 Chevrolet Equinox (~132,000 miles) has a serious and unsafe oil consumption problem. I had a full oil change, and only two weeks later the dipstick was completely dry. The vehicle provided no warning lights, no low-oil indication, and the GM Oil Life Monitoring System gave an inaccurate reading, failing to alert me to the critically low oil level. On November 25, 2025, while stopped with my foot firmly on the brake, the vehicle began constantly jumping and jerking forward as if it was trying to move on its own. During driving, I also began hearing a loud crunching, metal-on-metal noise whenever I accelerated or drove under 50 mph. Because these symptoms started suddenly and were severe, I took the vehicle to my mechanic the same day. On November 26, 2025, the mechanic confirmed that the engine had suffered major internal damage due to running with almost no oil. The timing chain and VVT components needed to be replaced. The mechanic confirmed that oil starvation caused this failure despite a recent oil change, and the inaccurate oil life monitoring system contributed to the hazard by failing to alert me to the critically low oil. This defect presents a significant safety hazard, as the vehicle can jerk unexpectedly, stall, lose power, or suffer sudden engine failure while driving, all without warning. I have since learned that excessive oil consumption and inaccurate oil life readings are widespread in GM 2.4L Ecotec engines. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this safety-related defect.

Filed Oct 27, 2025 · Engine · KY

I am submitting this complaint regarding an ongoing and serious safety-related timing chain issue with my 2013 Chevrolet Equinox LT. The timing chain loses tension intermittently, which places the vehicle at immediate risk of significant engine damage, stalling, or complete loss of power during operation. This issue compromises the vehicle’s ability to operate safely in traffic. A sudden failure of the timing chain system can result in abrupt engine shutdown, without any warning lights or diagnostic codes to alert the driver. This creates a dangerous situation, particularly when traveling at highway speeds, merging into traffic, or navigating intersections. The timing chain defect in this model appears to be a known and recurring problem among owners of similar GM engines, and there is evidence suggesting design flaws contributing to premature wear and tension problems. However, this vehicle has not been included in prior recalls addressing similar timing chain failures. I rely on this vehicle for essential travel and live on SSDI, which limits my ability to cover repeated high-cost repairs for what appears to be a manufacturer-related safety defect. The risk of sudden engine failure with no prior indication is unacceptable and warrants further investigation. I respectfully request the federal safety agency review this concern as a potential recall safety issue, given the clear risk of power loss and danger to both myself and other drivers on the road.

Filed Oct 13, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · WA

When gas is applied the transmission skips and doesn't get the power needed to drive car safely. I don't have any lights to indicate this is a problem within the engine. This recall has been issued for my vehicle but when I contacted the customer service for repairs, my vehicle information says there is no recalls for my vehicle. I did receive a letter in the mail stating my car has a recall

Filed Jul 1, 2025 · Engine · NH

This car burned through oil like you would not believe. I was unaware of the issues surrounding the engine in my 2013 Chevrolet Equinox until my engine stalled and completely shutdown while I was driving to work in January 2025. I was very lucky I was the only one on the road at the time and was able to move the car to the shoulder but had I been on the highway, I could’ve died in a wreck that would cause. Huge safety issue. The low oil pressure light came on right before but hadn’t done so at all prior and I had been super deligent with all oil changes. It truly just burned up all that oil and the engine to this day has yet to start again. Purchased the car used in Santa Ana, CA in. February 2024. Mechanics had looked it over thoroughly during purchase and before we took it across country and found zero issues yet 11 months later the engine was toast. Now I am stuck with a piece of garbage in my driveway that I still owe money on. This has to be a violation of consumer laws now knowing that GM has been aware of this issue for over a decade!

Questions about the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox engine

Does the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox have engine problems?

Owners have filed 420 complaints about the engine of the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox, 56% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2013 Chevrolet Equinox engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 93,500 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Chevrolet Equinox have bad engine?

The Chevrolet Equinox model years with the most engine complaints are 2013 (420 complaints), 2011 (419 complaints) and 2012 (361 complaints).

Other 2013 Chevrolet Equinox problems

Visibility 159Transmission 80Electrical 69Fuel system 45Driver assistance 26Airbags 25Steering 19Brakes 13Acceleration 12Body 11Suspension 9Tires 8Lights 7Seat belts 7Wheels 5Seats 2

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