2013 Chevrolet Equinox: won't start

Filed Jun 30, 2025 · Engine · IA

Have a 2013 Equinox. After driving for 30 minutes the Stabilink light comes on, car car shakes & extreme reduced power. Now my car will not start have been without car. And about to lose my job.

Filed Apr 22, 2023 · Engine · GA

I went to Walmart to get an oil change. 8 days later while I was driving my SUV began making a knocking sound. I pulled over at a convenience store, checked the oil level and there was no oil in the SUV. I added 1 quart of oil and called Walmart to tell them what was going on. Walmart asked me to bring the SUV back since it had only been 8 days. Walmart added oil to my SUV but the car would not start afterwards. The mechanics had to push my car out of the service area. I had my car towed to GMC for diagnostics, inwhich they told me I would need to replace the engine. I kept up with my service work and had paid the SUV off 7 months prior so this was so frustrating.

Filed Feb 15, 2021 · Engine · 114,789 miles · IL

Rear main seal blew due to a faulty pvc valve, and warranty will not cover repairs. Say it is because it is a know factor with gm and they will not recall. I had just started my vehicle to drive to work when check engine light came on. It died right after the light came on and would not start back up.

Filed Feb 11, 2021 · Engine · 91,836 miles · LA

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.

Filed Jan 24, 2020 · Engine · VA

I purchase this vehicle in 2015, from rick hendrick chevrolet in norfolk, va. Less than one year, I brought my vehicle in for service because the oil was burning at a high rate. I had to put oil in my car every 700 miles. The dealership told me that the car was ok and just keep putting oil in the vehicle. I continue to take my vehicle in for normal maintenance oil changes etc. In may 2019, would not start and I had the car towed to the dealership and was told that the engine cylinder piston rings were bad and that I needed a new engine at a cost fo $5700.00. In january 2020, I received a letter from gmc regarding a class action settlement and claim form. In the letter it stated that gmc was extending warranty however. I called gmc and was told my car didn't meet the parameters. The dealership or gmc will not honor their agreement based on some loop hole. See the documentations.

Filed Dec 6, 2019 · Engine · 123,876 miles · NJ

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

Filed May 21, 2019 · Engine · 75,000 miles · MN

Engine cut out in middle of intersection would not start again had towed to dealer mechanic said there was metal shavings in oil and it needed an engine swap

Filed Feb 6, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 111,500 miles · OH

Smelled burning oil in garage. Checked under vehicle and noticed large puddle of oil and underside of rear engine soaked with it. Towed to dealership of purchase. Was notified that it was pcv value having moisture/condensation in it and freezing. This occurrence put pressure on the engine and seals. The rear seal connecting to the transmission is what failed. It was a cold day. The car was in a parking lot until end of shift. My wife said it did not start as fast as it normally does. There was not shuttering of the engine, no loud clacking sound and not one light icon lit up. I noticed a trail of oil into the garage in our driveway but no trail in the street. I assume it had just occurred when she was arriving home. She was braking to turn into our driveway. Her route from work is primarily state roads with speeds of 35-55 MPH and very often has deer crossing the roads as there are no road noise barriers or tall fencing. She arriving home at the normal time but I was able to pick up our sons. So she was able to just go home. The weather was cold (approx. 6-8 degrees). I have no reports, invoices or photos as the car is currently still in the shop since friday february 1st. Today is wednesday february 6th 2019. I have found a lot of information online regarding this issue, tsb #14882. Seems to be very common.

Filed Sep 22, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · WI

Car would not start. Charged battery up car started. Inside controls would not work. Sommers dealership charged me $800.00 to put a brand new blower motor in. Blower motor stopped working and now service power steering light comes on.

Filed Jul 10, 2018 · Engine · 109,000 miles · IL

There are 109k miles on my 2013 equinox, all put on by me. The last few years it has become apparent that my vehicle blows through oil. I have to add at least 4qt between oil changes. I keep an extra quart in my glove box just in case. On sunday, july 8th, the SUV would not start upon leaving the store. I checked the oil and naturally the dipstick is clean. Please note, none of the indicators (check engine, low oil pressure) were lit on the way to the store. My oil life was still registering 73%. My car was subsequently towed to a gm dealership where it was diagnosed with a broken timing chain. I have opened a claim with gm as this seems to be an issue that they are aware of in the 2013s and have not addressed.

Filed Feb 13, 2018 · Driver assistance, Engine · 103,000 miles · KS

On a cold winter day approximately 20 degrees, I exited off of the highway. Upon coming to a stop at the toll plaza, the car began making a horrible clanking noise, the 'engine reduced power' notification appeared as well as the traction activation. The car died but started back up to get it off the road to safety. Had it towed to the nearest chevrolet dealership and discovered the pcv system froze up and blew the rear main seal. The car had 103k miles on it at the time and was purchased new. Never had a single problem with it and always we'll maintained. Ended up having to replace the motor to the tune of $5,575. Less than 24 hours after picking it up from the dealership, it would not start. The stabilitrack and power steering lights came on and had to be towed back to the dealership.

Filed Jan 12, 2018 · Engine · 108,000 miles · MI

When I went out to start my vehicle, it hesitantly started, but when I put it into gear and drove a little ways , it stalled out of nowhere. When I tried to start it up again it wouldn't turn over completely and this stabilitrak warning came up. I had it towed to local auto shop where they told me that some gear in the engine was completely broken and that I needed to replace the whole engine. I keep up with my oil changes and have had no warning as to any problems that could have LED up to this. The more I read about this vehicle , the more complaints I see about the same issues I've been having along the way: ie windshield wiper breaking, exhaust manifold replacement and catylitic converter, and overall power train and engine problems. It's not a coincidence that multiple people are having the same problems with these chevy products, and in the name of safety , this company needs to step up and repair or replace these horribly and incompetently made parts. It's absolutely unacceptable that I have a less than 5 year old car that is good for no more than a paper weight right now. We the consumer buy chevy products for dependability , not to constantly have to fix it, and shell out even more money to ensure our safety. And don't tell me (chevy rep) when I call and complain , that it is my fault, because the only fault I see I've made is buying your pos car!!!