Avoid unless the engine has been fixed
The 2013 Equinox with the 2.4L burns oil, often a quart every 1,000 to 2,000 miles. Running low on oil stretches the timing chain and can ruin the engine. Wiper failures are the other common complaint.
Updated November 2026 · based on 751 owner complaints and 2 recalls
315 1.9x the Equinox average
2 free to fix at a dealer
Every Equinox year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2013 Equinox
Top problems and what they cost
Excessive oil consumption
Worn piston rings burn oil between changes, bringing timing chain wear, check engine lights and in some cases engine failure.
Fix: Piston rings $2,000 to $3,500; engine $4,000 to $6,000.
Engine
Timing chain stretch
Often follows low oil, with rattling and a check engine light.
Fix: Timing chain $1,200 to $2,000.
Engine
Wipers stop working
Front or rear wipers quit, sometimes in heavy rain. Recall 16V582 covers the rear wiper motor.
Fix: Recall free; front wiper transmission $200 to $400.
Visibility
Recalls
Inoperative windshield wipers may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox
- Confirm the wiper (16V582) and ignition (16V502) recalls show as repaired.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2013 Equinox has 2 recalls on record, listed below.
- Pull the dipstick. A low level on a recently serviced car means oil burning.Knocking, ticking or rattling from the engine, especially when cold, can mean worn bearings, lifters or a stretched timing chain. These are engine-out repairs costing thousands.Owners filed 180 complaints about excessive oil consumption on the 2013 Equinox, one of the worst years for it.
- Listen for rattling at cold start.A test drive of at least 20 minutes, including a cold start, traffic and highway, gives known faults time to show up.
- Ask for receipts showing piston or engine work.Paperwork shows whether known problems on this car were already fixed. No records means you should assume the work still needs doing and price it in.
Questions
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
Avoid unless the engine has been fixed. The 2013 Equinox with the 2.4L burns oil, often a quart every 1,000 to 2,000 miles. Running low on oil stretches the timing chain and can ruin the engine. Wiper failures are the other common complaint.
How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox have?
2 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Chevrolet dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2013 Chevrolet Equinox problems?
Excessive oil consumption; Timing chain stretch; Wipers stop working.
Crash rating shown for the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.