Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
10
Latest Jul 10, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
1%
of 749 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2
What this page shows
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 10 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming body or structure
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
Body & structureBrakesEngine
Filed Jul 10, 2023
Purchased car from dealer on 7/1, car seemed fine at dealer and then died. Took car to oil change place, discovered underneath frame completely rotted out. Called dealer, dealer unwilling to fix, replace or refund vehicle. Had car further inspected to find complete engine, transmission, frame, axle, steering, brake issues. There were no signs of anything wrong at the dealership.
NHTSA ID
11531435
Incident
Jul 1, 2023
Body & structureExterior lightingPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 29, 2019
1 injury reported
PURCHASED VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY JUNE 29, 2019 FROM CHEVY DEALER IN ROSEVILLE CA. ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED VEHICLE I NOTICED THE LIFTGATE COMING DOWN BY ITSELF. I NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING VEHICLE IN. IN THE MEANTIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON AND STAYING ON, SO WHEN I MADE THE APPOINTMENT I ALSO MENTIONED THIS TO THE SERVICE AGENT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN , AS A DROP IN APPOINTMENT BECAUSE I STAY OVER AN HOUR AWAY FROM WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. I;D HAPPENED TO BE IN THE AREA ON THIS DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED IN AND THE SERVICE AGENT HELPING ME ASKED COULD I LEAVE THE VEHICLE I AT THIS TIME REPLIED NO, BECAUSE OF HOW FAR WE'D TRAVELED TO GET THERE I DID NOT HAVE A WAY HOME. I'D STATED TO HIM AT THIS TIME WHEN I'D BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN BEFORE FOR SERVICE THAT I WAS PROVIDED A COURTESY VEHICLE, HE SAID THAT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE AND THAT I COULD RENT A VEHICLE, I DECLINED. THE AGENT CAME OUTSIDE TO WITNESS THE LIFTGATE GOING DOWN ON IT'S OWN AND AGAIN ASKED IF I WANTED TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE,I AGAIN STATED TO HIM I DROVE OVER 1 HOUR AND I DID NOT HAVE A WAY TO GET HOME. HE AT THIS TIME STATED HE HAD 300 VEHICLES AHEAD OF MINE AND IT WOULD TAKE HIM SOME TIME TO GET TO MY VEHICLE. HE WAS VERY RUDE AND UNPROFESSIONAL WHILE HELPING ME. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO HIS SUPERVISOR WHICH I DID AND HE ALSO WITNESSED THE LIFTGATE GOING DOWN ON ITS OWN, WE IN TURN WENT INSIDE TO CHECK THE WARRANTY AND EXTENDED WARRANTY I HAD ON THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD IT HAD EXPIRED THE PRIOR MONTH AND DID NOT COVER THEM CHECKING TO SEE WHY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS COMING ON. I BELIEVE THE DEALERSHIP SOLD ME AN UNSAFE VEHICLE AND THEY REFUSE TO TRY TO WORK SOMETHING OUT. RECENTLY, AS I WAS IN THE REAR OF THE PARKED VEHICLE THE LIFTGATE CAME DOWN ON MY SHOULDER WHICH REQUIRED ME TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION.
NHTSA ID
11291902
Incident
Sep 26, 2019
Body & structure
Filed Aug 29, 2019
THE ROCKER PANELS, DOORS AND TAILGATE ARE HEAVILY CORRODING AND THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF IN LARGE STRIPS.
NHTSA ID
11252253
Incident
Dec 1, 2018
Mileage
102,000 mi
Body & structureDriver assistanceSeat belts
Filed Jun 6, 2017
Crash reported
"TAMARA RECALL" I'M WRITING REGUARDING AN ACCIDENT THAT TOTALED OUT MY VEHICLE BUT NONE OF MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ? I HIT A DEER AT 75-80 MPH ON A HWY IT HIT MY DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT AND CONTINUED UP OVER MY HOOD AND ACTUALLY DENTED PART OF MY PASSENGER SIDE FENDER I COULDN'T EVEN OPEN THE DOOR ALL THE WAY! NONE OF MY AIR BAGS WENT OFF. LUCKILY I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON WHICH SOMETHING IN THE SEAT BELT BLEW WHEN IT LOCKED ME IN PLACE DUE TO THE IMPACT OF THE DEER HITTING JUMPING OUT AT ME A WARNING POPPED UP ON MY DASH BELIEVE SAID "LOCKED" BUT ALL HAPPENED SO FAST , IT PUSHED & CRACKED JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING UNDER MY HOOD. I HAD SMOKE COMING FROM MY VEHICLE, FLUIDS ON THE GROUND NO FIRE THANKFULLY ! MY SUV WAS TOTALED AND MANY HAVE QUESTIONED ME ABOUT THE AIR BAGS. I'M NOW WONDERING THE SAME THING. WHY IN THE WORLD DID NONE OF THESE GO OFF ? IF I WOULDN'T HAVE HAD MY SEAT BELT ON WHO KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WITH THE AIR BAGS NOT GOING OFF ! I'VE DONE RESEARCH I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY RECALLS, BUT I AM A LITTLE CONFUSED BY THIS!
NHTSA ID
10993565
Incident
May 9, 2017
Mileage
58,900 mi
Body & structureElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 17, 2016
Fire reported
FIRE STARTED WHILE CAR WAS SITTING IN DRIVEWAY. FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS A ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT STARTED NEAR THE FUSE BOX. FIRE BURNED THROUGH FIREWALL AND CONTINUED UP THE CEILING CONSOLE. THIS CAR IS USUALLY PARKED IN MY GARAGE, WITH MY BEDROOM RIGHT ABOVE. FIRE STARTED AROUND 12:30AM.
NHTSA ID
10885403
Incident
Jul 17, 2016
Mileage
70,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureSeat belts
Filed Jul 28, 2014
Crash reported
I WAS DRIVING ON A 2 LANE ROAD WITH HEAVY WOODS ON EACH SIDE AND A DEER RAN OUT OF THE WOODS IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT THE DEER WITH THE FRONT OF MY EQUINOX. I IMMEDIATELY SMELLED THE FUMES FROM THE AIR BAG BUT DID NOT SEE WHERE THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. ONSTAR CAME ON AND ASKED IF I WAS OK, THAT THEY WERE ADVISED MY AIR BAG HAD DEPLOYED. THE IN DASH SENSOR IN MY CAR ALSO ALERTED THAT THE AIR BAG HAD BEEN DEPLOYED. MY STEERING WHEEL APPEARED NORMAL, BUT A SMALL GAP AROUND THE AIR BAG COVER. IT APPEARS THAT MY AIR BAG HAD ATTEMPTED TO DEPLOY BUT THE BAG ITSELF DID NOT INFLATE. THE DAMAGE WAS FILLED ON INSURANCE AND GM WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT DUE TO THE FACT THAT MY AIR BAG DID NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED TO HAVE THE AIR BAG & SENSORS REPLACED. GM DID OPEN A CLAIM WITH MY COMPLAINT AND SAID THAT IT WOULD BE 20 TO 30 DAYS FOR AN INVESTIGATION TO BE DONE. *JS
NHTSA ID
10616816
Incident
Jul 15, 2014
Mileage
19,200 mi
Body & structureEngineOther / unspecified
Filed May 19, 2014
Fire reported
I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. I NOTICED A SMALL PUFF OF WHITE SMOKE FROM THE HOOD IN ONE SPECIFIC PLACE. PRIOR TO THIS, THERE WAS NOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THERE WAS NOT A MESSGAE WARNING OF REDUCED ENGINE POWER. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED AT A CERTIFIED GM DEALERSHIP ON 4/16/2014. NOTHING WAS NOTED ON THE DIAGNOSTIC FORM TO FIX OR REPLACE. IT WAS COMPLETED AT THE DEARLERSHIP THAT WE PURCHASED THE CAR AT. I QUICKLY GOT OUT OF MY CAR AND BEGIN TO GET MY THREE YEAR OLD OUT OF HIS CARSEAT. I LOOKED AT THE HOOD AND THERE WAS SO MUCH BLACK SMOKE POURING OUT OF THE HOOD I COULD NOT SEE OUR SHED OR ANYTHING IN FRONT OF ME. I YELLED TO THE OTHER TWO CHILDREN (BOTH 6), TO GET OUT OF THEIR CARSEATS AND RUN INTO THE WOODS. I UNBUCKLED ONE CHILD AND THE OTHER CHILD SLIPPED OUT OF HER BUCKLE. THEY RAN TO A SAFE SPOT. I RAN INTO THE HOUSE CALLED 911 AND GOT OUR FIRE EXTINGUISHER. CAME OUTSUDE AND THERE WAS BLACK SMOKE FILLING THE SKY AND POURING OUT OF THE HOOD IN NUMEROUS PLACES. I USED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER WHICH DID NOT HELP. I GOT THE GARDEN HOSE AND TRIED TO USE THAT, BUT WAS GETTING TOO DANGEROUS. SO I WAITED FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO ARRIVE. AT THIS TIME THERE WAS FLAMES COMING FROM THE BOTTOM AND TOP OF THE CAR AND THE CAR WAS MAKING LOUD CRACKING AND EXPLODING NOISES. THERE WAS SO MUCH SMOKE I COULD NOT SEE THE HOUSE WHICH WAS CLOSE BY. THE WINDOWS EXPLODED AND THE PASSANGER AIRBAG WENT OFF. THE THREE CHILDREN COUNTINUED TO BE 500 FEET INTO THE WOODS AND I FRANTICALLY WAS RUNNING AROUND (37 WEEK PREGNANT).THE SHED CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE TWO FRONT TIRES WERE COMPLETLY MELTED AND RUINED OUR DRIVEWAY. *JS
NHTSA ID
10592378
Incident
May 16, 2014
Mileage
18,026 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Mar 13, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported
I WAS HIT BY A CAR PULLING OUT OF A GAS STATION. HIT PRETTY HARD SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
NHTSA ID
10568976
Incident
Mar 12, 2014
Mileage
12,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 24, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR, THE DOORS COLLAPSED INTO THE FENDER, CREATING DENTS IN THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE DOORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,000.
NHTSA ID
10549340
Incident
Sep 23, 2013
Mileage
11,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Jun 4, 2013
THE EXTREME SLOPE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND EXTENSIVE DASHBOARD SURFACE TOP, COMBINED WITH MY SLOPED DRIVEWAY PRODUCES A SEVERE GLARE THAT REDUCES VISIBILITY TO THE POINT WHERE I AM FORCED TO INCH INTO MY GARAGE. THE GREY DASHBOARD BECOMES THE DOMINATE VISIBLE ELEMENT, REFLECTED ONTO THE WINDSHIELD IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO A HEADS UP DISPLAY. DAYLIGHT IS THE MOST CRITICAL TIMEFRAME. ADDING A BLACK CARPET DASHBOARD COVER REDUCED BUT DID NOT ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. I WOULD EXPECT TALLER DRIVERS WOULD HAVE AN EVEN GREATER PROBLEM. DRIVING IN NORMAL LIGHTING CONDITIONS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE AN ISSUE, HOWEVER THE TRANSITION INTO A LOW LEVEL LIGHTED AREA IS A REAL SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE HAS AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS, TURNING THEM ON OR OFF DID NOT HELP. *TR
NHTSA ID
10515121
Incident
May 23, 2013
Mileage
220 mi
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own