RoadVitals

2013 Chevrolet Equinox Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical 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.
69
Latest Mar 4, 2025
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.
9%
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.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. 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. 69 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 electrical

The 25 most recent of 69, in the owner's own words

ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 4, 2025

It failed inspection after repairs secondary air injection pump TCM PMC . Check engine light came back on after it passed .

NHTSA ID
11646364
Incident
Feb 24, 2025
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 31, 2024

My car is chewing through oil, about 1 quart every 500 miles. There are no leaks, I change oil regularly. It went into limp mode, to then discover the 2.4 4 cylinder Chevys and GMCs are having massive issues. It almost stranded me on the side of the road coming home from work.

NHTSA ID
11622939
Incident
Oct 29, 2024
ElectricalEngineSuspension
Filed Sep 10, 2024

Vehicle shakes when turning on and while driving, check engine light is on or blinking, service stabilitrack warning, traction control light is on, poor acceleration, Tire monitor system light is on and does not read tire pressure (this is all happening at the same time).

NHTSA ID
11613816
Incident
Aug 26, 2024
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed May 8, 2024

Engine Problems Due to Excessive Oil Consumption, Rattling, and Failure. Then There Is The Electrical Issues Which Would Drive Anyone Insane causing certain functions not to work. The constant dimming of the screen it self.Im very upset cause im a single mom of a college student, I can’t afford these kind of issues.

NHTSA ID
11587746
Incident
May 5, 2022
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 19, 2024

Using to much oil engine making noise

NHTSA ID
11584045
Incident
Apr 11, 2024
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 13, 2024

Engine failure after complete service inspection.

NHTSA ID
11582753
Incident
Apr 11, 2024
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 2, 2024

My car engine blew do to an over oil consumption. There appears to have been a recall but I was never notified. My car is at a dealership and the cost is 11k for new engine do I have any recourse? Timing chain replaced june 2023 by libertyville chevrolet. Libertyville il No one mentioned this engine recall to me then either.

NHTSA ID
11575019
Incident
Jun 3, 2023
Electrical
Filed Feb 2, 2024

The infotainment screen goes blank. I can hear the radio but nothing is on the screen so I can not use any buttons. This also affects the backup camera, being able to see that area to check to make sure nothing is behind the vehicle. The dealership can not duplicate the issue as this happens randomly, mainly when there is a lot of rain/wetness. I have been dealing with this for exactly 10 years now, January 2014-2024. I have all service papers from taking it in and not once did they offer to check other areas to see if something else could be causing this issue. I took it again, after contacting Chevrolet, for the umpteenth time, and paid for diagnostics. The dealership now says it supposedly is the atenna, that water is getting in and causing the issue.

NHTSA ID
11569538
Incident
Jan 8, 2014
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 2, 2024

Got a diagnostic done and the engine is needing a timing jump and lower bearing that causing noise.

NHTSA ID
11563148
Incident
Dec 29, 2023
ElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 28, 2023

Recall for oil burning consumption I took car to dealership to fix but I’m continuing to have the same problems and still no oil light comes on and it continues to use oil some where and it never leaks onto the ground and new problems now it’s jerking when at a stop if idle for to long a warning light says reduced engine power. Very unsafe in traffic

NHTSA ID
11562257
Incident
Dec 28, 2023
ElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 5, 2023

My car is burning oil I only drive to work which is only 20 miles away I put oil in 2 days ago and it’s rattling and sounds like it’s knocking and is a quart low it says it’s at 54% till my next oil change also my oil cap has condensation under it. How can this be fixed? Also yesterday when I was leaving for work my radio totally went off blank screen for almost a minute, I live in the country and I don’t want to be stranded on the side of the road at 5:00 in the morning I love my car but, how can these 2 issues be fix? Is there anything you can do to fix this?

NHTSA ID
11553636
Incident
Nov 1, 2023
Electrical
Filed Oct 24, 2023

See attached document from complainant

NHTSA ID
11551612
Incident
Jul 22, 2023
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 18, 2023

Abs electronic control panel not working all dash lights come on abs, track, power steering , seat belt dinging sound , rpm and mph gauge erratic . Part is unavailable . Car consumes excessive oil, transmission. ready to go. Car could stall and or slow and cause accident. Car was taken to dealership

NHTSA ID
11522648
Incident
May 16, 2023
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 27, 2023

I am deaf and this have problem engine and oil keep leak and show road ice but outside warm. I try use collision road it not show light on nothing..

NHTSA ID
11513932
Incident
Feb 8, 2023
ElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 6, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle immediately and the vehicle started to operate normally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was 137,000.

NHTSA ID
11496263
Incident
Dec 4, 2022
Mileage
137,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Sep 8, 2022

SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE AND MADE CAR PAYMENT ONE, I THOUGHT THIS WAS THE BEST VEHICLE FOR ME. THEN SHORTLY THERE AFTER CAME THE RECALLS/PROBLEMS (Catalytic Converter, Electrical System inside the vehicle, and last but not least, the Engine. I have to make sure I take the vehicle in 1000-1500 miles early than normal because of the oil is low and the vehicle. The vehicle starts to vibrate/shake in the steering wheel and making noise that I know that it is time for the Oil Change. This vehicle has been not at all what I thought it was. I have spoken to someone at GM, which was supposed to get back to me. Please call for more information. [XXX]. Really would like to resolve this. If this vehicle is not safe for My 3-year-old granddaughter that I have in the vehicle or myself that I have put my TRUST and money in. I would love to give you my vehicle and you can drive your love ones and yourself to Doctor and other places you need to go. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID
11483535
Incident
Sep 8, 2022
Electrical
Filed Jun 20, 2022
Fire reported

My car caught fire 1 minute after it started smoking while I was driving it due to an electrical issue. I nearly died. The fire totaled my car. I had to pull over as fast as possible and nearly caught a nearby restaurant on fire. It was inspected by the fire department. There was no warning messages or symptoms.

NHTSA ID
11470075
Incident
Apr 13, 2022
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 23, 2022

I was driving on the highway and the stabilitrak light came on as well as the power steering, ABS, traction control light and engine light then my car literally slowed down and had no power. I was doing 60 mile an hour and it down shifted to almost 5 miles an hour

NHTSA ID
11461922
Incident
Apr 19, 2022
AirbagsElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 10, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the gear shifter failed to shift out of PARK and the key would not move, preventing the contact from turning off the vehicle. The contact also mentioned that the service air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact initially called the dealer where they informed him to tow the vehicle to the dealer location. The contact then called AAA where they were able to reset the gear box; the contact was then able to shift the vehicle into the DRIVE and drove to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the failure with a defective gear box; the vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer while they awaited for the parts to repair the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V502000 (Electrical System, Power Train) however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.

NHTSA ID
11455983
Incident
Mar 9, 2022
Mileage
168,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 16, 2021
Fire reported

CAR HAD AN OIL CHANGE AND THREE DAYS LATER, IT BURST INTO FLAMES. IT WAS A 2013 CHEVY EQUINOX WITH A ECOTEC ENGINE. THE CARE WAS SITTING IN A PARKING LOT.

NHTSA ID
11403244
Incident
Feb 14, 2021
Mileage
116,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 25, 2021

MY 2013 EQUINOX IS USING A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL I HAVE THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 2000 MILES AND STILL HAVE TO KEEP AN EYE ON IT NO OIL LIGHT COMES ON TO WARN ME MY CAR ALSO DIED ON ME RIGHT AFTER STARTING IT AND WHEN I PULLED THE DIP STICK SO MUCH AIR PRESSURE BLEW OUT AND BLEW OIL ON ME I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND PEDAL POSTINGS SENSOR AS WELL AS MY BACK UP CAMARA WENT COMPLETELY YELLOW WITH A BLUE LINE GOING ACROSS IT MY DATE IS NEVER RIGHT AND I STILL OWE 6000 ON IT I'VE HAD MY CAR 2 YEARS AND 6 MONTHS

NHTSA ID
11397831
Incident
Feb 24, 2021
Mileage
16,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 14, 2020

SO FIRST STARTED TO USE OIL MORE THAN IT SHOULD BETWEEN CHANGES BUT IT WOULD BE JUST 1 QUART LOW IT WOULD KNOCK. THAN TRANSFER CASE WENT OUT THAN A WHEEL BEARING WENT OUT. I LIKE MY CAR BUT IT'S STUFF I KEEP MAINTAINED BUT SEEMS LIKE EVERY TIME I TURN AROUND SOMETHING GOES WRONG. NOW WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOOR AN THE KEYS ARE IN MY HAND I HEAR A CLICKING NOISE LIKE THE COMPUTER IS ONE IN IT ALSO ONCE AN AWHILE YOU CAN SMELL GAS NOT ALWAYS. IT'S LIKE IT'S COSTING MONEY TO FIX IT ON STUFF THAT SHOULDN'T GO BAD IF YOU MAINTAIN IT. I TALKED TO FOUR OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN EQUINOX AN DIFFERENT YEAR RANG FROM 2011 TO 2017 WITH SAME ISSUES. WHY IS IT WE THE PUBLIC HAVE TO FIX ISSUES WHEN YOU MAINTAIN THE CAR!! I DON'T WANT TO TRADE BUT IF IT GOES DOWN AGAIN IT'S GOING TO BE TRADE FOR A NON CHEVY CAR I HAVE HAD CHEVY SINCE I STARTED DRIVING 40 PLUS YEARS MY SECOND EQUINOX NEVER HAD ISSUES WITH THE FIRST ONE LIKE I HAVE THIS ONE . I CHANGED BATTER IN IT THINKING IT WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE CLICKING BUT IT DIDN'T I ALMOST DON'T WANT TO DRIVE IT TO MY DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS WHICH ARE QUIT OFTEN DUE TO WILL IT DIE ON ME AN LEAVE ME STRANDED ON THE ROAD

NHTSA ID
11354998
Incident
Jun 11, 2020
Mileage
139,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 18, 2020

MY CAR ENGINE LIGHT HAS CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. I TAKE CARE OF MY CAR AND WITH COVID HAVEN'T BEEN DRIVING MANY PLACES. WHEN INSPECTED BY A LICENSED MECHANIC THEY TOLD ME IT IS SOMETHING WITH THE ELECTRIC COMPUTER COMPONENT OF MY CAR AND MY CAR RUNS CORRECTLY AS OF NOW. *TR

NHTSA ID
11329567
Incident
Jun 15, 2020
Mileage
6 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed May 27, 2020

MOTOR WHEN I GOT IT THEY TOLD ME THEY DID HAVE IT CHECK AND THERE AS NO RECALLS ON IT. I DRIVE IT FOR ABOUT A MOTH AN THE MOTOR STATED TO MAKE A TICKETING NOSE CHECK THE OIL AN IT WAS ABOUT AROUND A 1,000 MILES IT NEEDED AN OIL CHANGE WHEN I HAD IT CHANGE IT LOOK LIKE IT HAD NOT BEEN CHANGE IN A LONG TIME. AN AROUND THE SAME TIME AGAIN I CHECK THE OIL AGAIN IT WAS A LOW AGAIN SO I HAD IT CHANGE AGAIN THIS TIME THE OIL FILTER LOOK GOOD IT TO LOOK THE FIRST TIME, LIKE IT HAD NOT BEEN CHANGE. THEN IT STARTED SKIPPING AND LIKE IT DID WANT TO STAY CRACK UP LIKE IT WANTED TO CUT OFF ON,IT STILL DOING IT HARDLY EVER DRIVE IT THEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO ACT UP I STARTED TO HAVE IT NOT WANTING TO CHANGE GEARS BUT THEN IT STOP. IT DOES IT NOW SOMETIMES. I'LL CHECK THE TIME AND IT USUALLY SLOW THAN WANT IT SUPPOSED TO BE, ALSO THE LOCKS DO NOT WORK MOST OFF THE TIME WHEN I PUSH THE BUTTON MOST OF THE TIME AN ALSO THE CAR WANT START SOMETIMES IN THE MORNING WHEN I GO TO CRACK IT UP WITH THE KEY. I BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER, FIRST THE FREON WENT OUT THE FIRST TIME I USE IT, ALSO THEN IT STARTED TO MAKE NOSE WHEN I TURN AROUND ARE TURN A CORNER AND THE FREON WOULD TURN A CORNER THEN IT STARTED TO LEAK INSIDE THE CAR WHEN I WAS STANDING AT A STOP SIGNAL WOULD STOP LEAKING SO MUCH WHEN I WOULD GO THAT JUST STARTED I FINALLY LOOKED UP RECALLS AN SEEN THAT ALL THESE THINGS WERE IN A RECALL OF MAY 19, 2019 I BOUGHT MY CAR IN OCT 19, 2019. THEY SAID THEY WERE NO RECALLS , BUT WHEN I LOOKED IT RECALLS IT HAD EVERY THING WRONG WITH IT THAT ALL THE RECALLS WAS ON THERE AN A FEW EXTRAS' THEY ALSO SUED AND THEY DO NOT PUT MY CAR IN THE PROBLEMS AREAS. *TR

NHTSA ID
11326114
Incident
Nov 16, 2019
Mileage
99,567 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Feb 21, 2020

DIGITAL SPEED WON'T LIGHT UP. NO LIGHT DRIVING OR STILL M

NHTSA ID
11310593
Incident
Feb 17, 2020
Mileage
56,250 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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .