2013 Chevrolet Equinox: Engine complaints
Owner-reported issue (NHTSA complaints, not a recall)
Symptoms
NHTSA has 420 owner complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox that list the engine component. Complaints are individual owner reports, not verified defects.
Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11761531 (filed 09/02/2026): “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…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11747310 (filed 06/29/2026): “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…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11729284 (filed 04/05/2026): “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 t…”
Likely causes
These complaints do not establish a single root cause; read the examples above and get a diagnosis.
Fix, in plain English
No single fix is established by these reports. Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer about technical service bulletins (TSBs) or extended warranty coverage, then have the system diagnosed.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range for this issue. Get a written quote after diagnosis.
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