Chevrolet›Equinox›2013›Overview/chevrolet/equinox/2013/base/

2013 Chevrolet Equinox

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Equinox.

Body SUV

The 2013 Chevrolet Equinox is a sport utility vehicle that requires 5.0 qt of 5W‑30 engine oil. It recorded 747 owner complaints overall, with engine‑related issues being the most frequent and two recalls issued for the model year. Compared with the broader 2005‑2026 complaint trend—where the peak was 784 complaints in 2010 and the trough is projected at 56 complaints in 2026—the 2013 Equinox falls in the middle range, suggesting its reliability is neither the worst nor the best in the lineage.

Model year2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2013

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified

Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 660 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731742. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 660 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731742 alt 12580255
Engine air filter	23335811
Spark plug	12681660 alt 12681658
Front wiper blades	19432580 alt 19432579
Serpentine belt	12634319 alt 12636138
Thermostat	03522676 alt 12622410
Cabin air filter	20901295

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	188.6 in
Overall width	72.4 in
Overall height	66.9 in
Wheelbase	112.6 in
Curb weight	3929 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.6 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	58/42

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Equinox of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.8–9.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.80 sec — 2012 LTZ V6

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2012	LTZ V6 3.0L V6	7.80 sec	16.10 sec	264 hp	FWD
2010	LT 2.4L I-4	8.70 sec	16.80 sec	182 hp	FWD
2016	LTZ 2.4L I-4	8.90 sec	16.80 sec	182 hp	AWD
2016	LTZ 2.4L I-4	9.30 sec	17.00 sec	182 hp	AWD
2016	LTZ 2.4L I-4	9.50 sec	17.00 sec	182 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	4.2-6.4
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	6.0 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	11 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	10 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	140 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	NVG900: 11.0, Gertag 760: 29.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	NVG900: 18.0, Gertag 760: 29.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	151 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	151 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	15.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.43 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	5.0 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	660 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	47

Service checks

Pressure Test	20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	20 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	50-100
RPM	43-58 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance	1.9-2.3 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance	1.9-2.3 @ 68 degreesF ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	140 ft-lbs / 92 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	0.080
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.06 in / 0.72 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

111 ft. lbs., step 2: 150 ft. lbs., step 3: 100

111 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

74 ft. lbs., step 2: 100 ft. lbs. step 3: 150 degrees, install new bolt.

74 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

15 ft. lbs., step 2: 34

15 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 97,500 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Accelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 22,500 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 97,500 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2013 Chevrolet Equinox recorded 747 federal complaints, which exceeds the 682 complaints logged for the 2012 model and the 543 complaints recorded for the 2014 model. It had 2 recalls and no investigations, placing it below the 3 recalls of 2012 but above the 1 recall of 2014, while the total service bulletin count of 1,943 is the highest in the surrounding three‑year window. The dominant complaint categories for 2013 are Engine (295 complaints) and Visibility/Wiper (128 complaints), together accounting for a substantial portion of the complaint volume. Crash‑related complaints number 18 and fire‑related complaints number 5, indicating limited but present safety concerns. Because the 2013 model shows a higher complaint level than the subsequent two years while offering only modest recall activity, a prudent buyer may want to consider later model years with lower complaint counts.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

1943

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

747

Owner complaints

18 involved a crash · 5 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12’13’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 747 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine295

Visibility/Wiper128

Unknown Or Other31

Power Train,Engine23

Power Train23

Electrical System19

Air Bags18

Electrical System,Engine13

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V582000Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:MotorReported 04/08/2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ball joints in the windshield wiper module may corrode and wear over time, possibly… Remedy: GM will notify owners, dealers will repair the AIP-hole, inspect and, if necessary, replace the front wiper module, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2017. Owners may…

16V502000Electrical System:IgnitionReported 05/07/2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1943 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIP6113	2026-05-18	Unknown Or Other	This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set…
PIT3271Q	2026-04-01	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP6104	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U	2026-01-08	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Equinox. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 48 battery Vehicles taking 5.0 qt Engine oil filter 12731742 Engine air filter 23335811 Spark plug 12681660 Front wiper blades 19432580

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 Equinox take?

5.0 qt of 5W-30 MEETING GM DEXOS 1 SPECIFICATION, per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 Equinox have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.