Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Chevrolet Equinox owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Got into a front end collision, vehicle was totaled. Front airbags didn't deploy. Steering wheel and side airbags deployed about 5 minutes after the accident. My head hit the driver side window, cracking the whole window. Had a concussion from that.
The contact owned a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH down an inclined road, the front driver-side air bag was erroneously deployed causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash down an embankment. During the crash, the driver sustained a concussion and left arm, neck, and rib injuries which required medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away to the insurance company. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.
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. …
I was involved in an accident and was hit twice from behind. The chemical from the side airbag was released but the airbag did not deploy. The chemical was a fine mist or light smoke. The seat belt locked the first time I was hit. I am not sure when the airbag mist occurred (? With the first or second hit) they happened within seconds of each other. A "service airbag" warning light is now illuminated. The vehicle is going in for repairs as a result of the crash and this will be addressed. I just wanted to report this. I have also notified Chevrolet directly.
A semi tire bounced and hit the front of my car and cracked my grill. My hazard lights popped on, my dome lights came on, and seatbelts locked up and car filled with smoke. It took all I had to unbuckle my seatbelt and it locked up. No one was in passengers side and that seat belt locked as well. Service airbag warning light came on and stays on and still the smell of airbags in the car. Now unable to buckle up, and cant reach the pedals because my seat wont move because the seatbelt is locked. On highway, in motion about 62 MPH
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. While parked on a slight incline, the contact's vehicle rolled backwards and crashed into another vehicle. The failure recurred intermittently. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact's vehicle crashed into a second vehicle. The front end of the vehicle sustained significant damage. The air bags did not deploy. The rear passenger seat occupant sustained a head injury, which required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The failure mileage was 50,000.
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. …
Was driving to work and a herd of deer jumped out in front of me I hit one near the front passenger side and my seat belt locked up and a funny smell came over the inside of my car. The service air bag light came on and hasn't shut off my 4ways turned on automatically but the air bags did not deploy. I think that since this car is less than 2 years old and I purchased it to make me feel safe that a faulty airbag deployment is ridiculous and I should be able to trade this car in. I don't feel safe driving with a tight seat belt and my air bag light on. I can't believe how many people have had issues with this. The money I am spending to buy this car is outrageous as it is then for this to happen and it not work the way it is intended to I would like to be reimbursed in some way.
Takata recall, intermittently when starting the car the service airbag light will come on, this started at about 50,000 miles. Usually if the car is turned off and restarted the message will disappear. Occasionally, while the car is in motion the message will appear. It usually clears if the car is stopped and restarted. Until I started researching, I thought it was just an electrical glitch. Now I realize it's a real safety issue. Thank god, I haven't had a major collision, my airbags might not deploy. This year model should definitely be included in the recall. My car now has 95,000 miles on it. I don't even feel comfortable selling this car with these issues. I wouldn't want to endanger other families.
Airbag complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the air bags of the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox, 3% of the model year's 751 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Chevrolet Equinox airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Chevrolet Equinox airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 11 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.