2010 Chevrolet Equinox
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 784 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 21 Equinox model years with reports.
Of the 2010 reports, 15 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 23 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, ignitionJul 5, 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. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
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 Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Campaign 16V502000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, power adjustJul 23, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.
If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.
Campaign 14V447000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, defroster/defogger/hvac systemDec 23, 2009
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AND GMC TERRAIN VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 103, "WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING SYSTEMS AND WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 101, CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS". THE SOFTWARE IN THE CENTER INSTRUMENT PANEL CAN CAUSE THE HEATING, AIR CONDITIONING, DEFROST, AND RADIO CONTROLS, AS WELL AS THE PANEL ILLUMINATION TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
DRIVING WITHOUT A FUNCTIONING DEFROST SYSTEM CAN DECREASE YOUR VISIBILITY UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COMPUTER MODULE IN THE CENTER INSTRUMENT PANEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Campaign 09V489000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
81 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Jun 30, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON A SUNNY DAY THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STORAGE LOCK DISTORTED HIS VISION WHILE DRIVING. HE STATED THAT THE SUN REFLECTS ON THE CHROME LOCK AND IMPAIRS HIS VISION. THE CONTACT STATED HE SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,204.
Electrical system, Feb 24, 2010
I HAVE A 2010 EQUINOX LTZ WITH ABOUT 11,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS RECENTLY IN FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE PART THAT OPERATES THE RADIO AND HEAT/AIR CONTROLS (THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS). I HAVE RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT IF YOU HOLD DOWN THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE REMOTE THAT ALL FOUR WINDOWS WILL ROLL DOWN AND THE CAR WILL BE UNLOCKED. THERE IS NO DOCUMENTATION ON THIS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS A BUILT-IN FEATURE TO COOL OFF THE CAR ON HOT DAYS. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE REMOTE COULD ACCIDENTALLY BE ACTIVATED AS I AM LEAVING THE VEHICLE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME OR AT NIGHT. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 15, 2010
2010 EQUINOX, 6070 MILES. WENT TO GO TO STORE, STARTED CAR, NO RADIO OR HEATER. TURNED OFF ENGINE, THEN RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND BOTH WORKED, HAVE NOT HAD PROB. SINCE. CALLED GM, THEY SAID TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO BE CHECKED OUT. I WILL WAIT UNTIL IT DOES IT AGAIN TO TAKE IT IN. THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING IF IT IS NOT BROKEN AT THE TIME I TAKE IT TO SERVICE DEPT. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 11, 2010
THE CENTER CONSOLE (WHERE THE CONTROLS ARE FOR THE RADIO, HEATER/AC, DEFROSTER, HAZARDS, DOOR LOCKS, ETC.) INTERMITTENTLY GOES ON AND OFF, AND LOCKS UP UNEXPECTEDLY. IT FIRST OCCURRED ON 1 DEC 09, AGAIN ON 2 JAN 10, AND SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. VEHICLE EXAMINED BY LANDERS-MCLARTY CHEVROLET IN HUNTSVILLE AL, THEY WITNESSED PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT FIX OR REMEDY. THEY OPENED A TECHNICAL CASE #11124962, AND GM OPENED CASE #71-790900576. NO FIX TO DATE, ALTHOUGH THEY PROMISE THAT A SOLUTION IS BEING WORKED. SEVERAL SAFETY ISSUES ARE PRESENTED BY THE CONSOLE?S ERRATIC OPERATION (SOMETIMES IT WORKS, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T). IT IS WINTER NOW, AND WHEN THE CONSOLE IS OUT, THE HEATER, DEFROSTER, DOOR LOCKS, HAZARD LIGHTS AND ON-BOARD WARNING SYSTEM (VIA THE MENU BUTTON) DO NOT WORK. STARTING AND SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF 20-PLUS TIMES (DEALERS RECOMMENDED TEMP FIX TO RE-SET SYSTEM) DOES NOT SEEM LIKE A VIABLE SOLUTION, AND IT CERTAINLY PRESENTS ADDED STRESS ON THE STARTER AND CAUSES EXCESSIVE ENGINE WEAR IN COLD TEMPERATURES. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Feb 4, 2010
ON 09/04/09 I BOUGHT A NEW 2010 EQUINOX AND WITHIN 3,000 MILES I BEGAN EXPERIENCING SIGNIFICANT SHIFTING ISSUES AND ROUGH IDLING/STALLING AT STOPS. ON 01/08/10 I WILL BE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE SHOP FOR THE 4TH TIME IN 60 DAYS FOR THESE PROBLEMS. VERY CONCERNING IS THAT EVERY TIME I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE A NEW GM SERVICE BULLETIN EXISTS FOR THESE PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, GM IS NOT PROACTIVELY ADDRESSING THESE KNOWN ISSUES WITH BUYERS. RATHER THE ONUS HAS BEEN PUT INTO THE BUYERS HANDS. WHY IF THEY KNOW A PROBLEM EXISTS ARE THEY NOT OBLIGATED TO CONTACT BUYERS? THERE ARE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF OTHERS EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS YOU WILL FIND ON THE WEB, IE EDMUNDS. THE FOLLOWING IS A CHRONOLOGY OF MY EXPERIENCE: #1) 12/08/09-2,561 MILES: CAR HESITATING BADLY WHEN ACCELERATING, VIBRATING BAD AT IDLE WITH S INTERMITTENT STALLS. GM BULLETIN 4469G-METAL SHAVING LEFT BEHIND IN THE TRANNY. REPLACE OIL, REPLACE ACTUATOR SOLENOIDS DUE TO DEBRIS BUILD-UP. #2) 12/15/09-2,713 MILES: ROUGH IDLING/HESITATION. REPLACED OIL LIKE BEFORE, NO DEBRIS. SERVICE BULLETIN FOR ECM UPDATE FOR TCM AND PCM. SERVICE TECH TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD SEVERAL OTHER BUYERS EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS. #3) 12/22/09-2,939 MILES: UNABLE TO MERGE ONTO THRUWAY AND GET UP TO SPEED DO TO BUCKING AND VEHICLE NOT ACCELERATING/SHIFTING. ALMOST INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT TRYING TO MERGE AND GAIN SPEED. BUCKING AT STOPS AND STALLING. SERVICE CODE P0011 FOUND IN COMPUTER FOR INTAKE POSITION SYSTEM FAILURE. NEEDED 2 CAM SHAFT ACTUATORS AGAIN. REPLACED OIL & FILTER. 01/08/10-~3,900MILES: CONTINUED ROUGH IDLE. POOR/HARD SHIFTING/HESITATION TO SHIFT ESPECIALLY IN 3 & 4 GEAR. IN 3 & 4 ENGINE SOUNDS MUFFLED AND STRUGGLES TO GAIN SPEED AS IF THE TRAN IS UP-SHIFTING TOO QUICKLY. WHEN UP-SHIFTING IN HIGHER GEARS IT HESITATES AND THEN JOLTS. IN SUMMARY, I AM TAKING VEHICLE IN FOR THE 4TH TIME, SAME PROBLEMS. NYS LEMON LAW BEING CONSIDERED. EACH TIME I HAVE LOST VEHICLE. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Jan 14, 2010
MY 2010 CHEVY EQUINOX LS STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING. THE ELECTRICAL ALSO SEEMS TO HAVE AN ISSUE WHERE THE RADIO WILL START FLASHING AND THE AIR BAG WARNING KEEPS COMING ON EVEN AFTER THEY HAVE STATED ALL OF THE ISSUES HAVE BEEN FIXED AND PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE THAN I HAVE OWNED IT. I AM SCARED FOR MY FAMILIES SAFETY. *TR