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: power train
182 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 21, 2026
Vehicle looses power and can very easily cause a bad wreck I've replaced multiple thing and it still does it I'm not sure what it is possibly the timing or something to do with camshaft
Power train, Dec 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at 25 - 30 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. No warning lights illuminated. However, after the failure, the low engine power warning message would display. The vehicle was able to restart however the failure would recur. The failure occurred on 4 separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was no oil, although the panel showed the vehicle had 40% oil, transmission, and a high-pressure fuel pump. The vehicle was repaired but the failures persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 115,000.
Power train, Engine, Mar 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked, stalled, and made a clicking sound while idling. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who stated that the exhaust camshaft timing was over-advanced beyond limits for a predetermined period, the system performance catalyst was low efficiency, and the evaporator systems had a small leak. The contact stated that two calipers and the boot of the axle were previously repaired due to a leak. The mechanic stated that the contact needed to replace the engine variable valve timing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 124,823.
Power train, Engine, Nov 14, 2021
I bought a Chevy Equinox in 6/2020 and have had high oil consumption problems. I took it in to where I bought it and they said it was a catalog converter problem along with seals and pistons that could damage your engine. After researching it, i found out there was a recall and class action suit fought in 2018 for the same problem. I was never told about this from the dealer and because it's outside the date to fix under the recall and warranty I have to pay for all the damage. The car broke down yesterday and had to be towed. What can I do? I'm still financing the vehicle
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 6, 2021
I have had my vehicle for only a year and bought it used from a dealership here in town. I understand that the vehicle is nearly 12 years old though I have seen vehicles that were way older and not have half the problems that I am having with mine and it has been well keep and maintenance has been up to date. Early this week my car had been warming up for nearly 30 minutes and I put it in drive and it jerk harder then normal. I just thought it was because it went from hot to cold outside overnight that that was the problem. Though as I was driving down the street my check engine light came on and the vehicle was stalling in between 35-40 mph. So I got it check out and the code said that it was a transmission shift solenoid. I then took it to Chevy to make sure that, that was the issues and the dealership Penske Chevrolet confirmed that it was and that many of the Equinox’s, cruzes, and traverses from the year 2009 until 2019 Health exact same issue and that several people did the complaint form in their dealership I did research online and it’s true many people complain about this issue but I think they don’t know where to go to file a proper complaint. I think that this problem not being recalled is absurd because it’s costing people nearly 4, five, $6000 because of this issue when if many and I do mean many people are having this issue then chevy needs to fix this.
Power train, Jul 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 20-25 mph, the vehicle stalled with the transmission warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Mar 18, 2021
MY TRANSMISSION IS NOT PICKING UP ACCORDINGLY. RPM ARE HIGH.
Power train, Engine, Dec 16, 2020
MY CAR BEGAN OVERCONSUMING OIL THE MOMENT I BOUGHT IT IN 2016. IT BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD NO OIL IT EVEN THOUGH I JUST HAD THE OIL REPLACED MERELY DAYS BEFORE. WE WERE IN ANOTHER STATE, SO I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED AND RENTED A RENTAL CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS. IT COST ME OVER $1,000 TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR AND ASSOCIATED RENTAL COSTS. ULTIMATELY, THE CAR WAS SUBJECT TO AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AND THE ENTIRE ENGINE HAD TO BE REBUILT. LAST YEAR, MY TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON A STREET. I HAD TO GET THAT REPLACED TOO. NOW GM IS REFUSING TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR UNDER THE CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT FOR THE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE.
Power train, Engine, Dec 9, 2020
NO ONE TOLD ME WHEN I GOT THIS CAR HOW BAD THE OIL CONSUMPTION WAS! I GO THROUGH 5 QUARTS OF OIL IN LESS THAN 2,000 MILES. IT'S STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING. IT'S SUPER DANGEROUS
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 19, 2020
2.4-LITER ECOTEC ENGINES SUFFER FROM THE DEFECT THAT CONSUMES OIL AT A VERY HIGH RATE. THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF THE DEFECT IS MALFUNCTIONING PISTON RINGS, WHICH ARE PRONE TO PREMATURE WEAR, THE JUDGE'S ORDER STATES. THE DEFECT NECESSITATES THE NEED FOR THE CAR OWNER TO REPLENISH THE CAR'S OIL MORE FREQUENTLY. WE CHANGE OIL EVERY MONTH BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT NOW IS WORSE BECAUSE IS COMING NOW WHITE SMOKE AND SHAKING ALL THE ENGINE SO ITS NOW OUT OF ROAD MY EQUINOX SO I AM WAITING FOR THIS SOLUTION FROM GM BUT NOT ANSWERS.
Power train, Oct 20, 2020
VEHICLE DOESN'T SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY. FREQUENT HESITATION AND SURGING HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 25, 2020
COMPUTER CHIP MALFUNCTION, STABILITY TRAC, SMOKE FROM EXHAUST WITH FUMES RELEASED INTO THE INTERIOR,, DRIVER SEAT MALFUNCTION, AND OTHER THAT I CANNOT DO IT INTO WORDS , THIS ALL HAPPENED WHEN VEHICLE HAD 138,000 MILES AND ALSO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT , FUEL PUMP , IGNITION COMPARTMENT, VEHICLE IS A 2010 CHEVY EQUINOX ALL WHEEL DRIVE LTZ AND ALSO THE AWD DOES NOT WORK LIGHTS FLICKERING MULTIPLE MALFUNCTIONS WHEELS LOCK UP SOMETHING WITH THE DIFFERENTIAL I DON'T KNOW IT DOES NOT EVEN SHIFT WHEN I PUT IT IN THE MANUAL I'VE DONE EVERYTHING I COULD TO GET INSPECTIONS AND I CANNOT FIND THE RIGHT DEALER TO GIVE ME AN ANSWER THEY ALL JUST WANT MY MONEY AND I'M AN HONEST PERSON AND I WANT TO HELP A GREAT MECHANIC OUT BY BRINGING THEM BUSINESS AND REFERRING THEM CUSTOMERS I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO I'M STUCK I NEED HELP PLEASE I HAVE A ONE-YEAR-OLD SON I HAVE A FAMILY AND WE HAVE ONE VEHICLE AND IT'S THE CHEVY EQUINOX, OH AND ALSO THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT SIZE TIRES BEING THAT IT'S ALL-WHEEL DRIVE THE FRONT TIRES HAVE SMALLER WHEELS I MEAN SMALLER TIRES THAN THERE IS ON THE REARS SO BOTH FRONTS AND PASSENGER ARE SMALLER THAN THE RE AR DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER THE ONES ON THE REAR ARE CORRECT AND WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ON THAT CAME OUT OF FACTORY THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE ALL FOUR OF THE SAME OF THE ONES THAT ARE ON THE REAR BECAUSE OF THE FACT IT'S ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND THEY CAN MESS UP THE TRANSMISSION AND I THINK IT DID BUT I'M NOT SURE I NEED PROFESSIONAL HELP ASAP THANK YOU SO MUCH AND HAVE A BLESSED DAY
Power train, Sep 8, 2020
VEHICLE JUST REACHED THE 100K MILE MARK. WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE TRANSMISSION WENT FULLY OUT OF COMMISSION. ALWAYS HAD OUR CHANGED AND ALL REPAIRS DONE AT DEALERSHIP. BRAKES REPLACED AND OIL CHANGED AT 104,976 WITH MULTIPOINT INSPECTION DONE AT DEALERSHIP. NO PROBLEMS REPORTED AT THIS TIME. TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 105,638.
Power train, Engine, Jul 6, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN TO ALL AMERICAN CHEVROLET OF SAN ANGELO (203 BRYANT BLVD N, SAN ANGELO, TX 76903) WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED WITH A MESSAGE STATING 'ALL FOUR WHEELS ARE OFF' DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE THE FRONT HUB BEARING AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED BACK TO THE SAME DEALER TO REPORT AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHILE ON HER WAY TO THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. WHILE INSPECTING OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD LEAKED ALL OVER HER ENGINE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED $400.00 TOWARDS THE COST OF A NEW ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,721. *BF *AS
Power train, Engine, Jun 9, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NO EXCEED 20 MPH WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MT. KISCO CHEVORLET (914) 228-1011. THE CONSUMER STATED NOTHING WAS DONE, SO THEY HAD TO TOW VEHICLE BACK TO THEIR HOME.*AS
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 12, 2020
HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS , IT WONT DRIVE FRONTWARDS .
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Visibility/wiper, Apr 2, 2020
THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR, THEN IT WOULD GO INTO FORWARD AND NOT REVERSE TOOK IT TO CHEVY AND WAS TOLD WE NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION
Power train, Jan 2, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND FAILED TO EXCEED 25 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO RALPH SELLERS CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 15015 FLORIDA BLVD, BATON ROUGE, LA 70819, (225) 238-1672). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT AN UNKNOWN TRANSMISSION COMPONENT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE VEHICLE REPAIR LASTED ONE DAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000. *DT*JB
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Dec 29, 2019
IN MOTION VEHICLE WOULD NOT GET OUT OF SECOND GEAR FORWARD AND REVERSE, TECHNICIAN STATES WAVE PLATE BROKEN THIS WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANT IN 2014
Power train, Engine, Dec 16, 2019
WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, I WAS NOT TOLD THAT THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. I HAVE REPLACED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD 2 TIMES. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THERE IS METAL FRAGMENTS IN MY OIL. THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE.
Power train, Nov 6, 2019
WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY AND HAD TO PULL OVER FOR A POLICE OFFICER TO PASS BY, WENT TO ACCELERATE AND WAS STUCK IN 2ND GEAR. LATER FOUND THAT ONLY 1ST AND 2ND GEAR WORKED AND HAD NO REVERSE. WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD NEED A COMPLETE REBUILD OF THE TRANSMISSION.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Oct 19, 2019
MY CAR JUST SUDDENLY LOST SPEED, WOULDN'T SHIFT AND WAS STUCK AT A STOP, WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING BECAUSE THE SOLENOIDS WERE STUCK. HE ALSO SAID THIS USUALLY HAPPENS IN MOST GM ENGINES.
Power train, Engine, Oct 12, 2019
ENGINE'S OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES ARE RIDICULOUS. GM HAS A SPECIAL EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS VEHICLE, CALLED ADJUSTMENT 14159, BUT FAILED TO NOTIFY ME OF THE SPECIAL RECALL AND IT'S END DATE OF 7/31/2019. THIS ENGINE IS AWFUL, HENCE WHY THERE WERE RECALLS AND THEY ARE NOW BEING SUED FOR IT. TIMING CHAINS, ENGINE KNOCKING, OIL CONSUMPTION, PISTONS AND RINGS.. SECONDLY, THE TRANSMISSION IS AWFUL. THIS THING BLEW BEFORE IT WAS EVEN DUE FOR ITS FIRST SERVICE! MY OWNERS MANUAL STATES THE SERVICE IS RECOMMENDED ON IT, INCLUDING FLUID CHANGE, AT 100,000 MILES - I'M AT 96,125 MILES AND THIS IS WHERE I SIT. GM IS DENYING ALL LIABILITY FOR BOTH OF THESE.
Power train, Engine, Sep 24, 2019
ENGINE HAS MAJOR OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES. I AM BURNING THROUGH AN AVERAGE OF 2 TO 3 QUARTERS OF FULL SYNTHETIC OIL WITHIN A 2500 MILE SPAN. SECONDLY, THE TRANSMISSION IS EXTREMELY POOR. ONLY 96,000 MILES AND AM ALREADY HAVE ISSUES IN REVERSE, TROUBLE GOING UP HILLS, HIGH RPM'S, AND SHAKING/SPUTTERING. THIS WOULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME ONCE OUT OF PARK, FLAT LAND OR HILL.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 16, 2019, crash, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. WALLY EDGAR CHEVROLET (3805 S LAPEER RD, ORION CHARTER TOWNSHIP, MI 48360, 248-494-8698) WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE COVERED UNDER A POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. THE CONTACT PURCHASED AN ELECTRICAL BOX FROM THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE ENGINE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE BOX DID NOT ASSIST WITH THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN FOUR DAYS LATER WITHOUT WARNING. SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HAS HAD THE ENGINE, FUEL PUMP, ELECTRIC LINE, DOORS, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WHILE AT A STOP SIGN, DURING RAINY WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THE CONSUMER CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING. THE CONSUMER HAD HEADACHES, BACK/NECK/SHOULDER PAINS, AND WHIPLASH. *JS