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, Engine, Sep 10, 2019
OIL CONSUMPTION. I HAVE TO PUT OIL IN IT EVERY TWO WEEK BECAUSE OIL IS EMPTY. IT DOES NOT LEAK AND THE VEHICLE IS PART OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT 4 OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES. I CALLED CHEVROLET THEY ONLY WANT TO COVER HALF THE PARTS TO REPAIR WHICH WILL COST ME AN ADDITIONAL $3,000. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN AT $1,800 AND THE TRANSMISSION AT ANOTHER $3,700.
Power train, Aug 30, 2019
WAS DRIVING WITH DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND WENT TO GO INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY WHEN IT STOPPED. CARS HAD TO GO AROUND ME AND I WAS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. HAD A FRIEND TOW IT HOME AND FOUND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS COMPLETELY REBUILT. WHEN CALLING AROUND TO FIND REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSIONS, BECAUSE THE CAR IS SO SPECIFIC AND THERE ARE SO MANY TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL, THERE ARE ONLY 2 POSSIBLE TRANSMISSIONS IN AN ENTIRE SPAN OF 3 STATES. THIS IS MAKING IT ALSO NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLACE AS WELL AS AFFORDABLE.
Power train, Aug 6, 2019
THE CAR WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE GEAR AND ONLY HAD 1ST AND 2ND GEAR IN FORWARD
Power train, Jul 10, 2019
MY 2010 CHEVY EQUINOX WAS RUNNING FINE AND OUT OF THE SUDDEN, IT STOPPED AND WENT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT REFUSED TO START AGAIN. I HAVE RECENTLY DONE AN OIL CHANGE AND THE WAS NO WARNING ON THE DASHBOARD TO INDICATE ANY PROBLEM. I BOUGHT THIS CAR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND THIS TOOK PLACE. THIS CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED, OIL CHANGES AND OTHER MAINTENANCE WERE DONE ON TIME. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND WHILE THE MECHANICS WERE TRYING TO MAKE IT START, IT WILL NOT START. THEY (MECHANICS) CALLED THE DEALER AND SOMEONE FROM THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER WARRANTY SO I SHOULD TAKE THE CAR TO THEM FOR THEIR TECHNICIANS TO DO A TEST. AFTER THE TEST THEY SAID IT WAS A LOW ENGINE KNOCK AND I WILL HAVE TO GET ANOTHER ENGINE BY MYSELF BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER DOESN'T COVER IT. DON'T KNOW WHO TO BELIEVE NOW. MY CAR THAT I JUST BOUGHT IS DOWN AND I'M STUCK IN THIS TERRIBLE SITUATION.
Power train, Engine, Visibility/wiper, Jun 25, 2019
NUMBER ONE EXCESSIVE OIL STARTED AT ABOUT 55,000 MILES. NUMBER TWO EXCESSIVE ENGINE NOISE FROM TIMING CHAIN AND CAM SEIZURES. NUMBER THREE TRANSMISSION FAILURE 52,000 MILES. NUMBER 4 WIPER TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT APPROXIMATELY 48000 MILES NUMBER 5 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON DUE TO FAULTY CAM ACTUATORS.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jun 21, 2019
'OIL CONSUMPTION AND DRIVEABILITY , VEHICLE USING MORE THAN ONE QUART OF OIL EVERY 400 MILES OR LESS, WAS AT BUSY INTERSECTION IN CITY ON MAJOR CITY STREET AND CAR FROZE UP, WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND ALMOST CAUSED ANOTHER VEHICLE TO HIT ME FROM BEHIND. TURNED OFF VEHICLE, THEN TURNED KEY AND IT STARTED LONG ENOUGH TO DRIVE INTO NEAREST PARKING LOT. HAD TO PRESS GAS PEDDLE ALL THE WAY DOWN AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT REVERSE AT AT. TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED AND TOWED TO LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEMS DUE TO THE 2010 ENGINE THAT IT WAS BUILT WITH. WAS ADVISED TO KEEP WATCH ON OIL UNTIL DECIDE HOW TO FIX ENGINE.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 10, 2019
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO NEXT GEAR, THEN SEEMED TO JUMP INTO HIGHER GEAR. THIS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST BE HIT BY MOTOR VEHICLE BEHIND ME. SECOND TIME, I WAS TURNING INTO BUSY INTERSECTION AND CAR COMPLETELY STALLED, TURNED OFF KEY AND RESTARTED CAR AND IT WOULD NOT DRIVE OVER 20 MILES AN HOUR SO PULLED INTO PARKING LOT AND WHEEL WAS VERY HARD TO CONTROL. CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. WAS LEFT STRANDED ON SIDE OF ROAD AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO CHEVY. HAS OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES BUT RECENTLY PURCHASED CAR AND PASSED DATE FOR RECALLS AND WARRANTY REPAIR. GM NEEDS TO OFFER ALL PREVIOUS EXPIRED TO PEOPLE SUCH AS MYSELF WHO PURCHASE USED VEHICLES THAT WERE NEVER CORRECTED DURING RECALL TIMES.ALSO MY VIN WAS NOT LISTED IN RECALL BUT HAS THE EXACT ISSUES. THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY GM.
Power train, Engine, Jun 8, 2019
I TOOK MY EQUINOX TO THE GARAGE STARTED OUT AS AN OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE THEN TURNED INTO THE WHOLE MOTOR GETTING REBUILT.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, May 30, 2019
THIS CAR BURNS OIL FAST AND I LEARNED THE HARD WAY. 2 YEARS AFTER BUYING THE CAR ALL THE PISTONS IN THE ENGINE BENT DUE TO LACK OF OIL. WHEN THE CAR WAS GETTING FIXED THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS BONE DRY AND I HAD JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGE 2 MONTHS PRIOR. $3,200 LATER THE CAR WAS FIXED, BUT IT STILL HAD ISSUES SHIFTING. IN COLDER WEATHER THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WOULD BARELY MOVE. I HAD NO REAL MECHANICAL ISSUES UNTIL A YEAR LATER. I HAD DRIVEN IT 45 MILES AND STOPPED AT A GAS STATION, WHEN I WENT TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON ALL OF THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS CAME ON AS WELL AS THE 'STABILITRAK' LIGHT AND THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. THE ONLY WAY I COULD GET IT TO MOVE WAS BY TURNING THE TRACTION OFF, AND WAS THANKFULLY ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME. I GOT IT INTO THE GM DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE STABILITY TRACK AND THE CRANKSHAFT NEEDED REPLACED. MY ABS LIGHT WAS STILL FAILING AND I'M TOTAL IT WAS ANOTHER $1,400 OF WORK. NOW THE ENGINE SEEMS TO BE MAKING A CRANKING NOISE. I'M TIRED OF WASTING MONEY ON THIS PIECE OF JUNK!!!!!
Power train, Electrical system, May 24, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS CONTACTED TO ASSIST WITH REPAIRING THE VEHICLE ONSITE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.
Power train, May 21, 2019
TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 66,000 MILES WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION.
Power train, Electrical system, May 14, 2019
VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT INTERSECTION. VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE AFTER USING ACCELERATOR, AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN AT HIGHER RPM. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE AFTER SHUTTING OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. DURING THE SAME DRIVE I ALSO HAD TROUBLE SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR WITH HIGH RPM BEFORE A MODERATELY HARD SHIFT WHILE ACCELERATING AFTER A STOP. AMBER CHECK ENGINE, BRAKE, AND ABM LIGHTS ALL LIT. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WITH MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 12, 2019
TRANSMISSION IS BAD. WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE IT DOESN'T GO ANYWHERE AND ITS SKIPPING GEARS AND BUCKING PRIOR TO IT FINALLY NO LONGER DRIVEABLE
Power train, Apr 29, 2019
I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR, I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND THE RPMS REV UP BUT MY CAR DOES NOT MOVE
Power train, Apr 22, 2019
THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION GETS STUCK AND DOESN'T ALWAYS SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THIS RESULTS IN BEING UNABLE TO ACCELERATE PAST 20-30 MPH UPON TAKEOFF WHICH IS SCARY AND DANGEROUS ON THE HIGHWAY. MY MECHANIC SHOP HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) NEEDS REPLACING. ON 10/14/2016 THERE WAS A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE TCM ON SEVERAL VEHICLES INCLUDING THE 2010-2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX.GM'S RECALL NUMBERS FOR THIS ARE 50490 AND 50491.
Power train, Mar 16, 2019
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, IT WILL ACCELERATE REALLY HIGH THEN IT WILL SHIFT AND GO BACK DOWN BUT IT'S DOING IT ALMOST ALL THE TIME KNOW. IT SHOWED NO ERROR CODES WHEN TAKEN IN AND TRANSMISSION FLUID IS GOOD.
Power train, Visibility/wiper, Feb 14, 2019
WIPERS TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. TRANSMISSION REVVING HIGH BEFORE SHIFTING. MOTOR TICKING.
Power train, Engine, Feb 14, 2019
DRIVING ON STATE HIGHWAY WHEN VEHICLE STARTED ACTING LIKE IT WOULD DIE. I WAS ALMOST HOME AND WHEN I PARKED IT FOUND IT HAD ALMOST NO OIL IN VEHICLE AFTER CHECKING IT BEFORE TRAVELING HOME. OIL LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. MECHANIC SAYS FROZEN PCV VALVE IN REAR CRANKSHAFT; IT COULD HAVE BLOWN AND LEFT ME STRANDED OR IN ACCIDENT; MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS A RECALL BUT MY PARTICULAR VIN WASN'T INCLUDED
Power train, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 15, 2018
SABILITRAK, POWERTRAIN, THROTTLE CAME ON AGAIN PAID $457.90 1/25/2016. AC & HEATING UNIT NOT WORKING CLICKING SOUND REPLACED 8/26/2015, KEY IS STUCK IN IGNITION, NO LIGHTS, CAR NOT MOBILE (NOW).
Power train, Other or unspecified, Dec 14, 2018
I HAVE A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX MILEAGE 078815 ,YESTERDAY WHILE OUT RUNNING ERRANDS AND HAD STOPPED AT SEVERAL LOCATIONS IN TOWN .I HAD NO WARNING AT LAST STOP .I GOT BACK IN SUV AND IT STARTED UP OK AND GOT READY TO BACK OUT OF PARKED SPOT SHIFTED TO REVERSE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE BACKWARD OR FORWARD BUT GEAR SHIFT MOVED TO ALL LOCATION BUT SUV WOULD NOT . HAD TO GET IT TOWED HOME
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Dec 11, 2018
CAR JUST SHUTS OFF WHEN ON FREE WAY DOING 70 OR AT STOP LIGHT THEN MESSAGE CENTER SAYS STABILITY TRACK CONTROL THEN IT MAY SIT FOR 5 MIN AND THEN RESTART OR MAY REQUIRE A JUMP START PUT IN NEW BATTERY AND HAD ALTERNATOR TESTED VERY UNSAFE AUTOMOBILE
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Dec 4, 2018
THIS SUV HAS HAD A NEW TRANSMISSION, MOTOR AND NOW IT HAS BEEN JUST CUTS OUT AND NO POWER AND ON THE MESSAGE CENTER SAYS STABILITY TRACK LIGHT WE HAVE PUT A NEW BATTERY AND BROUGHT IT TO TWO DIFFERENT GM CERTIFIED CAR GARAGES AND NO ONE KNOWS WHAT TO DO CAR IS UNSAFE WHEN IT JUST DECIDES TO RANDOMLY STALL OUT AND HAS NO POWER UNTIL AFTER IT SITS FOR ABOUT 5 MIN IT MAY RESTART OR MAY NEED A JUMP START VERY SCARY SITUATION IT CAN HAPPEN WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY OR IN TOWN OR EVEN IN LINE A DRIVE THRU LINE IN PARK YOU NEVER KNOW THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 6-8 TIMES AND THERE IS NO WARNING OF WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN NOR ANY KIND OF PATTERN VERY SCARY AND UNSAFE
Power train, Oct 8, 2018
TRANSMISSION FAILURE OF THE 3,5,R WAVE PLATE. COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL, TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE WIFE WAS HEADING TO WORK, BROKE DOWN IN BUSY INTERSECTION. GM WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THE COMMON PROBLEM
Power train, Sep 23, 2018
THE VEHICLE HAS HAD HARD SHIFTING EVER SINCE I GOT IT AND THE OTHER DAY IN TOWN IT WAS NOT SHIFTING RIGHT AT ALL. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I'M STUCK IN SECOND GEAR. NO REVERSE, COULDN'T MANUALLY SHIFT I'M JUST STUCK IN SECOND. I COULD PUT THE CAR IN PARK SO I STOP AT A GROCERY STORE TO CHECK MY TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THERE WAS NO DIPSTICK WHAT THE HECK.SO I PUT MY FLASHERS ON AND DRIVE IN SECOND GEAR TO MY WIFES GRANDMOTHERS AND PARK IT. WHEN I GET HOME I RESEARCH AND I'VE COME UP WITH A WAVE PLATE CAUSING MY PROBLEM.
Power train, Engine, Sep 12, 2018
I REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN IN JUNE AT MY MECHANIC...I DID NOT GO TO A DEALER BECAUSE I COULD NOT AFFORD THE $2000 THEY WERE ASKING TO FIX IT. IT IS NOW THE BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER AND I AM REPLACING THE TIMING CHAIN AGAIN. WHY AM I READING THIS WEBSITE AND SEEING THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE EQUINOX TIMING CHAIN AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY GM. THEY SHOULD RECEIVE CONSEQUENCES FOR A FAULTY PRODUCT. I CALLED THEM TO ASK WHY THERE WAS NOT A RECALL WHEN THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE. THEY WERE VERY RUDE AND WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.