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, Dec 1, 2010
WHILE DRIVING ON LEVEL PAVEMENT AT 65 MPH, WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL ON, ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED 2 GEARS, AND THE TACH ROSE TO 5300 RPMS. I TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND IT DISENGAGED THE CRUISE AND PROCEEDED IN A NORMAL CONDITION. *TR
Power train, Traction control system, Nov 24, 2010
TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON 10/27/10 26 DAYS AFTER I PURCHASED THIS NEW VEHICLE. THEN THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE CAME ON FOLLOWED BY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WHILE TRYING TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC AND PARK,AS I SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE,THE VEHICLE KEPT ROLLING BACKWARDS. THE GEAR SHIFT ILLUMINATION WAS NO LONGER HI-LIGHTING WHAT GEAR I WAS IN. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPT AND THEY CLAIM THAT THEY NOT ONLY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT THAT THEY CANNOT FIND ANY PROBLEM AT ALL AND EXPECT ME TO PICK UP THIS VEHICLE AND MAKE PAYMENTS FOR THE NEXT SIX YEARS ON IT. WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED,MY FIRST MONTHLY PAYMENT WASN'T EVEN DUE YET. MY [XXX] YEAR OLD SON WAS IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME AND WE COULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. GM AND THE DEALERSHIP (BRYNER CHEVEROLET) REFUSE TO GIVE ME A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE OR RETURN MY DOWN-PAYMENT. THEY ACTUALLY,EXPECT ME TO PUT MY LIFE AT RISK TO PROVE TO THEM THAT THIS INCIDENT REALLY OCCURRED. UNDER THE LEMON LAW,I AM REQUIRED TO GIVE THEM 3 CHANCES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. HOW CAN I DO THIS IF THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM TO FIX. ALSO AM I SUPPOSED TO PUT MYSELF AND OTHERS IN DANGER TO PROVE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM? *TR PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Power train, Oct 15, 2010
I OWN A 2010 CHEVY EQUINOX LTZ. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN APRIL. SOON AFTER WE NOTICED A DEFINITE CLUNKING SOUND WHEN THE CAR SHIFTED FROM 2 TO 3 GEAR, AROUND 3000 RPM. IT ONLY HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY. I HAVE FOUND OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IS GM GOING TO LOOK INTO THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM? *TR
Power train, Sep 3, 2010
SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY 2010 CHEVY EQUINOX I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING ROUGH SHIFTS (CLUNKS INTO GEAR) WHEN THE VEHICLE SHIFTS UP INTO 3RD GEAR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG BUT WENT AHEAD AND FLASHED THE ECU. THE VEHICLE WORKED FINE FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS THEN BEGAN TO DO THE SAME THING AGAIN. AT TIMES IT CLUNKS SO HARD IT FEELS LIKE YOU HAVE HIT SOMETHING. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINS ON EDMUNDS ABOUT ROUGH SHIFTS UP AND DOWN GEARS. THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER COMPLAINT ON HERE. GM NEEDS TO FIX THIS ISSUE OR REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, Aug 30, 2010
2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION "SLIPPING" OR BUMPING BETWEEN SHIFTS. I BROUGHT IT TO DEALER TWICE. SAID IT WAS PROGRAMMING ISSUES - SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT - BUT STILL DOING IT. THEN LAST WEEK WITH ONLY 26,000 MILES - I HAD A STABILITY TRACK LIGHT COME ON AND IT IDLED VERY ROUGHLY. I LEFT IT AT DEALER TO BE FIXED - OVER A WEEK AGO! THEY SAID IT IS A TIMING BALANCE CHAIN??? I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER GM! *TR
Power train, May 4, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN SHE SHIFTED FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. SHE NOTICED THE PROBLEM SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT IT WAS NORMAL. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HESITATED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,600.
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