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: other or unspecified
52 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 4, 2023
When I turn off my Chevrolet Equinox and leave the key in the ignition the vehicle attempts to restart itself numerous times. The lights on the dash all come on for a brief moment and you can hear it act like it’s going to start but then everything cuts off a second later. This has occurred everytime I turn my vehicle off and do not remove the key. I am always sitting in the vehicle when the key is in the ignition.
Other or unspecified, Dec 21, 2020
CAR WONT TURN ON AND KEYS STUCK IN IGNITION I CAN'T LOCK MY CAR
Other or unspecified, Oct 17, 2020
MY 2010 CHEVY EQUINOX TIMING CHAIN IS BAD AND LEAKS OIL HAD THE CAR NO LONGER THEN A YEAR THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE IN THE CHEVY EQUINOX I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND BAD TIMING CHAIN IS ONE OF THE NUMBER 1 PROBLEMS IN THESE CARS AND THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON BAD TIMING CHAINS I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF 4 KIDS TRYING TO GET BY AND THIS IS MY ONLY CAR I HAVE ITS STALLS ON ME ALL THE TIME AND THERE ARE MANY TIMES IT WILL NOT STAY RUNNING AT ALL I AM ASKING TO PLEASE PAY TO HAVE IT FIX OR PAY HALF ITS A BEAUTIFUL CAR ITS SAD TO KNOW THIS IS A KNOWN FACTOR IN THESE CARS TO HAVE BAD TIMING CHAINS AND PISTON RINGS ON THE MOTOR BUT I AM MORE WORRY ABOUT THE TIMING CHAIN I DO NOT HAVE $1200 TO $1800 FOR A NEW TIMINING OR CAR PLEASE HELP.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 5, 2020
VEHICLE IS BURNING ASTRONOMICAL AMOUNTS OF OIL, EVEN WHEN CAR IS SITTING. CAR RUNS ROUGH AND IDLES AND ACTS AS IF IT WILL STALL OUT. THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS HAVE COME ON. CAR ACTS LIKE IT WON'T START AND TAKES A FEW TIMES BEFORE IT ACTUALLY STARTS UP. HAVE REPLACED SO MANY PARTS AND OF COURSE AT 155,000 MILES FOR A 2010 EQUINOX WE DON'T QUALIFY UNDER THE PENDING LAWSUIT. CAR IS PARKED BECAUSE IT USES SO MUCH OIL.
Other or unspecified, Feb 28, 2020
THE AUTOMOTIVE TROUBLE CODE P2135 THROTTLE/PEDAL POSITION SENSOR/SWITCH A/B VOLTAGE CORRELATION REFERS TO A PROBLEM RELATED TO THE THROTTLE'S ABILITY TO OPEN AND CLOSE PROPERLY. ... A THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (TPS) IS SITUATED OPPOSITE THE THROTTLE LINKAGE CONNECTION ON THE THROTTLE PLATE. WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN AN ALARM WENT OFF ON MY DASH SAYING A SENSOR WAS BAD. NEXT THING THE CAR SAID LOSING POWER TO ENGINE AND MY CAR STARTED SHAKING AND DECELERATING.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 26, 2020
I BOUGHT MY USED 2010 CHEVY EQUINOX FROM THE DEALER, AND 2 WEEKS LATER THE SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY DID AN ALIGNMENT AND THE SAME DAY THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON WITH TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO THE GROCERY STORE, AND WHEN I TRIED TO START IT TO LEAVE IT WOULDN'T START. AFTER 2 TRIES, IT FINALLY STARTED BUT THEN THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULDN'T GO ABOVE 25 MPH. EVENTUALLY THE VEHICLE POWERED DOWN AND I HAD TO PULL OVER FOR A TOW TRUCK TO COME. THE CHEVY DEALER SAID IT WAS THE MAIN TIMING CHAIN (NOT COVERED) AND SOMETHING ELSE IN THE ENGINE BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR LABOR TO DISASSEMBLE IT. MY CAR HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE AND SITTING AT THE DEALER FOR NOW 10 DAYS. LUCKILY I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED, AND DECIDED TO GO TO THE STORE BEFORE HEADING TO WORK. CARFAX REPORTS INDICATE THE TIMING CHAIN AND FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AT 40,000 MILES ALREADY. I SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM IN MUCH SCARIER SITUATIONS. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS.
Electrical system, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Dec 4, 2019
I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK BUT THEY ARE SAYING THEY FIXED STUFF THAT NOBODY HAS TOUCHED. ATTACHED WILL BE THEIR RECALL. AND SECOND A PHOTO SHOWING NOBODY FIXED IT, LITTLE LONE TOUCHED IT FOR REPAIR. SCAMMING CUSTOMERS. I CANNOT GET MY TIRES TO SYNC TO THE VEHICLE EITHER. BOTH SAFETY.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Dec 1, 2019
I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY AND THESE LIGHTS POPPED ON OUT OF NO WHERE THE EXHAUST RESGINATOR CRACKING THE CAR CONSTANTLY HAS WHEEL BEARING ISSUE AND THE ENGINE IS BURNING OIL IT'S NOT DOING WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO DO WITH IT.I WAS DRIVING ON THE L-90 THRUWAY AT 65 MPH. I. AM ALSO HAVING HEAD LIGHT BLOWING I HAVE CHANGED THE HEADLIGHTS 4 TIMES THIS YEAR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 15, 2019
MY CAR STARTED ITSELF WHEN THE KEY WAS IN MY POCKET AND I WAS AT THE REAR OF THE CAR UNLOADING. I DO NOT HAVE A KEYLESS ENTRY OR STARTING FEATURE ON MY CAR. I WAS PARKED AT OUR COMMUNITY GARDEN AND MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE UNLOADING GARDEN TOOLS, SO WE WERE TOUCHING THE CAR AND FELT IT WHEN IT FIRED UP. IT WAS AN UNDERWEAR CHANGING MOMENT.
Other or unspecified, Sep 18, 2019
BOUGHT A USED CHEVY EQUINOX AND THE MANIFOLD CRACKED, COSTLY REPAIR THAT I WAS INFORMED SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING SAFETY ISSUE BEING ADDRESSED 10 PLUS TIMES A MONTH BY THIS CENTER ALONE. AS THIS SEEMS TO BE A FREQUENT AND KNOWN DEFECT THAT CAN CAUSE DEATH IF NOT FOUND AND FIXED I BELIEVE THAT CHEVY SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THE SAFETY CONCERN AND ISSUE A RECALL RATHER THAN WAITING TO SEE PEOPLE PASS AWAY BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD OR ARE UNAWARE OF THE DANGER
Other or unspecified, Aug 23, 2019
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THEN TURN OFF AFTER A COUPLE DAYS THIS HAPPEN FOR A FEW MONTHS AND THEN NOW IT'S ON PERMANENTLY I CHECKED WITH ONSTAR AND HAD THEM RUN A TEST AND IT SAYS MY EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM IS IN TROUBLE I DO NOT UNDERSTAND BECAUSE I USE GOOD FUEL I MAINTAIN MY ORIOLE AND MY MAINTENANCE ON MY VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES AND IT IS A FAIRLY NEW EQUINOX I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM
Other or unspecified, Jul 26, 2019
CAR SLOWED DOWN DURING DRIVING, I PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO CHANGE GEARS; UNABLE TO DO SO, I CALLED THE PICK UP TRUCK, AFTER THEY CHECKED THE CAR THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND I SHOULD CALL THE DEALER BECAUSE OF THE LOW MILLAGE AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS FULL.
Other or unspecified, May 31, 2019
MY 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX IS BURNING OIL VERY FAST. I HAVE HAD A MECHANIC AT MY WORK CHECK THE OIL LEVEL EVERY THURSDAY FOR THE LAST MONTH AND ADD APPROXIMATELY 1.5 LITRES EVERY THURSDAY. MY CO-WORKER HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH HER EQUINOX AND IT WAS A RECALL. HER OIL WAS GOING INTO HER FUEL. THIS IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO BE REOCCURRING. BEFORE REALIZING THAT THE OIL WAS AN ISSUE, MY CAR WOULD AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING- SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION.
Other or unspecified, Apr 6, 2019
THE HEAT AND AIR WILL NOT WORK FOR LONG AND SHORT PERIODS OF TIME. THERE IS A TICKING SOUND, BUT THE HEAT OR AIR WON'T WORK. PERIODICALLY THE SCREEN OF THE RADIO WILL GO OFF AND REMAIN THAT WAY UNTIL THE HEAT OR AIR DECIDES TO WORK AGAIN. IT'S HARD TO DRIVE IN THE RAIN, AND I WILL HAVE TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN TO CLEAR THE FOG FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR.
Other or unspecified, Apr 4, 2019
THE AC IS GIVING ME ISSUES AND I HAVE SEEN MANY PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS ISSUES WITH THE AC BREAKING BROKE AFTER CERTAIN MILEAGES!
Other or unspecified, Mar 1, 2019
I FILED A COMPLAINT 4 DAYS AGO #11182292. I'VE CONTACTED GM AND THEY HAVE NO RECALL ON MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL #090298 DONE FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM I'M EXPERIENCING. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR GM SEEMS WILLING TO INCLUDE MY CAR IN THIS RECALL. I'M A SENIOR CITIZEN LIVING ON A FIXED INCOME. I'M TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS TODAY. I'M ASKING FOR HELP PAYING FOR THIS IF IT IS DIAGNOSED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED. ALL THE ITEMS LISTED ON THAT PARTICULAR RECALL # ARE IDENTICAL TYPE IDENTICAL TO WHAT I'M EXPERIENCING. YOUR ASSISTANCE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED IN THIS MATTER.
Other or unspecified, Feb 25, 2019
THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY BLOWS EITHER HIGH HEAT OR NO HEAT AT ALL. I FOUND A SAFETY RECALL # 090298 FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM AND CALLED MY DEALER. THEY HAVE NO RECALL FOR THIS AND WON'T FIX IT FOR NO COST UNLESS THEY CAN FIND A RECALL! IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. THIS HAPPENS OF COURSE WHEN IN MOTION NO MATTER WHAT TYPE OF STREET OR HIGHWAY I'M ON.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 23, 2019
A YEAR AFTER I PURCHASED MY USED EQUINOX MY WATER PUMP WENT OUT. WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY REALIZE THAT MY OPINIONS HAVE BEEN WORN AND MY TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AFTER MY ENGINE LIGHT POPPED ON.. THIS CAR HAS BEEN UNRELIABLE ALMOST THE WHOLE TIME I'VE OWNED IT. LAST MARCH I REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN AGAIN. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH I REALIZE THAT MY TIMING CHAIN KEEPS GETTING DESTROYED BECAUSE THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IS LEAKING GAS INTO MY CRANKCASE. CHEVY HAS PUT OUT A RECALL FOR MY MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE BUT MY VIN IS NOT LISTED. I'M NOT SURE WHY IT WOULDN'T BE LISTED ESPECIALLY SINCE I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS THAT IS LISTED IN THE BULLETIN.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jan 23, 2019
JANUARY 8TH IT WAS RAINING REALLY HEAVY AND I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY CITY STREET TO WORK THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS JUST SUDDENLY STOPPED. ALSO RIGHT AFTER I'VE GOTTEN MY CAR MY CAR WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THERE'S A CRACK IN THE EXHAUST BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS HE SAID ARE VERY COMMON IN ALL THE EQUINOX AND THEY ACTUALLY HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 2013 CHEVY EQUINOX
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
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Nov 26, 2018
ORIGINAL RECALL 09 V4 89000 WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE FIXED VISIBILITY ISSUE. CAR WAS TAKEN IN AT THE TIME OF THE ORIGINAL RECALL. THE VEHICLE IS SHOWING SYMPTOMS OF THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AS BEFORE WHERE DEFROSTER IS NO LONGER WORKING BECAUSE OF CONTROLS NOT FUNCTIONING. RADIO IS ALSO OUT ALONG WITH POSSIBLE OTHER UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL ISSUES. WE'VE TURN THE CAR ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES HOPING IT WAS JUST A GLITCH, HOWEVER IT APPEARS THE PROBLEMS OF THE FIRST RECALL ARE BACK AGAIN. DRIVING THE VEHICLE POSE A THREAT HAS WE LIVE IN WEATHER WE'RE HAVING TO HAVE CONTROL OVER THE DEFROSTING IS NEEDED. DEFROSTER AND PANEL DO NOT WORK BECAUSE OF LACK OF ELECTRICAL CONTROL. MY WORRY IS THAT THIS IS SYSTEMIC, THE THE ISSUE IS REOCCURRING, EVERY SO YEARS OR SO, THAT OTHER ISSUES WILL CONTINUALLY MAKE THIS AN ISSUE IN THE FUTURE.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 12, 2018
I RECENTLY BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USE IT WAS WONDERING WHY THE OWNER GOT RID OF IT NOW I KNOW. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WITH THE HILL ASSIST ON THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE SEEN COMPLAINTS ON THE FORM THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOT KNOWN WHAT IT WAS. THE PROBLEM I'M HAVING IS WHEN THE HILL ASSIAT ENGAGE'S IT WILL NOT DISENGAGE LIKE IT'S SUPPOSED TO. I ACTUALLY HAD TO HAVE A MECHANIC RESET THE WHOLE COMPUTER TO GET IT TO DISENGAGE THE OTHER DAY AND REMOVE THE BATTERY TERMINAL TODAY TO GET A DISENGAGED. I EVEN CALLED THE DEALER TODAY AT THEY WEREN'T AWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT CONVENIENT. SEVERAL MECHANICS KNOW BUT THE DEALER DOESN'T WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND THEY WANT ME TO PAY TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. I'VE ALREADY DIAGNOSED IT, I JUST WANT TOKNOW WHAT THE FIX IS. ACCORDING TO EVERY MECHANIC OF SPOKE TO ITS IN THE COMPUTER PROGRAMMING AND THERE IS NO FIX. I WILL HAVE ON THIS VEHICLE FOR WEEKS AND IT'S ALREADY HAPPENED TO ME 5 TIMES.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 20, 2018
TIMING CHIAN EXPANDED CAUSING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND FOG ON FRONT WINSHIELD IN THE MORNING AND AT TIMES DURING THE DAY
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 4, 2018
AS I WAS APPROACHING TO A STOP LIGHT MY TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE AS IT WAS TRYING TO SHUT ITSELF DOWN. AS THE LIGHT TURNED AND AND I TRIED TO PUSH THE GAS PEDDLE, THE CAR WENT A LITTLE THEN STOPPED. I CRANKED THE KEY AGAIN, STARTED, THEN SHUT OFF. NOW THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE MY THE TRUCK WOULD START BACK UP AND DRIVE AGAIN. YOU CAN HEAR THIS WEIRD RATTLING NOISE AND WHILE DRIVING I WAS ALWAYS CAUTIOUS NOT KNOWING IF MY CAR WOULD JUST STOP RANDOMLY, OR IT IF WAS JUST A FLUKE. NO FLUKE. I SEE MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUES AND GM NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE! I DRIVE WITH MY 3 AND 4 YEAR OLD DAILY, AS WELL AS TAKING MY CLIENT'S TO AND FROM APPOINTMENTS AND RUNNING ERRANDS. JUST FEEL SO VIOLATED THAT A CAR WAS SOLD TO ME KNOWING THE PRE HISTORIC CONDITIONS.