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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 784

Of the 2010 reports, 15 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 23 people were injured.

Primary concernEngine271 reports · 35% of complaints
Owner complaints784Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship3 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine271
  2. Power train182
  3. Visibility/wiper132
  4. Electrical system81
  5. Air bags57
  6. Other or unspecified52
  7. Electronic stability control (ESC)49
  8. Steering44

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  1. Other or unspecified, Nov 30, 2012

    THE EQUINOX WAS BEING TOWED (ALL WHEELS DOWN) BEHIND A MOTORHOME. CHEVROLET CERTIFIES IT AS TOWABLE IN THIS MANNER. THE TOWING BASEPLATE, PRODUCED BY DEMCO SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS VEHICLE) WAS ATTACHED TO THE CAR'S FRONT RAIL ENDS OF THE FRAME. WHILE UNDERWAY, THE FRONT RAIL ENDS TORE LOOSE FROM THE FRAME. THE BASEPLATE, THUS DETACHED, TORE THE FRONT GRILL AND BUMPER FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CAR GLIDED TO A STOP ON THE ROAD. HAD WE BEEN ON A BUSY HIGHWAY OR ON A HILL, OTHER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED AND SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH MAY HAVE OCCURRED. WE FEEL THAT THE FRONT RAIL ENDS ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY STURDY TO SUPPORT TOWING AND CHEVROLET SHOULD NOT CERTIFY THE EQUINOX AS TOWABLE.

  2. Steering, Other or unspecified, Nov 13, 2010

    THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE STEERING. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR MORE THAN AND 1/2 HOUR, IT BECOMES STICKY ON EACH SIDE OF THE CENTER. I HAVE HAD NO SERIOUS PROBLEMS AS OF YET, BUT THE LONGER IT IS DRIVEN, THE WORSE IT GETS. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE NATURAL RESPONSE IS TO CORRECT AND SOMETIMES THIS CANBE QUITE SCARY OR NERVE RACKING. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE AND THEY CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG.