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: visibility/wiper
132 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Seats, Visibility/wiper, Dec 11, 2024
The climate controls, including the seat warmers, located on the control panel directly below the radio/stereo controls on my 2010 Chevy Equinox stopped working. As a result, the ability to control the temperature and direction of heated/cooled air was lost. I tolerated the conditions for several seasons, winter being the toughest due to temp and the need for defrost, until buying a new car (as an addition, not a replacement vehicle). As my oldest child became of age to begin driving, I've attempted to prepare the car for his driving and safety. In researching how to repair this malfunction, I came across a recall that addresses this exact problem; however, upon taking my Chevy Equinox to my local Chevy dealership, I discovered that my VIN is not on the list for this repair. The coincidence that my car falls in the category of vehicles included for this recall (Bulletin No.: 09298C), but is not included is confusing, to say the least. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to this failure that began in 2019.
Engine, Visibility/wiper, Sep 9, 2024
I have a 2.4 ltr Chevy equinox and the engine went out at 140000miles, no warning symbol. Left me stranded in the middle of nowhere, two days after being stuck in a rain storm, when I found out my wipers died.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 29, 2023
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the front windshield wipers became inoperable. The contact's wife was driving at night while it was raining. The contact stated that after inspecting and researching the cause of the failure, he discovered that a failure with the windshield wiper transmission assembly. The contact became aware that the windshield wiper transmission assembly needed to be replaced. The contact stated that he would repair the vehicle himself. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,011.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 5, 2022
while driving in a rain storm my wipers stopped working. Had to move from 3 lanes of traffic to the side of the road with zero visibility out of my front windshield. Wipers had no power, windshield wiper module failed.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 15, 2022
My windshield wipers quit working while it was raining. Preventing me from being able to see the road and other vehicles on the road.
Visibility/wiper, May 11, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED DURING A HAIL STORM, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ACTIVATED ON HIGH SETTING HOWEVER, AFTER WIPING UP AND DOWN TWICE, THE WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TONY DIVINO TOYOTA (777 W RIVERDALE RD, RIVERDALE, UT 84405) HAD REPAIRED THE WIPER BLADES A YEAR PRIOR HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
Air bags, Engine, Visibility/wiper, Mar 26, 2021
I'VE HAD COUNTLESS ISSUES FROM THIS VEHICLE SINCE I'VE GOTTEN IT BETWEEN A CONSTANT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAVING TO REPLACE ALL THE SENSORS AND IT GOES AWAY OR OIL LIKE NOBODY'S BUSINESS I STAY PUTTING OIL IN IT TWICE A WEEK AS OF THE PAST FEW DAYS I WAS COMING HOME FROM TAKING MY BROTHER TO KARATE AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT START FLASHING IN MY STABILITY TRACK CAME ON AND DUE TO THE OIL LEAK IT CAUSE MY ENGINE TO CRACK A RING SO NOW MY VEHICLE IS BASICALLY TOTALED ITS HEARTBREAKING CUZ THE AMOUNT OF MONEY AND REPAIRS ARE PUT INTO IT IT'S BEEN ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER I HIGHLY DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS CAR TO ANYBODY
Service brakes, Engine, Visibility/wiper, Mar 6, 2021
I'VE TAKEN MY EQUINOX TO MULTIPLE MECHANICS AND NO ONE EVER TOLD ME ANYTHING ABOUT IT . MY VEHICLE USES AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF ENGINE OIL AFTER . MY OIL CHANGES HAVE TO BE EVERY 3 WEEKS. . WHEN TURNING ON MY VEHICLE IT SOUNDS LIKE A TRACTOR IS READY TO GO. I HAVE A SMALL SUV THAT I KNOW NEVER MADE THAT LOUD NOISE.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 14, 2021
I RECENTLY FOUND MY SON'S DEFROST WAS NOT WORKING ON HIS 2010 EQUINOX. AS I WAS SEARCHING FOR TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION, I FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE HOWEVER MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. MY ASSUMPTION IS THEY DID NTO ACCURATELY BOOKEND THIS ISSUE.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 15, 2020
IN 2016 THE DEFROSTER, DEFOGGER,HAVC SYSTEM STARTED TO MAKING POPPING NOISES WHICH WOULD THEN SWITCH THE HEAT TO COLD AIR. TO GET THE THE SYSTEM TO PROVIDE HEAT IN THE VEHICLE YOU HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE BUTTONS GOING BACK AN FORTH HEAT TO A/C. IF YOUR LUCKY YOU WILL GET THE HEAT BACK ON. IT ALSO AFFECTS THE ILLUMINATION OF THE DASH AND RADIO LIGHTING. IT IS A TREMENDOUS SAFETY HAZARD IN THE WINTER TO NOT HAVE HEAT FOR THE DEFROSTERS AN HEAT FOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IT CONTINUES TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 15, 2020
WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING AND I PUT THE HEAT OR DEFROSTER ON POPPING NOISES COMING FROM CONTROL SYSTEM AND THEN IT CHANGES FROM HEAT TO COOL OR COLD AIR. I HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE SYSTEM SWITCHING BACK AN FORTH FROM A/C TO HEAT TO SOMETIMES TO GET THE HEAT BACK ON. SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT COME BACK . IT STARTED IN DECEMBER OF 2016 AN CONTINUES TILL PRESENT DATE. THE NHTSA COMPLAINT #09V49800 GM CHEVROLET IS SAYING 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX ARE NOT INCLUDED. BUT CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THEIR RECALL.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, May 26, 2020
THE OTHER DAY IT WAS RAINING SLIGHTLY AND I WAS AT MY FRIENDS HOUSE. LATER WHEN I LEFT IT WAS RAINING HARDER SO I WAS USING MY WIPERS AND WHEN I HAD GOTTEN 5 MINS DOWN THE ROAD MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AND IT CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE A THING. WHEN THAT HAPPENED I HIT SOMETHING AND WAS IN THE GRASS A BIT. NOW I HAVE A CHUNK OF MY BUMPER GONE AND A HEADLIGHT OUT CAUSE OF WHAT I HIT. WHICH I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS I HIT. NOW MY WIPERS DON'T WORK, A CHUNK OF MY BUMPER IS GONE, AS WELL AS SOME PLASTIC UNDER MY CAR CAME OFF. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Visibility/wiper, May 15, 2020
NO DEFROST/HEAT. ALL ELECTRONICS TURN OFF IT DOES NOT MATTER HIGHWAY/CITY. WHEN TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGES DASH WILL CUT OFF AND I HAVE TO RESTART. I HAVE HAD MY CAR JUST LOSE POWER FOR NO REASON HIGHWAY OR CITY. THIS THING IS NOT SAFE! I KNOW THE DATE STATES 12/31/2019. HOWEVER I HAVE DEALING WITH THIS SINCE I GOT THIS THING. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Apr 20, 2020
MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE JUST STOPPED WORKING. YOU CAN HEAR THE MOTOR RUNNING BUT THEY DO NOT MOVE. I HAVE READ THAT THE 2013 THROUGH 2019 HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. THEY JUST STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE POURING RAIN. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THIS PROBLEM. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. WHY ARE THEY NOT FIXING THE 2010-2013 MODELS? I DO NOT FEEL THAT I SHOULD PAY TO HAVE THIS FIXED. ARE THEY WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO LOSE THEIR LIFE BEFORE THEY ADD THESE OTHER CARS TO THIS RECALL! PLEASE GET BACK TO ME AS TO WHAT I SHOULD DO. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THIS NOW. I NEED MY CAR!!!
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
Visibility/wiper, Mar 20, 2020
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING IN THE RAIN, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS THE WIPER MOTOR, DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS THIS TIME. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A STREET
Visibility/wiper, Mar 5, 2020
BLOWER MOTOR THAT DEFROST WINDSHIELD CUTS IN AND OUT. NEED TO RUN ON HIGH TO KEEP IT WORKING. TODAY IT TOTALLY CUT OUT WILL DRIVING ON FREEWAY
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Visibility/wiper, Feb 16, 2020
CAR WILL STOP AFTER PRESSING THE BREAK. WIPERS NO LONGER WORK. NOW CAR WON'T START DUE TO TIMING BELT
Visibility/wiper, Jan 19, 2020
ON 1/16/20, I USED MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO CLEAR SNOW OFF OF MY WINDSHIELD WHILE THE CAR WAS STATIONARY. IT WIPED CORRECTLY A FEW TIMES, BUT ON THE FOURTH WIPE, I HEARD A 'THWACK' TYPE OF NOISE, AND THE WIPERS STOPPED IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION BY THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I TRIED TO TURN THE WIPERS ON AGAIN, BUT THEY WOULD NOT MOVE. I MANUALLY PUSHED THE WIPERS DOWN INTO THE RESTING POSITION, AND THEN TRIED TO TURN THE WIPERS ON AGAIN. THEY STILL WOULDN'T MOVE. I HAVE TRIED TURNING THE WIPERS ON EACH DAY SINCE THE 16TH, AND EACH TIME, THE WIPERS WILL NOT MOVE. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 14, 2020
FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AFTER STARTING
Engine, Visibility/wiper, Dec 31, 2019
CHANGED WINDSHIED MOTORS AND THE GO RIGHT BACK TO NOT WORKING WITHIN A WEEK.. HERE RECENTLY IVE HAD TO PUT A EXTREME AMOUT OF OIL IN IT ITS LOSING OIL OUT OF NO WHERE CAN DRIVE 5 MILES DOWN THE ROAD AND THEN ITS GONE NOW IT HAS STARTED TO SMOKE REALLY BAD WHEN I DRIVE IT AFTER OIL IS IN AND HAS NOW GOT THE CAR TO START A SMALL KNKCK IT HAS BEEN PARKED FOR THE TIME BEING FOR SCARED OF IT DOING WORSE ITS BEEN PARKED SINCE IT STARTED TO SMOKE.. IT WILL LOSE POWER AT SUM POINTS AND NOT LET ME DRIVE FASTER THEN 25 MPH THEN ALL THE SUDDEN PICK BACK UP AND ACT JUST FINE..THE CAR WILL SMOKE SO BAD THAT ANOTHER CAR BEHIND ME WILL HAVE TO STOP COMPLETELY AND WAIT UNTIL SMOKE IS CLEAR.. ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASH IS ALSO ON
Visibility/wiper, Dec 28, 2019
FEBRUARY 2018 BOTH OF MY WIPERS STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF A STORM AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR. I TOOK MY CAR TO PEP BOYS AND THEY ORDERED THE PARTS TO REPLACE IN ORDER FOR MY WIPERS TO WORK AGAIN. HERE I AM IN DECEMBER 2019 ALMOST TWO YEARS LATER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE WIPERS IN THIS VEHICLE ARE DEFECTIVE AND SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY GOING TO GET INJURED OR KILLED IF THEY DO NOT RECALL THE WIPERS FOR FAULTY MOTORS THAT WILL QUIT WORKING AT ANY TIME. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE IF IT WILL POSSIBLY RAIN BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT TO PUT MY KIDS OR MY LIFE IN DANGER. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE AND GM NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS HUGE ISSUE!
Visibility/wiper, Dec 3, 2019
DEFROST IS NOT WORKING. ONLY BLOWS OUT OF FRONT VENTS.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Nov 27, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED PER A MANUFACTURER RECALL REGARDING FUEL CONSUMPTION AT BILL STASEK CHEVROLET (700 W DUNDEE RD, WHEELING, IL 60090, (224) 434-4677). PRIOR TO THE RECALL, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER, HEATER, INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING, AND RADIO CONTROLS BECAME INOPERATIVE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ASKED THE DEALER TO REMEDY THE FAILURES; HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEFECTS WERE NEVER REMEDIED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V489000(VISIBILITY), WHICH SHE ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000. *DT *DL
Visibility/wiper, Nov 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING DURING A SNOWSTORM, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE LINKAGE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING DURING A SNOWSTORM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.