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
Visibility/wiper, Dec 2, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER FAILED AND THE INTERIOR HEAT WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Exterior lighting, Engine, Visibility/wiper, Nov 18, 2013
I PURCHASED A 2010 CHEVY EQUINOX ON 4/1/2013. I HAVE SINCE HAD A FEW ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. I HAD THE TIMING BELT REPLACED DUE TO KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE. I THANK THE GOOD LORD THAT IT WAS UNDER A RECALL. I HAVE ALSO BEEN EXPERIENCING OIL LOSS. I HAVE MY OIL CHANGED ON A REGULAR BASIS AND IT HAS BEEN USING OIL BETWEEN THOSE CHANGES. THE LAST TIME I HAD IT CHANGED, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO OIL ON THE DIP STICK WHEN THEY CHECKED IT PRIOR TO DOING THE CHANGE. I HAVE ALSO GONE WITHOUT A DEFROSTER AS WELL. HAVEN'T THOUGHT MUCH ABOUT IT SINCE I HAVEN'T NEEDED IT YET BUT NOW THE WEATHER IS CHANGING AND I KNOW I AM GOING TO NEED IT REAL SOON. BUT GUESS WHAT. EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A RECALL ON THAT, MINE DOESN'T FALL UNDER THAT RECALL. I F THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE, YOU WOULD THINK IT WOULD BE COVERED NO MATTER. IT ISN'T MY FAULT THAT IT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. SO, RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS I AM GOING TO HAVE TO SHELL OUT OVER $400 TO GET THIS FIXED SO THAT I WILL BE ABLE TO SEE OUT OF MY FRONT WINDSHIELD. I GUESS IT IS MY FAULT THAT I HAVE WAITED TILL NOW TO WORRY WITH IT. I AM ALSO HAVING ISSUES WITH MY DASH LIGHTS GOING IN AND OUT AND MY AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. THERE SHOULD NOT BE THAT MANY ISSUES WITH ONE VEHICLE. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Oct 21, 2013
THE DEFROST ON MY EQUINOX DOES NOT CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD BUT CAUSES WORSE CONDITIONS WHEN IT IS TURNED ON MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE. I HAVE TO KEEP MY WINDOWS DOWN AND STICK MY HEAD OUT OF THE WINDOWS TO SEE IN COLD WEATHER. I AM TOLD THAT MY EQUINOX DOES NOT FALL UNDER RECALL # 09298. THIS IS AN EXTREME HAZARD! *TR
Visibility/wiper, Sep 4, 2013
DRIVING DOWN THE TURNPIKE IN THE RAIN, WIPERS RUNNING ON HIGH. SUDDENLY WIPERS STOP WORKING. FORTUNATELY WAS ONLY A MILE FROM A REST STOP, WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND WAIT OUT THE RAINSTORM. TOOK CAR TO DEALER, TURNED OUT WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Power train, Visibility/wiper, Mar 20, 2013
WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON HIGH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE WIPERS DISCONNECTED FROM THE DRIVE AND STOPPED ALL THE WAY LEFT WITH THE DRIVER SIDE WIPER HANGING OFF THE VEHICLE AND VISIBLE FROM THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. WITH NO VISIBILITY FROM THE FRONT WINDOW, MADE AN EMERGENCY STOP TO EXIT THE EXPRESSWAY ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WITH THE CARS AROUND ME. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Mar 15, 2013
PURCHASE VEHICLE IN AUGUST 2009. INSTRUMENT PANEL FAULTY WITHIN MONTHS OF PURCHASE. WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER & LIGHTS ON DASH GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY. RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING THIS ISSUE IN APRIL 2010. PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. HAVE BEEN BACK TO DEALERSHIP AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES. HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH GENERAL MOTORS IN DETROIT. DEALERSHIP NOR GENERAL MOTORS ARE RETURNING OUR CALLS OR FIXING THE PROBLEM. ONLY 17546 MILES ARE ON THIS VEHICLE. LIGHTS AND DEFROSTER GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING CAUSING US TO BE VERY INSECURE TO TAKE IT ANYWHERE FOR FEAR IT WILL HAPPEN WHILE WE ARE OUT. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Nov 16, 2012
HELLO ON A FEW DIFFERENT OCCASIONS MY CENTER CONSOLE AS STOPPED FUNCTIONING MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN ON/OFF DEFROSTER, HEAT, ETC. I HAVE CALLED CHEVROLET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT THEY TOLD ME IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 09V489000. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN WHY MY VEHICLE DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS RECALL WHEN I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS? THANK YOU *TR