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
784 reports, newest first.
Power train, Oct 8, 2018
TRANSMISSION FAILURE OF THE 3,5,R WAVE PLATE. COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL, TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE WIFE WAS HEADING TO WORK, BROKE DOWN IN BUSY INTERSECTION. GM WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THE COMMON PROBLEM
Visibility/wiper, Oct 5, 2018
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. I TOOK THE CAR TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP WHO IMMEDIATELY IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS ARISING FROM A KEY PART IN THE WIPERS BEING MADE OF PLASTIC INSTEAD OF THE PREVIOUSLY USED METAL AND THIS WEARING OUT. HE SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT A RECALL WAS LIKELY BUT THAT CHEVY WAS DRAGGING THEIR FEED. I UNDERSTAND THEY HAVE ISSUED THE RECALL IN CANADA. THE WIPERS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING DURING A MAJOR RAIN STORM, CREATING A VERY REAL SAFETY HAZARD AS I DROVE WITH YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR.
Electrical system, Oct 4, 2018
INSTRUMENT COMPUTER MAILFUCTIONIN. LIGHT AND CONTROLS STOP WORKING AND NOTHING ON RADIO LIGHTS UP. RADIO SCREEN AND AC/HEAT CONTROLS NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. CHECKED THERE WAS A RECALL PREVIOUSLY.
Visibility, Oct 2, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN A HEAVY RAIN STORM, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED OPERATING. THE FAILURE CAUSED A VISIBILITY HAZARD FOR THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (KRING CHEVROLET, 1861 N. US-31, PETOSKEY, MI) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Power train, Sep 23, 2018
THE VEHICLE HAS HAD HARD SHIFTING EVER SINCE I GOT IT AND THE OTHER DAY IN TOWN IT WAS NOT SHIFTING RIGHT AT ALL. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I'M STUCK IN SECOND GEAR. NO REVERSE, COULDN'T MANUALLY SHIFT I'M JUST STUCK IN SECOND. I COULD PUT THE CAR IN PARK SO I STOP AT A GROCERY STORE TO CHECK MY TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THERE WAS NO DIPSTICK WHAT THE HECK.SO I PUT MY FLASHERS ON AND DRIVE IN SECOND GEAR TO MY WIFES GRANDMOTHERS AND PARK IT. WHEN I GET HOME I RESEARCH AND I'VE COME UP WITH A WAVE PLATE CAUSING MY PROBLEM.
Power train, Engine, Sep 12, 2018
I REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN IN JUNE AT MY MECHANIC...I DID NOT GO TO A DEALER BECAUSE I COULD NOT AFFORD THE $2000 THEY WERE ASKING TO FIX IT. IT IS NOW THE BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER AND I AM REPLACING THE TIMING CHAIN AGAIN. WHY AM I READING THIS WEBSITE AND SEEING THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE EQUINOX TIMING CHAIN AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY GM. THEY SHOULD RECEIVE CONSEQUENCES FOR A FAULTY PRODUCT. I CALLED THEM TO ASK WHY THERE WAS NOT A RECALL WHEN THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE. THEY WERE VERY RUDE AND WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 10, 2018
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE OVER EXTENDING.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 21, 2018
WHILE DRIVING DURING A RAINSTORM THE WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. CHECKED THE FUSES, BUT ALL FUSES WERE GOOD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID WAS WORKING BUT NOT THE WIPERS THEMSELVES. AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE BACK HOME TOOK A LOOK AT THE WIPER ASSEMBLY AND ONE OF THE BUSHINGS BROKE OFF. HAD TO REPLACE THE BUSHING TO GET THE WIPERS TO WORK AGAIN.
Electrical system, Aug 18, 2018
MY IGNITION WHEN I TUEN MY KEY BACK TO TURN OFF MY CAR IT TRIES TO START BACK UP AGAIN BY ITSELF IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 7 OR 8 TIMES NOW. I HAVE BEEN ASKING AROUND WHAT THAT COOLD BE AND I GET IN RESPONSE THAT IT COULD BE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OR THE IGNITION. AND I STILL HAVE 3 YRS TO PAY FOR THIS CAR
Visibility/wiper, Aug 16, 2018
WIPERS STOPPED WORKING DUE TO A WORN BALL JOINT ON WIPER MOTOR. IT DOES SHOW A RECALL FOR NEWER ONES BUT NOT FOR THE 2010 YEAR. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A STATE HIGHWAY ALMOST CAUSED DRIVER TO RUN INTO THE DITCH, HEAVY RAIN.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 16, 2018
I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK. IT STARTED TO RAIN, SO I TURNED ON THE WIPERS, AND THEY SWIPED A FEW TIMES AND STUCK IN THE UPWARD LEFT POSITION AND STOPPED. I WAS ON A STATE HIGHWAY, AT THE TIME, AND FOUND IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE TO DRIVE. THE WIPERS HAVE NOT WORKED SINCE THAT DAY. UPON CHECKING ONLINE, I'VE FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND HAPPENS TO OTHERS EXACTLY THE SAME WAY IT HAPPENED WITH MY WIPERS. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CANADIAN MODEL FOR 2013, BUT HAVE NOT FOUND ONE FOR 2010 AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON ALL OF THE WIPERS FOR THIS MODEL. THE ARMS ON THE TRANSMISSION COME APART AND STOPS THE WIPERS FROM WORKING. NO WARNING......THEY JUST STOP. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. AND TO ADD TO THE PROBLEM...... TO REPAIR IT, THE MORE APPROPRIATE OPTION IS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION/MOTOR ASSEMBLY AND THAT PART IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE, AROUND $300. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BY CHEVY, AS IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND CAN CAUSE TERRIBLE ACCIDENTS IN THE BLINDING RAIN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.
Power train, Aug 13, 2018
DRIVTNG 45 MILE HR SHOUDER MADE NOISE STOPPED AT TRAFFIC WOULD NOT MOVE CALLED AAA CARS WERE DRIVING AROUND ME RAMP TRUCK TOWED CAR TO BEST TRANSMISSION SHOP CALL GM SAID NO WARRANTY ONLY HAS 75,000 MILES
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 6, 2018
THE VEHICLE IS BURNING OIL OUT BEFORE THE GIVEN MILEAGE CAUSING THE ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON LOUD KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE SMOKE
Power train, Engine, Aug 2, 2018
1. TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. 2. ENGINE CONSUMES ALL OIL WITHIN 3,000 MILES.
Engine, Jul 25, 2018
2010 CHEVY EQUINOX WILL LOSE POWER AT ANY SPEED. I HAVE LOST POWER ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65MPH, LOCAL DRIVING AT 40MPH AS WELL AS STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. IT PRETTY MUCH JUST HAPPENS OUT OF THE BLUE ENDANGERING MY LIFE AS WELL AS THE VEHICLES AROUND ME. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON BUT DOES NOT STAY ON. IF I TURN THE VEHICLE OFF , IT WILL RESTART AND MAY RUN FINE FOR DAYS OR WEEKS AFTERWARD. I HAVE CONTACTED GM , BUT TO DATE HAVE NOT HAD THE ISSUE RESOLVED.
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
Visibility, Jul 17, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES SUDDENLY STOPPED OPERATING. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BALL JOINTS INSIDE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (LIBERTYVILLE CHEVROLET, 1001 S. MILWAUKEE, LIBERTYVILLE, IL) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Power train, Engine, Jul 16, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ENGINE WOULD REV. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. NEW HOLLAND AUTO GROUP (508 W MAIN ST, NEW HOLLAND, PA 17557, (877) 217-8936) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.
Power train, Jul 5, 2018
DRIVING DOWN ROAD TO SET OF LIGHTS STOPPED AT RED GREEN LIGHT TO PROCEED DID NOT MOVE, CARS BEHIND ME ALMOST CRASHED INTO ME IN DRIVE MOVED SLOWLY TO CURB SIDE IT JUST WONT MOVE CITY ST ON HIGHWAY 55 MILES HR PRIOR HEARD A CLUNK TRANSMISSION CASE 8-4377215669
Engine, Jun 27, 2018
ENGINE LIGHT ON WITH 60000 MILES, TIMING CHAIN CODE, KNOWN ISSUE AND GM WANTED $4000.00 TO FIX. CHANGED ALL TIMING GEARS AND TENTIONERS IN DECEMBER OF 2017.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 27, 2018
WHILE DRIVING DEFROSTERS & RADIO QUIT WORKING AND HAD TO STOP BECAUSE WINDSHIELD FOGGED UP AND CANNOT SEE. SHUT OFF CAR AND WAITED 10 MINUTES OR SO AND STARTED BACK UP AND WORKED FINE, ABOUT A COUPLE WEEKS AGO SAME THING AGAIN DEFROST STOPPED WORKING WITH RADIO AND HAD TO STOP AGAIN. KNOWN ISSUE BUT NOT ON RECALL LIST.
Power train, Engine, Jun 22, 2018
WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, PULLED ONTO A STREET AND PUT THE CAR INTO PARK. ATTEMPTED AGAIN AND THE CAR SLOWLY DROVE. ANOTHER INCIDENT, MY SON WAS DRIVING AND HE SAID IT JUST "WOULDN'T DRIVE", LUCKILY HE WAS NEAR A RELATIVES HOUSE AND PULLED INTO THE DRIVE. HE ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE CAR AND PUT IT INTO REVERSE AND IT WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. THE CAR IS NOW AT A CHEVY DEALER. NOW THIS MAY NOT BE DEEMED A "SAFETY ISSUE", BUT WHAT IS THE ISSUE, THE CAR ONLY HAS 65,000 AND WE ARE BEING TOLD BY CHEVY THAT THE CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. AT WHAT POINT CAN A NON-SAFETY ISSUE BE DEEMED A RECALL. APPARENTLY THERE IS A BULLETIN REGARDING THE CHEVY EQUINOX 2010, MANY MANY COMPLAINTS, AND CHEVY WILL NOT REPAIR THEM. WHAT CAN BE DONE?
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Jun 22, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, ONE OF THE TIRES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE EXPLODED AND CAUSED THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG TO DEPLOY WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES FROM THE DEPLOYMENT. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE GUARDRAIL. THE CONTACT SUFFERED HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DEALER (SCOVILLE-MENO CHEVROLET GMC, 8 S MAIN ST, BAINBRIDGE, NY 13733, (877) 274-2485) WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000. *TT CARFAX NOT ABLE TO PROCESS VIN UPDATED 9/26/18*JB
Engine, Jun 11, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED, AND WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jun 1, 2018
WHERE TO BEGIN...IN 2015 I PURCHASED THIS 2010 EQUINOX FROM A CHEVY DEALER AND 2 MONTHS LATER STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS W/ THE STABILITRAK. I HAVE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS PAYING FOR THIS TO BE FIXED WITH NO SOLUTOINS TO THIS DAY!! IT OS NOW A DAILY OCCURRENCE AND COMES ON MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING EVERY TIME I AM BEHIND THE WHEEL NOW. IN ADDITION, NOW THE ENGINE IS COMPLETELY SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING IT AND I MUST COAST TO THE SIDE IF THE ROAD!!!! WITH THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS YOUR COMPANY HAS RECEIVED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, I AM GUESSING YOUR COMPANY IS WAITING FOR A LIFE TO BE TAKEN! I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME MULTIPLE TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY PASSING A CAR OR SEMI AND IT KICKS IN AND I HAVE TO PRAY THAT AS I SLOW DOWN WITH NO CONTROL I CAN MAKE IT TO THE RIGHT LANE AND THEN ON TO THE SHOULDER WITH OUT GETTING HIT OR WORSE!!! THERE ARE EVEN MORNINGS WHERE I GO OUT TO START MY CAR AND...EITHER IT DOESN'T START AT ALL W/ NO SOUND, IT STARTS WITH THE STABILITRAK ALREADY ON OR IT CLICKS ON AS SOON AS I PUT IT IN REVERSE. I AM KEEPING ALL MY RECEIPTS TOGETHER AND MY FAMILY KNOWS WHERE THEY ARE IN CASE ANYTHING SHOULD HAPPEN TO ME DUE TO THE LACK OF CHEVROLET ASSISTANCE FOR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DEALING W/ THE SAME ISSUES!!!! YES I HAVE A WARRANTY BUT WAS TOLD THAT IS NOT COVERED AND I HAVE ALREADY HAD A NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN, THROTTLE BODY REPLACED, WIRES REPLACED, ETC... AND STILL NO SOLUTION AND THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT HERE. I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND A CHEVY TO ANYONE AND WILL SHARE MY EXPERIENCE WITH AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE!