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.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 2, 2018
2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS WITH HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP NEED TO BE REPLACED 3.5 YEARS APART. *JS
Power train, Feb 19, 2018
WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET HEADED TO THE HIGHWAY LOST GEARS WITH NO WARNING MY CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEARS.
Engine, Feb 13, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIKE SHAW BUICK GMC (1313 MOTOR CITY DRIVE, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80906) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
Engine, Feb 9, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED AND SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (CHEVROLET OF HOMEWOOD, 18033 HALSTED ST, HOMEWOOD, IL 60430) AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IT WAS UP TO THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,535.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 9, 2018
INTERMITTENT LOSS OF SYSTEM HEAT. BLOWER WORKS BUT BLOWS FRIGID AIR INTO CABIN AND ONTO WINDSHIELD CAUSING FROSTING AND SAFETY ISSUE. CONTROLS DO NOT WORK TO CORRECT ISSUE. ACTUATOR DOORS EITHER DON'T MOVE OR MOVE RANDOMLY. NO CHANGE IN BLOWER AIR. AIR TEMP FEELS LIKE BELOW ZERO. NO WARNING OF CHANGE FROM HOT TO COLD AIR. VEHICLE CAN BE STATIONARY, IN MOTION, HIGHWAY SPEEDS, SIDE STREET SPEEDS, TURNING, STRAIGHT, IT DOESN'T MATTER. IN GOING TO DESTINATION HEAT STOPPED AND COLD AIR BLEW. THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING ISSUE FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS. DEALER SAYS NOT CODING OR STORING CODES. MAIN COMPUTER DOESN'T SENSE THE PROBLEM. ACTUATORS RECALIBRATED ON FRIDAY, IT REOCCURRED ON SATURDAY. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE CONTROL SYSTEM BRAIN BUT DEALER UNWILLING TO DO REPAIRS. 2010 AND 2011 WERE THE WORST YEARS FOR ISSUES IN THESE VEHICLES. MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUES. DEALER SAYS THEY CAN'T FIX IT IF IT DOESN'T DISPLAY CODES ACCORDING TO MY ALMOST $4000 WARRANTY SERVICE CONTRACT. I LOVE MY EQUINOX BUT I NEED IT FIXED AND WORKING. BROUGHT IT INTO DEALER ON FRIDAY, INTAKE PERSON ACTUALLY FELT THE FRIGID AIR COMING FROM BLOWER. NO AMOUNT OF FLIPPING SWITCHES, TURNING KNOBS OR PUSHING BUTTONS CORRECT THIS ISSUE. STILL THEY DON'T FIX IT BECAUSE OF NO CODES. I SAY MAIN COMPUTER IS MALFUNCTIONING BECAUSE IT DOESN'T SENSE THE PROBLEM THEREFORE IT DOESN'T SHOW CODES. DEALER ADMITS THERE IS AN ISSUE, JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS. ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I AM A CANCER SURVIVOR AND HAVE MANY MEDICAL ISSUES, I ALSO TRANSPORT YOUNG CHILDREN IN MY VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE IS A HEALTH HAZARD TO MYSELF AND THEM.
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility/wiper, Feb 7, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DEFROST FAILED TO PRODUCE HOT AIR. ADDITIONALLY, THE ODOR OF EXHAUST FUMES WAS NOTICED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEN TO BENSON AUTO CHEVROLET (28 N MAIN ST, FRANKLIN, NH 03235), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. *TT *TR
Engine, Feb 5, 2018
MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES AS REPORTED IN GM SERVICE BULLETIN 14882. I WAS TOLD MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT'S BULLETIN. I HAVE SPENT $800 SO FAR ON REPAIRS. RECENTLY ALL THE OIL WAS LOST THROUGH BLOWN SEAL DUE TO PRESSURE BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE. EXCESS MOISTURE WAS FOUND IN AIR BOX NEAR PCV HOSE.
Steering, Jan 28, 2018
WHILE DRIVING MY EQUINOX, THERE WAS A WHINING NOISE THAT STARTED. WHEN I TURN MY WHEEL, THE STEERING WHEEL IS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. AND BECOMES VERY LOOSE. I CURRENTLY DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR
Other or unspecified, Jan 17, 2018
MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT MY CAR DOES NOT FIT IN THE "BUILD DATE WINDOW" ALTHOUGH THE BULLETIN COVERS THE YEAR AND ENGINE TYPE.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 16, 2018
ENGINE LOSES POWER ABRUPTLY, POWER TRAIN LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON
Engine, Jan 11, 2018
BULLETIN #14882. MY CAR IS AT 124,532 MILES WHEN THE REAR MAIN SEAL BLEW OUT DUE TO FREEZING OF THE PCV VALVE. AFTER MANY TIMES OF THIS CAR BEING IN THE SHOP GETTING REPAIRED, THEY WEREN'T WILLING TO TAKE ANY OF THE RESPONSIBILITY AND FIX IT, DUE TO THE MILES OF THE CAR BEING BARELY OVER THEIR LIMIT. I FEEL THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO HELP ME OUT.
Power train, Jan 11, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE SPEED SUDDENLY BEGAN TO DECREASE. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY WOULD NOT OPERATE IN THE DRIVE POSITION ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE WAS STILL OPERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER (GENESIS CHEVROLET, 21800 GIATION AVE, EAST, MI) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. *TT *AS
Engine, Jan 9, 2018
PCV SYSTEM FAILURE WITH A BLOWN REAR MAIN SEAL. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE REAR MAIN SEAL BLEW TO A KNOWN FAULTY DESIGN BY GM. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE ALL POWER & OIL ON THE HIGHWAY. TRIED TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, ALMOST HITTING OVER CARS DUE TO LOSS OF POWER. THIS WAS LATER DETERMINED INVESTIGATED AND FOUND TO BE A KNOWN PCV SYSTEM FAILURE. GM IS AWARE OF THE MANY OF REPORTS OF THE 2.4 MOTOR & THE PROBLEMS. THIS IS ALL COVERED UNDER GM BULLTEIN 14882: SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT ' PLUGGED PCV ORIFICE IN INTAKE MANIFOLD ' 2010-2014 BUICK CHEVROLET GMC
Power train, Jan 3, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BOMNIN CHEVROLET (11701 SW 152ND ST, MIAMI, FL 33177) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,540.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 29, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DEFROST AND THE FLOOR VENTS ON BOTH SIDES FAILED TO PRODUCE HOT AIR. ADDITIONALLY, THE RADIO PANEL OVERHEATED AND BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED (BUD KOUTS CHEVROLET, 2801 E MICHIGAN AVE, LANSING, MI 48912) AND WAS INFORMED TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 107,000.
Engine, Dec 14, 2017
TIMING CHAIN, WATER PUMP, TENSIONER ALL WENT BAD, CAUSING FURTHER INTERNAL PROBLEMS. CAME TO A STOP AND WOULD NOT RE-START. CHEVROLET REQUIRED AN "AUTHORIZED" DIAGNOSIS. CHEVROLET HAD PREVIOUSLY EXTENDED WARRANTIES ON THIS MOTOR TO 120,000 MILES DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I HAD 124,600, SO CHEVROLET REFUSED TO HELP. COST ME OVER $2400 AND THE CAR STILL WON'T RUN. PER INTERNET SEARCHES, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE 4-CYL ECO TECH ENGINE. (I BELIEVE CANADA REQUIRED A RECALL ON THIS ENGINE!)
Engine, Nov 27, 2017
I WAS ON THE WAY TO THE STORE WITH MY TWO CHILDREN I PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY AND THE CAR DIDNT WANT TO PULL. I LET OFF THE GAS AND PUSHED THE GAS AGAIN I STARTED THINKING MAKE IT JUST HAD SOME TRASH OR SOMETHING CAUSE THE CAR DID FINE. I GOT TO THE STORE AND PULLED IN THE PARKING LOT THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE AT ALL. I HAD IT TOWED MY THE CHEVY PLACE AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS THE INNER TRANSMISSION SEEING THAT IT HAS HAD OTBER TRANSMISSION ISSUE MIGHT WANT TO TAKE A LOOK THAT THE WHOLE UNIT OF THE TRANSMISSION. THANKS
Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 27, 2017
I PURCHASED THIS CAR AS USED. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT THERE WAS A TICKING SOUND THAT COULD BARELY BE HEARD. THE DEALER SAID THAT WAS COMMON. FOR VEHICLES SITTING IN THE LOT. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK ONCE IT GOT A LITTLE LOUDER AND THEY SAID MOST FUEL PUMPS MAKE THAT SOUND OVERTIME BUT THERE WAS NO ISSUE. AND THAT THE MANIFOLD WAS CAUSING THE LOUD NOISE AND GAS SMELL. AND NEEDED TO GET REPAIRED. THAT WAS DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD .NOW AN YEAR LATER. A WEEK AGO MY CAR STARTED MAKING THE SAME SOUND AGAIN AND BEEN GETTING LOUDER. MY CHECK ENGINE WAS BLINKING A D I NOTICED THE CAR WASN'T DRIVING AS SMOOTHLY AND WAS USING UP MORE GAS.AN ENGINE POWER REDUCED LIGHT CAME ON AND MY ENGINE JUST CUT OFF.I HAD TO GET IT TO TOWED TO A SHOP AND THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL PUMP PRESSURE. I SEE THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF ISSUES WITH FUEL PUMP ON THIS VEHICLE AND A TSB RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS IT IS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO CUT OFF. THIS HAPPENS TO ME ON A BUSY STREET. THANK GOD I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY I GET ON TO GO TO WORK
Electrical system, Nov 24, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RYAN CHEVROLET (1501 W PINE ST, HATTIESBURG, MS 39401), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Engine, Nov 24, 2017
2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2.4L ENGINE IS BURNING OIL. I TOOK THIS TO THE DEAL AND WAS PUSHED AWAY SAYING I HAD OIL LEAK. THIS IS NOT TRUE. I TOOK MY 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX TO SECOND DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THE WAS METAL SHAVINGS AND THE OIL CONSUMPTION WAS USELESS BECAUSE THE OF THE SHAVINGS. NOW GM WILL NOT REPLACE THE ENGINE, I PROVIDED THE REQUESTED DOCUMENTS SO THAT THE DEAL COULD MAKE THE EXCEPTION TO REPLACE THE ENGINE BUT WAS DENIED. EVERY TIME I GO TO START THE ENGINE AND DRIVE OFF IT STALLS.
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Nov 12, 2017
ONCE VEHICLE REACHES 25 MPH THE STABILITY CONTROL TURNS OFF AND SIMULTANEOUSLY THE ABS TURNS OFF AND AWD TURNS OFF ASS WELL
Air bags, Nov 3, 2017
GOTA LETTER FROM THEM SAYING THIEIR AN ISSUSE WITH THE AIRBAGS WANT TO KNOW IF MINE ARE DEFECTED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED NOW...
Power train, Oct 30, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A TRANSMISSION WAVE PLATE FAILURE AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO TERRYVILLE CHEVROLET (302 MAIN ST, TERRYVILLE, CT 06786 (860) 506-6404) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AGAIN AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE AND OPENED A CASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *BF CONSUMER STATED CAR WOULDN'T GO IN REVERSE. UPDATED 8/21/18*JB
Visibility/wiper, Oct 30, 2017
SAME PROBLEM AS WITH A 2006 EQUINOX THE HEATER DEFROSTER GOES COLD WARM AND IS NOT SAFE THE 2006 HAD A RECALL AND WAS BROUGHT TO DENOOYER CHEV COLONIE NY FOR RECALL REPAIR NOW THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS 2010 EQUINOX LTZ. THIS TIME THE RADIO HAS NO SOUND ON LEFT SIDE WEIRD. WHEN I TURN UP THE HEAT IT STARTS A CLICKING SOUND AND WILL NOT STOP UNTIL IT REACHES A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE THEN THE HEAT WILL COME ON FOR 4-5 MINUTES AND GO COLD AND WINTER IT AT MY DOORSTEP SHORTLY. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY GM I WILL CONTACT DENOOYER CHEVROLET TO SEE IF THEY WILL REPAIR IT FOR FREE ALSO READ THAT A COMPUTER ISSUE COULD CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM WILL OCCUR STATIONARY IN MOTION IT DOESN'T MATTER ITS BROKE AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED I HAVE KIDS TO BRING TO SCHOOL ETC
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Oct 26, 2017
STABILITRAK SERVICE LIGHT IS ON AND ABS LIGHT IS ON