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, Air bags, Engine, Mar 8, 2017
MULTIPLE TRIPS TO THE DEALER. SOLENOID PROBLEM, AIR BAG, ENGINE LIGHT ON, BROKEN CHAIN, FUEL PUMP INJECTOR, LEAKING SUN ROOF, AS OF 3/6/2017 I NEED A TRANSMISSION. MY CAR WAS PURCHASED IN 2010, I ONLY HAVE 31,000 MILES ON IT. IV'E VISITED THE DEALER JAN, FEB, AND MARCH OF 2017. I FEEL I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED WITH A NEW CAR!!!! JAN, F CAR
Visibility/wiper, Mar 1, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT HAD A TOTAL LOSS OF VISIBILITY. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM A RECALL AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Power train, Mar 1, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
Power train, Feb 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REVERSE SNAP RING FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,889.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 23, 2017
OIL CONSUMPTION, EVERYTIME I GET AN OIL CHANGE THE CAR HAS BURNT NEARLY HALF THE OIL THAT WAS PUT IN THE CAR IN 3000 MILES. ALSO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON FOR A BAD CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND I KNOW SEVERAL OTHER EQUINOX OWNERS THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 22, 2017
MY HEAT AND DEFOGGER SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION.
Power train, Feb 21, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE WHEN PROMPTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 20, 2017
CAR ONLY HAS 89K MILES AND IT'S HAVING ISSUES WHEN IT'S ACCELERATING AND SWITCHING GEARS. IT ALSO STALLS OFTEN WHILE IN MOTION. ALSO HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY DEFROSTER CONTROLLER. SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A RECALL IN THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL BUT MY VIN DOESN'T QUALIFY
Power train, Engine, Visibility/wiper, Feb 13, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION WITH NO SAFETY DEFECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT AND WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING EVAPORATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Feb 13, 2017
I GOT A RECAL ABOUT MY AIRBAGS . WHEN I TOOK IT IN THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE SEATBELT TINSHNER WAS AT FALT AND THAT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. THE DEALER IS PHELTIER CHEVY IN TYLER TEX.
Power train, Feb 7, 2017
I BOUGHT A 2010 EQUINOX NEW, AT 49,000 MILES THE TRANSFER CASE WENT OUT OF IT AND NOW 6 MONTHS LATER AT 55,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IT WAS THE 3-5 REVERVSE WAVE PLATE WE WERE TOLD THAT SHATTERED. AND SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY OF COURSE GM WOULD NOT HONOR TO GET THIS PLATE FIXED EVEN THOUGH IT ONLY HAD 55,000 MILES ON IT. WE WERE TOLD THESE PLATES WHEN THEY WERE HARDEN THEY WERE HARDEN TO HARD AND SO THEY SHATTER. THIS IS DEFIANTLY A GM ISSUE AND THEY SHOULD REPAIR THESE AT NO COST BUT THEY WON'T ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM. THIS TRANSMISSION JUST HAPPENED ALL AT ONCE I PUT IT IN GEAR AND THERE IT WENT OUT. IF GM IS GOING TO BUILD A THROW AWAY CAR AT 50,000 MILES THEN THEY SHOULD SELL IT AS A THROW AWAY CAR. THEY KNOW THEY HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS BUT THEY KEEP SOCKING THE CONSUMER FOR COSTLY REPAIRS BECAUSE ALL THEY CAN SAY IS IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY. YOU WOULD THINK YOUR CAR WOULD LAST MORE THAN 55,000 MILES.
Engine, Feb 6, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN PROMPTED. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 30, 2017
I HAVE TO REPLACE THE WIPER TRANSMISSION FOR THE 3RD TIME SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. I JUST PURCHASED IT AT THE END OF 2012. THE FIRST TIME I WAS DRIVING IN A RAINSTORM, THE SECOND TIME IT WAS THE MIDDLE OF WINTER AND WAS SNOWING, AND NOW TODAY. *TR
Engine, Jan 28, 2017
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. EVERY 1,000 MILES OR LESS I NEED TO ADD AT LEAST 1 QUART OF OIL. NO OIL LEAK. HUBLER CHEVROLET IN INDIANAPOLIS HAS INVESTIGATED THE ISSUE. THEY ALSO INDICATED NO LEAK AND THAT THE VEHICLE IS CONSUMING EXCESSIVE OIL. THEY RECOMMEND PISTON AND RING PLACEMENT. I DECLINED SERVICE AT THAT TIME AS THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL ON 2010 EQUINOX FOR THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, MY VIN IS NOT PART OF THIS RECALL. I SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE FROM GM AND THEY SUGGESTED I CONTACT NHTSA TO SEE IF MY CAR CAN BE CONSIDERED PART OF THE RECALL SINCE I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND RECOMMENDED REPAIRS AS OTHER 2010 EQUINOX. HUBLER CHEVROLET SERVICE MANAGER RECOMMENDED I CHECK THE OIL 500 MILES TO ENSURE ADEQUATE OIL AND ADD IF NECESSARY. ATTACHED IS THE RECALL PAPERWORK I FOUND FOR THE 2010 CHEVY EQUINOX, WHICH DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. ALSO ATTACHED IS THE RECEIPT WITH DIAGNOSTIC AND RECOMMENDED REPAIR FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. PLEASE CONSIDER MY REQUEST TO ADD MY VEHICLE AND ANY OTHER 2010 CHEVY EQUINOX WITH THE SAME PROBLEM TO THE ACTIVE RECALL TO FIX THE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. WHILE I STAY ON TOP OF CHECKING THE OIL, I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT MY ENGINE WILL LOCK UP WHEN I AM DRIVING. I TRULY FEEL UNSAFE IN MY VEHICLE. THANK YOU.
Air bags, Jan 26, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. BUMPED A CURB (FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE) AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED (ON A REGULAR ROAD MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN) AND ALL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS. FRONT TIRE WAS RESTING AT CURB (DID NOT GO OVER CURB BECAUSE WAS NOT GOING FAST ENOUGH). ENDED UP WITH A BROKEN NOSE, STITCHES ON FOREHEAD, EYEBROW, TWO AREAS OF NOSE BECAUSE OF CUTS FROM AIRBAGS. ALSO EXTREMELY SWOLLEN HAND WITH FRACTURES.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 24, 2017
I PREVIOUSLY FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA ON 7/10/16 CONCERNING THIS WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR PROBLEM. WIPERS COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING DURING TORRENTIAL RAIN ON I-95 @ 5PM DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHEN CHECKING FOR RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE I SEE A RECALL #16V582000 DATE 8/14/2016. THIS IS THE EXACT PROBLEM I HAD BUT THE RECALL IS ONLY FOR 2013 EQUINOX. I WENT TO CHEVY DEALER FOR REPAIR SHORTLY AFTER THE INCIDENT AND THIS PROBLEM IS PRECISELY WHAT HE DETERMINED WITH MY CAR. I AM HOPEFUL THAT THIS COMPLAINT WILL BE RESUBMITTED TO INCLUDE THE 2013 MODEL EQUINOX. PLEASE REFER TO MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT FORM FILED WITH YOU ON 7/10/14 REFERENCE #I0609595 . PLEASE CONTACT ME AT THE PROVIDED SOURCES IF YOU NEED FURTHER INFORMATION.
Power train, Engine, Jan 19, 2017
MY VEHICLE STARTS OWN ITS OWN AND KNOW I HAVE THE ENGINE LIGHT ON AND THE AIR CONDITIONING TURNS ON OWN ITS OWN!!!! PLEASE HELP.
Power train, Jan 18, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION STALLED AT 40 MPH WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. UPDATED 03/17/17*LJ *CN
Engine, Jan 13, 2017
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION
Visibility/wiper, Jan 12, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROST SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SOFTWARE IN THE CENTER INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V489000 (VISIBILITY). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,800.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 11, 2017
FOUR TIMES WITHIN THE LAST TWO MONTHS THE STABILE SYMBOL, CHECK ENGINE SYMBOL, AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER ALERT HAVE COME ON. THE FIRST TIME HAPPENED WHEN I WAS PARKING, THE 2ND TIME WHEN I LET THE CAR WARM UP, THE 3RD TIME WHEN I WAS DOING 60MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND THE 4TH TIME WHEN I HAD GONE ABOUT 5 BLOCKS ON A CITY STREET. EACH TIME I WAS DRIVING, THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND BECAME HARD TO CONTROL. I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND CUT OFF THE ENGINE. AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES, THE REDUCED POWER ALERT WENT OFF AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. AFTER ABOUT A DAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OUT. THE CAR WILL RUN OK FOR A DAY OR TWO AND THEN START TO ACT UP AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT IT PROBABLY HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE GAS MEDAL, HOWEVER THE DEALER HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO DETECT A CODE. I AM CONCERNED THAT I WILL BE ON THE HIGHWAY GOING AT A HIGH SPEED WHEN IT HAPPENS AND NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF OTHER TRAFFIC. *TR
Power train, Jan 10, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Structure, Jan 8, 2017
RUST ON BOTTOM OF DOOR PANELS, ALSO HATCH DOOR CAR IS OILED ANNUALLY,
Other or unspecified, Jan 8, 2017
BOTH HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING TEMPERATURE IS FLUXUATES ON IT'S OWN. UNABLE TO GET ENOUGH HEAT OR COOL WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS QUITE COLD OR QUITE WARM.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 8, 2017
WIPERS, STOPPED WORKING, WHILE DRIVING. *TR