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.
Engine, Jan 7, 2017
TIMING CHAIN RECALLED BY MFG FIXED, EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, TIMING CHAIN FAILURE AGAIN, FIXED AGAIN $2700.00, CONTINUED EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AT 98,000 MILES.
Power train, Engine, Jan 6, 2017
I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN DECELERATION WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN WINTER CONDITIONS. MANY NEAR ACCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE I STRUGGLED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND EXIT THE INTERSTATE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. LOUD KNOCKING FROM THE ENGINE AND A STRONG GAS SMELL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED. THE ENGINE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, SUCH AS INTERSECTIONS AS I WENT STRAIGHT TO A NEARBY CHEVROLET DEALER. I WAS INFORMED THE REAR MAIN SEAL BLEW OUT CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. THEY ALSO SAID THIS HAPPENED DUE TO HIGH POSITIVE PRESSURE IN THE CRANKCASE DUE TO A FROZEN OR BLOCKED PCV VALVE. GM IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AS STATED IN THE GENERAL MOTORS SERVICE BULLETIN 14882. HOWEVER, GM SAYS MY VIN DOES NOT APPLY IN THIS CASE. DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE ISSUE, I FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO LET SOMEONE KNOW SO OTHER PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR VEHICLES COULD BE NOTIFIED OF THE EXTREME HAZARD. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Structure, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 5, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE IN MOTION WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. ALSO, WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK, IT WAS NOT FULLY IN GEAR SO THE CONTACT CONSTANTLY HAD TO CHECK. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V502000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN). IN ADDITION, WATER ENTERED VARIOUS AREAS OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR RANDOMLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE ALSO ROLLED BACKWARD AND FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING AND THE HATCH CAME DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MULTIPLE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Engine, Jan 4, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE OIL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOW ON OIL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A SECOND TIME WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PISTON NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. *TR
Power train, Dec 28, 2016
WE WERE JUST GETTING TO THE END OF HIGHWAY ENTRY RAMP AND WE COULD NOT GAIN SPEED AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP VERY HIGH BEOFRE IT STARTED SLOWING DOWN. PUT THE CAR IN MANUAL MODE BUT COULD NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR. WE WERE FORCED INTO ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AT ROUGHLY 30MPH.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Dec 28, 2016
2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST TRACTION CONTROL AND DROP SPEED TO 15 MILES PER HOUR. ERROR LIGHT CAME ON STATING "ENGINE POWER REDUCTION" AND THEN "SERVICE ". ALONG WITH THESE ERROR MESSAGES THE ICON FOR ENGINE AND STABILITRAK CAME ON AFTER CAR LOST MOST OF ITS PWLOWER AND TRACTION. IT WAS A COLD NIGHT CHRISTMAS 2016 BUT NOT AS COLD AS OTHER CITIES AS WE LIVE IN PHOENIX, AZ. THANKFULLY I WAS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN MY [XXX] DAUGHTER AND I LOST POWER INSTEAD OF BEING ON THE FREEWAY BUT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH THESE CARS. I'VE RECENTLY READ MANY COMPLAINTS FROM EQUINOX OWNERS WHO'VE DEALT WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND SOLENOID VALVES AND CHARGED ME $850.00 FOR A REPAIR THAT I TRULY FEEL NEEDS TO BE UNDER A RECALL GIVEN THE SAFETY ISSUE OF LOSING POWER AND TRACTION WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING!!! *TR PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Visibility/wiper, Dec 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. ONCE THE IGNITION WAS TURNED ON, THE NOISE WENT AWAY AND THE DEFROST/DEFOGGER SYSTEM BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V489000 (VISIBILITY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Power train, Dec 13, 2016
WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE EVEN THOUGH THE RPMS WHERE CLIMBING. IT FINALLY COASTED THE REMAINING 2 BLOCKS HOME WHERE ALL GEARS EXCEPT 2ND WERE COMPLETELY GONE. THE VEHICLE WILL HAVE TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A $4500.00 BILL TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALREADY HAD THE MOTOR, FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, AND TIMING CHAIN REPLACED DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION RECALL. DUE TO THE MANY COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN LOGGED AS WELL AS THE OPEN RECALL ON OTHER 2010 EQUINOXES AND TRAVERSES I WOULD THINK THERE WOULD BE AN OPEN RECALL ON MY VIN BUT THERE ISN'T. I WISH I'D NEVER BOUGHT THIS CAR AND I WILL NOT BE A REPEAT GM CUSTOMER. *TR
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 6, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMALLY LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FLUID IN THE TRANSMISSION HAD BURNED OUT AND METAL SHARDS WERE DISCOVERED IN THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. UPDATED 01/27/17*LJ UPDATED 7/16/18 *JB *TR
Power train, Dec 2, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR PROPERLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE 3-5 REVERSE CLUTCH PLATE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,431.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 2, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAVE ROUTINE SERVICE PREFORMED, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE OIL AND THE HIGH PRESSURED FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,782. UPDATED 01/11/2017*CT UPDATED 7/13/18*JB
Visibility/wiper, Dec 1, 2016
WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, THE BALL JOINT IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE BECAME DISCONNECTED DURING OPERATION. THIS MADE IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE WHERE I WAS DRIVING, AND I ALMOST CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE BEFORE I COULD PULL OFF THE ROAD. *TR
Air bags, Nov 30, 2016, crash
AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN INVOLVED IN CAR ACCIDENT ON 11/25/2016
Power train, Nov 25, 2016
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AFTER 46,000 MILES. GEARS SLIPPING. WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. DEFECTIVE 3-5-R WAVE PLATE POSSIBLY. DRIVING HOME FROM WORK.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 24, 2016
I WAS DRIVING DOWN BUSY HIGHWAY IN SNOW STORM, MY WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AS I WAS DRIVING. I HAD MY SON IN THE CAR. BIG SAFETY ISSUE. I GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM ON LINE. FOUND SEVERAL PEOPLE HAD SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR CHEVROLET EQUINOX AND NO SAFETY RECALL. THIS IS DEFINETLY A SAFETY ISSUE. WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN IN A CAR ACCIDENT WITH SNOW COMING DOWN AND NO WIPERS. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR 4 DAYS NOW.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 23, 2016
CONSTANT TRANSMISSION ISSUES, REBUILT MOTOR AND STILL HAVING ISSUES DOESN'T CHANGE GEARS OR WILL MAKE CONSTANT PUTT PUTT NOISES LIKE ITS GOING TO QUIT, GOES THROUGH QUARTS OF OIL CONSTANTLY, NO LEAKS FOUND BUT ADDING LARGE AMOUNTS WEEKLY, HEATING/AC SYSTEM DOESN'T TURN ON ALL THE TIME I HAVE TO TURN IT OFF AND ON AND IT EVENTUALLY WORKS. STABILITRAK KEEPS TURNING ON WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THE CARS POWER THEN GETS TURNED DOWN ALL THE WAY OR OFF, I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON TO GET BACK TO NORMAL. VERY DANGEROUS CAR STOPPING WITH TRAFFIC ALL AROUND. NOTHING BUT HEADACHES.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 16, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT OBSERVED AN ABNORMAL TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE HOOD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING A LOT OF OIL. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP LIFTERS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,000.
Vehicle speed control, Nov 15, 2016
CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE ENGINE RUNNING. ENGINE WENT TO IDLE. NEARLY HIT BY OTHER CARS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC. CAR WAS THROWING CODE P2135 WHICH IS THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THIS CODE AND THERE IS A CHEVY BULLETIN REGARDING THIS EXACT CODE AND THE ENGINE GOING TO IDLE WHILE DRIVING. I'M SURPRISED THIS IS NOT A RECALL AS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, DEFROSTER, AND HEAT MALFUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,450.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE AIR CONDITIONER REMAINED IN USE. THE ISSUE CAUSED THE HEATER AND DEFROSTER NOT TO WORK, WHICH CAUSED A VISIBILITY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL PANEL HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V489000 (VISIBILITY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
Air bags, Seats, Engine, Oct 29, 2016
MY DRIVERS SEAT WAS CHANGED TWICE IN SIX MONTH, STILL DOESN'T WORK THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT COMES IF NOTING IS IN THE SEAT. THE OIL COMSUMPTION IS UNGODLY AND NOW I HAVE ANOIL LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY ENGINE AND I NEED TO ADD 2 QUARTS OF OIL DAILY. ECOBOOST WENT OUT WITHIN A YEAR OF MY OWNERSHIP. CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES FOR OIL LEAK AND IT IS STII PERSISTENT.
Power train, Oct 27, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S SPEED BEGAN TO DECREASE WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000.
Power train, Oct 24, 2016
WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE GROCERY STORE AROUND 35 MPH AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED, COASTED A COUPLE HUNDRED FEET, DOWNSHIFTED REALLY HARD AND STARTED MARKING NOISE. IT THEN CAME TO A STOP AND LOST 1ST GEAR. THE CAR DID NOT WANT TO MOVE IN REVERSE. WE WERE LUCKILY ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD BEFORE IT COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. AFTER THAT, IT WOULDN'T EVEN GO INTO NEUTRAL. THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. THE DEALER CALLED TODAY AND CONFIRMED THAT IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR
Air bags, Oct 19, 2016
DRIVERS SEATBELT PRETESIONER CONNECTOR SHORTED. AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. REPAIR COST WAS &161.60. I FEEL THIS SAFETY RELATED ITEM SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. GM AND THE DEALER SAY SERVICE BULLETIN 14710 ONLY APPLIES TO CERTAIN 2010 EQUINOXES AND THAT MINE ISN'T INCLUDED BASED ON THE SERIAL NUMBER.
Engine, Oct 18, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.