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.
Visibility, Sep 23, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWN A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHROME ON THE DASHBOARD IMPAIRED HIS VISION DUE TO GLARE ON THE CHROME KNOB WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH. THE DEALER STATED THEIR WAS NO ALTERNATIVE PART TO REPLACE THE KNOB; THEREFORE, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD RECALL THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,338.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 16, 2010
I HAVE A 2010 CHEVY EQUINOX AND IT IS MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE EVERYTIME I GIVE IT GAS THIS IS A BRAND NEW TRUCK I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK AND FORTH TO THE SERVICE AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT THAT'S ITS NORMAL WELL I DON'T THINK SO I THINK THAT THIS TRUCK IS A LEMON AND IF SOMETHING ISN'T DONE WITH MY TRUCK I WILL CALL THE CHANNEL 7 ON YOURSIDE AND THEN I WILL SUE THE GM PEOPLE FOR NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM I AM VERY UPSET OVER THIS,AND I M SURE THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME. *TR
Power train, Sep 3, 2010
SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY 2010 CHEVY EQUINOX I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING ROUGH SHIFTS (CLUNKS INTO GEAR) WHEN THE VEHICLE SHIFTS UP INTO 3RD GEAR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG BUT WENT AHEAD AND FLASHED THE ECU. THE VEHICLE WORKED FINE FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS THEN BEGAN TO DO THE SAME THING AGAIN. AT TIMES IT CLUNKS SO HARD IT FEELS LIKE YOU HAVE HIT SOMETHING. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINS ON EDMUNDS ABOUT ROUGH SHIFTS UP AND DOWN GEARS. THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER COMPLAINT ON HERE. GM NEEDS TO FIX THIS ISSUE OR REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, Aug 30, 2010
2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION "SLIPPING" OR BUMPING BETWEEN SHIFTS. I BROUGHT IT TO DEALER TWICE. SAID IT WAS PROGRAMMING ISSUES - SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT - BUT STILL DOING IT. THEN LAST WEEK WITH ONLY 26,000 MILES - I HAD A STABILITY TRACK LIGHT COME ON AND IT IDLED VERY ROUGHLY. I LEFT IT AT DEALER TO BE FIXED - OVER A WEEK AGO! THEY SAID IT IS A TIMING BALANCE CHAIN??? I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER GM! *TR
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Aug 20, 2010
WHEN SLOWLY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT ALL THE WAY TO ALMOST THE VERY END AND WHILE ADVANCING AT A VERY LOW SPEED, THERE'S A SMALL HIGH PITCH NOISE AND "THUNK" OF A SOUND THAT CAN BE HEARD FROM THE FRONT-LEFT OF THE VEHICLE, IF THE RADIO AND VENTILATION IS QUITE DOWN. IT DOES NOT SOUND HEALTHY AND IS QUITE DISTURBING KNOWING THAT THERE'S ONLY 3500KM ON THIS 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX LS WOULD THERE BE OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKEWISE? AND PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 17, 2010
BOUGHT A CHEVY 2010 EQUINOX BACK IN NOVEMBER OF THIS YR., AT 5,000 MILES I NOTICED A SECONDARY NOISE RATTLING/KNOCKING TYPE OF SOUND COMING FROM MY ENGINE (AT ACCELERATION). BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP 3X NO RESULTS. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO 2 DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS BOTH NOTICED AND OBSERVED THE NOISE AND BOTH SEEM TO BELIEVE THE NOISE IS LACK OF FUEL GETTING TO THE ENGINE CAUSING MINI EXPLOSIONS TO THE ENGINE, THEREFORE CAUSING HOLES IN THE PISTONS WHICH WOULD CAUSE FURTHER ENGINE DAMAGE. I CONTACTED GM AND THE DEALERSHIP BOTH IGNORE THE PROBLEM AND WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE AT THIS TIME, LATER FOUND OUT FROM THE GM DEALERSHIPS SERVICE STATION THAT ACCORDING TO GM TECH ASSIST THAT THERE ARE 20 OTHER CASES LIKE MINE THAT THEY WERE NOTIFIED OF AND GM IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT, THIS TO ME IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN TO MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. NOW I HAVE MORE MILES AND THE NOISE IS GETTING LOUDER AND MORE FREQUENT. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR KNOWING THAT MY ENGINE COULD BE SEVERELY AFFECTED. I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP 3X TO NO PREVAIL. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Air bags, Aug 17, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT WAS CHARGING A CELLULAR PHONE WHEN THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR WHENEVER CHARGING A CELLULAR PHONE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT PLACING THE CELL PHONE ON THE PASSENGER SEAT WOULD INTERFERE WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS NORMAL. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED NOT TO PLACE ANY ELECTRONIC DEVICES ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 1,900.
Steering, Jul 27, 2010
I HAD A 'STICKY' STEERING PROBLEM BACK ON JAN. 2010 DURING A TRIP NORTH TO CANADA. IT HAPPENED AGAIN LAST WEEK ON A LONG TRIP TO SANDUSKY OHIO, AND IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE! BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE I THINK THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS ONLY ON VERY FLAT HIGHWAY IN GOOD CONDITION, SUCH AS THE OHIO TURNPIKE AND 405 IN CANADA. AS SOON AS I GET INTO MICHIGAN (HORRIBLE I75 CONDITION) THE PROBLEM IS NOT NOTICEABLE ANYMORE. *TR
Visibility, Jul 13, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE SUN WAS SHINING ON THE CHROME LATCH OF THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT OVER THE DASHBOARD, THE GLARE FROM THE SUN WOULD OBSTRUCT THE CONTACT'S VIEW OF THE ROADWAY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER AND THERE WAS NO REPAIR AVAILABLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 2,472. UPDATED 09/09/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/10/10
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Equipment, Jul 8, 2010
IN NEW CHEVY VEHICLES THERE IS A CENTER STORAGE COMPARTMENT LOCATED ABOVE THE CENTER CONSOLE. THIS IS HELD DOWN IN PLACE BY A SIMPLE PUSH BUTTON. THE BUTTON HOWEVER IS PROBLEMATIC AS IN SOME TRIMS IT IS A CHROME FEATURE. IN SUNNY CONDITION, THE REFLECTION FROM THE CHROME PUSH BUTTON REFLECTS INTO THE DRIVER'S EYES. THIS COULD LEAD TO POSSIBLE DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 1, 2010
ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON. STOPPED TO CHECK THE SYSTEM AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. TOWED IT TO NEARBY GM DEALER. DIAGNOSED AS A FUEL PRESSURE MODULE FAILURE. DEALER ORDERED THE PART AND WILL INSTALL IT. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 30, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON A SUNNY DAY THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STORAGE LOCK DISTORTED HIS VISION WHILE DRIVING. HE STATED THAT THE SUN REFLECTS ON THE CHROME LOCK AND IMPAIRS HIS VISION. THE CONTACT STATED HE SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,204.
Air bags, Jun 4, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX EQUIPPED WITH ONSTAR REMOTE DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM CAPABILITY. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. ONSTAR WAS CONTACTED AND PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC. THEY ADVISED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE DEALER REPAIRED AND RE-ROUTED THE SIDE IMPACT WIRES UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CLEARED THE FAILURE CODES AND ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT AND THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY TO CORRECT IT. THERE WERE NO FURTHER REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,376 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,739.
Electronic stability control (ESC), May 12, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE STABILITY TRACK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL JERK SENSATION. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE WARNING LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 6,480.
Power train, May 4, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN SHE SHIFTED FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. SHE NOTICED THE PROBLEM SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT IT WAS NORMAL. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HESITATED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,600.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 27, 2010
2010 EQUINOX 4000 MILES. WHEN DRIVING A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE COMES FROM ENGINE. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE SERP BELT THE FIRST TIME. STILL SQUEALING AND TOOK IT BACK THE NEXT WEEK WHERE THEY STATE IT WAS THE PWER STEERING GEAR. REPLACED THE POWER STEERING GEAR AND CAR STILL MAKES THE SAME NOISE. ON MY THIRD ATTEMPT TO REPLACE A RANDOM ENGINE PART PICKED OUT BY WHATEVER MACHINING IS FREE FOR THE DAY. *TR
Suspension, Apr 21, 2010
WHILE MY VEHICLE IS MOVING/DRIVING I HEAR A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR..I THINK IT'S THE FRONT OR REAR SUSPENSION LEAF SPRING AREA. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 5, 2010
BOUGHT A 2010 CHEVY EQUINOX ON OCT. 31ST..HAVE HAD IT 5 MONTHS AND HAS 5,500 MILES ON THE MOTOR IS MAKING A SEVERE OR REALLY LOUD TICKING NOISE. TOOK IT TO 2 CHEVY DEALERS AND THEY TELL ME THIS IS NORMAL BUT WHEN YOU START ONE UP ON THE LOT IT MAKES NO WHERE NEAR THE NOISE MINE DOES. THEY TELL ME IT IS NORMAL FOR THIS KIND OF FUEL INJECTORS AND REFUSE TO FIX IT. WAS NOT LOUD AT ALL WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NOW IT JUST KEEPS GETTING LOUDER. IT REALLY IS A SHAME WHEN WE PULL UP NEXT TO AN OLDER CAR AND IT IS QUIETER THAN OUR BRAND NEW ONE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 16, 2010
ROUGH IDLE DURING COLD START OF MY 2010 CHEVY EQUINOX 2.4L 4 CYLINDER ENGINE ENGINE IDLES ROUGH AND MISSES UNTIL IT WARMS UP WHEN IT GETS BELOW 40 DEGREES TOOK CAR TO DEALER AT 2,000 MILES IN NOVEMBER, THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND TO SPECIFICATIONS. SAID THEY WOULD KEEP A EYE OUT FOR SERVICE BULLETINS ON COLD STARTING, NEVER HEARD FROM THEM. CAR CONTINUE TO RUN ROUGH ON COLD START. FOUND ON MY OWN A GM SERVICE BULLETIN IN DEC. #P00010 ON COLD START REQUIRE CALIBRATION OF ENGINE. CALLED DEALER TOLD THEM WHERE TO FIND SERVICE BULLETIN THEY FOUND IT AND THEN TOOK THE CAR IN . SAME PROBLEM STILL EXISTS EVEN AFTER TWO SERVICE VISITS. THE DEALER SAYS "THEY WILL KEEP THEIR EYE OUT FOR ANOTHER SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE COLD WEATHER STARTING" AS EVERYTHING IS UP TO SPECIFICATIONS ON THE CAR. THE CAR STILL RUNS ROUGH AND MISSES UNTIL IT WARMS UP. *TR
Air bags, Mar 14, 2010
I BOUGHT A 2010 CHEVY EQUINOX IN NOV 2009. WHENEVER A PASSENGER RIDES WITH ME USING A LAPTOP THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES "OFF" AND THE DASHBOARD COMPUTER DISPLAY SAYS "SERVICE PASSENGER AIRBAG." IT'S CONSISTENT AND VERY MUCH A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE USING THE LAPTOP. WE DO A LOT OF LONG-DISTANT DRIVING AND LAPTOP USE IS A BUSINESS NECESSITY. THE CHEVY SAFETY FOLK SAID, "DON'T USE A LAPTOP" - A VERY UNSATISFACTORY RESPONSE. *TR
Steering, Mar 14, 2010
I OWN A 2010 EQUINOX AND WHEN DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT PATH FOR A PERIOD OF TIME THE STEERING WHEEL BINDS UP/STICKS AND I HAVE TO TUG ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO FREE IT. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE IT BUT AM FEARFUL OF A SUDDEN FAILURE AT HIGH SPEED WHILE CHANGING LANES, ETC. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 3, 2010
MY 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX HAS AN AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK FEATURE WHICH AUTOMATICALLY LOCKS ALL DOORS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED INTO GEAR. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF BY ACCIDENT, HIGH WATER, OR SOME OTHER CIRCUMSTANCE, THE POWER LOCKS AND WINDOWS BECOME INOPERATIVE AS A RESULT OF ELECTRONIC FAILURE, AND OCCUPANTS BECOME TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE. THE DOOR LOCK POST CANNOT BE GRASPED WHEN IN LOCKED POSITION. THE DEALER INFORMS ME THIS FEATURE CANNOT BE TURNED OFF. THERE HAS BEEN NO INCIDENT. I HAVE TO FILL IN THE INCIDENT DATE IN ORDER TO FILE THE COMPLAINT. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 24, 2010
I HAVE A 2010 EQUINOX LTZ WITH ABOUT 11,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS RECENTLY IN FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE PART THAT OPERATES THE RADIO AND HEAT/AIR CONTROLS (THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS). I HAVE RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT IF YOU HOLD DOWN THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE REMOTE THAT ALL FOUR WINDOWS WILL ROLL DOWN AND THE CAR WILL BE UNLOCKED. THERE IS NO DOCUMENTATION ON THIS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS A BUILT-IN FEATURE TO COOL OFF THE CAR ON HOT DAYS. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE REMOTE COULD ACCIDENTALLY BE ACTIVATED AS I AM LEAVING THE VEHICLE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME OR AT NIGHT. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Structure, Feb 24, 2010
HARD TO PUT GAS ON THIS VEHICLES AND TEND TO EJECT GAS PUMP TRIGGER WHEN PUTTING GAS. ROOF WOOBLY NOT STRONGLY CONSTRUCTED. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 15, 2010
2010 EQUINOX, 6070 MILES. WENT TO GO TO STORE, STARTED CAR, NO RADIO OR HEATER. TURNED OFF ENGINE, THEN RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND BOTH WORKED, HAVE NOT HAD PROB. SINCE. CALLED GM, THEY SAID TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO BE CHECKED OUT. I WILL WAIT UNTIL IT DOES IT AGAIN TO TAKE IT IN. THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING IF IT IS NOT BROKEN AT THE TIME I TAKE IT TO SERVICE DEPT. *TR