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, Engine, Dec 16, 2019
WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, I WAS NOT TOLD THAT THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. I HAVE REPLACED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD 2 TIMES. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THERE IS METAL FRAGMENTS IN MY OIL. THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE.
Electrical system, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Dec 4, 2019
I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK BUT THEY ARE SAYING THEY FIXED STUFF THAT NOBODY HAS TOUCHED. ATTACHED WILL BE THEIR RECALL. AND SECOND A PHOTO SHOWING NOBODY FIXED IT, LITTLE LONE TOUCHED IT FOR REPAIR. SCAMMING CUSTOMERS. I CANNOT GET MY TIRES TO SYNC TO THE VEHICLE EITHER. BOTH SAFETY.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 3, 2019
DEFROST IS NOT WORKING. ONLY BLOWS OUT OF FRONT VENTS.
Engine, Dec 1, 2019
EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACK WHICH IS A RECURRING FAILURE. WILL BE REPLACING THE MANIFOLD FOR THE 4TH TIME THAT SHOULD NEVER FAIL. PHOTO ATTACHED FROM ONE OF THE FAILURES. EXHAUST FUMES ENTER THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Dec 1, 2019
I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY AND THESE LIGHTS POPPED ON OUT OF NO WHERE THE EXHAUST RESGINATOR CRACKING THE CAR CONSTANTLY HAS WHEEL BEARING ISSUE AND THE ENGINE IS BURNING OIL IT'S NOT DOING WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO DO WITH IT.I WAS DRIVING ON THE L-90 THRUWAY AT 65 MPH. I. AM ALSO HAVING HEAD LIGHT BLOWING I HAVE CHANGED THE HEADLIGHTS 4 TIMES THIS YEAR
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Nov 27, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED PER A MANUFACTURER RECALL REGARDING FUEL CONSUMPTION AT BILL STASEK CHEVROLET (700 W DUNDEE RD, WHEELING, IL 60090, (224) 434-4677). PRIOR TO THE RECALL, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER, HEATER, INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING, AND RADIO CONTROLS BECAME INOPERATIVE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ASKED THE DEALER TO REMEDY THE FAILURES; HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEFECTS WERE NEVER REMEDIED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V489000(VISIBILITY), WHICH SHE ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000. *DT *DL
Air bags, Nov 17, 2019
I GOT INTO MY CAR FRIDAY AT 12:30 SHUT THE DOOR STARTED IT AND THE SIDE AIRBAG HIT ME SHOVED ME SIDEWAYS I TURN THE CAR OFF BECAUSE I COULD SMELL THE POWDER AND I WAS AFRAID ANOTHER ONE WOULD GO OFF. MY ARM AROUND THE ELBOW AREA HURTS AND MY ARM FEELS BURNED FROM ABOUT MY ARMPIT TO MY WRIST. BETWEEN MY SHOULDER BLADES AND MY NECK HURT AND I'VE HAD A HEADACHE SINCE. I DEPEND ON MY CAR BEING ON THE AMBULANCE AND THE DEPUTY CORONER FOR BOISE COUNTY I COULD BE IN MY CAR DURING THE DAY OR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND I'M AFRAID NOW TO DRIVE IT.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING DURING A SNOWSTORM, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE LINKAGE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING DURING A SNOWSTORM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.
Power train, Nov 6, 2019
WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY AND HAD TO PULL OVER FOR A POLICE OFFICER TO PASS BY, WENT TO ACCELERATE AND WAS STUCK IN 2ND GEAR. LATER FOUND THAT ONLY 1ST AND 2ND GEAR WORKED AND HAD NO REVERSE. WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD NEED A COMPLETE REBUILD OF THE TRANSMISSION.
Engine, Oct 30, 2019
EXHAUST MANIFOLD BROKE IN TWO PIECES. SAME PROBLEM REPLACED BEFORE ON A 2010 GMC ACADIA WITH THE SAME 2.4L. EXHAUST MANIFOLDS ARE BREAKING IN THE EXACT SAME WAY AT SIMILAR MILEAGES. ~120,000 MILES
Visibility/wiper, Oct 29, 2019
DRIVING IN VERY RAINY CONDITIONS WITH MY WIPERS ON. SUDDENLY, THE WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AND STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION WHILE I WAS DRIVING. LUCKILY I HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF THE HIGHWAY ONTO A 45 MPH ROAD. I TRIED TURNING THEM OFF AND ON AGAIN, BUT THEY WOULDN'T MOVE AT ALL. I COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING AT ALL (DANGEROUS AND TERRIFYING) SO I PUT ON MY HAZARDS AND PULLED OFF ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I MANUALLY PUT THE WIPERS BACK DOWN. I TRIED TURNING THEM ON AND OFF MULTIPLE TIMES, AND AGAIN THEY WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL.
Suspension, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Oct 21, 2019
ALOT IS GOING ON WITH MY 2010 CHEV MY EXHAUST PIPE CRACK AND I WAS TOLD THAT IS A REAL PROBLEM WITH CHEVY'S MY CAR IS CONSUMING WAY TO MUCH OIL I CONSTANTLY HAVE TO GET OIL CHANGES. MY DRIVER SIDE HEAD LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT I'M CHANGING MY HEAD LIGHT 2-3 TIMES A YEAR. I REPLACED MY SPARK PLUGS AND COILS A FEW MONTHS AGO AND MY CAR WHEN I'M DRIVING IT WILL STOP AND THE WHEEL WILL LOCK UP WHILE I'M DRIVING IT .
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Oct 19, 2019
MY CAR JUST SUDDENLY LOST SPEED, WOULDN'T SHIFT AND WAS STUCK AT A STOP, WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING BECAUSE THE SOLENOIDS WERE STUCK. HE ALSO SAID THIS USUALLY HAPPENS IN MOST GM ENGINES.
Engine, Oct 16, 2019
EXCESS OIL CONSUMPTION 1 QUART PER 1000 MILES 2010 EQUINIX ARE WELL KNOWN FOR EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 15, 2019
MY CAR STARTED ITSELF WHEN THE KEY WAS IN MY POCKET AND I WAS AT THE REAR OF THE CAR UNLOADING. I DO NOT HAVE A KEYLESS ENTRY OR STARTING FEATURE ON MY CAR. I WAS PARKED AT OUR COMMUNITY GARDEN AND MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE UNLOADING GARDEN TOOLS, SO WE WERE TOUCHING THE CAR AND FELT IT WHEN IT FIRED UP. IT WAS AN UNDERWEAR CHANGING MOMENT.
Power train, Engine, Oct 12, 2019
ENGINE'S OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES ARE RIDICULOUS. GM HAS A SPECIAL EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS VEHICLE, CALLED ADJUSTMENT 14159, BUT FAILED TO NOTIFY ME OF THE SPECIAL RECALL AND IT'S END DATE OF 7/31/2019. THIS ENGINE IS AWFUL, HENCE WHY THERE WERE RECALLS AND THEY ARE NOW BEING SUED FOR IT. TIMING CHAINS, ENGINE KNOCKING, OIL CONSUMPTION, PISTONS AND RINGS.. SECONDLY, THE TRANSMISSION IS AWFUL. THIS THING BLEW BEFORE IT WAS EVEN DUE FOR ITS FIRST SERVICE! MY OWNERS MANUAL STATES THE SERVICE IS RECOMMENDED ON IT, INCLUDING FLUID CHANGE, AT 100,000 MILES - I'M AT 96,125 MILES AND THIS IS WHERE I SIT. GM IS DENYING ALL LIABILITY FOR BOTH OF THESE.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 25, 2019
WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. WIPER TRANSMISSION BUSHING FAILURE. DRIVING DURING RAINSTORM WIPERS FAILED.
Power train, Engine, Sep 24, 2019
ENGINE HAS MAJOR OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES. I AM BURNING THROUGH AN AVERAGE OF 2 TO 3 QUARTERS OF FULL SYNTHETIC OIL WITHIN A 2500 MILE SPAN. SECONDLY, THE TRANSMISSION IS EXTREMELY POOR. ONLY 96,000 MILES AND AM ALREADY HAVE ISSUES IN REVERSE, TROUBLE GOING UP HILLS, HIGH RPM'S, AND SHAKING/SPUTTERING. THIS WOULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME ONCE OUT OF PARK, FLAT LAND OR HILL.
Other or unspecified, Sep 18, 2019
BOUGHT A USED CHEVY EQUINOX AND THE MANIFOLD CRACKED, COSTLY REPAIR THAT I WAS INFORMED SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING SAFETY ISSUE BEING ADDRESSED 10 PLUS TIMES A MONTH BY THIS CENTER ALONE. AS THIS SEEMS TO BE A FREQUENT AND KNOWN DEFECT THAT CAN CAUSE DEATH IF NOT FOUND AND FIXED I BELIEVE THAT CHEVY SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THE SAFETY CONCERN AND ISSUE A RECALL RATHER THAN WAITING TO SEE PEOPLE PASS AWAY BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD OR ARE UNAWARE OF THE DANGER
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 16, 2019, crash, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. WALLY EDGAR CHEVROLET (3805 S LAPEER RD, ORION CHARTER TOWNSHIP, MI 48360, 248-494-8698) WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE COVERED UNDER A POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. THE CONTACT PURCHASED AN ELECTRICAL BOX FROM THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE ENGINE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE BOX DID NOT ASSIST WITH THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN FOUR DAYS LATER WITHOUT WARNING. SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HAS HAD THE ENGINE, FUEL PUMP, ELECTRIC LINE, DOORS, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WHILE AT A STOP SIGN, DURING RAINY WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THE CONSUMER CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING. THE CONSUMER HAD HEADACHES, BACK/NECK/SHOULDER PAINS, AND WHIPLASH. *JS
Power train, Engine, Sep 10, 2019
OIL CONSUMPTION. I HAVE TO PUT OIL IN IT EVERY TWO WEEK BECAUSE OIL IS EMPTY. IT DOES NOT LEAK AND THE VEHICLE IS PART OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT 4 OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES. I CALLED CHEVROLET THEY ONLY WANT TO COVER HALF THE PARTS TO REPAIR WHICH WILL COST ME AN ADDITIONAL $3,000. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN AT $1,800 AND THE TRANSMISSION AT ANOTHER $3,700.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 6, 2019
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK (5:30PM, 9/5/2019), IN PREPARATION FOR TROPICAL STORM DORIAN ON HWY 70 BYPASS IN NC, MY WIPERS, WHICH WERE IN USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING DUE TO HEAVY RAIN POUR, SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. I WAS FORCED TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY DUE TO ZERO VISIBILITY. THIS SUDDEN/IMMEDIATE PULL OVER ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HIT ANOTHER CAR THAT WAS MERGING INTO THE TURNING LANE. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, THE PROBLEM IS BELIEVED TO BE THE WIPE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY AS THE ACTUAL WIPER FUSES AND MOTOR IS STILL IN FUNCTIONING ORDER. A NEW WIPER TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY WAS PURCHASED AS RECCOMENDED
Power train, Aug 30, 2019
WAS DRIVING WITH DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND WENT TO GO INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY WHEN IT STOPPED. CARS HAD TO GO AROUND ME AND I WAS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. HAD A FRIEND TOW IT HOME AND FOUND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS COMPLETELY REBUILT. WHEN CALLING AROUND TO FIND REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSIONS, BECAUSE THE CAR IS SO SPECIFIC AND THERE ARE SO MANY TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL, THERE ARE ONLY 2 POSSIBLE TRANSMISSIONS IN AN ENTIRE SPAN OF 3 STATES. THIS IS MAKING IT ALSO NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLACE AS WELL AS AFFORDABLE.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 26, 2019
WHILE THE WIPERS WERE IN THE FASTEST MODE THEY SUDDENLY STOPPED MOVING AND THEY WOULD NOT LOWER BACK INTO POSITION. I CAN'T GET THE WIPERS TO OPERATE AT ALL. I CAN'T OPERATE THE VEHICLE IF IT'S RAINING BECAUSE I CAN'T WIPE THE RAIN OFF.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 26, 2019
CAR WAS DYING WHEN I TRIED TO PULL OUT ONTO THE ROAD, CITY STREET FROM A STOP SIGN.WAS ALMOST HIT. MY GRANDAUGHTER IS JUST LEARNING TO DRIVE AND I AM SCARED TO DEATH TO LET HER DRIVE IT . RUNNING AFTER KEY TAKEN OUT, RUNNING VERY RUFF. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT GOING ON & OFF AS WELL AS STABLI TRAC WARNING.SMELLED LIKE CATALYTIC CONVERTOR BURNING TOOK TO DEALER TO HAVE DIAGOSED AND THEY SAID HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE HAD HIGH CONTENT OF FUEL SCANNED AND HAD EXCESSIVE AMAOUNT OF RICH CODES AND MISFIRE CODESTHAT THERE WAS FUEL GETTING IN MY OIL SAID THERE WAS A RECALL BUT NOT ON MY VIN. SAW OTHER COMPLAINTS SAME PROBLEM THAT WERE TOLD VIN WASN'T RIGHT. COST ME $500.00 TO FIX BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND HAD TO GET A NEW ENGINE AT 62,000 AND NEW PISTONS & CRACKED MANIFOLD REPLACED AT 102,000. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR TO DEALER A FEW YEARS AGO FOR SAME ISSUE AND ENGINE LIGHT HAD GONE OFF AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. OUT OF WARRANTY NOW AND FINALLY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM.GETTING READY TO BUY 2 CARS AND I WILL NEVER BY ANOTHER CHEVY OR GM CAR AGAIN .GOING WITH THE FOREIGNS. I THINK THESE CARS ARE ALL LEMONS.I HAVE SEEN OTHERS THAT WERE ALSO TOLD WRONG VIN BUT SAME ISSUE, NEEDS INVESTIGATED. I HAVE ALREADY RECIEVED INVITATION FOR CLASS ACTION SUIT ON THIS DARN CAR! REALLY