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.
Other or unspecified, Aug 23, 2019
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THEN TURN OFF AFTER A COUPLE DAYS THIS HAPPEN FOR A FEW MONTHS AND THEN NOW IT'S ON PERMANENTLY I CHECKED WITH ONSTAR AND HAD THEM RUN A TEST AND IT SAYS MY EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM IS IN TROUBLE I DO NOT UNDERSTAND BECAUSE I USE GOOD FUEL I MAINTAIN MY ORIOLE AND MY MAINTENANCE ON MY VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES AND IT IS A FAIRLY NEW EQUINOX I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM
Visibility/wiper, Aug 22, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER AND WAIT FOR THE RAIN TO STOP. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE HOME, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 19, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE INOPERABLE DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE CONTACT COULD NOT SEE THE ROADWAY AT ALL. THE FAILURE WAS A SAFETY HAZARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 13, 2019
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WITH MY DAUGHTER IN MY CAR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH CONSTRUCTION ALL AROUND AND IT BEGAN TO RAIN HEAVILY SO I TURNED ON THE WIPERS AND THE WIPERS WENT UP AND STOPPED RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY FACE, I COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN WITH NO WARNING LIGHT OR ALARM OR ANYTHING. I WAS TERRIFIED!
Visibility/wiper, Aug 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING HOME IN A RAINSTORM, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN RECALL PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE, BUT IT APPLIED TO CANADIAN VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
Seats, Aug 7, 2019
MY DRIVER SEAT IS STUCK IN THE FORWARD POSITION. IT WILL NOT GO BACKWARDS. IT WILL GO UP AND DOWN BUT NOT BACKWARDS.
Power train, Aug 6, 2019
THE CAR WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE GEAR AND ONLY HAD 1ST AND 2ND GEAR IN FORWARD
Other or unspecified, Jul 26, 2019
CAR SLOWED DOWN DURING DRIVING, I PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO CHANGE GEARS; UNABLE TO DO SO, I CALLED THE PICK UP TRUCK, AFTER THEY CHECKED THE CAR THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND I SHOULD CALL THE DEALER BECAUSE OF THE LOW MILLAGE AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS FULL.
Engine, Jul 12, 2019
TIMING AND OR BALANCE CHAIN TO THE ENGINE IS STRETCHED AND COULD RESULT IN BREAKAGE. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS ENGINE AS REPORTED IN GM SPECIAL COVERAGE 12312D THAT SPECIFICALLY COVERS 2010-2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, ALONG WITH 3 OTHER MODEL VEHICLES. MY VIN IS NOT FLAGGED AS PART OF THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE ALTHOUGH IT IS CAUSING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR AS DEPICTED IN THE SPECIAL COVERAGE.
Power train, Jul 10, 2019
MY 2010 CHEVY EQUINOX WAS RUNNING FINE AND OUT OF THE SUDDEN, IT STOPPED AND WENT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT REFUSED TO START AGAIN. I HAVE RECENTLY DONE AN OIL CHANGE AND THE WAS NO WARNING ON THE DASHBOARD TO INDICATE ANY PROBLEM. I BOUGHT THIS CAR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND THIS TOOK PLACE. THIS CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED, OIL CHANGES AND OTHER MAINTENANCE WERE DONE ON TIME. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND WHILE THE MECHANICS WERE TRYING TO MAKE IT START, IT WILL NOT START. THEY (MECHANICS) CALLED THE DEALER AND SOMEONE FROM THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER WARRANTY SO I SHOULD TAKE THE CAR TO THEM FOR THEIR TECHNICIANS TO DO A TEST. AFTER THE TEST THEY SAID IT WAS A LOW ENGINE KNOCK AND I WILL HAVE TO GET ANOTHER ENGINE BY MYSELF BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER DOESN'T COVER IT. DON'T KNOW WHO TO BELIEVE NOW. MY CAR THAT I JUST BOUGHT IS DOWN AND I'M STUCK IN THIS TERRIBLE SITUATION.
Engine, Jul 8, 2019
AT 58569 MILES THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, GASKET, AND NUT WERE REPLACED. I BEGAN COMPLAINING ABOUT OIL CONSUMPTION AT 72388 MILES. AT 77313, THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING. THE DEALER GOT THE CODE P0300. THERE WAS A MISFIRE IN CYLINDER #2. THE DEALER REPLACED THE #2 COIL AND GASKET AS WELL AS THE SPARK PLUGS. AT 91968 MILES THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. AT 103123 MILES THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND THROTTLE BODY GASKET REPLACED. AT 105185 MILES THE ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN. REPLACEDSPARK PLUGS, REPROGRAMED ECM AND TCM. THERE WAS A MISFIRE IN CYLINDERS 1-3-AND 5. THE DEALER ALSO PERFORMED MAJOR THROTTLE BODY SERVICE AND CLEANED THE INTAKE. AT 112358 MILES THE CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER. THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND DEALER SAID A MISFIRE IN CYLINDER #4 AND OIL WAD FOUND IN #2 SPARK PLUG WELL. I CHECK MY OIL LEVEL EVERY WEEK AND HAVE BEEN DOING SO FOR MONTHS. I AM PUTTING IN AT LEAST 1 1/2 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY MONTH. I CHANGE THE OIL EVERY 3500 MILES WHETHER THE VEHICLE INDICATES THE NEED OR NOT. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ON DIFFERENT WEBSITES. THE DEALERS RESPONSE IS THAT THEY CAN GET ME INTO A NEW EQUINOX. IT SEEMS THAT THIS OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM IS KNOWN BY CHEVY BUT THIS SUV HAS NEVER BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM.
Engine, Jul 8, 2019
OIL CONSUMPTION. I'VE SPEND 2K IN REPAIRS OVER THIS PAST YEAR FOR OIL CONSUMPTIONS PROBLEMS AND IT STILL CONSUME AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL, TO THE POINT I HAVE TO ADD A QUART A WEEK TO STOP THE OIL FROM EXTREMELY RUNNING LOW.
Steering, Jul 5, 2019
NHTSA REFERENCE #: 10081067 TSB REFERENCE #: G-205009 SPECIAL COVERAGE #: 14232A AFTER THE DEALER REPLACED THE PARTS ON MY VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL IS STILL STICKING AND THE DEALER IS REQUESTING THAT ADDITIONAL PART(S) FROM THE STEERING WHEEL BE REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSES. I DO BELIEVE THAT ANY ADDITIONAL PARTS REQUIRED TO MAKE THE VEHICLE SAFE SHOULD BE AT THE MANUFACTURER EXPENSES. THE TROUBLESHOOTING WAS NOT DONE THE RIGHT WAY IN ORDER TO ISOLATE THE COMPONENTS.
Air bags, Jul 4, 2019
SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED GOING DOWN ROAD FOR NO REASON.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 1, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE AND STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, AND THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FERMAN CHEVROLET (9751 ALAMO DR, TAMPA, FL) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.
Power train, Engine, Visibility/wiper, Jun 25, 2019
NUMBER ONE EXCESSIVE OIL STARTED AT ABOUT 55,000 MILES. NUMBER TWO EXCESSIVE ENGINE NOISE FROM TIMING CHAIN AND CAM SEIZURES. NUMBER THREE TRANSMISSION FAILURE 52,000 MILES. NUMBER 4 WIPER TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT APPROXIMATELY 48000 MILES NUMBER 5 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON DUE TO FAULTY CAM ACTUATORS.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 24, 2019
DRIVER SIDE WIPER STOPPED WORKING
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jun 21, 2019
'OIL CONSUMPTION AND DRIVEABILITY , VEHICLE USING MORE THAN ONE QUART OF OIL EVERY 400 MILES OR LESS, WAS AT BUSY INTERSECTION IN CITY ON MAJOR CITY STREET AND CAR FROZE UP, WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND ALMOST CAUSED ANOTHER VEHICLE TO HIT ME FROM BEHIND. TURNED OFF VEHICLE, THEN TURNED KEY AND IT STARTED LONG ENOUGH TO DRIVE INTO NEAREST PARKING LOT. HAD TO PRESS GAS PEDDLE ALL THE WAY DOWN AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT REVERSE AT AT. TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED AND TOWED TO LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEMS DUE TO THE 2010 ENGINE THAT IT WAS BUILT WITH. WAS ADVISED TO KEEP WATCH ON OIL UNTIL DECIDE HOW TO FIX ENGINE.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Engine, Jun 14, 2019
OIL COMSUMPTION, ABS LIGHT WANT GO OFF. STABLEIZER TRACK LIGHT WANT GO OFF AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHT WARNING WITH THE CAR AND THE WIGGLE LINES WNAT GO OFF. NOW MY DASHBORAD BRAKE LIGHT IS ON. EVERY TIME I START THE CAR UP ALL THESE LIGHTS COME ON AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I HAVE HAD IT CODED BUT NOTHING COMES UP. AND MY IGNITION IS STARTING TO SLIP WHEN I CRANK IT . IT DOES NOT MATTER IF I AM MOVING OR NOT THE LIGHTS STILL STAY ON.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 10, 2019
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO NEXT GEAR, THEN SEEMED TO JUMP INTO HIGHER GEAR. THIS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST BE HIT BY MOTOR VEHICLE BEHIND ME. SECOND TIME, I WAS TURNING INTO BUSY INTERSECTION AND CAR COMPLETELY STALLED, TURNED OFF KEY AND RESTARTED CAR AND IT WOULD NOT DRIVE OVER 20 MILES AN HOUR SO PULLED INTO PARKING LOT AND WHEEL WAS VERY HARD TO CONTROL. CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. WAS LEFT STRANDED ON SIDE OF ROAD AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO CHEVY. HAS OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES BUT RECENTLY PURCHASED CAR AND PASSED DATE FOR RECALLS AND WARRANTY REPAIR. GM NEEDS TO OFFER ALL PREVIOUS EXPIRED TO PEOPLE SUCH AS MYSELF WHO PURCHASE USED VEHICLES THAT WERE NEVER CORRECTED DURING RECALL TIMES.ALSO MY VIN WAS NOT LISTED IN RECALL BUT HAS THE EXACT ISSUES. THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY GM.
Engine, Jun 9, 2019
I HAVE A 2010 CHEVY EQUINOX AND I JUST GOT IT OUT OF THE SHOP FOR THE 2ND TIME IN 3 WEEKS WITHIN THAT TIME IT BURNED THROUGH ALL THE OIL THAT WAS IN THE ENGINE FROM A BRAND NEW OIL CHANGE. WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH EXTREMELY HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION. WE HAD THE PISTONS & RINGS REPLACED A COUPLE YEARS AGO BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AT ALL. WE REGULARLY CHANGE OUR OIL BUT AT THIS RATE WE NEED TO PUT OIL IN IT WEEKLY. THE MECHANIC TOLD US THAT OUR ENGINE IS ABOUT TO GO OUT BECAUSE OF BURNING OF THE OIL SO FAST. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND NOW. CHANGING JUST THE PISTONS AND RINGS WILL NOT FIX IT. CHEVROLET OWES THIS YEAR OF EQUINOX A NEW, SOLID ENGINE THAT DOESNT EXCESSIVELY BURN OIL AT AN ALARMING RATE. WE HAVE BEEN SET UP TO FAIL BY FINANCING THIS VEHICLE.
Power train, Engine, Jun 8, 2019
I TOOK MY EQUINOX TO THE GARAGE STARTED OUT AS AN OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE THEN TURNED INTO THE WHOLE MOTOR GETTING REBUILT.
Structure, Jun 7, 2019
I STARTED NOTICING THAT WATER WAS SOAKING THE FLOOR MAT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR AFTER IT RAINED OR I WENT THROUGH A CAR WASH. I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR IS NOT WELDED PROPERLY FROM THE MANUFACTURER, SO THE SPACE WHERE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN WELDED TOGETHER HAS LEFT HOLES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. THESE HOLES PROVIDE AN AREA WHERE WATER LEAKS INTO THE CAR AND CONTINUOUSLY SOAKS THE FLOORS. THERE IS ALSO INFORMATION FROM GM THAT STATES OTHER 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX CARS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM, SO IT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 7, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS SPOUSE WHO OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WIPER LINKAGE FRACTURED; HOWEVER, THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 2, 2019
I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN AND THE WIPER WENT PAST THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD AND JUST STOPPED WORKING. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND WAIT TILL RAIN STOPPED TO DRIVE HOME. THE MOTOR SOUNDS LIKE IT'S WORKING BUT WIPERS WILL NOT MOVE.