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, May 31, 2019
MY 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX IS BURNING OIL VERY FAST. I HAVE HAD A MECHANIC AT MY WORK CHECK THE OIL LEVEL EVERY THURSDAY FOR THE LAST MONTH AND ADD APPROXIMATELY 1.5 LITRES EVERY THURSDAY. MY CO-WORKER HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH HER EQUINOX AND IT WAS A RECALL. HER OIL WAS GOING INTO HER FUEL. THIS IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO BE REOCCURRING. BEFORE REALIZING THAT THE OIL WAS AN ISSUE, MY CAR WOULD AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING- SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, May 30, 2019
THIS CAR BURNS OIL FAST AND I LEARNED THE HARD WAY. 2 YEARS AFTER BUYING THE CAR ALL THE PISTONS IN THE ENGINE BENT DUE TO LACK OF OIL. WHEN THE CAR WAS GETTING FIXED THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS BONE DRY AND I HAD JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGE 2 MONTHS PRIOR. $3,200 LATER THE CAR WAS FIXED, BUT IT STILL HAD ISSUES SHIFTING. IN COLDER WEATHER THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WOULD BARELY MOVE. I HAD NO REAL MECHANICAL ISSUES UNTIL A YEAR LATER. I HAD DRIVEN IT 45 MILES AND STOPPED AT A GAS STATION, WHEN I WENT TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON ALL OF THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS CAME ON AS WELL AS THE 'STABILITRAK' LIGHT AND THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. THE ONLY WAY I COULD GET IT TO MOVE WAS BY TURNING THE TRACTION OFF, AND WAS THANKFULLY ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME. I GOT IT INTO THE GM DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE STABILITY TRACK AND THE CRANKSHAFT NEEDED REPLACED. MY ABS LIGHT WAS STILL FAILING AND I'M TOTAL IT WAS ANOTHER $1,400 OF WORK. NOW THE ENGINE SEEMS TO BE MAKING A CRANKING NOISE. I'M TIRED OF WASTING MONEY ON THIS PIECE OF JUNK!!!!!
Visibility/wiper, May 28, 2019
MY HUSBAND AND I WERE HEADED HOME FROM ASHTABULA DURING A HEAVY RAIN STORM ON A STATE HIGHWAY 528 N OF PARKMAN, TRAVELING APPROX 45 MPH, WHEN THE WIPER BLADES ABRUPTLY QUIT WORKING! WE WERE IN AMISH TERRITORY (AS IN THE POSSIBILITY OF APPROACHING HORSE-DRAWN BUGGIES) AND OUR VISIBILITY WAS INSTANTLY REDUCED TO ZERO. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON LINE AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT W/ THE2010 EQUINOX AND IT IS DUE TO THE POOR DESIGN (PLASTIC BUSHINGS).
Visibility/wiper, May 27, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED AT THE TOP OF THEIR ROTATION, IMPEDING VIEW, AND NO LONGER MOVED. AFTER RETURNING HOME, HAVING TO DRIVE SLOWLY DUE TO HARD RAIN WITHOUT WIPERS, I TURNED THE WIPERS ON AND NOTICED THEY STILL DIDN'T MOVE. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND WALKED OVER TO WINDSHIELD TO SEE IF I COULD HEAR THE MOTOR WORKING. I COULD HEAR THE MOTOR BUT SAW NO MOVEMENT OF THE WIPERS. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I FOUND OUT THAT THE LINKAGE BUSHINGS ARE UNDER INVESTIGATION AND I WANTED TO INCLUDE MY COMPLAINT SO CHEVY ISSUES A RECALL.
Power train, Electrical system, May 24, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS CONTACTED TO ASSIST WITH REPAIRING THE VEHICLE ONSITE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.
Power train, May 21, 2019
TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 66,000 MILES WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION.
Visibility/wiper, May 18, 2019
ME AND MY WIFE WERE DRIVING WHEN IT STARTED TO RAIN. SO I TURNED ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THEN IT STARTED TO POUR DOWN AND IT WAS HARD TO SEE. WHEN I TURNED THE WIPERS ON HIGH SPEED WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THEY STOPPED WORKING. THAT'S WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE WIPERS WERE STUCK IN THE UP POSITION. I COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING I THINK GOD I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER.
Engine, May 18, 2019
I GOT MY 2010 CHEVY EQUINOX ON JANUARY 4, 2019. EVER SINCE THE SECOND WEEK, I'VE HAD IT I'VE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH IT AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT JUST BECAUSE I NEEDED A TUNE UP AND OIL CHANGE AFTER I GOT THOSE THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. SO AROUND THE END OF FEBRUARY, I PUT THE SUV IN THE SHOP THEY SAID IT WAS THE WATER PUMP/BALANCE SHAFT CHAIN THE ENTIRE THING COST $669.49. I WAS VERY EXCITED TO GET MY SUV BACK ON MARCH 15, 2019, JUST IN TIME FOR ME TO GO TO OUT OF TOWN JUST TO FIND OUT THE CAR IS MAKING THE SAME NOISE AND DOING THE SAME ROUGH RIDING. I TOOK THE CAR BACK IN THE SHOP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC IN APRIL THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD A LOT OF VEHICLES WITH THE SAME AND TO FILE A COMPLAINT. I PUT THE CAR DOWN SINCE THEN AND IT'S JUST SITTING UNDER GARAGE TAKING MY MONEY. THE CAR ALSO CUT OFF ON ME MULTIPLE TIMES THE LATEST TIME IT HAPPENED TO ME, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND I COULDN'T ACCELERATE AND IT JUST CUT OFF AND I HAD TO PUT ON HAZARDS AND I ALMOST GOT HIT.
Power train, Electrical system, May 14, 2019
VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT INTERSECTION. VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE AFTER USING ACCELERATOR, AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN AT HIGHER RPM. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE AFTER SHUTTING OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. DURING THE SAME DRIVE I ALSO HAD TROUBLE SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR WITH HIGH RPM BEFORE A MODERATELY HARD SHIFT WHILE ACCELERATING AFTER A STOP. AMBER CHECK ENGINE, BRAKE, AND ABM LIGHTS ALL LIT. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WITH MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 12, 2019
TRANSMISSION IS BAD. WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE IT DOESN'T GO ANYWHERE AND ITS SKIPPING GEARS AND BUCKING PRIOR TO IT FINALLY NO LONGER DRIVEABLE
Visibility/wiper, May 6, 2019
WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, THE WIPERS QUIT WORKING. I COULD HEAR THE MOTOR, BUT NO WIPERS
Engine, May 2, 2019
HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION AND LOUD UNKNOWN NOISE FROM ENGINE. THE ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING TO COME APART WHEN STARTED AND DURING ACCELERATION. THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR IS " 91860 ". THE DEALER PERFORMED AN OIL CONSUMPTION REPORT LAST MAY. SAID THAT IT WAS WITHIN THE REQUIREMENTS SET BY CHEVROLET. ENGINE NOISE HAS INCREASED. I DO NOT FEEL THAT IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS.
Power train, Apr 29, 2019
I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR, I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND THE RPMS REV UP BUT MY CAR DOES NOT MOVE
Engine, Apr 26, 2019
I HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR MAY 23RD 2018. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED REPLACING AND LIGHT STILL WILL NOT GO OFF AND CODE WILL NOT DELETE, THE O2 SENSORS KEEP GOING OUT (3 TIMES ALREADY) AND THE CAMSHAFT POSITION ACTUATOR SOLENOID VALVE HAS BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES IN 11 MONTHS. THE OIL CONSUMPTION IS INSANE, I CANNOT MAKE IT TO THE OIL NOTIFICATION THE CAR GIVES ME, WITHOUT PUTTING 3 QTS OF OIL , BEFORE THE NOTIFICATION RECOMMENDS. I HAVE NO OIL LEAK!!!
Visibility/wiper, Apr 25, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY LEAVE THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Structure, Apr 24, 2019
2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRONT AND REAR RUSTED SUBFRAME. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT AND REAR SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED. THE ROCKER ARMS ON BOTH SIDES WERE EXTREMELY RUSTED AND SOFT. THE BOTTOM OF THE DOORS WERE ALSO ROTTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *JS
Engine, Apr 23, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE RPMS INCREASED. THE CONTACT TURNED ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES AND DROVE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Structure, Apr 23, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH OVER A POTHOLE, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BECAME FLAT. THE CONTACT USED THE SPARE TIRE AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE FACILITY TO PURCHASE A NEW TIRE. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME AND COMPONENTS WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND THE CONTROL ARM WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Power train, Apr 22, 2019
THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION GETS STUCK AND DOESN'T ALWAYS SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THIS RESULTS IN BEING UNABLE TO ACCELERATE PAST 20-30 MPH UPON TAKEOFF WHICH IS SCARY AND DANGEROUS ON THE HIGHWAY. MY MECHANIC SHOP HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) NEEDS REPLACING. ON 10/14/2016 THERE WAS A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE TCM ON SEVERAL VEHICLES INCLUDING THE 2010-2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX.GM'S RECALL NUMBERS FOR THIS ARE 50490 AND 50491.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 15, 2019
GAS IN MY OIL CAUSED BY A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. THIS IS CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO RUN POORLY AND CONTINUE TO RUN AFTER THE KEY IS REMOVED. THIS EFFECTS THE VEHICLE WHEN RUNNING PARKED OR RUNNING IN ALL GEAR POSITIONS.
Other or unspecified, Apr 6, 2019
THE HEAT AND AIR WILL NOT WORK FOR LONG AND SHORT PERIODS OF TIME. THERE IS A TICKING SOUND, BUT THE HEAT OR AIR WON'T WORK. PERIODICALLY THE SCREEN OF THE RADIO WILL GO OFF AND REMAIN THAT WAY UNTIL THE HEAT OR AIR DECIDES TO WORK AGAIN. IT'S HARD TO DRIVE IN THE RAIN, AND I WILL HAVE TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN TO CLEAR THE FOG FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR.
Other or unspecified, Apr 4, 2019
THE AC IS GIVING ME ISSUES AND I HAVE SEEN MANY PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS ISSUES WITH THE AC BREAKING BROKE AFTER CERTAIN MILEAGES!
Engine, Mar 26, 2019
VEHICLE HESITATES TO ACCELERATE WHILE TRYING TO TAKE OFF AFTER BEING STOPPED. I HAVE TO CHANGE THE OIL EVERY THREE WEEKS AND BY A WEEK AND HALF THE OIL IS 1/4 LESS AND REALLY DARK. THERE'S NO VISIBLE LEAKS OR OIL STAINS ON THE DRIVE WAY.
Power train, Mar 16, 2019
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, IT WILL ACCELERATE REALLY HIGH THEN IT WILL SHIFT AND GO BACK DOWN BUT IT'S DOING IT ALMOST ALL THE TIME KNOW. IT SHOWED NO ERROR CODES WHEN TAKEN IN AND TRANSMISSION FLUID IS GOOD.
Engine, Mar 14, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY RESTART. AFTER SOME TIME, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION; HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ORANGE BUICK GMC (3883 W COLONIAL DR, ORLANDO, FL 32808, (407) 295-8100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT ACTUATOR SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,274.