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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 13, 2019
TAKATA RECALL: MY CARS ENGINE IS RUNNING EXTREMELY ROUGH, IT'S IDLING VERY "BUMPY" AND SEEMS TO SPUTTER, STALLING OUT (WHILE DRIVING OR STOPPED) AND CONTINUING TO RUN A FEW SECONDS AFTER I TURN IT OFF AND THE CHECK ENGINE KEEPS COMING ON AND GOING OFF. WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH IT, THE TECH EXPLAINED THAT MY HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IS WHAT IS CAUSING ALL THE ISSUES. I WAS TALKING TO A FRIEND ABOUT IT AND SHE SENT ME A LINK SHOWING ME THAT A RECALL WAS DONE ON MY MAKE AND MODEL SO I CALLED MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SHOW NOTHING FOR MY VIN. UPON CALLING THE ACTUAL CHEVY NUMBER LISTED ON THE SITE WHERE WE SAW THE RECALL THEY EXPLAINED THAT EVEN THOUGH MY CAR IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES FOR THE PART BEING RECALLED, MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED AND THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. THIS IS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING! AFTER FINDING THIS WEBSITE I STARTED READING COMPLAINTS AND THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO ANOTHER PERSON WITH THE SAME VEHICLE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THESE CARS ARE MADE IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AND THE PARTS IN THOSE LOCATIONS MAY BE MADE DIFFERENTLY THEN THE PARTS IN OTHERS BUT IF WE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES, I WOULD THINK THAT ANOTHER INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE OPENED AND ANOTHER RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED INCLUDING ALL VIN'S FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL. IF THIS HAS TO BE PAID OUT OF POCKET A LITTLE HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED TOO. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE FIX.
Engine, Mar 9, 2019
I ONLY HAVE 99,500 MILES ON MY 2010 EQUINOX RUNNING GOOD AND I KEEP UP ON THE MAINTENANCE AND FOR NO REASON THE TIMING CHAIN STRETCHED AND JUMPED WHEN I WENT TO START IT ONE DAY
Other or unspecified, Mar 1, 2019
I FILED A COMPLAINT 4 DAYS AGO #11182292. I'VE CONTACTED GM AND THEY HAVE NO RECALL ON MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL #090298 DONE FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM I'M EXPERIENCING. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR GM SEEMS WILLING TO INCLUDE MY CAR IN THIS RECALL. I'M A SENIOR CITIZEN LIVING ON A FIXED INCOME. I'M TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS TODAY. I'M ASKING FOR HELP PAYING FOR THIS IF IT IS DIAGNOSED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED. ALL THE ITEMS LISTED ON THAT PARTICULAR RECALL # ARE IDENTICAL TYPE IDENTICAL TO WHAT I'M EXPERIENCING. YOUR ASSISTANCE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED IN THIS MATTER.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Feb 26, 2019
SERVICE STABILITRAK, REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SLAPPING NOISE IN STEERING AS WELL AS MAJOR VIBRATION
Other or unspecified, Feb 25, 2019
THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY BLOWS EITHER HIGH HEAT OR NO HEAT AT ALL. I FOUND A SAFETY RECALL # 090298 FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM AND CALLED MY DEALER. THEY HAVE NO RECALL FOR THIS AND WON'T FIX IT FOR NO COST UNLESS THEY CAN FIND A RECALL! IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. THIS HAPPENS OF COURSE WHEN IN MOTION NO MATTER WHAT TYPE OF STREET OR HIGHWAY I'M ON.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 23, 2019
A YEAR AFTER I PURCHASED MY USED EQUINOX MY WATER PUMP WENT OUT. WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY REALIZE THAT MY OPINIONS HAVE BEEN WORN AND MY TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AFTER MY ENGINE LIGHT POPPED ON.. THIS CAR HAS BEEN UNRELIABLE ALMOST THE WHOLE TIME I'VE OWNED IT. LAST MARCH I REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN AGAIN. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH I REALIZE THAT MY TIMING CHAIN KEEPS GETTING DESTROYED BECAUSE THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IS LEAKING GAS INTO MY CRANKCASE. CHEVY HAS PUT OUT A RECALL FOR MY MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE BUT MY VIN IS NOT LISTED. I'M NOT SURE WHY IT WOULDN'T BE LISTED ESPECIALLY SINCE I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS THAT IS LISTED IN THE BULLETIN.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 19, 2019
WIPERS SPONTANEOUSLY STOPPED WORKING. MOTOR CONTINUED BUT CONNECTION ASSEMBLY DETERIORATED AND FELL APART. HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE MOTOR WIPER ASSEMBLY UNIT. THIS OCCURRED IN JUNE OF 2018.
Engine, Feb 19, 2019
VEHICLE BEGAN EXPERIENCING STALLING OUT. DETERMINED TO BE CAUSED BY METAL SHAVINGS IN ENGINE. THE ONLY PRIOR ENGINE WORK ON THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DONE BY CHEVROLET TO ADDRESS A RECALL IN 2013 FOR HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION. THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT IN DECEMBER OF 2013. NO OTHER WORK WAS DONE TO THE ENGINE. THE REPAIR FOR THIS ISSUE WAS REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE.
Engine, Feb 16, 2019
14882 SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT-PLUGGED PCV ORIFICE IN INTAKE MANIFOLD. DEALER IN COLUMBUS NE. 68601 ERNEST AUTO SALES TOLD ME MY 2010 VIN. NUMBER NOT LISTED FOR THE RECALL BACK MAIN SEAL BLOWED OUT NO WARRANTY .I SEE OTHER PEOPLE SAME PROBLEM WITH SEAL AND AGAIN ARE CARS NOT COVERED. I OWN 2 EQUINONS 2010 AND 2018.. MAYBE I NEED TO LOOK AT OTHER BRANDS INSTEAD IF YOU HAVE A KNOW PROBLEM AND WONT STAND BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT THAT'S SAD YOU MAKE YOUR DECISION AND ILL MAKE MINE!!! I WAS DRIVING IT STARTED TO SMOKE A LITTLE PLUS COULD SMELL IT WHEN I STOPED
Power train, Visibility/wiper, Feb 14, 2019
WIPERS TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. TRANSMISSION REVVING HIGH BEFORE SHIFTING. MOTOR TICKING.
Power train, Engine, Feb 14, 2019
DRIVING ON STATE HIGHWAY WHEN VEHICLE STARTED ACTING LIKE IT WOULD DIE. I WAS ALMOST HOME AND WHEN I PARKED IT FOUND IT HAD ALMOST NO OIL IN VEHICLE AFTER CHECKING IT BEFORE TRAVELING HOME. OIL LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. MECHANIC SAYS FROZEN PCV VALVE IN REAR CRANKSHAFT; IT COULD HAVE BLOWN AND LEFT ME STRANDED OR IN ACCIDENT; MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS A RECALL BUT MY PARTICULAR VIN WASN'T INCLUDED
Visibility/wiper, Feb 13, 2019
WIPER STOPPED WORKING LINKAGE BROKE
Visibility/wiper, Feb 12, 2019
WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY DURING A STATE OF EMERGENCY SNOW STORM AND THE WIPERS WENT COMPLETELY OUT I SPINNED AND ALMOST CRASHED. AFTER READING REVIEWS THIS IS COMMON AND GM ONLY RECALLED CERTAIN YEARS AND VIN NUMBERS LEAVING OTHERS TO DEAL WITH THE SAFETY ISSUE THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN. MY SON WAS ALSO IN THE CAR AND A PART OF THE FAULTY WIPER SYSTEM CHEVY IS SELLING TO ITS CUSTOMERS.
Engine, Feb 11, 2019
BALANCE CHAIN PINS WEAR, ALLOWING THE CHAIN TO STRETCH.CAUSE ENGINE NOISE. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A BRAKE JOB AND SAID THE ENGINE IS MAKING NOISES IT SHOULDN'T BE MAKING.THE ADVISOR SAID THAT'S NOMAL FOR THAT CAR TO MAKE THAT NOISE.IT'S THE SAME RECALL FOR THE 2010-2011 EQUINOX ON THE 2.4L ENGINE.(LAF).THAT YEAR 2010-2011 HAVE A SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENTTHE 2014 EQUINOX HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AND YOU NEED TO LOOK INTO THIS BECAUSE PEOPLE PAYING FOR A NO FIX.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 8, 2019
THIS IS THE 2ND TIME MY WIPERS HAVE SEIZED WHILE OPERATING DURING A SNOWFALL. IT WAS NOT STORMY BLIZZARD CONDITIONS EITHER JUST HAD THE WIPERS ON SLOW TO CLEAR LIGHT SNOW. I WAS CITY DRIVING BARELY DOING 25 BOTH TIMES. IT HAPPENED LAST APRIL I HAD IT REPAIRED. NOW THEY SEIZED AGAIN LAST NIGHT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZZARD AND I THIS CHEVROLET SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. I HAD LESS THEN 100,000 MILES ON IT THE FIRST TIME AN NOW I HAVE 104,000 AND IT BROKE AGAIN.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 7, 2019
WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A RAIN STORM ON INTERSTATE 495 SOUTH CAPITAL BELTWAY THE CAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED. THE WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK.
Steering, Wheels, Jan 31, 2019
I NEED TO REPORT THAT WHEN DRIVING ON THESE ICY ROADS THAT MY AWD EQUINOX FEELS LIKE IT SWERVES? IT FEELS LIKE IT TAKES ME INTO THE OTHER LANE MOST OF THE TIME. NOW, I DON'T KNOW IF ITS THE AWD CAUSING IT BUT OTHER AWD VEHICLES THAT I'VE DRIVEN HAVE NEVER DID IT THIS BAD TO THE POINT THAT IT FEELS ALMOST LIKE MY BACK END STARTS GOING SIDEWAYS.
Engine, Jan 31, 2019
WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD. THE STABILI TRACK CAME ON AGAIN HAD THIS REPLACED LAST YEAR, CAME ON THE THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WHILE IN DRIVE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. SCARED ME TO DEATH. HAD TO HAVE TO HAVE TOWED, NOW I'M LOOKING AT PAYING MORE TO GET IT FIXED THEN WHAT I OWE ON IT
Engine, Jan 24, 2019
ON MONDAY 1/21/2019, MY CAR BROKE DOWN ON THE SIDE OF A BUSY FOUR LANE ROAD. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC'S SHOP WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BAD PCV VALVE SYSTEM. THIS PART IS ENGINEERED VERY POORLY AND GM HAS CONTINUED TO USE IT ANYWAY. THE PCV VALVE SYSTEM ALLOWS WATER TO COLLECT IN IT AND THEN FREEZE, IN RETURN BLOWING OUT THE REAR MAIN SEAL SO THE ENGINE NO LONGER HOLDS OIL. CURRENTLY, GM HAS A "RECALL" ON THIS PART, GM BULLETIN #14882, WHICH SHOULD COVER A CAR OF THE EXACT SAME MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR AS MINE FOR UP TO 120,000 MILES OR 10 YEARS. MINE FALLS WITHIN BOTH OF THOSE SPECS. HOWEVER, WHEN CONTACTING GM ABOUT THIS RECALL, I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS SPECIFIC RECALL "DOES NOT INCLUDE MY VIN#." AFTER RESEARCHING, I'VE DISCOVERED THIS IS A MUCH LARGER PROBLEM THAN GM IS WILLING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR, AS IT IS HAPPENING TO MANY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS NATIONWIDE AND THEY'RE ALL BEING TOLD THE SAME THING I WAS, THAT IT DOESN'T MATCH THE VIN#. I SPENT TWO DAYS MAKING PHONE CALLS, BEING ON HOLD, AND WAITING FOR A RETURN PHONE CALL FROM SOMEONE IN THE "EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT." BECAUSE I COULDN'T WAIT TO HAVE A WORKING CAR WHILE WAITING ON THEIR PHONE CALL, I INSTRUCTED MY REPAIR MAN TO FIX MY CAR AND NOW I'M BEING TOLD GM WILL NOT HELP ME AT ALL BECAUSE I HAD IT REPAIRED ON MY OWN ACCORD. WHEN TRYING TO ORDER THIS PART TO REPAIR MY CAR, MY REPAIR MAN DISCOVERED THAT THIS PART IS BACKORDERED THROUGH GM, BECAUSE EVERYONE NEEDS IT REPLACED. THE SHOP MY CAR IS BEING REPAIRED THROUGH HAS HAD THREE EQUINOXES COME INTO THEIR SHOP SINCE TUESDAY FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, AND THEY'VE ALL BEEN TOLD THE SAME THING I HAVE BY GM CUSTOMER SERVICE...AND THAT'S JUST ONE SMALL SHOP IN OHIO. I'D LIKE GM TO EXTEND THE RECALL TO COVER NOT JUST MINE, BUT ALL CARS THIS PART HAS BEEN USED ON, AND ALSO COVER THE EXPENSES TO REPAIR THE ENGINE IN MY CAR THAT IT DAMAGED.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 23, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 28 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIKE ANDERSON CHEVROLET OF MERRILLVILLE (1550 61ST AVE, MERRILLVILLE, IN 46410, 219-947-4151) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIPER TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jan 23, 2019
JANUARY 8TH IT WAS RAINING REALLY HEAVY AND I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY CITY STREET TO WORK THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS JUST SUDDENLY STOPPED. ALSO RIGHT AFTER I'VE GOTTEN MY CAR MY CAR WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THERE'S A CRACK IN THE EXHAUST BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS HE SAID ARE VERY COMMON IN ALL THE EQUINOX AND THEY ACTUALLY HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 2013 CHEVY EQUINOX
Engine, Jan 21, 2019
"TAKATA RECALL" SO FOR THE LAST MONTH OR SO I'VE BEEN DRIVING AND OR JUST AT A STOPLIGHT OR A STOP SIGN AND MY CAR WOULD GO IN A POWER MODE AND I CAN'T GET OUT OF 10 MILES PER HOUR ITS SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT TRACT SYSTEM AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF FOR A COUPLE MINUTES FOR IT TO GET OUT OF THAT MODE BUT SOMETIMES IT DON'T EVEN DO IT. IT CAN DO IT 10 TIMES THE TIME THAT I'M DRIVING IT'S VERY UNSAFE AND AS I'M READING ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS EVERYONE OR A LOT OF PEOPLE IS HAVING THIS ISSUE IT'S VERY SCARY AND I'M STILL PAYING ON THIS CAR I ONLY HAD IT FOR JUST ABOUT TWO YEARS RIGHT NOW I WOULD PLEASE LIKE TO FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH MY CAR BEFORE I HAVE TO PAY A LOT OF MONEY TO GET IT FIXED WHEN WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 14, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY INJECTOR NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 10, 2019
WINDSHIELD TAKES UP TO HALF AN HOUR TO DEFROST WHEN FIRST STARTED IN COLD WEATHER. I HAVE TO MANUALLY WIPE OFF THE INSIDE WINDSHIELD A FEW TIMES SO THAT I CAN DRIVE TO WORK. WINDSHIELD WILL FOG UP WHILE DRIVING IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS, SUCH AS RAIN, ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS MORE THAN ONE PERSON IN THE VEHICLE, AND IT WILL TAKE TOO LONG TO DEFOG, LIMITING VISIBILITY. WHEN THE HEAT IS ON FOR LONG PERIODS, THE RADIO OVERHEATS AND STOPS WORKING PROPERLY. HEAT CONTINUES TO COME OUT OF THE VENTS EVEN WHEN IT IS TURNED OFF. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON MAY 21, 2016.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 10, 2019
EXHAUST LEAK BETWEEN THE MANIFOLD AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WITH ONLY 57,000 MILES. DANGEROUS ODOR AND POTENTIAL CARBON MONOXIDE EXPOSURE. THERE WAS NO INCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. MECHANIC STATES THAT PROBLEM HAS BEEN COMMON AMONG GM SUVS THIS PAST YEAR.