2010 Chevrolet Equinox Problems, Recalls & Reliability
1,118 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 3 defect investigations. It scores 89/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 82,000 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2009, 2021.
Avoid
Where 2010 sits among all Equinox years
What owners report
“Oil burning which leads to a oil change almost 1500 miles with top off service between changes. Then shaking of engine while in idle and while accelerating.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2010 Equinox
“Transmission needs to be replaced at 109,000 miles. No warning, and car has been well maintained.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2010 Equinox
“Wipers stopped working. Wiper transmission bushing failure. Driving during rainstorm wipers failed.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2010 Equinox
“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…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2010 Equinox
“The car shuts off by its self can't pick up speed i can be at a light and the car will jurk and try to pull of and can go no mrs. Than 15mh.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2010 Equinox
“Service airbag light keeps coming on. It doesn't matter if i am stopped or driving down the road.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2010 Equinox
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 875 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 80,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 48,656 and 110,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (3)
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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,…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 22V165000.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox drew 1,118 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 89/100, scored against the model's worst year (2011).
What are the most common 2010 Chevrolet Equinox problems?
The top reported problems for the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox are engine (304 complaints), transmission & drivetrain (182), and visibility & wipers (162).
At what mileage do 2010 Chevrolet Equinox problems show up?
Owners most often report 2010 Chevrolet Equinox problems around 80,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 48,656 and 110,000 miles.
Does the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox have recalls?
3 recall campaigns apply to the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.