VehicleVerdict

2010 Chevrolet Equinox problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,118 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.2 times the median Equinox year — the 2010 model ranks #2 of 22 Equinox years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 30 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 304 reports (27% of the total).

1,118

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

3

Investigations

24

Crash-involved

13

Fires reported

30

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other Equinox years?

Equinox NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted1,137 complaints2005: 950 complaints2006: 950 complaints2007: 950 complaints2008: 535 complaints2009: 151 complaints2010: 1,118 complaints2011: 1,137 complaints2012: 943 complaints2013: 984 complaints2014: 696 complaints2015: 844 complaints2016: 487 complaints2017: 367 complaints2018: 570 complaints2019: 408 complaints2020: 463 complaints2021: 117 complaints2022: 210 complaints2023: 119 complaints2024: 111 complaints2025: 331 complaints2026: 92 complaints
Equinox NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Equinox years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Chevrolet Equinox problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine30427%
Transmission18216%
Visibility & Wipers16214%
Electrical System13212%
Airbags585%
Other575%
Fuel System494%
Steering444%
Speed Control323%
Brakes232%
Body & Structure222%
Tires & Wheels141%
Suspension111%
Seats91%
Seat Belts61%
Lighting61%
Latches & Locks50%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)20%

Does the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V502000Electrical SystemJuly 5, 2016 · 8,367 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

14V447000SeatsJuly 23, 2014 · 414,333 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

09V489000Visibility & WipersDecember 23, 2009 · 59,031 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DRIVING WITHOUT A FUNCTIONING DEFROST SYSTEM CAN DECREASE YOUR VISIBILITY UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, SMOKE BEGAN TO EMIT FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 4, 2016 · 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, [PHONE]) WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE COVERED UNDER A POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. THE CONTACT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 1, 2018 · crash · fire

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · May 18, 2019

“CAR MADE NOISE AND ENGINE STARTED TO STOP. PULLED OFF TO SIDE OF FREEWAY, TURNED OFF KEY AND CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS, DUE TO THE FIRE DAMAGE. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 9, 2013 · fire

“Accident April 26, 2021 where our vehicle was hit "Straight on Front Left" and seat belt tensioner did not restrain the passenger & "Air Bag did not deploy". Request EDR (Event Data Recorder) be scanned to determine what happened and how the car systems functioned or did not function properly.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 26, 2021 · crash

2010 Chevrolet Equinox — common questions

Is the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,118 complaints put the 2010 model at #2 of 22 Equinox years. It is one of the Equinox years to avoid.

What are the most common 2010 Equinox problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (304 complaints), transmission (182 complaints), visibility & wipers (162 complaints).

Does the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Equinox years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Equinox years to avoid are 2011, 2010, 2013, 2005, 2007, 2006, 2012, 2015. The cleanest record among Equinox years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.