UsedScore

2010 Chevrolet Equinox: Avoid

Owners filed 207 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox in its first five years on the road, about 155 for every 100,000 sold: 2.2× the rate of a typical Equinox year. That's more than twice a typical year, across more than one problem area.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the engine (34% of complaints, median 42,000 miles).

Complaint index
2.2×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Equinox year
Rank
14th of 14
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
207
first five years; 155 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
3
campaigns
2nd generation, 2010–2017 (first year of the generation; redesign years often run worse) · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2011 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ

Photo: 2011 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ · IFCAR, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Engine34% · 70 complaints · median 42,000 miles
  2. Powertrain20% · 42 complaints · median 38,000 miles
  3. Air bags11% · 23 complaints · median 29,000 miles
  4. Steering14% · 29 complaints · median 19,000 miles
  5. Electrical13% · 27 complaints · median 36,000 miles
  6. Fuel and propulsion8% · 17 complaints · median 23,000 miles
  7. Visibility13% · 27 complaints · median 48,000 miles
  8. Body and structure5% · 10 complaints · median 19,000 miles
  9. Brakes5% · 11 complaints · median 52,000 miles
  10. Speed control3% · 6 complaints · median 31,000 miles

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Air bags

Owners commonly describe the air bag warning light turning on intermittently, often traced to wiring or connectors under the seats that dealers repeatedly replaced or reset. Some also report air bags deploying without a crash or failing to deploy during one, leaving them uncertain about the system's reliability.

Warning signs:
Many mention the service air bag or air bag warning light coming on and off, sometimes with chimes, smoke, or a burning odor before further problems.
What shops did:
Dealers frequently replaced or re-routed seat wiring, connectors, or air bag harnesses, though some owners report the light returned or the issue could not be resolved.
Mileage:
most between 30,000 and 120,000 miles, among 44 complaints that give it

“The dealer repaired and re-routed the side impact wires under the driver's seat. The failure persisted”

“They replaced the airbag connectors under both front seats”

Engine

Owners of this model report frequent oil consumption, engine knocking, and stalling issues, often requiring repeated dealer visits for timing chain, fuel pump, or camshaft repairs. Many describe the problems recurring even after parts were replaced or the engine was swapped.

Warning signs:
Many report rough idle or rattling/knocking noises on start-up or acceleration, check engine or StabiliTrak lights, and low or empty oil readings between changes before stalling occurred.
What shops did:
Dealers commonly replaced timing chains, tensioners, fuel pumps, camshaft actuators, or entire engines, though many owners say the same problems returned afterward.
Mileage:
most between 50,000 and 110,000 miles, among 237 complaints that give it

“No oil on the dipstick after 3 months and 3000 miles since they replaced my drive chain and added oil”

Powertrain

Owners of this Equinox commonly describe transmission and engine powertrain trouble, including sudden loss of drive, hard or delayed shifting, stalling, and high oil use. Many say dealers replaced transmissions, wave plates, timing chains or engines, sometimes repeatedly, often after warranty coverage had ended.

Warning signs:
Many report rough idling, hesitation or delayed shifts, hard clunks between gears, engine knocking or rattling noises, dashboard warning lights, and dropping oil levels before failure.
What shops did:
Dealers often replaced or rebuilt the transmission, wave plate, timing chain, fuel pump, or engine components; some could not duplicate the problem or found nothing wrong.
Mileage:
most between 55,000 and 105,000 miles, among 162 complaints that give it

“The 3-5-reverse wave plate or also commonly referred to as clutch plate shattered and the pieces got into the gears and torn up all the gears with it”

“Was towed 70 miles to a dealership who replaced the timing chain, tensioner and fuel pump”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (3)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 16V502000July 20168,367 vehicles

    Electrical system: ignition · Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)

    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."

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

    Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 14V447000July 2014414,333 vehicles

    Seats: front assembly: power adjust

    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.

    Risk: 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.

    Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 09V489000December 200959,031 vehicles

    Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system

    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.

    Risk: Driving without a functioning defrost system can decrease your visibility under certain driving conditions and could result in a crash without warning.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the computer module in the center instrument panel free of charge.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Chevrolet sent NHTSA 1,688 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2010 Equinox. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • 00-06-01-026R · June 2025This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
  • 23-NA-153 · May 2025The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
  • 04-06-01-029K · October 2024This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
  • 24-NA-223 · October 2024This service bulletin informs the technician of an alternate lift procedure that has been developed when the lift plate does not fit the top of the transmission case for 6T30, 6T35, 6T40, 6T45, and…
  • 01-06-01-011Q · October 2024This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
  • 04-06-04-051J · September 2024This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
  • 20-NA-138 · September 2024This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S.
  • 08-07-30-026I · September 2024This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak.

All 2010 Equinox bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
Owners filed 207 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox in its first five years on the road, about 155 for every 100,000 sold: 2.2× the rate of a typical Equinox year. That's more than twice a typical year, across more than one problem area. Ratings compare Equinox years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2010 Equinox problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the engine (34%), the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (20%) and the air bags (11%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, the most recent in July 2016 (electrical system). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Chevrolet. The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox on NHTSA.gov · How we rate