NHTSA has 784 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox[1]. The engine group is the biggest, with 300 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Owners filed complaints across several parts of the vehicle, and these are the groups, biggest first.
- Engine. 300 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe rough idling on cold starts, overheating, and ticking, squealing or knocking noises. Several say the dealer could not find a cause or called the noise normal.
- Power Train. 182 complaints[5]. Owners describe clunky or hesitating shifts and rough idling or stalling at stops. Some say a dealer visit or a software update helped for a short time before the trouble came back.
- Visibility/Wiper. 132 complaints[6]. Owners describe wipers that quit in heavy rain and a defroster that does not clear the glass. Some also describe a dash control panel that cuts out.
- Electrical System. 81 complaints[7]. Owners describe radio and climate controls that switch off or lock up, flashing displays, and warning lights that stay on after repairs.
- Air Bags. 57 complaints[8]. This group is tied to 9 crashes and 15 injuries in the complaint records[8].
- Unknown Or Other. 52 complaints[9]. These reports do not fit a clear component group.
- Electronic Stability Control (Esc). 49 complaints[10].
- Steering. 44 complaints[11].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2010 Equinox is necessarily included.
- Electrical System › Ignition (16V502), July 2016. About 8,367 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, the car rolling away. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
- Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust (14V447), July 2014. About 414,333 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System (09V489), December 2009. About 59,031 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Equinox FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 22 / 32 / 26 | $2,600 |
| Equinox AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive[15] | 20 / 29 / 23 | $2,900 |
| Equinox FWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[16] | 17 / 25 / 20 | $3,350 |
| Equinox AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive[17] | 17 / 24 / 20 | $3,350 |
Safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD/AWD[18] | n/a | n/a | n/a | 4 | 17.4% |
How 2010 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 638 | 1 |
| 2006 | 695 | 0 |
| 2007 | 685 | 4 |
| 2008 | 370 | 0 |
| 2009 | 94 | 0 |
| 2010 | 784 | 3 |
| 2011 | 782 | 3 |
| 2012 | 685 | 3 |
| 2013 | 751 | 2 |
| 2014 | 548 | 1 |
| 2015 | 680 | 2 |
| 2016 | 399 | 1 |
| 2017 | 276 | 0 |
| 2018 | 410 | 5 |
| 2019 | 306 | 4 |
| 2020 | 318 | 4 |
| 2021 | 100 | 4 |
| 2022 | 185 | 6 |
| 2023 | 99 | 3 |
| 2024 | 190 | 2 |
| 2025 | 400 | 6 |
| 2026 | 85 | 3 |
| 2027 | 1 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the Equinox show 784 complaints and 3 recalls for 2010[3]. Among the 23 model years listed, 22 have fewer complaints than 2010 and 0 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (1) and the most are for 2010 (784)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2010 Equinox?
The 2010 Equinox has a long complaint record, with 784 reports on file[1]. Engine and power train reports are the biggest groups[2][5]. Owners also describe wiper and electrical trouble that can be annoying or hard to live with[6][7]. Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a guide for what to check and ask about. If you are shopping for one, look closely at how it idles, shifts and sounds when cold, and check the recall section above[3].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox?
- Engine complaints are the largest group[2], followed by power train[5] and visibility/wiper[6]. See the problems section for what owners describe.
- Does the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year facts list 3 recalls for this model year[3]. The recalls section on this page lists them.
- How many owner complaints are there for the 2010 Equinox?
- NHTSA has 784 owner complaints on file[1]. They are unverified reports and are not adjusted for sales.
- What gas mileage does the 2010 Equinox get?
- See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Chevrolet Equinox
Compare all model years of the Chevrolet Equinox
Other Chevrolet models from 2010
Similar cars from 2010: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 784 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox (15 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 23 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 300 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 6 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 81,400). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Equinox model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Equinox FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 32 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 182 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 132 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 81 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 61,490). NHTSA vehicle records
- 57 complaints name the air bags component group (9 crashes, 1 fires, 15 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 52 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 89,800). NHTSA vehicle records
- 49 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 44 complaints name the steering component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 16V502, filed July 5, 2016: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V447, filed July 23, 2014: Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 09V489, filed December 23, 2009: Visibility › Defroster / Defogger / Hvac System. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Equinox AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Equinox FWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Equinox AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records