2010 Chevrolet Equinox problems, complaints and recalls
NHTSA data checked October 31, 2026 · counts are computed from NHTSA's public APIs, not estimated
Summary
NHTSA's public complaint database lists 784 owner complaints for the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, and its recall database lists 3 safety recall campaigns for it.
Leaving out "unknown or other", the component group owners named most often is engine (271 complaints, 35%), followed by power train (182) and visibility/wiper (132). A complaint can name more than one group, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
15 complaints say a crash happened and 9 mention a fire; together the complaints report 23 injuries and 0 deaths.
Among Chevrolet Equinox model years 2010–2020 in NHTSA's data, 2010 has the most complaints (784, against a median of 480 for the other years).
The newest recall is 16V502000, received July 5, 2016, for electrical system.
784owner complaints
3recall campaigns
15complaints reporting a crash
9complaints reporting a fire
23injuries reported
0deaths reported
Complaints by component
Owners pick one or more component groups when they file. Share is the percent of the 784 complaints that name the group.
Latches/Locks/Linkagesdoor and hood latches, locks
5
<1%
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
2
<1%
Service Brakes, Hydraulicthe main hydraulic brakes: pedal feel, ABS, brake lines
1
<1%
Traction Control Systemtraction control
1
<1%
Recalls (3)
Newest first. Summary, risk and remedy are NHTSA's own recall text (a U.S. government record), shown as published. A recall applies only to the vehicles its notice names; your VIN lookup is the final word.
NHTSA campaign 16V502000
Received July 5, 2016 · Electrical System (ignition)
What's wrong: 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign 14V447000
Received July 23, 2014 · Seats (front assembly: power adjust)
What's wrong: 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign 09V489000
Received December 23, 2009 · Visibility (defroster/defogger/hvac system)
What's wrong: 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.
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.
When the complaints were filed
By the year the complaint reached NHTSA. A late rise often means a part wearing out with age or a problem drawing attention after a recall.
How many complaints has NHTSA received about the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox?
784 owner complaints as of October 31, 2026, per NHTSA's complaints API.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox?
Engine is named in 271 of 784 complaints (35%); NHTSA's group covers the engine itself: stalling, oil use, knocking, failure.
How many recalls does the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox have?
3 recall campaigns in NHTSA's recall database, most recently 16V502000 (July 5, 2016). Check a specific car's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is 2010 a bad year for the Chevrolet Equinox?
By complaint count, 2010 ranks 1st of 11 Equinox model years 2010–2020 in NHTSA's data. Raw counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how old they are.
How to read these numbers
Complaints are reports owners file with NHTSA. NHTSA does not confirm each one, and one problem can be reported more than once.
Counts are not adjusted for sales: a model that sold twice as many cars can collect twice the complaints without being worse per car.
Older model years have had more time to collect complaints.
A recall listed here may not cover every car of this model year. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.