2010 Chevrolet Equinox problems & reliability
784 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, alongside 3 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
20 complaints report injuries (23 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2010 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles were involved in 60 fatal crashes with 32 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine → | 271 | 35% |
| Power Train → | 182 | 23% |
| Visibility/wiper → | 132 | 17% |
| Electrical System → | 81 | 10% |
| Air Bags → | 57 | 7% |
| Unknown OR Other | 52 | 7% |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) → | 49 | 6% |
| Steering → | 44 | 6% |
| Fuel/propulsion System → | 32 | 4% |
| Vehicle Speed Control → | 32 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 80,000 miles (middle 50% between 51,000 and 109,997 miles), based on 633 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to the local dealer for Technical Service Bulletin TSB #: 19-NA-065. While driving at 15 MPH, the vehicle lunged forward; the driver was able to pull over. While attempting to restart the vehicle, it suddenly caught…”
Engine · filed Mar 27, 2026
“The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light or stop sign, the vehicle experienced severely rough idling before it stalled. The contact believed that the high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) was the cause of the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure; however, the…”
Fuel System, Gasoline · filed Mar 26, 2026
“Vehicle looses power and can very easily cause a bad wreck I've replaced multiple thing and it still does it I'm not sure what it is possibly the timing or something to do with camshaft”
Power Train · filed Mar 21, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Momentary Increased Steering Effort
Preliminary Evaluation PE20009 · opened Jun 1, 2020 · closed Jun 3, 2022
- Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative
Engineering Analysis EA19005 · opened Dec 13, 2019 · closed Nov 28, 2022 · led to recall 22V165000
- Windshield Wiper Transmission Failure
Recall Query RQ18002 · opened Nov 2, 2018 · closed Dec 19, 2019
Technical service bulletins
1,687 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The 10 most recent:
This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172. The diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high pressure fuel pump…
PIP6113 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 19, 2026
This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2026
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 9, 2026
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 9, 2026
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
PIP4902U · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 8, 2026
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
PIT5214G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2025
New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
13598 · Other · issued Sep 9, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may…
PIC5650M · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 7, 2025
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 18, 2025
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
PIP4902S · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 9, 2025
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2010 Chevrolet Equinox?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 80,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.