YearToAvoid

2010 Chevrolet Equinox Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

87/100

#3 most-complained of 16 Equinox years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox has 782 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 87, ranking 3rd worst among 16 model years. Engine problems dominate at 41% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 80,000 miles, earning it an Avoid verdict relative to other Equinox years.

Complaints
782
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
15 / 9
Injuries / deaths
21 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
21.5
18.5 city / 27 hwy

Top 2010 Chevy Equinox problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine318 (41%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain182 (23%)
  3. Visibility & Wipers149 (19%)
  4. Electrical System83 (11%)
  5. Brakes65 (8%)
  6. Other59 (8%)
  7. Airbags57 (7%)
  8. Fuel System47 (6%)
  9. Steering44 (6%)
  10. Structure & Body34 (4%)

What owners report

  • Airbags fail to deploy in low-to-moderate speed frontal or side-impact crashes, sometimes leaving occupants injured.
  • Engines catch fire after unusual noises or stalling, in some cases while the vehicle is still moving on the freeway.
  • Vehicles fail to start without warning, with owners reporting engine failure tied to an electrical box component.
  • Steering wheels seize or fail to respond to input while driving at highway speed, leading to loss of control.
  • Brakes fail to provide adequate stopping power when drivers press the pedal harder to avoid a collision.
2010 Chevrolet Equinox complaints: complaints filed per quarter532010 Q12012 Q12014 Q12016 Q12018 Q12020 Q12022 Q12024 Q1
1076 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q1 to 2026 Q1; peak 2017 Q1 (53).

2010 Chevrolet Equinox recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V502000Jul 5, 2016Electrical System8,367 vehicles

    Electrical system:ignition

    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.

  2. NHTSA 14V447000Jul 23, 2014Structure & Body414,333 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.

    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.

2010 Chevrolet Equinox fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18.5 MPG
Highway
27 MPG
Combined
21.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,025
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2010 compared with other Equinox years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Avoid87782221.5
2011Avoid93782319.5
2012Caution67685321.5

All Chevrolet Equinox years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2010 Equinox ranks 3rd worst out of 16 model years, with 782 complaints and a complaint index of 87, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Equinox years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox?
Engine problems are the top issue, accounting for 41% of complaints (318 total), with a median failure mileage of 80,000 miles.
Does the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2010 Equinox, covering the electrical system and structure/body components, including a power seat height adjuster bolt issue.
How does the 2010 Equinox compare to other years?
The 2010 Equinox's complaint index of 87 is higher than most other years; only 2011 and 2025 rank worse, while years like 2017, 2021, 2023, and 2024 rank as Best.
What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox?
The 2010 Equinox gets 21.5 mpg combined (18.5 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,025.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.