YearToAvoid

2010 Chevrolet Equinox Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox has a complaint index of 90, the third-worst of 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Engine problems dominate with 318 complaints (41% share) and a median failure mileage of 80,000, backed by 3 recalls.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
90/100
#3 of 21 Equinox years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
784
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
15
reported in complaints
Fires
9
Injuries
23
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2021
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
21.5
18.5 city / 27 hwy
Injuries / deaths
23 / 0

Top 2010 Chevy Equinox problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA 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 System48 (6%)
  9. Steering44 (6%)
  10. Structure & Body35 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in low-to-moderate speed frontal and side collisions, sometimes with injuries.
  • Owners describe the engine stalling or catching fire, in one case after smoke appeared from the engine compartment following a crash.
  • Some vehicles failed to start suddenly, later tied to what owners called engine or electrical box failures needing dealer repair.
  • One owner reported the steering wheel seizing at highway speed, causing a loss of control and a crash into a guardrail.
  • A separate steering complaint describes the wheel not responding in a curve, followed by brakes that did not stop the car before it went into a ditch.
  • An electrical fire was reported after the engine made noise and stopped, with the vehicle burning shortly after being pulled over.
2010 Chevrolet Equinox complaints: complaints filed per quarter372009 Q42011 Q42013 Q42015 Q42017 Q42019 Q42021 Q42023 Q4
784 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2009 Q4 to 2026 Q1; peak 2017 Q1 (37).

2010 Chevrolet Equinox recalls

3 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.

  3. NHTSA 09V489000Dec 23, 2009HVAC59,031 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.

    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.

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)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2008Good20370019
2009Good094019.5
2010Avoid90784321.5
2011Avoid95782319.5
2012Avoid75685321.5

All Chevrolet Equinox years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
Compared with other Equinox model years, 2010 ranks third-worst out of 21 years tracked, with a complaint index of 90 and an Avoid verdict.
What is the main problem with the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox?
Engine problems are the top complaint area, accounting for 318 complaints and 41% of all reported issues, with a median failure mileage of 80,000.
Does the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2010 Equinox, covering the electrical system, structure/body power seat height adjuster bolts, and an HVAC windshield defrosting issue.
How does the 2010 Equinox compare to other years?
The 2010 Equinox scores worse than most other years; only 2011 (complaint index 95) and 2025 (complaint index 100) rank higher in complaints among Avoid-rated years.
What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox?
The 2010 Equinox gets 21.5 mpg combined (18.5 city, 27 highway) according to EPA data, with an 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.