YearToAvoid

2010 Chevrolet Equinox Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 318 engine-related complaints for the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, 41% of its 782 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 81,700. No related recall is listed for this engine issue.

Engine complaints
318
41% of 782
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
81,700 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report sudden engine fire, sometimes starting from the engine compartment while parked or shortly after the vehicle stalled or lunged.
  • Some describe the engine losing power at highway speed accompanied by grinding or banging noises before the vehicle stopped moving entirely.
  • Others report the engine seizing after consuming excessive oil, described as burning about one quart per week between scheduled changes.
  • A few owners noted the vehicle failed to start or stalled without warning, in one case at low speed in traffic.
  • Early complaints from very low mileage describe overheating and rough cold-start idling that dealers could not diagnose.

When 2010 Chevrolet Equinox engine complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 9, 2010, latest Mar 27, 2026.

2010 Chevrolet Equinox engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter162010 Q12012 Q22014 Q22016 Q22018 Q22020 Q22022 Q42025 Q2
318 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q1 to 2026 Q1; peak 2017 Q1 (16).

Engine recalls for the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Equinox model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2010318 (41%)
  2. 2011443 (57%)
  3. 2012372 (54%)
  4. 2013426 (57%)
  5. 2014243 (44%)
  6. 2015239 (35%)
  7. 2016214 (54%)
  8. 2017195 (71%)
  9. 2018104 (25%)
  10. 2019111 (37%)
  11. 2020107 (35%)
  12. 202118 (19%)
  13. 202229 (17%)
  14. 202317 (18%)
  15. 202419 (24%)
  16. 202531 (14%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine complaints for the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA lists 318 engine-related complaints for the 2010 Equinox, which is 41% of the 782 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox engine problems?
No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for this engine issue.
At what mileage do 2010 Equinox engines typically fail?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this engine issue is 81,700 miles.
Did the 2010 Equinox engine problems cause any fires or crashes?
NHTSA data tied to this engine issue shows 6 fires, 5 crashes, and 2 injuries reported.

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.