Is the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox a bad year?
784 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 297, 8.5× a quiet Equinox year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox were filed between 52k and 110k miles. You're at 82,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2010 Equinox owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 82,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 297 (38%) | 52k–110k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 182 (23%) | 56k–106k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 158 (20%) | 64k–120k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability controlSTANDS OUT | 49 (6%) | 72k–125k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 81 (10%) | 17k–95k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 57 (7%) | 29k–112k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 48 (6%) | 24k–112k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Steering | 44 (6%) | 8k–92k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Speed control | 32 (4%) | 64k–110k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 23 (3%) | 65k–117k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Body structure | 22 (3%) | 16k–101k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 10 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 9 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 8 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 82,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 784 complaints: 15 mention a crash · 9 mention a fire · 20 report an injury · 33 say the car was towed.
3 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Mar 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
My wife and children were driving our Chevrolet equinox on the highway coming off of an on ramp when the vehicle started to make some noise.
Incident occurred: june 30, 2015 a tractor trailer was passing another vehicle and proceeded to come into the left lane.
When starting the vehicle at any time the engine idles very rough and rpms fluctuate significantly enough that it shakes the vehicle.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 82,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox: 3
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. If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
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. 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.
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. Driving without a functioning defrost system can decrease your visibility under certain driving conditions and could result in a crash without warning.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 531
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
If the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
Engine Run-On, Rough Running, Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Momentary Increased Steering Effort
Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative
Windshield Wiper Transmission Failure
Neighbouring years
2009 Equinox: 94 complaints, keep it · 2011 Equinox: 782 complaints, consider selling.
Every Chevrolet Equinox year
2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Equinox years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox a bad year?
784 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 297, 8.5× a quiet Equinox year. At 82,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox were filed between 52k and 110k miles. You're at 82,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (297), transmission and drivetrain (182), visibility and wipers (158), stability control (49), electrical system (81). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 52k–110k miles.
How many recalls does the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 16V-502), Seats (NHTSA 14V-447), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 09V-489). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.