Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2010 Chevrolet EquinoxRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 784 owner complaints for the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. Most complaints involve engine (271) and power train (182). The EPA rates it 20–26 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
20–26mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jul 2016
Owner complaints
784
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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."

Electrical systemReported Jul 5, 2016NHTSA 16V502000

Seats: power adjust

Remedy pending

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.

SeatsReported Jul 23, 2014NHTSA 14V447000

Visibility: defroster

Free remedy

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.

VisibilityReported Dec 23, 2009NHTSA 09V489000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

784 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2009 – Mar 2026
  1. Engine271
  2. Power train182
  3. Visibility/wiper132
  4. Electrical system81
  5. Air bags57
  6. Electronic stability control (esc)49
  7. Steering44
  8. Vehicle speed control32
  9. Fuel/propulsion system32

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Equinox model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2005638
2006695
2007685
2008370
200994
2010784
2011783
2012685
2013751
2014549
2015680
2016399
2017276
2018410
2019310
2020318
2021100
2022182
202399
2024192
2025407
202679
20271
Crashes reported
15
Fires reported
9
Injuries reported
23
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

271 reports3 crashes6 fires
“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 fire. No warning lights were illuminated prior to the failure. AAA was called, and the vehicle was towed to her residence. The occupant called 911, and the fire department was able to extinguish the fire. There were no reported injuries. The local dealer was called, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 27, 2026EngineFire reportedODI 11727517

Power train

182 reports1 crash1 fire
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 21, 2026Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11725985

Visibility/wiper

132 reports
“The climate controls, including the seat warmers, located on the control panel directly below the radio/stereo controls on my 2010 Chevy Equinox stopped working. As a result, the ability to control the temperature and direction of heated/cooled air was lost. I tolerated the conditions for several seasons, winter being the toughest due to temp and the need for defrost, until buying a new car (as an addition, not a replacement vehicle). As my oldest child became of age to begin driving, I've attempted to prepare the car for his driving and safety. In researching how to repair this malfunction, I came across a recall that addresses this exact problem; however, upon taking my Chevy Equinox to my local Chevy dealership, I discovered that my VIN is not on the list for this repair. The coincidence that my car falls in the category of vehicles included for this recall (Bulletin No.: 09298C), but is not included is confusing, to say the least. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to this failure that began in 2019.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 11, 2024Electrical system, Seats, Visibility/wiperODI 11630057
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Equinox FWD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223226$2,400342
Equinox AWD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · All-Wheel Drive
202923$2,700386
Equinox AWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · All-Wheel Drive
172420$3,100444
Equinox FWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172520$3,100444
  • Equinox FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 32 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Equinox AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Equinox AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Equinox FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 5691
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2010 Equinox questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2010 Chevrolet Equinox problems?

Owners filed 784 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (271), power train (182), visibility/wiper (132). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox at 20–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026