Problems · by component
2010 Chevrolet Equinox air bags problems
57 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox cite air bags, 7% of all 784 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
57
7% of all complaints
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
15
Reported by owners
What owners say about the air bags
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“After taking my vehicle to three repair shops I was advised by the last body shop that there was a bulletin (14159) out in regards to excessive engine oil consumption. The mechanic explained the issues I am having with my car is due to the excessive engine oil consumption. He stated the car is not losing oil it’s burning it. My entire engine is effected due to this issue. To go further in detail my car was cutting on and off in the middle of traffic. This is a huge safety issue for me I have a disabled son who I travel with on the daily. I quote “ All consumers should receive notice of a recall affecting them. Car manufacturers are required to notify registered owners and purchasers of all recalled cars by letter, and state agencies will provide manufacturers with lists of registered owners for this purpose.” I never received a letter concerning a recall or this issue. I took very well care of my vehicle my car is a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox and it only has 108,774miles. This is so devastating I have no other transportation and now I’m stuck looking for a new vehicle. If any documentation is needed I can assure you I can provide it.”
“The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while slowing to stop the vehicle, the side curtain air bags erroneously deployed. The contact stated that the front and rear driver’s side and passenger’s side curtain air bags deployed without a crash. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.”
“Accident April 26, 2021 where our vehicle was hit "Straight on Front Left" and seat belt tensioner did not restrain the passenger & "Air Bag did not deploy". Request EDR (Event Data Recorder) be scanned to determine what happened and how the car systems functioned or did not function properly. Driver suffered head trauma as a result of the accident. Please advise on action needed to follow up on this malfunction.”
“I'VE HAD COUNTLESS ISSUES FROM THIS VEHICLE SINCE I'VE GOTTEN IT BETWEEN A CONSTANT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAVING TO REPLACE ALL THE SENSORS AND IT GOES AWAY OR OIL LIKE NOBODY'S BUSINESS I STAY PUTTING OIL IN IT TWICE A WEEK AS OF THE PAST FEW DAYS I WAS COMING HOME FROM TAKING MY BROTHER TO KARATE AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT START FLASHING IN MY STABILITY TRACK CAME ON AND DUE TO THE OIL LEAK IT CAUSE MY ENGINE TO CRACK A RING SO NOW MY VEHICLE IS BASICALLY TOTALED ITS HEARTBREAKING CUZ THE AMOUNT OF MONEY AND REPAIRS ARE PUT INTO IT IT'S BEEN ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER I HIGHLY DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS CAR TO ANYBODY”
“ON FEBRUARY 26, I WAS DRIVING MY 2010 EQUINOX TO MY MECHANIC FOR AN ANNUAL VEHICLE INSPECTION AND TO FIND OUT WHY MY SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. AS I WAS DRIVING SMOKE STARTED FLOWING OUT FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD. I STOPPED THE CAR AND GOT OUT THINKING IT WAS GOING TO GO ON FIRE. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, THE SMOKE STOPPED AND I PROCEEDED TO MY MECHANIC. ON MARCH 10TH MY MECHANIC HAD THE CAR IN HIS GARAGE AND WAS COMPLETING THE INSPECTION AND HE DECIDED TO INVESTIGATE WHY THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN SMOKING. HE DECIDED TO LET THE CAR IDLE IN THE SHOP TO SEE IF IT WOULD START SMOKING. AS MOMENTS PASSED THE MECHANIC TOLD ME HE HEARD A 'FIRECRACKER' SOUND AND LOOKED TO SEE THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT REASON. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC TO TAKE IT TO A CHEVY DEALER. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND TOLD THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THIS STORY AND THEY WERE UNSURE WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN. THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT YET HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO RECTIFY IT WITHOUT COST TO THE OWNER. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE HORROR THAT WOULD HAVE ENSUED IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,096.”
Showing 6 of 57 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.