2010 Chevrolet Equinox: engine and transmission complaints
HIGH COMPLAINT SIGNAL
60%
432 of 726 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system
60% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.
Worse than 79% of the 1,230 model years we track (2010–2023).
Excludes 58 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 55%).
The percentage is each model year's drivetrain complaint share. No elevated signal describes the model year, not any one car; a well-kept example of a flagged model can still be the right buy, and any of these still needs an inspection.
What owners reported
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE09/16/2019FIRECRASH1 INJURED
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. WALLY EDGAR CHEVROLET (3805 S LAPEER RD, ORION CHARTER TOWNSHIP, MI 48360, 248-494-8698) WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE COVERED UNDER A POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. THE CONTACT PURCHASED AN EL…
POWER TRAIN11/28/20111 INJURED
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING ON A STEEP INCLINE WITH THE GEAR IN PARK AND THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARD AND ENDED IN A NEIGHBOR'S FRONT YARD WEST OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DAMAGED BUT AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENTER THE VEH…
ENGINE03/27/2026FIRE
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…
Three of 432 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
Recall campaigns on this model year (3)
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 b…
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…
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…
This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.
Before you buy a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
Ask the seller whether the engine has ever been repaired or replaced, and whether the car has shown stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light.
Drive it from a cold start and long enough to warm up. Many engine faults hide once the car is warm.
Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose, and tell them to focus on the engine.
3 recall campaigns on this model year. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on the VIN; the report checks that.
Ask for service records. A engine already replaced under warranty is a different car from one that was not.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history
report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition
of any individual vehicle.
