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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
70,060 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2010 Chevrolet Equinox engine problems

engine problem

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2010 Chevrolet Equinox Owner Comments (Page 1 of 14)

problem #264

Mar 042024

Equinox

  • 124,823 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked, stalled, and made a clicking sound while idling. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who stated that the exhaust camshaft timing was over-advanced beyond limits for a predetermined period, the system performance catalyst was low efficiency, and the evaporator systems had a small leak. The contact stated that two calipers and the boot of the axle were previously repaired due to a leak. The mechanic stated that the contact needed to replace the engine variable valve timing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 124,823.

- Chester, PA, USA

problem #263

Mar 222023

Equinox

  • miles
Horrible oil consumption issue. Piston rings are bad and the car doesn-??t have that many miles. A huge issue with the equinox.

- Lewiston, ID, USA

problem #262

Dec 182023

Equinox

  • miles
Vehicle started to make funny noise took to local repair shop and was informed it was the timing chain. Mechanic also told me he has been replacing quit a few on equinox lately. Called cheverlot for assistance after looking online and seeing there was a special bulletin issued a while back. The representative never informed me of it during our call nor did they acknowledge it was a problem. The Mechanic explained the dangers of it going out while driving and I think it's a pretty dangerous situation to have happen while driving. I was only informed of windshield wiper joint recall that I informed him I knew of already because mine went out while driving in the rain and had to go 2 days without wipers

- Deridder, LA, USA

problem #261

Nov 282023

Equinox

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We were unaware of the oil consumption issue related to the 2010 Equinox. As a result we purchased one with less then 100 k miles, changed the oil, and sent my college bound daughter off with it. After driving just 4-5k miles in about 3-4 months the oil was very low and ruined the engine! Now we are facing an engine replacement if the vehicles is even worth investing that much more money.

- Lindsay, CA, USA

problem #260

Oct 012021

Equinox

  • 73,740 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while checking the oil level, the dipstick was removed, and the contact detected an abnormal gasoline odor in the oil. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, who stated the vehicle was not covered under a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated there was no recall coverage for the failure. The contact stated that the failure was related to Product Emission Recall: 43180 High Pressure Fuel Pump. The failure mileage was approximately 73,740. The VIN was not available.

- Beavercreek, OH, USA

problem #259

Jun 282023

Equinox

  • miles
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.

- Hephzibah, GA, USA

problem #258

Jun 012023

Equinox

  • 192,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal fuel odor throughout the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated and stalled. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that she waited approximately 30 minutes before restarting the vehicle. Additionally, one quart of engine oil needed to be added to the vehicle every one to two months. The contact stated that after inserting the key into the Ignition, the key became stuck. The contact had to manipulate the key to be able to remove the key from the ignition switch. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the variable solenoid valve and intake and exhaust needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 192,000.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #257

Mar 132023

Equinox

  • miles
Purchased a 2010 Chevy Equinox from this Chevy dealer in the Pinehurst NC area in December 2022. Heard knocking noise start mid-March 2023. Vehicle seemed to go into "limp" mode and lost power (dangerous situation had vehicle been on interstate with no shoulder or exit ramp or could have been rear-ended due to sudden lack of power). No check engine light on at any time or when vehicle was taken to another Chevy dealer (March 20, 2023). Initially, Chevy dealer stated there were no issues. Insisted that the vehicle be checked again. Dealer took vehicle on test drive and then put on lift. Chevy dealer then stated oil loss issues and need to replace timing chains, actuators, gaskets, pistons, piston rings, oil coolant, water pump, balance chain, and other related parts. This is a design flaw in engine and piston rings causing excessive oil consumption which then leads to failure of other components. Was advised to change oil every 3,500 miles as opposed to going by the "oil" light and advised only to drive the vehicle sparingly and only if absolutely needed to drive.

- Saint Pauls, NC, USA

problem #256

Oct 052022

Equinox

  • miles
Engine cylinders & seals are faulty and easily crack causing the car to STOP /STALL WHILE IN DRIVE! I NEARLY HIT A SEMI-TRUCK BECAUSE THE CAR STOPED MID DRIVE AND THE CAR JERKED SO HARD THAT THE WHEEL JERKED TO THE SIDE AND THEN LOCKED!! AS THE CAR CONTINUED TO GLIDE IN A CIRCLE BECAUSE IT DIDNT STOP ALL THE WAY I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL TO AVOID THE SEMI, WHAT SAVED MY LIFE WAS THE CLEAR ROAD THAT ALLOWED THE SEMI TO GO AROUND ME!! MY CAR LITERALLY SAT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET ACROSS THE YELLOW LINE! This issue persists and corrupts the ENTIRE fuel system, catalytic conveyer, resonator, and timing chain SIMULTANEOUSLY! This causes each owner to replace the entire engine because it simply can not be fixed. Fixing or repairing one of the components does NOT fix the issue or stop the engine from failing, all must be replaced! Even after replacing it all THE SAME THING HAPPENS TO THE NEW ENGINE! This is a engine malfunction. The entire car/engine/blueprint should be destroyed and recalled!!! Even the mechanics and dealers are asking why these vehicles still exist and saying that the engine for this car is junk and it-??s so common for this to happen to the point that there are NO USED ENGINES FOR UNDER $2500!!! Majority of the mechanics are even REFUSING to repair/replace the engine in this car because it-??s a waste of time & money because the next engine NEW OR USED will do the same EXACT thing!! NO ONE IS GOING TO PAY $10,000+ for a NEW ENGINE or even $2500+ for a USED ENGINE PLUS $2000+ FOR LABOR ONLY FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM TO HAPPEN AFTER SPENDING $5000 - $12000+

- East Chicago, IN, USA

problem #255

Jan 022023

Equinox

  • miles
High oil consumption. Low oil pressure and reduced engine power light activated. Car could not go more than 2 RPM. Issue continues to persist despite on time oil changes, adding oil as needed, etc.

- South Whitley, IN, USA

problem #254

Nov 292022

Equinox

  • 185,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle began to lose forward motion. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the check engine and engine power reduced warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled, and he was able to pull off the roadway. The contact stopped and placed the vehicle in park(P) however, when he attempted to restart the vehicle, the vehicle would not restart. The contact checked the oil and saw that there was no oil on the dipstick. The contact had the vehicle towed to his residence where he was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or to an independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.

- South Windsor, CT, USA

problem #253

May 252021

Equinox

  • miles
Vehicle burns oil at a high rate due to an engine piston ring problem. If not checked on a weekly basis you will get low oil pressure throwing the car into limp mode decreasing engine power immediately. I know people that had this problem addressed by GM free of charge as a recall. I want to know if my vehicle qualifies for this recall.Currently this vehicle requires 1 quart of oil weekly in order to keep oil level full. If I am driving the vehicle and this would happen again it might not cause an accident but currently my wife and daughter use the car and they might not be able to handle the situation if it would occur. Thank you

- Freeland , PA, USA

problem #252

Nov 242021

Equinox

  • miles
Excessive engine repairs. I have done all the recalls and in November had to again have major engine work done on my car for excessive oil usage damaging the engine. I have also twice had transmission problems. In November my car just shut down in the middle of the highway and required major engine work done again. I have always made sure to do all the proper maintenance on this car. Now I am out of warranty and looking at around $6000 more in repairs again. I have been told by several car places that have looked at this car that there have been many problems with this car-??s engine. Engine light repeatedly goes on and when checked and fix goes off and goes back on within a week again. I have talk to GMC and they said because I am no longer under warranty nothing can be done. I feel like this car needs to be either replaced or the engine needs to be replaced by them. This last time has made me very worried since my car completely died in the middle of a busy highway.

- Asbury, IA, USA

problem #251

Oct 282021

Equinox

  • miles
BAD ENGINES ARE A KNOWN FACT FOR THIS VEHICLE. JUST TOO LATE FOR ME. FOUND OUT TOO LATE THAT A NEW ENGINE IS OVER $5000, . According to the dealer and an independent repair shop it is not unusual for this vehicle to have engine problems. Uses excess amounts of oil and lights are late to come on. Expensive to tear down the engine, . So all they can do is the best knowledge of what they see and hear. The reviews for this car state the same thing. Cost more to repair than vehicle is worth. Once again a GMC product gets me. Just because my folks liked them. NO MORE FOR ME>

- Hollywood, FL, USA

problem #250

Nov 292021

Equinox

  • 182,372 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the exhaust module and the camshaft actuators needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, while driving at 60 MPH, the warning message "Reduced Power" illuminated. The contact stated that he immediately veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that he heard abnormal knocking sounds coming from the engine. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that he continued to drive the vehicle; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the accelerator pedal had failed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 182,372.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #249

Nov 132021

Equinox

  • miles
I bought a Chevy Equinox in 6/2020 and have had high oil consumption problems. I took it in to where I bought it and they said it was a catalog converter problem along with seals and pistons that could damage your engine. After researching it, i found out there was a recall and class action suit fought in 2018 for the same problem. I was never told about this from the dealer and because it's outside the date to fix under the recall and warranty I have to pay for all the damage. The car broke down yesterday and had to be towed. What can I do? I'm still financing the vehicle

- Whitewater, WI, USA

problem #248

Oct 012021

Equinox

  • miles
I have had my vehicle for only a year and bought it used from a dealership here in town. I understand that the vehicle is nearly 12 years old though I have seen vehicles that were way older and not have half the problems that I am having with mine and it has been well keep and maintenance has been up to date. Early this week my car had been warming up for nearly 30 minutes and I put it in drive and it jerk harder then normal. I just thought it was because it went from hot to cold outside overnight that that was the problem. Though as I was driving down the street my check engine light came on and the vehicle was stalling in between 35-40 mph. So I got it check out and the code said that it was a transmission shift solenoid. I then took it to Chevy to make sure that, that was the issues and the dealership Penske Chevrolet confirmed that it was and that many of the Equinox-??s, cruzes, and traverses from the year 2009 until 2019 Health exact same issue and that several people did the complaint form in their dealership I did research online and it-??s true many people complain about this issue but I think they don-??t know where to go to file a proper complaint. I think that this problem not being recalled is absurd because it-??s costing people nearly 4, five, $6000 because of this issue when if many and I do mean many people are having this issue then chevy needs to fix this.

- Richmond , IN, USA

problem #247

May 182021

Equinox

  • miles
I have had oil consumption problems. Changed oil before due made all maintenance work on time or before due. Right after I bought it I put the main seal in it. Because it was leaking oil. That was$1000 more added to my loan. Put 4 hub bears on the front because of the steering instabilities which corrected it for a short time. But now that I am trying to sell the car I hear there is a recall on the motor but when I run it here there isn't so i am stuck. It hurts me to ride or drive it due to spine issues. And now I am stuck with this suv. Thank you GM for having us buy American.

- Richmond, IN, USA

problem #246

Nov 232020

Equinox

  • 79,000 miles
I took my SUV to the dealership on 1-8-2020 and informed them that engine light stayed on, and had a little shake, felt like it was going to cut off, and it was burning oil, left vehicle at dealership for a couple of hours, got a call saying there was no oil on dip stick, so there was a oil change did, and told to drive for 1000 miles then return for recheck, possible camshaft position fault, drove car, but before it meet the 1000 miles in had to add a quart of oil to vehicle this was over the weekend, called and informed dealership they said to bring it back so they could check it, took SUV back and was told they couldn't find nothing wrong, but it was still taking alot of oil, now the camshaft is no good, they just didn't want to fix the problem when the warranty was on it, now that the warranty is gone they want me to pay for the work, fyi there was a warranty on the SUV when I was complaining so it could have be fixed then, the same problem I was complaining about, is the same problem I got now, why do dealerships always get over people, the camshaft went out 11-23-2020

- Mauldin, SC, USA

problem #245

Feb 112021

Equinox

  • 0 miles
My vehical is burnig oil I have chaged my oil twice already this year I just changed two sensors now im getting a code for the converter

- Canal Fulton, OH, USA

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