9.1

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$5,000
Average Mileage:
87,650 miles
Total Complaints:
11 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace engine (6 reports)
  2. not sure (4 reports)
  3. replace timing belt (1 reports)
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.

problem #11

Sep 012017

Equinox LS 2.4L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,652 miles

After the recall that replaced the high pressure oil pump, engine oil starts to disappear. I need to check the oil level and add oil every month. Then the car will shake at idle and the engine is running between 500 to 800 rpms. Sometimes the engine will shutdown. This problem only happens when idle rpm is coming low. Now, this vehicle will temporarily lose power when driving.

- JSNN X., Winnipeg, MB, Canada

problem #10

Dec 222017

Equinox LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

In February of 2016, my husband and I purchased my 2010 Chevrolet Equinox (93k miles) from Serra Chevrolet of Nashville. When we purchased this vehicle we also paid the additional money to have the “Total Care” package from EasyCare.

On December 22nd, 2017 as we were traveling to our hometown, our vehicle unexpectedly lost acceleration while driving on the highway. This was not only very scary, but also very dangerous. Imagine other vehicles whizzing by at 80mph at night and your car only wants to go a fourth of that. The screen read, “reduced engine power”. We were fortunate that no one ran into the back of our vehicle, before we could pull off on to the shoulder.

The car was towed the remainder of the drive and then taken to Flow Chevrolet mid January 2018. While at this dealership, Mr. Sprinkle handled any of our questions or concerns. When he completed the diagnosis the following codes came back, p0016 crankshaft position not plausible, p0089 fuel pressure regulator performance, p228d fuel pressure reg 1 performance, ebcm v0100-71 lost communication. We were never given a clear explanation of what these codes meant, only that Sprinkle recommended that the pistons and rings/ timing chains be replaced for $5629.67 or an engine swap for $9250.76.

Our Chevrolet Equinox is up to date on routine services and the engine still runs, yet we were told it needed a completely new engine. A new engine for a car this age, mileage and maintenance record is atypical. Come to find out, there are numerous service bulletins with similar problems with the 2010 Chevrolet Equniox.

With purchasing the “Total Care” package from EasyCare, we assumed we would be covered until February 4th, 2018. That was not the case. Our Equinox was over the “allotted” mileage, despite it not being past the 4th. With that being said, EasyCare relayed to Flow Chevrolet in Winston-Salem, that they would not help with the needed expensive repairs.

After being denied by EasyCare, we contacted Serra Chevrolet in Nashville to voice our concerns about the vehicle they so proudly sold us. We talked one of the Pre-Owned Sales Manager. He basically told us that it was out of Serra Chevrolet’s control and all up to EasyCare. They would not take ownership for selling a vehicle with a prominent underlying problem. We trusted that this vehicle and our warranty would provide us with transportation.

Car forums all over the Internet have complained about the exact same issues with their 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. That’s when we decided to contact the Chevrolet Customer Service to find out about any extended warranties this vehicle SHOULD have. Shockingly, this issue has not been recalled. We filed a “cost assistance” claim on 1/25/2018 and were told a senior advisor would contact us within 1-2 business days. She got back with us and informed us that Chevrolet denied helping fix the car.

We were completely ripped off.

Long story short - DO NOT BUY A CHEVY EQUINOX!!!!

- Spencer M., Bunnlevel, NC, US

problem #9

Oct 022016

Equinox LX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

I purchased a pre-certified used vehicle before I left VA to PCS to Ohio. I bought to vehicle in January and not even nine months later my car engine stalled out on me while driving with my family from church on the highway. I call down to Va and they tell me I am covered and now the dealership in Ohio is telling me I am not covered. I asked before I left was there any existing warranties items or issues with this car and was told nothing all issues replaced.

- tyypearson, Reynoldsburg, OH, US

problem #8

Apr 012014

Equinox

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

My son used my car to take his date to the prom. When he came home, he told me the car kept shutting off and the engine light was on. It was raining really bad and our dirt road was pretty wet. I thought that he must have splash through a puddle and got something under wet the hood. The next morning, I tried to drive it to the Dealership. It kept shutting off on me too. I eventually had to call a tow truck. He was extremely embarrassed to take his prom date out in a car that wouldn't' run.

When the dealership checked it out, they said that the timing belt teeth had sheared off and had cascaded through my engine like shrapnel exploding from a bomb. They had to replace the belt, water pump, and a lot of other things. It was the worse case they had seen. It was all covered under warranty. There was a recall on this issue. Apparently the timing belts that came with this car were brittle and break easily. I had my car back in 2 days.

I've had an engine rebuild from another issue and a new timing belt, so hopefully the engine wont have any major breakdowns. But now at 101,000 everything else has started breaking. Save your money people. Don't purchase an Equinox.

- Ruby D., Reidsville, GA, US

problem #7

Jun 262016

Equinox V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

stalls every time i use the brakes

Bought the car in November of 2010, fule pump went out and dealership replaced. In 2015 control panel went crazy shutting down the vehicle, dealership said it was the battery, I had to replace it (I didn't believe it). Warranty ran out on November 15, 2015 (7months ago) Since then the oil light comes on, took it to the dealership they said it was almost empty after just having oil change 30 days prior (car now sucks oil). The the passenger side air bag light randomly goes on & off now, took it back to dealership, they said it was loose wiring, said they fixed it, NOW IT JUST STAYS ON 😡 and I refuse to pay again!!! Now the vehicle stalls every time I stop at a light, stop signs or before I can get it into park. It's at the dealership AGAIN NOW!!! Dealership is saying now that the timing chain needs to be replaced and that the motor is basically shot (75,000 miles)and it will be over $4000.00 to fix it 😡😡Does anyone know what or if there's anything I can do?

- Shelly B., Morehead, KY, US

problem #6

Feb 272016

Equinox 1LT FWD 2.4L 4-cyl, Dohc Sidi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

The Equinox operated great up until 2/27/2016. It just stopped at a stop sign. It rattled a little and just shut down. I had it towed to my local Chevy dealer where I have all of my maintenance work done. The service manager called this morning and said it was the engine and they will have to get inside of the engine to determine exact problem at a cost of $450! That is the cost before any repair or replacement cost is quoted.To average a little over 14,000 miles a year on a car and have all of the required and suggested maintenance performed and then have the engine go out. It is just ridiculous. I am reading on the internet that is a pretty frequent problem with this engine. Two of my friends purchase an Equinox base on my recommendation. I will have to call them today and inform them of my issue.

- wattgolf, St. Louis, MO, US

problem #5

Oct 242015

Equinox LX 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

The car engine would slow down and then stop on the highway. Would not restart.

/

- robertobird, Mount Dora, FL, US

problem #4

Oct 022015

Equinox LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles

I BROUGHT THIS CHEVY EQUINOX 5 MONTH AGO THE CAR STOP ON ME. I WAS TOLD THE ENGINE NEED TO BE REPLACE. THERE WAS NO OIL LEAKS IN THE CAR THE TIMING CHAIN LOOSENING WHICH CAUSE MANY MORE PROBLEMS. NOW I NEED A NEW ENGINE. THIS IS A 2010 I CHANGE MY OIL TWICE SINCE I HAD THE CAR THE LAST ONE WAS AUGUST 6, 2015 IT STOP OCTOBER 2, 2015 I TOWED IT TO CHEVY

- Sharelle P., Bloomington, MN, US

problem #3

May 152015

Equinox LX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 123,000 miles

Another day in the shop and still nothing figured out.

- Curtis D., Dunnegan, MO, US

problem #2

Apr 122015

Equinox LT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 133,333 miles

We purchased the car at Chevy of Irvine and since we bought it a year ago only problems arise all the time, not counting all the recalls issued to the vehicle and after many problems with the car, specially the engine, the dealer replaced the entire engine for a new one.

Still, the engine stalls during driving in the highway or at the stop light.

It just came back from a recall for emissions and now the car is worst than before. Called the service dept. and the person in charge doesn't pick up and I have left voice mails and no reply yet.

It is a lemon.

- Carl G., Los Angeles, CA, US

problem #1

Aug 052013

Equinox

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

While driving the Equinox it will shut off. I have to put the Equinox in park, wait a few minutes then start it again. This will happen 2 or three times in 50 miles or less. This becomes a danger when in traffic if I can't coast it to the side of the road. At this time the Equinox will not start and I have had no luck with Chevrolet to resolve the issue. They push me aside and tell me its my fault not theirs. I'm thinking about drawing lemons on poster board, finding a way to get to the dealership or Chevrolet Home Office and sitting outside with this and telling people that if you buy from Chevrolet you will buy a LEMON and they don't care what happens to you.

Needless to say this is not the first issue that I have had with the Equinox. Issues started within one month of buying the Equinox. My sister warned me about buying a Chevrolet and their problems, I'll listen next time and go for a non-American car.

- Tamera W., Big Rock, VA, US