The 2010 Equinox only lasts around 150,000 miles with engine failures and broken transmissions. At $6,844 – 8,062, it’s too expensive since it breaks down a lot.
Is the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox a Good Used SUV?
- No, 2010 is a bad year for the Equinox. Owner reviews complain a lot about engine problems, electrical issues, and high ownership costs.
- Reliability ratings are terrible. Avoid models from 2010 through 2015 with some reliability improvements in 2016.
- Performance is below average with the 4-cylinder, but a bit better with the V6.
- The Equinox is a safe SUV, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests.
- Fuel economy is good at up to 26 MPG combined.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Equinox?
- Consumer Reports says the Equinox is sluggish to drive and has very low owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the Equinox a 4.2/5 liking the interior storage, but disliking the bad steering.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Equinox 4.0/5 and enjoy the roomy interior, but dislike how fast they lose value.
What Common Problems Does the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox Have?
The problems found on the 2010 Equinox are serious and include engine piston and ring issues, transmission failures, and heater system problems.
Engine problems with the pistons and rings are the most common complaints showing up at around 75,000 miles. The rings fail and have to be replaced, costing around $3,000. Some owners replace the entire engine due to damage, which costs nearly $5,000.
Transmission failures are another frequent problem showing up at around 70,000 miles. The components wear out quickly, and replacing the entire assembly costs around $3,000.
Heater system problems also happen in the Equinox at around 100,000 miles. Usually the problem is just caused by a failed blower motor actuator, which only costs $450 to replace.
There are 3 recalls, with the most serious being for an issue which allows the key to be removed while the SUV is not in park, which leads to roll-away situations.
How Long Will the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox Last?
A properly maintained 2010 Equinox should last around 150,000 miles, which is half as long as top-rated competitors like the Toyota RAV4. Regular annual maintenance costs are more expensive than other SUVs, according to Repair Pal, at $667 per year.
Most used Equinox models from 2010 will have over 100,000 miles, so buyers should be prepared to replace the head gasket for $1,200, A/C evaporator costing $1,000, and the fuel tank which costs around $550.
The equinox is very reliable no problems so far and it is a great car for the price of the car! It drives very smoothly and runs great!
No I've never had a problem. I've kept up with basic maintenance and she still purrs like a kitten almost 10 years later.
For the most part it is good. Few minor problems with some sensors around the tires. Would recommend.
Not reliable at all. We have owned it for a few months and have spent over $3000.00 in repairs. Starter went out, battery, and major engine problems.
It is very reliable. The only problems I have had were a few issues with the transmission, which was easily fixed, and some tire problems.
Quite reliable. However, am having a major tune-up to include the computer system at this point. First tune-up since it was purchased over 5 years ago.
Problems with oil consumption and pistons, otherwise it is a reliable vehicle and I love it. I just hope that Chevy will fix the problem on newer models of the Equinox
I only know my car is in working condition at the moment. I did need to have the ECU replaced, which cost me $600. Everything seems to be running at the replacement.
How Much Is the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox Worth?
Blue book values range from $6,844 – 8,062, making the Equinox about $3,000 more than other SUVs like the Ford Escape or Subaru Forester. When new, the price range was $22,615 to $29,970. Depreciation is worse than average, losing about 15% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Equinox?
There are four different models of the Equinox available. The whole SUV was just redesigned for the 2010 model year, with a new infotainment system added in 2013.
LS is the entry-level model with:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Cruise Control
- Power Adjustable Seats
- OnStar
- 6-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo With Satellite Radio & 3.5mm AUX
1LT is a step up and adds:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Upgraded Cloth Seating
- Tinted Windows
- Roof Rails
2LT adds features such as:
- Automatic Climate Control
- Remote Ignition
- Fog Lights
- Rearview Camera
- 8-Speaker Pioneer Stereo With Bluetooth & USB Connectivity
LTZ is the luxury model and has:
- 19-Inch Chrome Wheels
- Leather Seating
- Automatic Headlights
- Heated Front Seats
What Engines Come In the Equinox?
- The base engine is a relatively weak 2.4L 4-cylinder making 182 horsepower and getting up to 26 MPG combined.
- An available upgrade is the more powerful 3.0L V6, which has 264 horsepower and gets up to 20 MPG combined. Performance is okay taking about 8 seconds to go 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Equinox Come In?
How Big Is the Equinox?
The 2010 Equinox is a compact SUV similar in size to the Toyota RAV4 and Jeep Liberty. Passenger room is better than a lot of rivals with more legroom than rivals thanks to sliding and reclining backseats.
The cargo space is good for a compact SUV as well, with 31.4 cubic feet of room, with the seats up, increasing to 63.7 when folded flat.
How Does the Equinox Compare to the Competition?
The Chevy Traverse is a competitor from Chevrolet, which costs about $600 more. Passenger space is better in the Traverse, but the Equinox has more up-to-date technology. We recommend neither, since they both have a lot of mechanical problems for the 2010 model year.
The Honda CR-V is another rival costing about $2,000 more. Technology and performance are better in the CR-V, but the Equinox has a more luxurious interior. We recommend going with the CR-V since they last much longer, and do not have any serious mechanical issues.
Do Owners Recommend the Chevy Equinox?
Yes very great to drive especially in the winter time when it snows really bad! It is not a gas guzzler and it takes less money to fill the gas tank up each week!
Yes the best I have ever had. I would recommended this vehicle to anyone. All around awesome vehicle!!
Yes drives great roomy good on gas dependable good in the different weather conditions sound system is good heat and air work great.
No, lots of problems. Major fixes, not great gas mileage and does not drive well in the winter. Starter goes out often.
It is a really great family vehicle, I feel safe putting my kids in this car. Overall look and feel is really good.
Yes. Roomy, fits 5 easily, yet not too large; handles very well on the open highway and maneuvers great in heavy traffic.
For the most part yes. Although I did just have to get a bunch of work done on it, but it was covered under the piston policy
Even though my particular car has some issues, it is ok to drive. I have seen others with this same model with real problems such as sudden stops while driving, so I consider myself lucky.