RoadVitals

2010 Chevrolet Equinox Transmission Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the transmission system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Transmission reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Dec 23, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
1%
of 784 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming transmission

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Transmission
Filed Dec 23, 2024

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at 25 - 30 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. No warning lights illuminated. However, after the failure, the low engine power warning message would display. The vehicle was able to restart however the failure would recur. The failure occurred on 4 separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was no oil, although the panel showed the vehicle had 40% oil, transmission, and a high-pressure fuel pump. The vehicle was repaired but the failures persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 115,000.

NHTSA ID
11632196
Incident
Aug 5, 2024
Mileage
115,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Nov 28, 2011
1 injury reported

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 VEHICLE, SHE WAS DRAGGED BACKWARD AND SUSTAINED INJURY TO THE ARMS AND LEGS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. UPDATED 01/18/12*LJ

NHTSA ID
10437502
Incident
Nov 26, 2011
Mileage
25,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Aug 12, 2011

I HAVE A 2010 CHEVY EQUINOX THAT HAS A HARD SHIFT BETWEEN 31 AND 48 MPH. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 8 TIMES AND STILL NO FIX. THE GM ENGINEER FOR THE OK AREA CAME DOWN AND DROVE IT LESS THEN 5 MILES AND SAID HE THINKS IT IS MY DRIVING HABITS. TOOK IT BACK AND THE GM AREA REP DROVE IT LESS THEN 5 MILES AND SAID IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION TO DO THAT. I CAN NOT GET THE DEALERSHIP TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE GM SAYS IT IS OK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10419220
Incident
Sep 9, 2010
Mileage
10,926 mi
Transmission
Filed Aug 4, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15 MPH AND DOWN A STEEP HILL WHEN THE GEAR FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ABRUPTLY DEPRESS THE BRAKES REPEATEDLY IN ORDER FOR THE GEARS TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEARS WOULD ONLY SHIFT FROM FIRST TO THIRD, BUT NOT SHIFT INTO ANY LOWER GEARS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE COMPUTER WAS RESET YET THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO LOWER GEAR, MOST OF THE TIME. UPDATED 10/24/11

NHTSA ID
10417032
Incident
Jun 4, 2011
Mileage
27,000 mi
Driver assistanceTransmission
Filed Dec 1, 2010

WHILE DRIVING ON LEVEL PAVEMENT AT 65 MPH, WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL ON, ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED 2 GEARS, AND THE TACH ROSE TO 5300 RPMS. I TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND IT DISENGAGED THE CRUISE AND PROCEEDED IN A NORMAL CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10368586
Incident
Nov 27, 2010
Mileage
8,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Oct 15, 2010

I OWN A 2010 CHEVY EQUINOX LTZ. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN APRIL. SOON AFTER WE NOTICED A DEFINITE CLUNKING SOUND WHEN THE CAR SHIFTED FROM 2 TO 3 GEAR, AROUND 3000 RPM. IT ONLY HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY. I HAVE FOUND OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IS GM GOING TO LOOK INTO THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM? *TR

NHTSA ID
10360632
Incident
May 15, 2010
Transmission
Filed Sep 3, 2010

SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY 2010 CHEVY EQUINOX I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING ROUGH SHIFTS (CLUNKS INTO GEAR) WHEN THE VEHICLE SHIFTS UP INTO 3RD GEAR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG BUT WENT AHEAD AND FLASHED THE ECU. THE VEHICLE WORKED FINE FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS THEN BEGAN TO DO THE SAME THING AGAIN. AT TIMES IT CLUNKS SO HARD IT FEELS LIKE YOU HAVE HIT SOMETHING. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINS ON EDMUNDS ABOUT ROUGH SHIFTS UP AND DOWN GEARS. THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER COMPLAINT ON HERE. GM NEEDS TO FIX THIS ISSUE OR REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10353724
Incident
Apr 10, 2010
Mileage
1 mi
Transmission
Filed May 4, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN SHE SHIFTED FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. SHE NOTICED THE PROBLEM SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT IT WAS NORMAL. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HESITATED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,600.

NHTSA ID
10328826
Incident
Feb 18, 2010
Mileage
12 mi
ElectricalTransmission
Filed Feb 4, 2010

ON 09/04/09 I BOUGHT A NEW 2010 EQUINOX AND WITHIN 3,000 MILES I BEGAN EXPERIENCING SIGNIFICANT SHIFTING ISSUES AND ROUGH IDLING/STALLING AT STOPS. ON 01/08/10 I WILL BE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE SHOP FOR THE 4TH TIME IN 60 DAYS FOR THESE PROBLEMS. VERY CONCERNING IS THAT EVERY TIME I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE A NEW GM SERVICE BULLETIN EXISTS FOR THESE PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, GM IS NOT PROACTIVELY ADDRESSING THESE KNOWN ISSUES WITH BUYERS. RATHER THE ONUS HAS BEEN PUT INTO THE BUYERS HANDS. WHY IF THEY KNOW A PROBLEM EXISTS ARE THEY NOT OBLIGATED TO CONTACT BUYERS? THERE ARE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF OTHERS EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS YOU WILL FIND ON THE WEB, IE EDMUNDS. THE FOLLOWING IS A CHRONOLOGY OF MY EXPERIENCE: #1) 12/08/09-2,561 MILES: CAR HESITATING BADLY WHEN ACCELERATING, VIBRATING BAD AT IDLE WITH S INTERMITTENT STALLS. GM BULLETIN 4469G-METAL SHAVING LEFT BEHIND IN THE TRANNY. REPLACE OIL, REPLACE ACTUATOR SOLENOIDS DUE TO DEBRIS BUILD-UP. #2) 12/15/09-2,713 MILES: ROUGH IDLING/HESITATION. REPLACED OIL LIKE BEFORE, NO DEBRIS. SERVICE BULLETIN FOR ECM UPDATE FOR TCM AND PCM. SERVICE TECH TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD SEVERAL OTHER BUYERS EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS. #3) 12/22/09-2,939 MILES: UNABLE TO MERGE ONTO THRUWAY AND GET UP TO SPEED DO TO BUCKING AND VEHICLE NOT ACCELERATING/SHIFTING. ALMOST INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT TRYING TO MERGE AND GAIN SPEED. BUCKING AT STOPS AND STALLING. SERVICE CODE P0011 FOUND IN COMPUTER FOR INTAKE POSITION SYSTEM FAILURE. NEEDED 2 CAM SHAFT ACTUATORS AGAIN. REPLACED OIL & FILTER. 01/08/10-~3,900MILES: CONTINUED ROUGH IDLE. POOR/HARD SHIFTING/HESITATION TO SHIFT ESPECIALLY IN 3 & 4 GEAR. IN 3 & 4 ENGINE SOUNDS MUFFLED AND STRUGGLES TO GAIN SPEED AS IF THE TRAN IS UP-SHIFTING TOO QUICKLY. WHEN UP-SHIFTING IN HIGHER GEARS IT HESITATES AND THEN JOLTS. IN SUMMARY, I AM TAKING VEHICLE IN FOR THE 4TH TIME, SAME PROBLEMS. NYS LEMON LAW BEING CONSIDERED. EACH TIME I HAVE LOST VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10305267
Incident
Dec 8, 2009
Mileage
2,600 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .