The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for the rear tire inspection, the dealer diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the timing chain; however, the failure recurred with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to Matthews-Hargreaves Chevrolet (2000 Twelve Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48067) and diagnosed with rack and pinion, cylinder misfire, and catalytic converter failure. The dealer informed the contact that the rack and pinion and catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the windshield wipers failed to operate as needed, and the vehicle would remain on after the key was taken out of the ignition. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and reimbursed the contact for the timing chain replacement. The failure mileage was unknown.
2010 Chevrolet Equinox steering problems
44 complaints (6% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 47,000. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 44
- of this car's complaints
- 6%
- typical mileage
- 47,000
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Rack and pinion1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Chevrolet Equinox steering problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox steering
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Momentary Increased Steering Effort
On June 1, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE20-009 to investigate instances of a momentary increase in steering effort after the vehicle is driven in a straight line for a period of time due to an issue with the steering gear in model year (MY) 2010 through 2012 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain SUVs.If the electric power steering system fails to operate as intended, the driver will experience momentary increased effort when attempting to turn the steering wheel from the straight-ahead position. For this condition to occur, the driver would need to have traveled in a straight line at a sustained high speed, without turning the steering wheel, for approximately 30 minutes or longer. The steering gear contains a servo unit that includes a worm gear with a worm and a worm wheel. General Motors (GM) stated that the primary root cause of the increased steering effort is the supplier's inconsistent application of grease in the interface between the worm and the worm wheel. The grease may have been applied in a location on the worm wheel that didn't interface with the worm, depriving the worm gear of proper lubrication.On November 1, 2014, GM issued Special Coverage 14232 to address the power steering stick-slip issue in MY 2010-2014 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain; MY 2011-2014 Chevrolet Cruze and Volt; MY 2012-2014 Buick Verano; and MY 2013-2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. GM notified consumers via mail.The Special Coverage repair includes the replacement of the steering gear with an improved internal worm gear greasing process for MY 2010-2012 vehicles. For the MY 2013-2014 vehicles, the Special Coverage repair includes a reprogramming of the steering gear control module. The new software has an anti-stick feature which senses and reduces the friction between the worm and worm wheel by oscillating the worm gear. GM stated that the difference in remedy is due to the inability of the MY 2010-2012 steering gear control module to accept the new software.The remedy implemented in GM Special Coverage 14232 appears to be sufficient in addressing the safety-related concerns of this issue. Considering the low complaint and warranty rates of steering rack replacement as well as the field exposure time for the subject vehicles, the potential safety consequences of this issue are very low. To date, there have been no reported crashes, injuries, or fatalities related to this issue. ODI has not identified a safety defect or defect-related failure trend in the subject vehicles. In view of the Special Coverage, low rate of failure, and low potential hazard to drivers, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Review the ODI reports cited above at under the following identification numbers:11424633,11421725,11229647,11101375,10919921,10689932,10671557,10664687,10663350, 10593429,10592065,10585476,10585365,10576237,10575693,10532766,10490295,10434128, 10417845,10412535,10403168,10395532,10395171,10391948,10384211,10375515,10366297, 10360999,10360599,10345626,10319530,10305569,10304769,10299745
PE20009
What 2010 Chevrolet Equinox owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My transmission is not picking up accordingly. Rpm are high.
After a short warm up (5-10 minutes of driving), the steering wheel will intermittently lose power and is difficult to steer. It it doesn't matter the type or speed of driving for this to happen.
Power steering becomes stiff and variable. Doesn't go back to center after turning. This problem comes and goes.
A code randomly appears on the dash while driving. It's says to service the power steering. When this pops up you lose power steering completely. If you are in a middle of a turn, you can lose control of your car. This has almost happened to me. This code will stay on the screen then randomly goes away and power steering returns. Then all of a sudden the code will pop up when your driving and same result, no power steering. This is very dangerous when driving and this happens.
The federal safety agency reference #: 10081067 tsb reference #: g-205009 special coverage #: 14232a after the dealer replaced the parts on my vehicle, the steering wheel is still sticking and the dealer is requesting that additional part(s) from the steering wheel be replaced at my own expenses. I do believe that any additional parts required to make the vehicle safe should be at the manufacturer expenses. The troubleshooting was not done the right way in order to isolate the components.
Service stabilitrak, reduced engine power, slapping noise in steering as well as major vibration
I need to report that when driving on these icy roads that my awd equinox feels like it swerves? It feels like it takes me into the other lane most of the time. Now, I don't know if its the awd causing it but other awd vehicles that I've driven have never did it this bad to the point that it feels almost like my back end starts going sideways.
Driving down the road going 55mph and all of a sudden I loose speed control to almost 20 MPH. I try to press the gas to accelerate and it feels like the brakes are being pressed down. Have to press gas pedal almost to the floor to get it off the road safely. Immediately turned on emergency flashers to alert vehicles behind me. Stabilitrk light and tc light comes on. I have read plenty of forums having this same problem with the 2010 cheverelet equinox and nobody seems to know the solution to this problem. Have had several mechanics and break specialist look at the problem and they are confused to why this is happening. I have a small child in the back seat. Thank god we weren't on a 70 MPH highway and that happened. There could have been fatalities. I dont have any mechanic receipts because they dont know what to start to fix the problem with. They said it could be numerous ideas( brakes, throttle, electrical, etc). This should be investigated immediately!!
While driving my equinox, there was a whining noise that started. When I turn my wheel, the steering wheel is making a grinding noise. And becomes very loose. I currently do not feel safe driving this car
Questions about the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox steering
Does the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox have steering problems?
Owners have filed 44 complaints about the steering of the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, 6% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2010 Chevrolet Equinox steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 47,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox steering?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Chevrolet Equinox have bad steering?
The Chevrolet Equinox model years with the most steering complaints are 2007 (78 complaints), 2005 (50 complaints) and 2008 (44 complaints).
Other 2010 Chevrolet Equinox problems
Engine 300Transmission 182Visibility 158Electrical 81Airbags 57Driver assistance 50Fuel system 48Acceleration 32Brakes 23Body 22Suspension 10Seats 9Wheels 8Lights 6Seat belts 6Tires 6Locks 5
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