Windshield wipers mechanism popped on my Chevy equinox.
2010 Chevrolet Equinox visibility problems
158 complaints (20% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 95,000.
- owner complaints
- 158
- of this car's complaints
- 20%
- typical mileage
- 95,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Defroster/defogger/HVAC system9
- Windshield wiper/washer4
- Windshield wiper/washer: motor3
- Defroster/defogger/HVAC system: heater core2
- Windshield1
- Sun/moon roof assembly1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Chevrolet Equinox visibility problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox visibility
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Visibility: defroster/defogger/HVAC system
- What is wrong
- General motors is recalling certain model year 2010 chevrolet equinox and gmc terrain vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 103, "windshield defrosting and defogging systems and with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 101, controls and displays". The software in the center instrument panel can cause the heating, air conditioning, defrost, and radio controls, as well as the panel illumination to become inoperative.
- Risk
- Driving without a functioning defrost system can decrease your visibility under certain driving conditions and could result in a crash without warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the computer module in the center instrument panel free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during january 2010. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463 or at www.gmownercenter.com.
Recall number 09V489000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative
On December 13, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) upgraded RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis (EA19-005) to further assess the MY2010-2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain windshield wiper failures. Due to a prior recall, 16V‑582, addressing this issue in the MY2013 subject vehicles, MY2013 was not included in the analysis. To date, ODI had received 998 complaints with allegations of the front windshield wiper failing in adverse whether conditions, while the vehicle was in motion.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V‑582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intruding into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint resulting in loss of windshield wiper function. ODI?s review focused on 2010-2012 and 2014-2016 Equinox and Terrain vehicles. Owners were reporting a high rate of failures of the windshield wiper system. These failures were the same as that addressed by recall 16V‑582. ODI's review of data supplied by GM as well as its own confirmed a high failure rate in model years 2014 and 2015. On March 17, 2022, GM filed a defect information report recalling all MY2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles to remedy the potential failure of the front windshield wiper transmission assembly.General Motors is also conducting a special coverage program, N192266181, for MY2010-2012 and MY2016-2017 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The special coverage is for a period of 15 years or 200,000 miles, whichever comes first.Both the recall, 22V‑165, and the special coverage program, N192266181, address windshield wiper system failures on the subject vehicles. The dealership will inspect the front wiper assembly for ball joint wear. Depending on the degree of wear, the wiper links will be replaced, and a water shield installed or the entire module will be replaced.In view of the recall and special coverage, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis (EA). the federal safety agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at under the following ODI identification numbers in a separate attachment.
EA19005
Windshield Wiper Transmission Failure
On November 2, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ18-002) to assess the scope of Recall 16V‑582.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V‑582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intrusion into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint with an attendant loss of windshield wiper function. The recall remedy addressed these conditions with the installation of an improved windshield wiper motor/transmission assembly and the relocation of a drain hole on the Air Inlet Panel at the base of the windshield.RQ18-002 was opened to assess windshield wiper failure rates in the MY 2010-2012 and MY 2014 - 2016 Equinox and Terrain (subject vehicles).During the course of the investigation, ODI received additional consumer complaint traffic bringing its total to 602 concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. In their December 20, 2018 response to ODI's Information Request (IR) Letter, GM reported 1,303 complaints related to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. Together, these bodies of data correspond to 1,905 unique Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN).GM stated the recalled vehicles exhibited double the warranty rate and five times the complaint rate of the subject vehicles and that continuing complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles stemmed from publicity surrounding Recall 16V‑582.ODI's review of GM's data confirms the stated difference in failure rates between the recalled and subject vehicles. However, ODI believes that the subject vehicle failure rates are nevertheless elevated and that publicity alone cannot account for the continued consumer complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. ODI is upgrading to RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis to compare subject vehicle failure rates and engineering practices to those in peer vehicles.The 602 ODI complaints cited can be viewed in a separate attachment.
RQ18002
What 2010 Chevrolet Equinox owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The climate controls, including the seat warmers, located on the control panel directly below the radio/stereo controls on my 2010 Chevy Equinox stopped working. As a result, the ability to control the temperature and direction of heated/cooled air was lost. I tolerated the conditions for several seasons, winter being the toughest due to temp and the need for defrost, until buying a new car (as an addition, not a replacement vehicle). As my oldest child became of age to begin driving, I've attempted to prepare the car for his driving and safety. In researching how to repair this malfunction, I came across a recall that addresses this exact problem; however, upon taking my Chevy Equinox to my local Chevy dealership, I discovered that my VIN is not on the list for this repair. The coincidence that my car falls in the category of vehicles included for this recall (Bulletin No.: 09298C), but is not included is confusing, to say the least. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to this failure that began in 2019.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the defroster became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle became very difficult to drive due to the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the actuator had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the computer module in the center instrument panel had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the failure was associated with TSB: 09298C (Heating and Windshield Defrost Inoperative. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in TSB: 09298C. The approximate failure mileage was 235,000.
I have a 2.4 ltr Chevy equinox and the engine went out at 140000miles, no warning symbol. Left me stranded in the middle of nowhere, two days after being stuck in a rain storm, when I found out my wipers died.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the front windshield wipers became inoperable. The contact's wife was driving at night while it was raining. The contact stated that after inspecting and researching the cause of the failure, he discovered that a failure with the windshield wiper transmission assembly. The contact became aware that the windshield wiper transmission assembly needed to be replaced. The contact stated that he would repair the vehicle himself. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,011.
while driving in a rain storm my wipers stopped working. Had to move from 3 lanes of traffic to the side of the road with zero visibility out of my front windshield. Wipers had no power, windshield wiper module failed.
My windshield wipers quit working while it was raining. Preventing me from being able to see the road and other vehicles on the road.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 chevrolet equinox. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed during a hail storm, the windshield wipers were activated on high setting however, after wiping up and down twice, the wipers became inoperable. The contact stated that tony divino toyota (777 w riverdale rd, riverdale, ut 84405) had repaired the wiper blades a year prior however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000.
I've had countless issues from this vehicle since I've gotten it between a constant check engine light having to replace all the sensors and it goes away or oil like nobody's business I stay putting oil in it twice a week as of the past few days I was coming home from taking my brother to karate and my check engine light start flashing in my stability track came on and due to the oil leak it cause my engine to crack a ring so now my vehicle is basically totaled its heartbreaking cuz the amount of money and repairs are put into it it's been one problem after another I highly do not recommend this car to anybody
Questions about the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox visibility
Does the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox have visibility problems?
Owners have filed 158 complaints about the visibility of the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, 20% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2010 Chevrolet Equinox visibility problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 95,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox visibility?
Yes, 1 recall: 09V489000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Equinox have the most visibility problems?
The Chevrolet Equinox model years with the most visibility complaints are 2006 (280 complaints), 2015 (278 complaints) and 2014 (185 complaints).
Other 2010 Chevrolet Equinox problems
Engine 300Transmission 182Electrical 81Airbags 57Driver assistance 50Fuel system 48Steering 44Acceleration 32Brakes 23Body 22Suspension 10Seats 9Wheels 8Lights 6Seat belts 6Tires 6Locks 5
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