Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Chevrolet Equinox owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while slowing to stop the vehicle, the side curtain air bags erroneously deployed. The contact stated that the front and rear driver's side and passenger's side curtain air bags deployed without a crash. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Accident April 26, 2021 where our vehicle was hit "Straight on Front Left" and seat belt tensioner did not restrain the passenger & "Air Bag did not deploy". Request EDR (Event Data Recorder) be scanned to determine what happened and how the car systems functioned or did not function properly. Driver suffered head trauma as a result of the accident. Please advise on action needed to follow up on this malfunction.
After taking my vehicle to three repair shops I was advised by the last body shop that there was a bulletin (14159) out in regards to excessive engine oil consumption. The mechanic explained the issues I am having with my car is due to the excessive engine oil consumption. He stated the car is not losing oil it's burning it. My entire engine is effected due to this issue. To go further in detail my car was cutting on and off in the middle of traffic. This is a huge safety issue for me I have a disabled son who I travel with on the daily. I quote " All consumers should receive notice of a recall affecting them. Car manufacturers are required to notify registered owners and purchasers of all recalled cars by letter, and state agencies will provide manufacturers with lists of registered owners for this purpose." I never received a letter concerning a recall or this issue. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving approximately 45 MPH, one of the tires on the passenger side exploded and caused the driver's air bag to deploy without warning. There were no injuries from the deployment. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road. Suddenly, the vehicle accelerated and crashed into the guardrail. The contact suffered head injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The dealer (scoville-meno Chevrolet GMC, 8 s main st, bainbridge, ny 13733, [phone]) was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 142,000. Carfax not able to process VIN updated 9/26/18
Tl* the contact owned a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving approximately 65 MPH in the left lane of three lane traffic, a semi-truck merged from the middle lane to the left lane and crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The contact's vehicle spun around and the air bags did not deploy. The contact was knocked unconscious and received extensive medical treatment. The contact sustained injuries to the wrists, back, and neck and had a ct scan for lower back pains. The manufacturer was not notified of the crash. The insurance company towed the vehicle to a yard. A police report was filed. The contact was unable to determine why the air bags had not deployed and the vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 103,070.
Tl* the contact owned a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving 35 MPH, the contact attempted to avoid hitting a deer and struck the guardrail. The air bags failed to deploy. The emergency OnStar system responded and called the police and ambulance. The vehicle was towed to a collison center where the vehicle was diagnosed as destroyed. The contact sustained injuries to the head, neck, back, and hands. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.
I was driving in traffic when the car in front of me stopped abruptly in front of me. I read ended him going about 40 miles per hour. My air bags did not inflate. I exited the car and began speaking with the other driver when we heard a pop in my car. Smoke starting coming out of the engine compartment and then almost immediately my car engine caught on fire. The car was not running. I injured my knee and shoulder in the incident.
On December 27, 2015, we were driving on the freeway 465 in indianapolis; we were on the left lane, approx. 65 miles per hour when we heard a huge explosion. My husband was driving and was able to control de car and drive to the right where we were able to stop the car. The smell of burning was pretty intense, we were nervous and shook up for what had happened so my husband steps outside to view the vehicle and the vehicle doesn't have a scratch nothing showing that we hit something, he looked at the road and everything was clear. We call our insurance for a towing truck and they told us to call 911 for a faster service. When I call 911 they told me the police was not able to get involved because it was not an accident. After 1 hour waiting for towing truck, my husband decides to turn the car back on, and it did. Nothing was wrong with the engine, tiers, nothing. …
On February 26, I was driving my 2010 Equinox to my mechanic for an annual vehicle inspection and to find out why my service airbag light was on. As I was driving smoke started flowing out from under the passenger side dashboard. I stopped the car and got out thinking it was going to go on fire. After several minutes, the smoke stopped and I proceeded to my mechanic. On March 10th my mechanic had the car in his garage and was completing the inspection and he decided to investigate why the car would have been smoking. He decided to let the car idle in the shop to see if it would start smoking. As moments passed the mechanic told me he heard a 'firecracker' sound and looked to see that the driver's side airbag deployed without reason. I was told by the mechanic to take it to a Chevy dealer. …
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
Airbag complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 57 complaints about the air bags of the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, 7% of the model year's 784 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Chevrolet Equinox airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Chevrolet Equinox airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 1 fire and 15 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.