2010 Chevy Equinox Key Replacement

The 2010–2017 Equinox uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Chevrolet Equinox key guide.

2010 Chevrolet Equinox: key facts

Key type: Remote-head key
Push-to-start: No
Transponder chip: 46E (Hitag2 Extended)
Programming: OBD
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

Catalogs label this chip ID46 or 46E interchangeably (same Hitag2 family). Push-button start was not offered on this generation.

What kind of key does a 2010 Equinox use?

The 2010 Equinox uses a remote-head key. That means the lock buttons and the metal blade are built into one piece, and inside the plastic head sits a transponder chip. For this year, the chip is the 46E, which is part of the Hitag2 Extended family. You may see parts catalogs list it as ID46 or as 46E. Those labels point to the same Hitag2 family, so don't be thrown if two websites disagree on the name.

There is no push-button start on this generation. You put a key in the ignition and turn it. The car checks the chip in the key before it will keep running, so a key that is cut correctly but has no programmed chip will turn the lock and then fail to start the engine.

There is also a mechanical backup key for this vehicle. If the remote portion stops working, the blade can still open the door and the ignition, provided the chip in that key is recognized by the car.

What usually goes wrong with these keys?

The problems we see on this setup fall into a few predictable groups:

Cracked remote-head shells, broken flip hinges and worn buttons. The key takes a lot of daily abuse, and the plastic wears out before the electronics do.
Remote battery failure. The buttons stop working, but the key may still start the car. This is a different repair from a lost key.
Low-quality cloned or aftermarket chips that fail intermittently. A cheap copy may start the car for a while and then act up without warning. If your key works only some of the time, a bad chip is a common suspect.

Do I need a duplicate, or is this an all-keys-lost job?

For a 2010 Equinox, both are possible. Making a duplicate is the simpler path, and it requires an original key to work from. If you still have one working key, make the copy now, before the second key becomes a replacement for a lost one.

If every key is gone, we can still make a new one. It is a bigger job because the car has no working key to learn from, so the new key must be cut and programmed from scratch. Programming for this year is done through the OBD port, and it does not require NASTF SDRM access. In practice, that means we can handle it ourselves instead of sending you to a dealer.

Whichever situation you are in, keep in mind that a spare costs far less effort now than it does after the last key disappears.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

We answer around the clock, every day of the year.

Call (213) 577-1366

What affects the price of a 2010 Equinox key?

We don't quote numbers on a web page because the real figure depends on your situation. Here is what moves the cost up or down:

Duplicate versus all keys lost. Having an original key to copy is usually the more economical route.
How many keys you need cut and programmed in one visit.
Whether the old key just needs a new shell or battery, or needs a whole new key.
Where the vehicle is. If it is at home or work and we come to you with a mobile van, that differs from bringing it to our storefront.
The condition of any existing aftermarket or cloned keys, which may need to be replaced rather than reused.

What do we still confirm in person?

The data for the 2010 Equinox chip and programming method is verified. Even so, we confirm by VIN and in person before cutting anything, because a vehicle can be different from the catalog. Trim, build date or an earlier replacement key can matter. If something does not match what we expected, we tell you plainly and adjust the plan rather than guess.

Any locksmith company in California is required to hold a BSIS LCO license, and you should ask whoever you hire for it. That is a fair question for any company, including us.

Why call Wilshire Lock & Key?

We have been in business since 1987, with a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood and mobile service vans. You deal with one company from the phone call to the finished key, not a dispatch service passing your job along. David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work. Our phone line at (213) 577-1366 is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round.

If you want to see the broader picture, you can browse car key services, look at Chevrolet key options, or read about the Equinox across model years. To describe your situation directly, use the contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox have push-button start?

No. Push-button start was not offered on this generation. The 2010 Equinox uses a remote-head key that goes into the ignition and turns.

What transponder chip does a 2010 Equinox key have?

It uses a 46E chip, which is in the Hitag2 Extended family. Some catalogs label it ID46 or 46E, but both refer to the same Hitag2 family.

Can you make a key if I lost all of my 2010 Equinox keys?

Yes. All-keys-lost is possible for this setup. It takes more work than a duplicate, since there is no working key to copy, and we confirm the vehicle by VIN first.

Do I need to have an original key to get a copy made?

Yes, a duplicate requires an original key. If you still have one, copy it before it is lost or damaged.

Is a dealer visit required to program the key?

No. Programming on this year is done through the OBD port and does not require NASTF SDRM access, so we can do it without a dealer.

My Equinox key works only sometimes. What could be wrong?

A low-quality cloned or aftermarket chip is a common cause of intermittent starting. A weak remote battery can also stop the buttons from working, though it usually does not affect starting. We can test the key and tell you which problem you have.

My key shell is cracked and the flip hinge is broken. Do I need a whole new key?

Not always. Cracked shells, broken hinges and worn buttons are common on these keys. If the chip and electronics still work, the repair may be lighter than a full replacement. We check the key first and then recommend the option that makes sense.

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Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.

Last updated 2026-10-11.