2009 CHEVROLET EQUINOX Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox. This model year has 93 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Airbag Malfunctions.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2009 Chevrolet Equinox Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Airbag Malfunctions
Electrical Faults
Engine Problems
Considering a 2009 Chevrolet Equinox?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 26 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 22 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 18 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 | — | 1 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 93 most recent complaints
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered a fuel leak coming from the gas tank. The contact also stated that the check engine warning light was illuminating w…
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the traction control warning light illuminated and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was informed of the failure.…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND NOTICE A FUEL LEAK COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CHECK ENG…
I WAS HEADING DOWNTOWN WITH MY KIDS AND THIS CAR CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE I WAS DRIVING THIS WAS ONE OF THE WORSE DAYS OF MY LIFE CHEVROLET SHOULD BE ASHAMED ALL THEM EQUINOX NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES THIS CAR SET A LITTLE BLAZE STALLED OUT IVE ONLY …
HAD A FOUL FUEL SMELL, FOUND OUT GAS TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. REPAIR FACILITY STATED THAT CHEVY HAD THE TANK IN 'READY',NO ISSUE TO ORDER ONE. SOUNDS LIKE SOME ONE WAS READY FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. NO ASSISTANCE FROM THE DEALER OR CHEVROLET. DRIVERS SIDE FROM DOOR TO REAR OF CAR P…
WHEN YOU DRIVE IT THE TRANSMISSON WON'T SHIFT OUT OF SECOND GEAR. IT MAKES IT HARD TO GET ANYWHERE. IT ONLY HAW 110,000 MILES ON IT AND JUST HAD THE TIMING CHAIN DONE ON IT AND THE DAY WENT TO GET IT WAS ON MY WAY HOME AND WON'T COME OUT OF 2ND GEAR.
THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT STAYS ON INTERMITTENTLY AND WHEN IT DOES, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SAYS "OFF" AND NOTIFICATION MESSAGE SAYS "SERVICE PASSENGER AIRBAG". EVERY SHOP I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO SAYS THEY SEE NO PROBLEMS, BUT A DEALER HAS TO TAKE A LOOK. THIS STARTED HAPPENING IN 2018 A…
THE TIMING CHAIN AND GUIDES WENT BAD AT ONLY 110K MILES. AND IF IT WAS RECALLED LIKE THE 2009 CHEVY TRAVERSE WAS THEN I WOULDN'T HAVE HAD TO FIX IT. IT HAS THE SAME MOTOR. IT IS THE 3.6L MOTOR. BECAUSE IT IS THE SPORTS MODEL. IT WAS THROWING P0008 P0018 P0017 AND TWO TRANSMISSION…
THE TIMING CHAIN WENT OUT. *TR
THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF AND AFTER REVIEW OF THIS INFO ONLINE THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS AGAINST THIS SAME ISSUE NOT SURE WHY NO ONE WILL LOOK INTO THE RECALL NEEDED FOR THESE AIRBAGS THE DEALER IS SAYING IT WILL 1200 TO REPLACE SENSOR LIGHT PUT IN BY MANUFACTUR…
KEY WON'T RELEASE RIGHT AWAY AFTER TURNING OFF ENGINE. SOMETIMES IT TAKES A FEW MINUTES TO RELEASE . IT'S HAPPENED DOZENS OF TIMES
MY AIRBAG LIGHT AND 'SERVICE AIR BAG' LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT AND STABALIZE TRACK LIGHT WERE ALL ON FOR A FEW WEEK AND I TOOK IT TO LOCAL SHOP WHO SAID THE SENSOR FOR THE BRAKES UNDER DRIVER SEAT WAS BAD SO THAT COST $580.00 FOR NEW MODULE. THAT TOOK CARE OF ABS/STABILIZE LIGHTS. H…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING, AN ODOR OF ANTIFREEZE WAS COMING THROUGH THE VENTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEATER CORE WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE ONTO THE GROUND, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO ROLL DOWN, …
"TAKATA RECALL" SERVICE AIR BAG , THAT IS WHAT COMES UP ON DASH EVERY TIME I START THE CAR.
THE STEERING PUMP HAS GONE OUT, AND THE FLASHING ENGINE LIGHT JUST CAME ON . THE CAR IS MISFIRING. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS MODEL AND YEAR. MORE PEOPLE ARE HAVING THESE SAME ISSUES!
MY CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY DUE TO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR.
TAKATA RECALL. SERVICE AIR BAG FOR PASSENGER SEAT IS ON AND AIR BAG IS OFF. BEGAN WHILE STATIONARY WITH PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THIS VEHICLE HAS 58,000 MILES ON IT. UNACCEPTABLE THAT IT IS NOT UNDER RECALL.
THE STEERING WHEEL IT GETS SO HARD TO TURN FOR NO REASON TO TURN RIGHT OR LEFT PLEASE DO A RECALL IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ALL OF US
2009 CHEVY EQUINOX AWD HAS STEERING PROBLEM. WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT AT NORMAL SPEEDS FOR TURNS, THE POWER STEERING SEEMS TO LOSE POWER AND VERY HARD TO TURN AS IT SEEMS THE POWER STEERING ENDS. IT RECOVERS BUT INTERMITTENTLY. DOES NOT HAPPEN ON ALL TURNS BUT USUALLY HAPPENS M…
THE AIRBAG LIGHT SAYS 'OFF' WHEN THERE IS AN ADULT PASSENGER RIDING IN THE SEAT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON AND OFF FOR OVER A YEAR. THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS CRACKING AROUND THE AIRBAG. THE CRACK IS OUTLINING THE SPACE WHERE THE AIRBAG WOULD POP OUT FROM. IT APPE…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox.
Recalls for 2009 Chevrolet Equinox
0 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
No recall campaigns found for this model year in the current data. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls directly for the latest information.
2009 Chevrolet Equinox — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2009 Chevrolet Equinox has 93 NHTSA owner complaints, 5 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Airbag Malfunctions (26 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox?▾
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (26 complaints). #2: Electrical Faults (22 complaints). #3: Engine Problems (18 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox?▾
The 2009 Chevrolet Equinox has 5 crash-related complaints and 1 fire reports out of 93 total NHTSA complaints. 6 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox have any recalls?▾
No NHTSA recall campaigns were found for the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox in the current data. Always verify with a VIN check as recalls can be added at any time.
Should I buy a 2009 Chevrolet Equinox?▾
The 2009 Chevrolet Equinox has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Airbag Malfunctions issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Equinox reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2009 Chevrolet Equinox
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.