Model year record
2009 Chevrolet Equinox recalls & problems
The 2009 Chevrolet Equinox has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 94 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is air bags (26 complaints).

Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2009 Chevrolet Equinox 4-DR. w/SAB
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 16.4% |

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Equinox FWD
| City / highway | 17 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Equinox AWD
| City / highway | 17 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Equinox FWD
| City / highway | 17 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Equinox AWD
| City / highway | 16 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 26 | 74,245 mi |
| Electrical systemIgnition › Switch; Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer | 24 | 87,800 mi |
| Engine | 18 | 78,200 mi |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 12 | 71,627 mi |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 72,545 mi |
| Power train | 10 | 107,500 mi |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 8 | 87,407 mi |
| Unknown or other | 7 | 103,011 mi |
| TiresPressure monitoring and regulating systems; Valve | 6 | 52,789 mi |
| VisibilityGlass, side/rear; Power window devices and controls | 5 | 85,600 mi |
| Steering | 5 | 80,000 mi |
| Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump | 4 | 65,500 mi |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Electrical system › Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer
Odometer Fraud - The contact purchased a 2009 Chevrolet Equinox. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 186,425 as stated on the contract. The contact stated that the speedometer was possibly tampered with because the odometer reading was not displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic c reading was provided and the speedometer reading was repaired and the mileage was 300,107.
- Fuel system, gasoline
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 while driving up an incline; however, the light disappeared shortly afterwards. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that there were no open recalls on the VIN. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
- Traction control system
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. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
- Fuel system, gasoline
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 ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.*DT*DT*JB
- EngineFire
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 SEEN CHEVY EQUINOX DO THIS
- Structure › Body
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 PAINT IS FALLING OFF. I CAN SEE AND FEEL SOME SORT OF 'BUBBLES' UNDER THE PAINT. LOOKS LIKE NO RECALL.
- Engine
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.
- Air bags
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 AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE. I HAVE BEEN READING THAT THIS IS PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL OF EQUINOX AROUND THIS TIME IN ITS LIFE. THE STABLE TRACK IS SIMILAR. EVERY SO OFTEN, IT STOPS WORKING BUT THEN MOST OF THE TIME IS FINE. *TR
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.