2009 Chevrolet Equinox

Routine

Owners filed 94 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. No safety recall has been issued.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
79,000 milesMedian miles at failure

77 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,00090,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags25
202
Electrical System14
000
Engine12
114
Electronic Stability Control (esc)7
000
Fuel/Propulsion System6
000
Power Train5
000
Steering4
000
Wheels3
000
Vehicle Speed Control2
000
Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems2
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer
Filed May 7, 2026300,107 milesOH

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
Filed May 30, 202346,000 milesSD

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
Filed May 26, 2021160,000 milesMI

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
Filed Mar 12, 202166,000 milesMO

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
Filed Oct 8, 2020SC

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
Filed Aug 14, 202098,000 milesVA

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
Filed Jul 13, 2020110,000 milesKY

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
Filed Jul 4, 2020120,000 milesCO

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

Engine
Filed Jun 4, 2020110,000 milesKY

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 CODES SO I BELIEVE THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD NOW. IT IS THROWING CODES P0752 AND P0700. *TR

Engine
Filed Jun 2, 2020110,000 milesKY

THE TIMING CHAIN WENT OUT. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Dec 26, 2019FL

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 MANUFACTURER THIS IS INSANE AMOUNT OF MONEY NEEDED TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE ON THE RIDE THIS IS MUST HAVE ITEM IN A CAR

Steering
Filed Dec 20, 2019KS

KEY WON'T RELEASE RIGHT AWAY AFTER TURNING OFF ENGINE. SOMETIMES IT TAKES A FEW MINUTES TO RELEASE . IT'S HAPPENED DOZENS OF TIMES

Air Bags
Filed Nov 12, 2019TX

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. HAD TO TO GO DEALER FOR AIRBAG LIGHTS AND THEY CHARGED $1070.00 BECAUSE THE AIRBAG MODULE UNDER PASSENGER SEAT WAS OUT AND HAD TO REPLACE (PART 560 PLUS LABOR). I DON'T FEEL LIKE I SHOULD HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR THE AIRBAGS!! THE AIRBAG LIGHTS WERE ON FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND NEVER WENT OFF SO I FINALLY GOT TIRED OF IT...NO MATTER IF SOMEONE WAS SITTING IN SEAT OR NOT, OR WHETHER IT WAS IDLE, IN MOTION, ETC.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 16, 2019115,000 milesCT

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, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TURN SIGNAL FAILED TO LOCK IN PLACE WHILE IN USE, AND THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULB FAILED FOUR TIMES WITHIN THE YEAR AND WAS REPLACED BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 21, 201963,000 milesPA

"TAKATA RECALL" SERVICE AIR BAG , THAT IS WHAT COMES UP ON DASH EVERY TIME I START THE CAR.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 3, 201883 milesWA

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!

Air Bags
Filed Oct 29, 2018200,000 milesIN

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.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 25, 201857,500 milesKY

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.

Steering
Filed Oct 4, 2018TN

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

Steering
Filed Sep 14, 201880,000 milesKS

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 MANY TIMES IN A DAY. HAPPENS DURING COOL OR WARM DAYS AND ALL KINDS OF OTHER WEATHER SITUATIONS. I HAVE READ THAT OTHER GM VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED DUE TO THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. SEEMS TO BE A VOLTAGE DROP AND THEIR FIX IS A SOFTWARE UPDATE. THIS ISSUE IS BEING EXPERIENCED BY MANY CHEVY EQUINOX OWNERS. THE TURNS GET HARD AND THEN SEEMS TO RECOVER WHEN ACCELERATING INTO THE TURN. THIS HAS TO BE A VOLTAGE DROP ISSUE OR SIMILAR. THIS CAN CAUSE.AN ACCIDENT IF IT OCCURS AT THE WRONG TIME. PLEASE.HELP GET A RECALL.ON THIS.

20 of 94 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2010
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202670110Routine
2025224000Above average
202478110Routine
202395300Routine
2022170630Routine
202194400Routine
2020306471Fatalities reported
2019301470Above average
2018407541Fatalities reported
2017272040Above average
2016395130Above average
2015679260Above average
2014546140Above average
2013751250Above average
2012683360Above average
2011782332Fatalities reported
2010784390Above average
2009 — this page94010Routine
2008370010Above average
2007685460Above average
2006695091Fatalities reported
20056381130High concern

Compare every Equinox year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.