Most common 2009 Chevrolet Equinox problems
Share of the 94 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Equinox complaints by model year
Best Equinox years: 2021, 2017, 2016. Years to avoid: 2025. Compare all years →
What 2009 Chevrolet Equinox owners say
Air bags all 26 →
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 appears unsafe as if its faulty and could initiate at any minute. After doing some research it looks as if other models with similar problems have been recalled. I'm reporting this because I saw an expose on the Takata airbags and GM was mentioned. I've seen similar complaints online for this model but no recalls are shown. There are other 2009 gms that have recalls issued. A body shop told us we should contact the dealer for an estimate because there were recalls on their airbags but the dealer said there are none. I'm taking the vehicle to the dealer for a free estimate after notifying them the crack has been developing for some time and we've been waiting on a recall.
Airbag warning light on - took to mechanic yesterday and they found the following "b0074 & b0081 set. Diagnosed and found passenger presence module internally failed". They told me it's a 800+ repair. Called dealer priority cheverolet in chesapeake virginia and they said to check connections below seat as they sometimes come loose. As an engineer I find it hard to believe that such a vital life saving device would have such an easy single point failure to be so easy to come loose as by simple moving the seat. When you observe the switch module below the seat it is just there dangling! This needs to get rolled up as a recall.
Electrical system all 23 →
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.
Our vehicle's radio began to not shut off after the driver side door was opened, and the keys were out of the ignition. We brought it to the dealership and was convinced that it was either the door switch or the radio. Having a major guard protection plan, the radio wasn't to be covered and the door switch would. I chose not to have the problem fixed thinking that we'd continue to shut the radio off. It wasn't until the driver side power window stopped working and I replaced the motor (to no avail) and did some research online did I find that similar owners had the same symptoms. I eventually researched and found that the electrical pathway from the car body to the door caused the wires inside to stretch, crack, and break. The 2 wires that were broken were the door sensor wire and the power window wire. …
Engine & cooling
I was recently in a vehicle accident. My vehicle shut off as I was driving and in route of a traffic light. As a result of my vehicle shutting off, I had no brakes and was therefore unable to prevent my vehicle from proceeding through a red light. I then hit a tow truck and was t boned. My vehicle was totaled as a result and myself and my 2 children were transported to our local emergency room due to injuries. Previous months I've had a issue with the vehicle shutting off while driving. All the gauges went down and the vehicles' engine was appeared to be shut off. I also have had the vehicles engine remain running after turning the vehicle off and removing the keys from my ignition. I would try turning it on and off several times to get the engine to eventually shut off and would have several failed attempts.
Vehicle displayed will in motion merging on to the highway. That when you take off a delay happens at over 4000 rpms or at anytime you try to go over 4000rpms. Its like the engine cuts off or loses acceleration an stays at 40 MPH and will not accelerate until the gauge for rpms goes back down under 4000 rpms. Then the engine will start to accelerate again like a normal vehicle until you try to pickup speed or accelerate over 4000 rpms.
2009 Chevrolet Equinox engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 24 / 20 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 24 / 20 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 24 / 19 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 24 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox a good car?
Based on 94 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Equinox rates better than average: 86% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Equinox at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox?
The air bags — 26 complaints, 28% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (23) and engine & cooling (18).
How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Equinox?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2021, 2017 and 2016. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2025. See the full Chevrolet Equinox years comparison.
At what mileage do 2009 Chevrolet Equinox problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 79,000 miles; 18% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.