Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Chevrolet Equinox owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
While I was driving the light on my dash told me to check air bags. It would nutmeg off. I took it to rydell Chevrolet and they told me that the "switch" was not working and my air bags were inoperable. They also told me that the repair was not covered and would cost me over $900.00. In was furious and spoke to Chevrolet customer service . They told me that they would talk to the dealer. They gave me $70.00 off. I will never purchase another GM product again. I still think that they should have fixed it at no charge because of the mileage on the SUV.
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 appears unsafe as if it's faulty and could initiate at any minute. After doing some research it looks as if other models with similar problems have been recalled. I've seen similar complaints online for this model but no recalls are shown. There are other 2009 gms that have recalls issued.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, there was an error code associated with the OnStar system. OnStar ran a diagnostic and discovered that the battery underneath the driver seat that was linked to the OnStar system and the air bag system failed. The failure recurred each time the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,500.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the passenger air bag warning light and the service air bag warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. The VIN was not available.
Passenger side air bag is intermittingly on and off. In motion and sitting still. Get "service air bag" on dic, and passenger air bag on/ off indicator shows off with passenger seat occupied. No pattern - just sporadic. Very concerned about it not working in a crash, as well as going off on its own. Happens stationary and in motion.
Two months after repair of vehicle, granddaughter reported that car veered to right and she could not control the car. She hit a pole and the car suffered severe damage and none of the air bags deployed. She suffered a concussion and bruises. Pictures of interior and exterior are available.
Passenger airbag will turn off while driving and with a passenger in the seat. Service airbag warning displayed in information center. This now occurs even while stationary. Can no longer have a passenger in that seat while driving.
Airbag complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the air bags of the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox, 28% of the model year's 94 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2009 Chevrolet Equinox airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Chevrolet Equinox airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.