Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
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. …
In 2015, I took my car to monument Chevrolet and told the dealership that my car is not unlocking the doors when I am using the remote. I had to use my key to unlock my driver side door manually and the reach over to unlock the other doors. Before the dealership even ran a diagnosis test, they told me that it was my lock mechanism and it was going to cost me $300.00 per door to find the problem. I decline and told them I will do it the old fashion way by using the key. It looks and seems like the dealership knew there was a existing problem with this model vehicle as quickly as they quoted me a price without even looking at the problem and that there is a major electrical issue with this vehicle. There should be a recall for the malfunction. Now its over a year and I still have to unlock my car the old fashion way even after I changed the battery in the remote.
Having problems with my driver side door electric window and door locks not functioning properly or not at all. I have someknowledge of electrical systems so I started troubleshooting the problem. After 5 minutes I found the source of the problem to be completely broken wires that are part of the wiring harness right before it goes through the driver side door and protected by a rubber boot/sleeve . Almost all wires that are part of the wiring harness at this location were either broken as I mentioned or the insulation was so bridle and cracked that the copper wire strands were exposed. This is in a tight spot and would be hard to splice. I took a picture to support what I am writing and I've attached it. I believe this is an electrical fire hazard if the exposed wires ever come in contact with chassis ground.
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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving 50 MPH and attempting to roll the window down, the switch would not work. The contact made several unsuccessful attempts. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was checked again and the contact was informed that if there were any issues with the wiring, the contact would be liable for the repairs. When the drivers side door was opened, the contact noticed that the wiring harness fractured and the wires were brittle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,351.
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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition switch. The contact called the dealer (dick shirley Chevrolet at [phone], located at 2616 alamance rd, burlington, nc 27215) and was advised to place wd-40 on the ignition switch to remove the key. The contact did as advised and was able to remove the key. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Electrical complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox, 24% of the model year's 94 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › switch (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Chevrolet Equinox electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 3 injuries to electrical system 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.