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2009 Chevrolet Equinox

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox are lower than the model-year median of 382.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

77 reports with mileage · 17 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

94 reports
88,000 miles · Jun 22, 2018
Air Bags

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11103495

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2018
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

TAKATA RECALL. I SEE THAT THE 2009 CHEVY EQUINOX IS NOT ON THE SCHEDULE TO BE RECALLED, HOWEVER, THERE ARE SO MANY WITH THE SAME AIRBAG PROBLEM. IT'S A SCANDAL THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO GET AWAY WITH NOT RECALLING. SAME PROBLEM WITH THE STABILLINK, TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS LIGHTS. IT IS A PROBLEM FOR ALL OF THESE VEHICLES!

NHTSA ODI #11093374

150,000 miles · Apr 23, 2018
Electrical System

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 (336) 792-1922, 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 …

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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 (336) 792-1922, 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.

NHTSA ODI #11089620

50,000 miles · Apr 12, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineUnknown Or Other

CHEVY EQANOX RECALL. WHEN RAINING OR ON WET ROADS OR SNOW THIS LIGHT POPS UP AND SAYS ENGINE REDUCING POWER AND SAYS SERVICE STABILITY TRACK THEN SHUTS THE CAR DOWN I THINK THAT THIS IS A RECALL BECAUSE SEVERAL OF INDIVIDUALS I KNO HAVE CHEVYS AND HAVE THIS ISSUE I TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THEY NEVER. FIGURED OUT FOR ME .

NHTSA ODI #11084730

100,000 miles · Apr 4, 2018
Air Bags

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11083278

136,000 miles · Feb 2, 2018
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD ONLY BLOW COLD AIR AND THE WINDOWS COULD NOT BE DEFROSTED. THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD ONLY BLOW COLD AIR AND THE WINDOWS COULD NOT BE DEFROSTED. THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

NHTSA ODI #11066613

129,700 miles · Jan 24, 2018
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED FORWARD AND THE CONTACT USED THE GEAR SHIFTER TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL.THE STABILIZATION SYSTEM INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (AUTO PLAZA CHEVROLET MARBLE HILL, 100 CONRAD ST, MARBLE HILL, …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED FORWARD AND THE CONTACT USED THE GEAR SHIFTER TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL.THE STABILIZATION SYSTEM INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (AUTO PLAZA CHEVROLET MARBLE HILL, 100 CONRAD ST, MARBLE HILL, MO 63764) STATED THAT THE HOSES NEEDED TO BE CLEANED AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 129,700.

NHTSA ODI #11064627

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2018
Electrical System

I HAVE HEAT PROBLEMS, I HAVE PUT $1,200 INTO THE REPAIRS AND TO NO AVAIL THERE STILL IS A PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI #11058349

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2017
Air BagsEngineUnknown Or Other

I AM FILING MY COMPLAINT DUE TO SOME RE-ACCRUING ISSUES THAT I CONTINUOUSLY HAVE WITH MY TRUCK I JUST BOUGHT IN JUNE OF 2017. I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR OVERHEATED NEEDLE FLUCTUATIONS AND SHUTTING DOWN ON ME. THE AIR BAGS DOES NOT WORK FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THERE ARE A COUPLE OF SENSORS THAT ARE ON AND CONSTANTLY STAYS ON…

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I AM FILING MY COMPLAINT DUE TO SOME RE-ACCRUING ISSUES THAT I CONTINUOUSLY HAVE WITH MY TRUCK I JUST BOUGHT IN JUNE OF 2017. I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR OVERHEATED NEEDLE FLUCTUATIONS AND SHUTTING DOWN ON ME. THE AIR BAGS DOES NOT WORK FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THERE ARE A COUPLE OF SENSORS THAT ARE ON AND CONSTANTLY STAYS ON WHEN CRANKING THE CAR AND DRIVING. I ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT HEARING A RUBBING GRAINING NOISE ALSO HEAR A TRICKLING NOISE WHEN PRESSING THE GAS TO GO. I HAVE HAD MY CAR WORKED ON BY A MECHANIC TWICE. HAD MY RADIATOR FLUSHED THERMOSTAT REPLACED AND ANTI-FREEZE TAKE FLUSHED AND STILL THE SAME ISSUES. MY COOLAN FAN CAUSES MY BATTERY TO GO DEAD AND HAVE TO GET A JUMP START MORE THAN ONCE. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING SITTING OR EVEN ON THE HIGHWAY. I'M TAKING THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIGURE THE ISSUE OUT.

NHTSA ODI #11035892

109,260 miles · Oct 18, 2017
EngineVehicle Speed Control

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 WIL…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11034342

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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