2009 Chevrolet EQUINOX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
94 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
79,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 77 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 26 of 94 complaints (27.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 10.6% |
| Braking behavior | 9 | 9.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 8.5% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 5.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 3.2% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 3.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 26 |
| Electrical System | 22 |
| Engine | 18 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 12 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 11 |
| Power Train | 10 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
Air Bags: 26; Electrical System: 22; Engine: 18; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 12; Vehicle Speed Control: 11; Power Train: 10; Fuel/Propulsion System: 8; Unknown Or Other: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 20 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 22 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 16 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 20; 75,000 to 99,999: 22; 100,000 to 149,999: 16; 150,000 and above: 5
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (22). 17 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 24 |
| 2015 | 11 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 13 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 3; 2012: 5; 2013: 6; 2014: 24; 2015: 11; 2016: 8; 2017: 6; 2018: 13; 2019: 5; 2020: 6; 2021: 2; 2023: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10596317 · 2014-06-05 (June 5, 2014)
THE DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW STOPPED FUNCTIONING. WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE WINDOW WITH THE CONTROL. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT IF THE DOOR WAS OPENED THE CONTROL FUNCTIONED. I TOOK THIS VEHICLE TO THE BLAISE ALEXANDER DEALERSHIP IN MUNCY, PA FOR REPAIRS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE WIRE THAT CONTROLLED THIS FUNCTION WAS "CRIMPED" AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE OTHER WIRES (6 IN ALL) WERE GOING TO FAIL EVENTUALLY. AFTER SEARCHING THE WEB FOR LIKE PROBLEMS I DETERMINED THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. MY CONCERNS ARE IF THIS W…
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10596317 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10620819 · 2014-08-08 (August 8, 2014)
STABILITY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON WITH OTHER WARNING LIGHTS (CAN'T REMEMBER SPECIFICALLY WHAT THEY SAID) AS I WAS DRIVING 40 MPH. CAR SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 20 AND WOULD NOT GO ANY FURTHER. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS REPAIRED. SINCE THEN, I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLES. THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE SAME WILL COME ON PERIODICALLY BUT ONLY AS I START THE CAR .. MAYBE 1X EVERY 3 MONTHS WITHOUT ANY OTHER PROBLEMS. THE ELECTRICAL IN THE CAR IS [XXX]. MY AUTOMATIC DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. …
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10620819 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10294161 · 2009-12-01 (December 1, 2009)
1.I WAS DRIVING THE CAR HOME FROM THE AIRPORT. AS I APPROACHED AN INTERSECTION WITH A STOP TRAFFIC SIGNAL, I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, HOWEVER, THE CAR CONTINUED TO TRAVEL WITHOUT SLOWING DOWN. I KEPT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AS FAR AS I COULD BUT THE CAR CONTINUED AT THE SAME SPEED. AS I ENTERED THE INTERSECTION I SWERVED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID HITTING ANY VEHICLES, HOWEVER, I SIDESWIPED A VEHICLE ON MY LEFT AND FINALLY CAME TO A STOP WHEN I HIT A ROAD BARRIER ON THE RIGHT. 2. WHEN A WRECKER CAME TO HAUL MY CAR AWAY, THE BRAKES W…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10294161 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10468073 · 2012-07-28 (July 28, 2012)
I BOUGHT THIS EQUINOX IN TEXAS USED WITH 24,071 MILES ON IT. DROVE IT BACK TO OHIO WITH NO PROBLEMS WHAT'S SO EVER. THEN WITH 43,396 MILES, THE IGNITION WIRES STARTED TO FAIL. IRONICALLY I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM GM THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR THIS REPAIR HAD I HAD IT DONE AT A SHOP.BEING A GM AND UPS MECHANIC,NO ONE TOUCHES MY VEHICLES OR FAMILY'S BUT ME! NAPA HAD THE WIRES[$22.00} AN I INSTALLED THEM IN LESS THAN 20MINS.AROUND 52000 MILES I NOTICED A WHEEL BEARING SOUND OR FLAT SPOT IN TIRE SOUND FROM LEFT SIDE. I'M THING GM SHOULD HAVE SOLVED TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 66,225 miles reported. Look up ODI 10468073 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10484630 · 2012-11-14 (November 14, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING FUEL DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V459000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,774.
Owner-reported narrative. 93,774 miles reported. Look up ODI 10484630 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10594805 · 2014-05-29 (May 29, 2014)
WENT TO GET GASOLINE PUT $40.00 IN TANK STARTED UP CAR THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWED EMPTY (DID NOT MOVE) WENT DIRECTLY TO MY MECHANIC HE CHECKED IT OUT AND STATED IT WAS A FUEL SENSOR IN THE FUEL TANK.....COST FOR THIS IS AT LEAST $400.00 OR MORE TO FIX MY ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON AND I HAVE TO CHECK MY MILEAGE RIGHT NOW TO MAKE SURE I FILL UP WITH GAS SINCE THE GAGE NO LONGER WORKS I CAN NOT AFFORD THIS TO HAPPEN THIS CAR IS A 2009 I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT AND DID NOT EXPECT SUCH AN EXPENSE SO SOON!!!!! IS THERE ANY TYP…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10594805 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10563252 · 2014-02-06 (February 6, 2014)
WHEN TRYING TO TURN OFF THE CAR, THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE AUXILIARY POSITION. CHEVY HAS MADE A BYPASS SWITCH UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL TO RELEASE THE KEY AS THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WHICH IS COMMON WITH THE COBALT, HHR & EQUINOX. IT IS DOCUMENTED ON THE CHEVY FORUM WEBSITE. I AM AT DEALERSHIP NOW TO GET THIS FIXED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10563252 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11064627 · 2018-01-24 (January 24, 2018)
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 M…
Owner-reported narrative. 129,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11064627 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11327300 · 2020-06-04 (June 4, 2020)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11327300 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10384500 · 2011-02-25 (February 25, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME SLUGGISH WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AND WOULD EXHIBIT SIGNS OF WANTING TO STALL. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED TO WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 10 MPH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY AN INTERNAL FAULT IN THE THROTTLE BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,978 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,911.
Owner-reported narrative. 18,978 miles reported. Look up ODI 10384500 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10561164 · 2014-01-23 (January 23, 2014)
THE THROTTLE BODY WENT BAD IN MY CAR FOR THE 2ND TIME IN 3 YEARS. I HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED IN JANUARY OF 2011, AFTER ONLY OWNING THE CAR A MONTH. IT NOW NEEDS REPLACED AGAIN TODAY IN JANUARY OF 2014. I PRESS THE GAS PEDDLE AND CAR DOESN'T GO ANYWHERE, THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT WILL TAKE OFF AND RUNS AS IF THE ENGINE IS BEING PUSHED AND PULLED. IT ALSO STALLED OUT ON ME ONCE WHILE DRIVING IT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND THE CAR WILL NOT GO FORWARD. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 78,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10561164 at NHTSA ↗