2009 Chevrolet EQUINOX: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 10301907 · 2010-01-22 (January 22, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE DESTINATION LE 235/65/16 TIRES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE SWAYED OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE EXPLODED AND THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE SIDEWALL EXHIBITED AN EXTREMELY LARGE BUBBLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN DUE TO A SAFETY HAZARD. THE TIRES …
Owner-reported narrative. 87,769 miles reported. Look up ODI 10301907 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10323957 · 2010-04-06 (April 6, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MADE A LOUD POPPING NOISE AS IT SHATTERED; THE WINDOW WAS STILL INTACT DESPITE SHATTERING. THE DEALER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF SUCH A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,200. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,300.
Owner-reported narrative. 12,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10323957 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 10384506 · 2011-02-25 (February 25, 2011)
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. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10384506 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10396451 · 2011-04-13 (April 13, 2011)
DIC (DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER) DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS INADEQUATE FOR DAYLIGHT/SUNLIGHT VISIBILITY. NO LISTED MEANS TO ALTER/BRIGHTEN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10396451 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10459646 · 2012-05-25 (May 25, 2012)
PERIODICALLY WITH AN ADULT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE RIGHT AIRBAG "OFF" LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE. THE PASSENGER CAN MOVE AND BOUNCE AROUND ON THE SEAT WITHOUT TURNING THE LIGHT TO "ON". THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND EACH TIME THEY HAVE FOUND NO PROBLEM. THE LAST TIME WAS MAY 25, 2012 AFTER I HAD TAKEN THE AUTO BY THE DEALERSHIP WHILE THE "OFF" LIGHT WAS ON AND THERE WAS AN ADULT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE "OFF" LIGHT WAS CONFIRMED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER, BUT THE TECHNICIANS FOUND NO PROBLEM WITH THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10459646 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10467654 · 2012-07-25 (July 25, 2012)
WHILE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY, VEHICLE WARNINGS SUDDENLY TURNED ON INDICATION THAT STABILI-TRAC AND TRACTION CONTROL WENT OFF AND NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. AT THIS TIME ENGINE LOST POWER AND VEHICLE WAS SLUGGISH WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PRESSED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 76,001 miles reported. Look up ODI 10467654 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.