2009 Chevrolet Equinox
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 94 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 20th highest complaint count among 21 Equinox model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 5 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 6 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints
94 reports, newest first.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 2, 2018
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.
Power train, Jan 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 MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 129,700.
Electrical system, Jan 3, 2018
I HAVE HEAT PROBLEMS, I HAVE PUT $1,200 INTO THE REPAIRS AND TO NO AVAIL THERE STILL IS A PROBLEM
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 23, 2017
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.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 18, 2017
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 31, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, FUEL LEAKED DOWN FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,040.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 15, 2017
FUEL LINE OF VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL SOMEWHERE NEAR THE FUEL PUMP OR FUEL TANK. FUEL WILL DRIP FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE AND ACCUMULATE. VEHICLE CONSTANTLY SMELLS OF FUEL AND TAKES A LONG TIME TO START AS A RESULT OF THE FUEL LINE HAVING NO INITIAL PRESSURE. CONSTANT FUEL LEAK POSES A DANGER TO OUR HOME AND OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD NOT TO MENTION OUR PERSONAL SAFETY.
Power train, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 2, 2017
WHEN I HIT 20-30 MPH THE SUV HAS A HESITATION AND THEN I HAVE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND THEN SERVICE STABILITREK AND THER IS ANOTHER I FORGET WHAT IT SAYS AND WHEN I TURN SOMETIMES THE WHOLE DASH LIGHTS UP
Electrical system, Air bags, Jan 11, 2017
WHEN I HAVE A PASSENGER (ADULT OR CHILD) SIT ON THE FRONT (PASSENGER SEAT) THE AIR BAG LIGHT SOMETIMES ILLUMINATES THAT THE AIRBAG IS "ON" AND SOMETIMES IT'S "OFF" WHILE THE PASSENGER IS SITTING. I'VE ALSO NOTICED THAT IF MY PASSENGER IS SITTING STILL, THE LIGHT WILL STAY "ON" BUT AS SOON AS THE PASSENGER MOVES, THE LIGHT WILL CHANGE TO "OFF". AT FIRST IT SEEMED LIKE A "TEMPERAMENTAL" ISSUE BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT JUST STAYED ON THE "ON" POSITION WHILE THE PASSENGER SAT. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE GM DEALER WHEN THE ISSUE BECAME MORE OFTEN AND THEY DIAGNOSED AN ISSUE RECOMMENDED TO HAVE THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE REPLACED. ON RESEARCHING, I FOUND THAT THERE ARE RECALLS FOR THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE BUT ON EARLIER CHEVY MODEL CARS.
Air bags, Dec 7, 2016
PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WILL TURN ITSELF OFF/ON WHILE DRIVING OR IF VEHICLE IS AT A STANDSTILL. EVEN IF NO ONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON EVERY TIME PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR TURNS OFF. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 17, 2016
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.
Air bags, Oct 16, 2016
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.
Air bags, Jul 26, 2016
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.
Air bags, Jul 8, 2016
THE PASSENGER SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE PASSENGER "ON / OFF" LIGHT STAYS ON THE OFF POSITION WHEN A PASSENGER IS SETTING IN THE SEAT
Air bags, Apr 21, 2016
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.
Tires, Mar 7, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE OF THE FOUR TIRE PRESSURE MONITORS/VALVES MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE TIRES WOULD INSTANTLY BECOME FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,879. UPDATED 05/06/16*LJ
Electrical system, Visibility, Feb 11, 2016
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 10, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING FUEL AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Nov 3, 2015
MY 2009 CHEVY EQUINOX IS SLOWING DOWN WHEN I REACH 4 RPMS AND WILL NOT SPEED BACK UP UNTIL I GO BACK DOWN TO 3 RPMS NO MATTER HOW FAST OR SLOW I AN GOING ONCE IT REACHES 4 RPMS IT SLOWS DOWN. WHEN I SHUT THE CAR OFF SOMETHING IS STILL RUNNING UNDER THE HOLD BECAUSE I CAN HEAR IT. IT WAS 10 MINUTES BEFORE IT FINALLY SHUT OFF COMPLETELY.
Electrical system, Oct 28, 2015
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 28, 2015, crash
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.
Structure, Jun 19, 2015
PAINT PEELING OFF CAR LIKE SHEETS OF WALLPAPER. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT I WAS TOLD WE KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM.I WAS TOLD THAT IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND IT IS A DEFECT IN THE PAINT AND THAT IS WAS NOT WARRANITIED BY DEALER OR MANUFACTURE. IF IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WHY IS IT NOT BEING TAKEN CARE OF?
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jun 18, 2015
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SEAT SENSOR IS FAULTY AND DOESN'T TURN ON THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WHEN THERE IS AN OCCUPANT. THIS IS A VIOLATION OF FMVSS 208.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Jun 6, 2015
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.
Electrical system, Air bags, Jun 1, 2015
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.