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.
Power train, Engine, Jan 17, 2014
I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 40 MPH WHEN I SLOWED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. THE STABILITRAK NOTIFICATION STATED THAT IT WAS "OFF TRAK" AND TO SERVICE "TRACTION CONTROL" AND THAT "ENGINE SPEED IS REDUCED". I COULD DRIVE NO FASTER THAN 5 MPH. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED MY CAR OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES. WHEN I STARTED IT BACK UP THE SPEED WAS NORMAL AGAIN BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED LIT AND SOLID. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 2 YEARS THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW CONCERNING THE FIRST INCIDENT ABOUT 18 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD A BAD THROTTLE BODY. THE PART WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED BUT I WAS NOT GIVEN THE BAD PART SO I AM NOT SURE THAT THE WORK WAS ACTUALLY DONE SINCE THERE WAS A DEBATE ABOUT WHO WAS GOING TO PAY FOR THE SERVICE. NOW, THE SAME PROBLEM IS HAPPENING AGAIN. *TR
Service brakes, Jan 14, 2014
I WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND STARTED MY EQUINOX, AS A PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO PUT IN REVERSE THE STABILITRAK LIGHT CAME ON A COUPLE OF MINUTES LATER THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, NOT IT'S ON ALL THE TIME AND IT HAS A MESSAGE TO CHECK THE STABILITRAK AND BRAKE SYSTEM. I WENT ONLINE TO CHECK IF I COULD FIND A SOLUTION TO IT AND FOUND NUMEROUS CASES ON GM MODELS. THERE'S GOTTA BE A RECALL FOR THIS!! I DON'T WANT TO BE DRIVING AND MY BRAKES GO OUT ON ME, I HAVE A TODDLER IN THE CAR WITH ME ALL THE TIME!! HERE ARE A FEW OF THE FORUMS I FOUND WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. [XXX] *TR PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Tires, Wheels, Dec 1, 2013
ON THANKSGIVING MORNING IN PREPARATION FOR A THREE HOUR DRIVE I BEGAN TO PUT AIR IN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE OF MY CHEVY EQUINOX BECAUSE THE PRESSURE SENSOR WAS SHOWING IT A FEW POUNDS LOWER THAN THE OTHER TIRES. WHEN I REMOVED THE FILL HOSE, THE ALUMINUM (CAST I THINK) VALVE STEM END BROKE OFF WITH THE VALVE MECHANISM ITSELF AND THE TIRE RAPIDLY DEFLATED. NO UNUSUAL FORCE WAS APPLIED TO THE VALVE WITH THE PORTABLE AIR PUMP I HAVE USED NUMEROUS TIMES ON THIS AND OTHER CAR TIRES. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE VALVE FAILED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY (SOMETHING ELSE TO BE THANKFUL FOR THAT DAY!). I JUST READ WHERE A SIMILAR VEHICLE (FORD ESCAPE I BELIEVE) EXPERIENCED A VALVE STEM FAILURE THAT APPARENTLY CONTRIBUTED TO A ROLL OVER AND FATALITY. ALTHOUGH A RUBBER VALVE STEM CRACKED IN THE FORD CASE, THE RAPID DEFLATION WOULD BE THE SAME IN MY CASE HAD I BEEN DRIVING - AND THE POTENTIAL DRASTIC RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN THE SAME. I HAD THE VALVE REPLACED FOR $156.00. ALTHOUGH I PREFERRED TO REPLACE IT WITH A RUBBER ONE, I WAS TOLD THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND INSPECTION WOULD FAIL SINCE THE ABSENCE OF THE REMOTE SENSOR WOULD CAUSE A DASH-BOARD WARNING LIGHT. THE TECHNICIAN SAID THE VALVE CRACKED DUE TO CORROSION - IN A FOUR YEAR OLD CAR! *TR
Engine, Nov 15, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ABNORMAL FUMES WERE ENTERING THE VEHICLE CABIN, WHICH WAS CAUSING THE DRIVER AND ANY PASSENGER TO BECOME DROWSY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR WHERE THE EGR VALVE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Tires, Wheels, Jun 24, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TIRE HAD BECOME FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE VALVE STEMS AND MONITORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,779 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,1216. *TR
Structure, Jun 10, 2013
WATER HAS GOTTEN INTO THE DASH. AS THE WEATHER BECAME WARM - THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WAS PERMEATED WITH MOLD AND MILDEW. THERE IS STILL A SLOSHING SOUND UNDER THE DASH. *TR
Wheels, Mar 20, 2013
WHILE DRIVING, THE CHROME CLAD WHEEL COVER THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN MACHINE PRESSED ON TO THE ALUMINUM 17 INCH RIM, SHOT OFF THE RIM TOWARDS INCOMING TRAFFIC. WE WERE GOING APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR. IT FLEW OFF AND ALMOST HIT A CAR PASSING US. TWO MONTHS LATER ANOTHER ONE CAME OFF, BUT I WAS ABLE TO RETRIEVE IT BEFORE WE WERE IN TRAFFIC. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED DAMAGE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE OR PEDESTRIAN WALKING BESIDE THE CAR. DOING ON-LINE RESEARCH A NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL OWNERS OF THE 2009 EQUINOX WITH THE CHROME CLAD COVERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Vehicle speed control, Tires, Jan 7, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, ACCELERATION POWER REDUCED DRAMATICALLY AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 3 MPH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 3 MONTHS AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO OTHER REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 3, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL ODOR WHILE PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,179...UPDATED 01/30/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AND THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REPAIRED SINCE IT WAS A RECALLED FAILURE. UPDATED 2/1/2013*JS
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 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.
Power train, Jul 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 THIS ISSUE BY NOW,SO I WAS THINKING NEW TIRES AFTER VACATION. WHEN WE CAME HOME FROM MYRTLE BEACH THE SOUND INTENSIFIED TO WHERE I JACKED UP THE FRONT ON TO JACK STANDS,SET PARK BRAKE, STARTED ENGINE AN PUT IT IN GEAR. I PUT MY STETHOSCOPE ON FRONT BEARING AN FOUND THE LEFT FRT MAKING ALL KINDS OF NOISE BY THIS TIME.I CALLED AROUND AN FOUND A TIMKEN REPLACEMENT AT AUTOZONE FOR 259.99-3YR.WARRANTY AN AT SAME TIME REPLACED THE FRT PADS AN RESURFACED THE ROTORS. SO WITH ALL SAID, LEFT FRT BEARING AN PADS $302.79. THE BEARING REPLACEMENT MAKES THE CAR RIDE AN HANDLE LIKE NEW AGAIN. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR 80+ MILES A DAY TO AN FROM WORK,SO IT HAS TO BE SAFE AN RELIABLE AN GRAND KIDS ALL OVER THE PLACE ON WEEKENDS.FUNNY THAT I GOT NO VIBRATING FEELING IN STEERING WHEEL LIKE ON THE OLDER GM'S THAT I HAD WITH SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 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
Air bags, 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 SYSTEM. THE ONLY SUGGESTION RECEIVED WAS A *.PDF DOCUMENT FROM GM DESCRIBING WHAT TO DO WHEN THIS OCCURS AS FOLLOWS: 1. TURN VEHICLE OFF 2. REMOVE ANY ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FROM THE SEAT..... 3. PLACE THE SEATBACK IN THE FULLY UPRIGHT POSITION 4. HAVE THE PERSON SIT UPRIGHT IN THE SEAT, CENTERED ON THE SEAT CUSHION, WITH LEGS COMFORTABLY EXTENDED 5. RESTART THE VEHICLE AND HAVE THE PERSON REMAIN IN THIS POSITION FOR TWO OR THREE MINUTES AFTER THE ON INDICATOR IS LIT. NOT ONLY ARE THE PRECEDING INSTRUCTION ENORMOUS AND DIFFICULT TO PERFORM WHEN IN A NORMAL DRIVING SCENARIO, IT WOULD SEEM THAT THE NECESSITY OF PERFORMING THESE RESET OPERATIONS INDICATES A SYSTEM FAULT THAT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED, PARTICULARLY IF THE AIR BAG IS INDEED OFF WHEN THE INDICATOR SAYS IT IS "OFF". ALSO, THE VERY FACT THAT GM HAS DEEMED IT NECESSARY TO ISSUE THESE INSTRUCTIONS INDICATE THAT THE PROBLEM IS KNOWN BY GM. THAT BEING THE CASE IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 13, 2011
DIC (DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER) DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS INADEQUATE FOR DAYLIGHT/SUNLIGHT VISIBILITY. NO LISTED MEANS TO ALTER/BRIGHTEN.
Air bags, Feb 25, 2011, crash
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
Vehicle speed control, Feb 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.
Visibility, Apr 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.
Tires, Jan 22, 2010, crash
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 HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,769. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 1, 2009, crash
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 WORKED FOR HIM AS HE MANEUVERED IT TO THE BED OF HIS VEHICLE. THE WRECKER TOOK MY CAR TO MY HOME. WHEN HE PUT MY CAR ON THE GROUND. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT INTO MY GARAGE AND THE BRAKES WERE WORKING AT THAT TIME. 3. MY CAR IS PRESENTLY IN MY GARAGE AND I AM AWAITING THE INSURANCE APPRAISER PRIOR TO HAVING THE BRAKES INSPECTED AND MY CAR REPAIRED. *TR