2009 Chevrolet Equinox Problems, Recalls & Reliability

151 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox, alongside 0 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 13/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 90,000 miles.

One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.

151Complaints
13/100Trouble index
0Recalls
79,000Typical trouble mileage

Better year

Where 2009 sits among all Equinox years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Electrical 27 complaints (18%) · typically ~90,000 miles
“Dic (driver information center) display brightness inadequate for daylight/sunlight visibility. No listed means to alter/brighten.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2009 Equinox
Airbags 26 complaints (17%) · typically ~74,245 miles
“Takata recall. Service air bag for passenger seat is on and air bag is off. Began while stationary with passenger in the seat. This vehicle has 58,000 miles on it. Unacceptable that it is not under recall.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2009 Equinox
Other 20 complaints (13%) · typically ~72,545 miles
Engine 18 complaints (12%) · typically ~78,200 miles
Fuel system 12 complaints (8%) · typically ~81,040 miles
Speed control 11 complaints (7%) · typically ~73,773 miles

Mileage when trouble shows up

Among the 119 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 79,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 58,490 and 106,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.

Recalls

No recall campaigns on file for the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox.

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2009peak 40 in 20142026

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?

The 2009 Chevrolet Equinox drew 151 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 13/100, scored against the model's worst year (2011).

What are the most common 2009 Chevrolet Equinox problems?

The top reported problems for the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox are electrical (27 complaints), airbags (26), and other (20).

At what mileage do 2009 Chevrolet Equinox problems show up?

Owners most often report 2009 Chevrolet Equinox problems around 79,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 58,490 and 106,000 miles.

Does the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox have recalls?

No recall campaigns are on file for the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check the VIN before buying.

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Data updated 2026-08-12 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.