2009 Chevrolet Equinox Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2009 Chevrolet Equinox has a Good verdict with a complaint index of 0, the lowest among all 21 model years, though NHTSA lists 94 complaints and no recalls for this year. The verdict is capped to Good rather than higher because 2005-2009 complaint records are less complete.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 0/100
- #21 of 21 Equinox years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 94
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 17 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2009 Chevy Equinox problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags26 (28%)
- Electrical System24 (26%)
- Engine23 (24%)
- Brakes15 (16%)
- Fuel System12 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain10 (11%)
- Other7 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers6 (6%)
- Steering5 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some drivers reported the brake pedal failing to slow the car despite full pressure, in one case leading to a crash.
- Owners described a rear tire failing at highway speed, causing the vehicle to sway off the road into a ditch.
- Several drivers said airbags failed to deploy during moderate to high-speed crashes, including one where the car veered off the road.
- Owners reported the engine stalling or losing power unexpectedly while driving, sometimes cutting off brake function.
- One driver reported the vehicle becoming sluggish and unable to accelerate past a low speed, traced to a throttle body fault.
- A passenger window was reported to shatter suddenly while driving at low speed with no clear cause identified.
2009 Chevrolet Equinox recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2009 Chevrolet Equinox fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 19.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,325
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
- Among Equinox model years, 2009 has the lowest complaint index (0) and carries a Good verdict, with 94 complaints and no recalls on file with NHTSA.
- What problems does the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox have?
- NHTSA complaints for this year center on airbags (28% of complaints), electrical system issues (26%), and engine problems (24%), including stalling and reduced power.
- Does the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2009 Equinox.
- Why is the 2009 Equinox rated Good instead of Best?
- The verdict is capped to Good because complaint records for the 2005-2009 Equinox years are less complete, not because of higher complaint volume.
- How does the 2009 Equinox compare to other years like 2010 or 2011?
- The 2009 Equinox ranks best of all 21 years with a complaint index of 0, while 2010 and 2011 carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes of 90 and 95.