YearToAvoid

2009 Chevrolet Equinox Engine Problems

NHTSA has 23 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox, 24% of all 94 complaints for this model year. That is #18 highest engine complaint count among 21 Equinox model years. These complaints report 1 crash, 1 fire, and 4 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 75,501 miles.

Engine complaints
23
24% of 94 complaints
All complaints this year
94
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
4
Median mileage
75,501 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2009 Chevrolet Equinox engine complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 25, 2011, latest Oct 8, 2020.

2009 Chevrolet Equinox engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Feb 2011Jan 2013Jan 2014Aug 2014Mar 2015Nov 2015Apr 2018Jul 2020
23 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2011 to Oct 2020; peak Mar 2014 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Equinox model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2005185 (29%)
  2. 2006135 (19%)
  3. 200772 (11%)
  4. 200843 (12%)
  5. 200923 (24%)
  6. 2010318 (41%)
  7. 2011443 (57%)
  8. 2012372 (54%)
  9. 2013426 (57%)
  10. 2014243 (44%)
  11. 2015239 (35%)
  12. 2016214 (54%)
  13. 2017195 (71%)
  14. 2018104 (25%)
  15. 2019111 (37%)
  16. 2020107 (35%)
  17. 202118 (19%)
  18. 202229 (17%)
  19. 202317 (18%)
  20. 202419 (24%)
  21. 202531 (14%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox have engine problems?
NHTSA has 23 owner complaints about the engine in the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox, 24% of all complaints for this model year, including 1 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 75,501 miles.
Which Chevrolet Equinox year has the most engine complaints?
The 2011 Chevrolet Equinox has the most engine complaints (443), compared with 23 for the 2009.
Is there a engine recall for the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.