← New search

2009 Chevrolet Equinox

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox are lower than the model-year median of 382.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

77 reports with mileage · 17 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

94 reports
79,000 miles · Mar 18, 2014
Engine

CAR HESITATED, SLOWED DOWN, THEN LOST POWER. THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE STABILITRACK OFF, TRACTION CONTROL OFF, REDUCED ENGINE POWER. CAR IS NOW WITH THE DEALERSHIP & WAS TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WILL HAVE TO BE ORDERED AS THIS IS A RARE OCCURRENCE BUT WHEN I LOOKED ON INTERNET, IT SEEMS THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN REPORTE…

Read full complaint

CAR HESITATED, SLOWED DOWN, THEN LOST POWER. THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE STABILITRACK OFF, TRACTION CONTROL OFF, REDUCED ENGINE POWER. CAR IS NOW WITH THE DEALERSHIP & WAS TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WILL HAVE TO BE ORDERED AS THIS IS A RARE OCCURRENCE BUT WHEN I LOOKED ON INTERNET, IT SEEMS THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED MANY TIMES. INCIDENT WAS SCARY DUE TO TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH AND FOR NO REASON CAR JUST BEGINS TO LOSE POWER. SO NOW I AM WAITING ON THROTTLE BODY TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS NOT A CHEAP FIX FOR THE VEHICLE. SAW ON INTERNET THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM BUT WHEN I TALKED WITH DEALERSHIP THEY STATE THAT THIS GM RECALL IS ONLY FOR V8 ENGINES NOT FOR THE V6 EQUINOX. GM KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM, THEY NEED TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE & COVER THE EQUINOX ALSO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10573237

65,000 miles · Mar 16, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFuel System, Gasoline

CAR HESITATED, SLOWED DOWN, LOST POWER. WARNING LIGHTS INCLUDED STABILITRAK OFF, TRACTION CONTROL OFF, AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER. REPAIR WAS TO CLEAN THROTTLE BODY. JAN OF 2014, (83,000 MILES) SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED, AND THROTTLE BODY CLEANED AT DEALER AFTER DIAGNOSTICS. MARCH 1, 2014 (85000 MILES) WHILE ON INTERSTATE 80 SA…

Read full complaint

CAR HESITATED, SLOWED DOWN, LOST POWER. WARNING LIGHTS INCLUDED STABILITRAK OFF, TRACTION CONTROL OFF, AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER. REPAIR WAS TO CLEAN THROTTLE BODY. JAN OF 2014, (83,000 MILES) SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED, AND THROTTLE BODY CLEANED AT DEALER AFTER DIAGNOSTICS. MARCH 1, 2014 (85000 MILES) WHILE ON INTERSTATE 80 SAME WARNINGS CAME ON BUT I LOST ALL ENGINE POWER ALTHOUGH THE CAR WAS IN GEAR AND THE CAR RPMS WOULD GO UP WITH PRESSING THE GAS PETAL, AND SEMI ALMOST HIT ME FROM BEHIND. CAR WAS BROUGHT TO SHOULDER, STOPPED TURNED OFF AND RESET WITH RESTARTING THE ENGINE.. I LEFT THE INTERSTATE AND MADE A LEFT TURN, THE CAR SPUTTERED AND HESITATED, AND ONCOMING TRAFFIC ALMOST HIT ME. REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING THEN CAME ON ALONG WITH STABILTRAK AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF MESSAGES. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER IT OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. AND I HAD TO RESTART THE CAR AFTER TURNING IT OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEY HAD A 1 MONTH WAIT TIME FOR THE PART? WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN JANUARY, THE CARS AHEAD AND BEHIND ME HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. A LADY AT THE SERVICE COUNTER ALSO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS NOT A COINCIDENCE THAT 4 OF US AT THE SAME TIME HAD THAT PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10572689

61,000 miles · Mar 16, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

I HAD PASSED OUT WHILE DRIVING TO WORK DUE TO LOW BLOOD SUGAR. THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A STRUCTURE AT APPROXIMATELY 55/60 MPH. NONE OF MY AIRBAGS EVER DEPLOYED. I WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10572633

106,000 miles · Feb 6, 2014
Steering

WHEN TRYING TO TURN OFF THE CAR, THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE AUXILIARY POSITION. CHEVY HAS MADE A BYPASS SWITCH UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL TO RELEASE THE KEY AS THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WHICH IS COMMON WITH THE COBALT, HHR & EQUINOX. IT IS DOCUMENTED ON THE CHEVY FORUM WEBSITE. I AM AT DEALERSHIP NOW TO GET THIS FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563252

78,200 miles · Jan 23, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control

THE THROTTLE BODY WENT BAD IN MY CAR FOR THE 2ND TIME IN 3 YEARS. I HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED IN JANUARY OF 2011, AFTER ONLY OWNING THE CAR A MONTH. IT NOW NEEDS REPLACED AGAIN TODAY IN JANUARY OF 2014. I PRESS THE GAS PEDDLE AND CAR DOESN'T GO ANYWHERE, THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT WILL TAKE OFF AND RUNS AS IF THE ENGINE I…

Read full complaint

THE THROTTLE BODY WENT BAD IN MY CAR FOR THE 2ND TIME IN 3 YEARS. I HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED IN JANUARY OF 2011, AFTER ONLY OWNING THE CAR A MONTH. IT NOW NEEDS REPLACED AGAIN TODAY IN JANUARY OF 2014. I PRESS THE GAS PEDDLE AND CAR DOESN'T GO ANYWHERE, THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT WILL TAKE OFF AND RUNS AS IF THE ENGINE IS BEING PUSHED AND PULLED. IT ALSO STALLED OUT ON ME ONCE WHILE DRIVING IT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND THE CAR WILL NOT GO FORWARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561164

105,000 miles · Jan 17, 2014
EnginePower Train

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…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10560377

70,000 miles · Jan 14, 2014
Service Brakes

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…

Read full complaint

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).

NHTSA ODI #10559850

48,700 miles · Dec 1, 2013
TiresWheels

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 TH…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10554255

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2013
EngineInjury

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 …

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #10552427

41,779 miles · Jun 24, 2013
TiresWheels

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…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10521507

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Chevrolet Equinox problems