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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2009 Chevrolet EquinoxRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 94 owner complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox. Most complaints involve air bags (26) and electrical system (23). The EPA rates it 19–20 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
19–20mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
94
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

94 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2009 – May 2026
  1. Air bags26
  2. Electrical system23
  3. Engine18
  4. Electronic stability control (esc)12
  5. Vehicle speed control11
  6. Power train10
  7. Fuel/propulsion system8
  8. Steering5
  9. Visibility5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Equinox model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2005638
2006695
2007685
2008370
200994
2010784
2011783
2012685
2013751
2014549
2015680
2016399
2017276
2018410
2019310
2020318
2021100
2022182
202399
2024192
2025407
202679
20271
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

26 reports2 crashes
“THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT STAYS ON INTERMITTENTLY AND WHEN IT DOES, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SAYS "OFF" AND NOTIFICATION MESSAGE SAYS "SERVICE PASSENGER AIRBAG". EVERY SHOP I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO SAYS THEY SEE NO PROBLEMS, BUT A DEALER HAS TO TAKE A LOOK. THIS STARTED HAPPENING IN 2018 AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE. I HAVE BEEN READING THAT THIS IS PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL OF EQUINOX AROUND THIS TIME IN ITS LIFE. THE STABLE TRACK IS SIMILAR. EVERY SO OFTEN, IT STOPS WORKING BUT THEN MOST OF THE TIME IS FINE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 4, 2020Air bags, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11337461

Electrical system

23 reports1 crash
“Odometer Fraud - The contact purchased a 2009 Chevrolet Equinox. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 186,425 as stated on the contract. The contact stated that the speedometer was possibly tampered with because the odometer reading was not displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic c reading was provided and the speedometer reading was repaired and the mileage was 300,107.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 7, 2026Electrical systemODI 11736341

Engine

18 reports1 crash1 fire
“I WAS HEADING DOWNTOWN WITH MY KIDS AND THIS CAR CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE I WAS DRIVING THIS WAS ONE OF THE WORSE DAYS OF MY LIFE CHEVROLET SHOULD BE ASHAMED ALL THEM EQUINOX NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES THIS CAR SET A LITTLE BLAZE STALLED OUT IVE ONLY SEEN CHEVY EQUINOX DO THIS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2020Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemFire reportedODI 11363319
All 2009 Equinox problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Engines
3.4L 6-cyl · 3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd · Automatic (S6)
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Equinox AWD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172420$3,100444
Equinox FWD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172420$3,100444
Equinox AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162419$3,300468
Equinox FWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172419$3,300468
  • Equinox AWD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Equinox FWD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Equinox AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    16 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Equinox FWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 5037
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2009 Equinox questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 9, 2026.

What are the most common 2009 Chevrolet Equinox problems?

Owners filed 94 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (26), electrical system (23), engine (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox at 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026