The Lemon Index2009 Chevrolet Equinox.
The 2009 Chevrolet Equinox has too few complaints to score: 11 in its first 3 years. Owners complain most about speed control, it has 0 recalls, and it gets 19 to 20 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Equinox year is 2017.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 94 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Equinox year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 56K to 104K miles on the car (77 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 56K–99K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 55K–104K miles
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1029 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Saturn/chevrolet/gmc/buick/pontiac: ses light and/or no reverse; a slip/flare or harsh shifts…
- Pontiac/chevrolet: trailer turn signal and stop lamps inoperative or stay
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200–3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.4L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 11 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Chevrolet Equinox problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (18%), airbags (18%) and brakes (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox get?
19 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Chevrolet Equinox problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 56,400 and 104,000 miles. The middle report was at 79,000 miles, from 77 complaints.
Does the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox have?
3.4L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet Equinox year is better than the 2009?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2017, 2021 and 2014.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works