2008 Chevrolet Equinox
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 370 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 21 Equinox model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 9 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 12 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: air bags
110 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Mar 12, 2014
THE SERVICE AIR BAG KEEPS COMING OFF AND ON THE DASH AND THE INDICATOR LIGHTS FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT. IF MY OLDER CHILD OR ANYONE OVER 90LBS SITS THERE OR MOVES IT COMES ON. GM STATES THERE ARE NO ISSUES AND WILL NOT BE A COVERED REPAIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY. THERE ARE OTHER 2008 MODELS WITH THE SAME ISSUES WITH RECALLS BUT NONE FOR THE EQUINOX. *TR
Air bags, Mar 8, 2014
SINCE I GOT THIS VEHICLE EVERY TIME MY 10 YEAR OLD GRANDSON OR ANY SMALL ADULT SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT WORK AND THE CHEVROLET DEALER ALWAYS HAS SOME EXCUSE WHY THEY CAN'T FIX IT. *TR
Air bags, Mar 7, 2014
THE PRESSURE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS FAILED. A WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD TO SERVICE AIRBAG IS ILLUMINATED, AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG HAS BEEN TURNED OFF DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE SENSOR. *TR
Air bags, Oct 23, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE SERVICE AIR BAG MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000. UPDATED 11/15/13*CN
Air bags, Oct 23, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WOULD ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 11-04-13 *BF UPDATED 11/8/2013 *JS
Air bags, Oct 21, 2013
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR, LOCATED WITHIN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION, HAS FAILED. THE AIRBAG INDICATOR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SHOW THE AIRBAG TO BE OFF, NOW CONSTANT. ERROR LIGHT ON DASH INDICATES THE AIRBAG IS DISABLED AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND IS 5 YEARS OLD WITH AVERAGE MILEAGE. THE PASSENGER SEAT RARELY OCCUPIED AND NOT SUBJECT TO ANY WEIGHT OR WEAR THAT WOULD DAMAGE THIS VITAL SENSOR. THIS APPEARS TO BE DEFECTIVE OR WORN OUT PREMATURELY. THERE IS NO BYPASS TO ENSURE AIRBAG INFLATION IN A FRONTEND COLLISION WHEN THE SEAT SENSOR FAILS. THE VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED AND HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS. *TR
Air bags, Sep 30, 2013
MY 2008 CHEVY EQUINOX HAS HAD THE AIRBAG ERROR LIGHT ON THE CONSOLE INTERMITTENTLY ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. NOW IT IS JUST ON. CURRENTLY HAS 47K MILES ON IT SO OUT OF WARRANTY. THE SAID THE SENSOR UNIT UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WHICH MEAN REPLACING THAT WHOLE SEAT CUSHION OVER $800, THE PART IS OVER $500. WITH THIS AIRBAG ERROR LIGHT ON THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT ACTIVATE ON IMPACT SO THIS IS A SAFETY RISK. WHY WOULD THIS NOT BE PART OF A RECALL SINCE I READ THE 2007'S HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE HAS BEEN NO DAMAGE TO THAT SEAT, THIS IS FAULTY EQUIPMENT. *TR
Air bags, Sep 27, 2013
PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR FAILURE. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 55,000K. WILL NOT REGISTER PASSENGERS OVER 110LBS. HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE SENSOR ($903.24). CHEVROLET WOULD NOT REPLACE CITING "OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY." THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY FEATURE THAT SHOULD NEVER FAIL. *TR
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Aug 1, 2013
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DOES NOT WORK WHEN THERE'S A CHILD OR PERSON UNDER 110 LBS IN THE SEAT. HEADLIGHTS FILL UP WITH WATER. *TR
Air bags, Jul 29, 2013
SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND CONSTANT, PREVENTING PASSENGER AIR BAG FUNCTION. RETRIEVED CODES ARE: B0081, B1370 AND B0074. NEEDS PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE PART # 19207140 @ $533.33 PLUS LABOR AND TAX. I BELIEVE THIS PART SHOULD NOT FAIL, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS USED INFREQUENTLY. *TR
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages, May 7, 2013
MY 2008 EQUINOX HEADLIGHTS ARE FULL OF WATER WHICH MAKE THE VISIBILITY AT NIGHT VERY BAD. THE DOOR LOCKS WILL ONLY OPEN THE LOCKS PART OF THE WAY AND YOU CAN'T GET IN THE CAR, AND THIS SEEMS TO BE AFFECTED MORE WHEN THE SUN SHINES ON THE VEHICLE. IT ACTS LIKE THE LOCKS WON'T WORK IN THE HEAT. I ALSO HAVE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT COMING ON ANYTIME SOMEONE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS SUCH A COMFORTING FEELING, AND I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THESE ISSUES ARE NOT RECALLED BY THE AUTO MAKER. CAN ANYONE HELP US? THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THESE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD THAT ARE NOT SAFE......... *TR
Air bags, Apr 20, 2013
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON DASH LIGHTS UP INTERMITTENTLY.... TOOK TO MECHANIC...STATES PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE DEFECTIVE....MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS NOTED ON LINE FOR SAME ISSUE...RECALL OF 2007?? WHY NOT MAKE THEM RECALL 2008, AS SEAT BELT ON PASSENGER SIDE OFF WHEN LIGHT ON...COULD BE SERIOUS INJURY TO PASSENGER....DEALER SAYS $800 TO REPLACE.... *TR
Air bags, Mar 25, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Visibility, Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 18, 2013
I PURCHASED MY CHEVROLET EQUINOX BRAND NEW IN 2008 AND CURRENTLY WE ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH THE FOLLOWING: 1- DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW- WILL ONLY ROLL DOWN AND/OR UP INTERMITTENTLY. OCCASIONALLY IT WILL ROLL BACK UP IF THE INTERIOR PANEL IS HIT SEVERAL TIMES. 2- DOOR LOCKS/ALARM- THE ALARM WILL SET BUT THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK WITH THE KEY FOB. WHEN USING THE POWER LOCKS INSIDE THE CAR, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IS THE ONLY DOOR THAT WILL CONSISTENTLY LOCK. THE BACK DOOR LOCKS WILL GET STUCK HALF WAY AND WON'T LOCK OR UNLOCK EXCEPT MANUALLY. 3- STABILITRAC- THE STABILITRAC WILL DISABLE RANDOMLY. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING IN DRY CONDITIONS OR WET CONDITIONS, ON WARM AND COLD DAYS AND ALSO WHEN THE CAR IS BEING STARTED IN THE DRIVEWAY. 4- AIRBAGS- THE "SERVICE AIRBAGS" LIGHT WILL COME ON AND GO OFF FOR NO REASON. IT WILL COME ON ONE DAY AND BE ON FOR A WEEK AND THEN GO OFF FOR A MONTH OR TWO AND THEN COME BACK ON AGAIN. 5- DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT COVER HOLDS A LOT OF MOISTURE 6- CHECK TIRE PRESSURE COMES ON QUITE A BIT FOR NO REASON. ALL TIRE PRESSURES ARE DOUBLE CHECKED AND ARE AT THE PERFECT PRESSURE RECOMMENDED BY GM. *TR
Air bags, Mar 8, 2013
THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG DOES NOT WORK WHEN THE PERSON IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS UNDER 110 LBS. MY GRAND SON IS ONLY 10 YEARS OLD AND I'M AFRAID TO LET HIM SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CAUSE THE AIRBAG DOESN'T WORK WHEN HIM OR ANY LIGHT WEIGHT PERSON SITS IN THE SEAT.I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER AND THEY CAN'T OR WON'T SPEND THE MONEY TO REPLACE THE SEAT SENSOR IN THE SEAT WHICH THEY SAY IS THE PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Feb 18, 2013
SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHTS UP IN THE DASH AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES OFF. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE GOTTEN NO SATISFACTION. I WAS TOLD SINCE IT GOES BACK OFF AFTER A WHILE I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT STAYS ON TO KNOW EXACTLY WHICH SENSOR HAS WENT BAD BECAUSE IT IS AN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE. *TR
Air bags, Dec 28, 2012
MY 2008 CHEVY EQUINOX HAS HAD THE AIRBAG ERROR LIGHT ON THE CONSOLE INTERMITTENTLY ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. NOW IT IS JUST ON. PAID $124 TO HAVE IT LOOK AT THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM, CURRENTLY HAS 55K MILES ON IT SO OUT OF WARRANTY. THE SAID THE SENSOR UNIT UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WHICH MEAN REPLACING THAT WHOLE SEAT CUSHION OVER $800, THE PART IS OVER $500. WITH THIS AIRBAG ERROR LIGHT ON THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT ACTIVATE ON IMPACT SO THIS IS A SAFETY RISK. WHY WOULD THIS NOT BE PART OF A RECALL SINCE I READ THE 2007S HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE HAS BEEN NO DAMAGE TO THAT SEAT, THIS IS FAULTY EQUIPMENT. *TR
Air bags, Nov 16, 2012
AIRBAG SENSOR - SERVICE AIRBAG IS ILLUMINATED FOR NO REASON. MULTIPLE OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUES, YET WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER. *TR
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 5, 2012
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN DISPLAYING INTERMITTENTLY TURNING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ON AND OFF WHILE DISPLAYING A SERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG NOW REMAINS OFF AT ALL TIMES STILL DISPLAYING THE SERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGE. THIS IS WITH A 200 POUND MAN SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE NO LONGER CLEARS THE PROBLEM. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE 2007 EQUINOX WAS RECALLED FOR THE SAME REASON SO WHY AREN'T THE 2008 MODELS NOT BEING INCLUDED IN THE RECALL? ALSO, AFTER SOMEONE MENTIONED THAT THEIR EQUINOX HAD THE SAME PROBLEM I STARTED ASKING OTHER OWNERS. APPARENTLY IT IS FAIRLY COMMON AND I GUESS A SOURCE OF INCOME FOR GM. ONE WOMAN TOLD ME THE CHEVY TECH TOLD HER THAT AIR BAG PROBLEMS WERE COMMON AFTER 45,000 MILES AND WAS CONSIDERED A ROUTINE REPAIR. DEALER WANTS $500 PLUS TO REPAIR. AS LONG AS DEALERS ARE TELLING PEOPLE THIS IS A ROUTINE REPAIR NO ONE IS GOING TO REPORT IT AS A PROBLEM. ALSO, THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR CONSTANTLY READS 15 POUNDS WHEN TWO SEPARATE MANUAL AIR GAUGES SHOW 37 PSI. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL MESSAGE COMES ON PERIODICALLY EVEN WHEN PARKED. DRIVING IS DIFFICULT UNTIL IT CLEARS WHICH IS ALSO AFTER A RESTART. *TR
Air bags, Sep 2, 2012
I TOOK MY 2008 CHEVY EQUINOX TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ROOF RAIL MODULE NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $1,475. I HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR $175 AND LEAVE EQUINOX FOR REPAIR WHEN THE GM TECH TOLD ME THE EQUINOX WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. UPON COMPLETION, THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS OFF AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT DISPLAYED ON AS MY 115LB DAUGHTER WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. HALF WAY HOME, PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT SWITCHED TO OFF. WOULD THE AIRBAG HAVE DEPLOYED IN AN ACCIDENT NOW THAT THE SENSOR WASN'T DETECTING ANYONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT? MOST LIKELY NOT. SOMETIMES THE PASSENGER LIGHT IS ON AND THEN IT GOES OFF. SOMETIMES IT NEVER SENSES A PASSENGER AT ALL. I HAVE CONTACTED GM CORPORATE OFFICE AND THEY WILL NOT RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. THEY WANT TO GIVE A $2,000 LOYALTY CERTIFICATE TO PURCHASE A NEW GM VEHICLE WITHIN A YEAR. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. PER GM CORPORATE, THIS $1,475 REPAIR IS ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THIS CONTRADICTS THE CERTIFIED GM TECH WHO TOLD ME THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING. HE SAID IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MILEAGE OR MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE. A QUALITY VEHICLE & THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS IS OF NO CONCERN TO GM. I'VE HAD THIS ISSUE FOR A YEAR NOW SINCE THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE WAS REPLACED IN SEPTEMBER 2011 AT A COST OF $545. BOB BELL CHEVY BEL AIR CAN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO THEREFORE DEEMED THERE IS NO PROBLEM. I CAN'T HAVE ANYONE SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT DUE TO THIS DEFECTIVE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE EQUINOX ON THIS SAME ISSUE. IN FACT, 2007 EQUINOX WAS RECALLED FOR SIMILAR AIRBAG ISSUES. I HAVE REQUESTED A FULL REFUND FROM GM BUT THEY REFUSE. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY. REPLACING AIR BAG MODULES & SENSORS IS NOT ROUTINE MAINTENANCE THAT I SHOULD BE FORCED TO BEAR. *TR
Air bags, Aug 21, 2012
DOES NOT RECOGNIZE PASSENGER, AND AIRBAG IS "OFF". THIS HAS HAPPENED BEGINNING FIRST DAY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, AND INTERMITTENTLY SINCE. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE, AS IT USUALLY DOES NOT RECOGNIZE ADULT PASSENGER OF LESS THAN ABOUT 150 LBS. MOST RECENT TRIP A FEW DAYS AGO WITH THREE ADULTS OF MEDIUM SIZE HAD PROBLEMS WITH NONE OF OCCUPANTS BEING RECOGNIZED BY SENSOR, EVEN WHEN PROPERLY SEATED AND BUCKLED. LITERATURE STATES PASSENGERS OF OVER ABOUT 100 LBS SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED. WE HAVE ALSO FOUND THAT IT SOMETIMES SPONTANEOUSLY SHUTS AIRBAG "OFF" WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD, LEADING TO CONCERN THAT THIS ESSENTIAL SAFETY FEATURE MAY NOT WORK WHEN NEEDED IN A CRASH. WE HAVE FOUND IT NECESSARY TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, SHUT OFF ENGINE AND WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING ENGINE TO ACTIVATE PASSENGER AIRBAG. SOMETIMES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS ARE NEEDED, AND PASSENGER HAS HAD TO MOVE TO REAR SEAT WHEN ACTIVATION FAILED. IT ALWAYS RECOGNIZES A LARGER ADULT PASSENGER, BUT TYPICAL PASSENGER IS OF MEDIUM SIZE. THIS IS A COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE SITUATION FROM A SAFETY STANDPOINT. GM POSITION IS THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER STANDARD WARRANTY, AND OUR RESEARCH SHOWS REPAIR COST TO BE SUBSTANTIAL. RESEARCH HAS TURNED UP OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVING SAME ISSUE WITH SAME VEHICLE. IF A RECALL WERE TO BE CALLED FOR, CUSTOMERS WOULD NOT HAVE TO BEAR THIS HIGH COST. *TR
Air bags, Jul 9, 2012
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN TURNING OFF AND ON INTERMITTENTLY TURNING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ON AND OFF WHILE DISPLAYING A SERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER A FEW MONTHS THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG JUST REMAINS OFF AT ALL TIMES STILL DISPLAYING THE SERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGE. THIS IS WITH A 120 POUND WOMAN OR A 170 POUND MAN SITTING IN THE SEAT. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THE 2007 EQUINOX WAS RECALLED FOR THE SAME REASON WHY IS THIS ONE NOT BEING RECALLED? *TR
Air bags, Jun 7, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT DID NOT IDENTIFY THAT A PASSENGER WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THIS CAUSED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WOULD NOT TO DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
Air bags, May 21, 2012
AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO STATE THAT IT IS OFF WHEN PASSENGER IS SITTING IN PASSENGER FRONT SEAT. PASSENGER WEIGHS 115 +LBS. SEEMS TO BE FAULTY SENSOR AS SOMETIMES IT WORKS CORRECTLY AND THE NEXT IT DOES NOT. SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS AS THERE ARE PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS REGUARDING THIS ISSUE. *TT
Air bags, Seats, Sep 28, 2011
SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR DAYS AND GO OFF FOR DAYS AND CONTINUED DOING THIS FOR A MONTH TILL WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. PROBLEM WAS RIGHT FRONT SEAT MODULE SHORTED OUT AND WAS REPLACED. MODULE KIT 14.865 (PART FP 19207140) TOTAL COST OF REPAIR WAS $416.75. AT THIS TIME, THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL PER GM. I DO HAVE A FILE NUMBER WITH GM AND THEY WILL NOTIFY ME SHOULD THERE BE A RECALL. *TT