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: electrical system
65 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Jan 5, 2023
Occasionally, when finished driving and the key is turned towards the off position it will not fully turn back in order to pull the key out. It will shut off the engine but generally stops in approx. the accy position. If you restart the engine and drive a little more it has then backed all the way off and been able to remove the key. (It has been ongoing for some time but my father has been just dealing with it.)
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 18, 2020
WHILE DRIVING MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP RANDOMLY SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I TRY TO TURN THE KNOB TO TURN THEM BACK ON NOTHING HAPPENS. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR COMPLETELY OFF AND START IT AGAIN. AND ALSO WHEN I PRESS MY LOCK BUTTON THE CAR STARTS UP WITH NO KEY.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 11, 2019
THE IGNITION LOCKS UP WHEN SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF. IT WON'T LET THE KEY TURN THE WHOLE WAY OFF AND LOCKS IT IN PLACE FOR ANYWHERE FROM A MINUTE TO 5 MINUTES. SOMETIMES IF YOU SLAM THE SHIFTER IN PARK IT WILL RELEASE BUT NOT ALWAYS.
Electrical system, Oct 6, 2017
IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THE SPEEDOMETER GOES UP TO 120 MPH AND GETS STUCK. I WILL BE DRIVING AT 45 MILES AN HOUR AND THE SPEEDOMETER WILL GO UP TO SAY THAT I AM DRIVING 120 MILES PER HOUR. IT WILL BE STUCK THERE FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND THEN WILL GRADUALLY GO BACK DOWN TO WHERE IT SHOULD BE. WHEN IT GOES UP TO 120 MPH YOU WILL HEAR CLICKING IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IF YOU BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP THE SPEEDOMETER MIGHT SAY YOU ARE DRIVING 120 MPH OR IT MIGHT SAY 60 MPH. THE RPM METER WILL ALSO SOMETIMES SHOW IT GOING UP. WE HAVE CHANGED OUT THE FUSES AND STILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS ALSO SOME PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER WAS USING THIS TO DRIVE BACK AND FORTH TO COLLEGE AND PANICKED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I CONTACTED CHEVY AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO RECALLS AND IT WAS MY PROBLEM TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE GOTTEN INFO THAT IT WAS DUE TO FAULTY MOTOR IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL. IT WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO ATTACHED THE PICTURE OF THE VIDEO OR PHOTO OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BELOW.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 29, 2017
HAVING TROUBLE WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE TEMP GAUGE AND GAS METER NOT READING
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 24, 2017
FIRST THE CAR FUEL TANK' THE GAS GAGE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY WHEN THE GAS TANK FULL IT SHOWS HALF OR EMPTY, SECOND THE HEAD LIGHT BULB BLOWS LIKE EVERY TWO WEEKS BECAUSE WATER IS GETTING INTO THE CONSOLE OR THE HEAD LIGHT ,THE TURN SIGNAL NEVER TURN OFF AFTER YOU SWISH IN ON AND MAKE THE TURN I HAVE TO MANUALLY SWISH IT OFF AT ALL TIMES WEATHER YOU ARE IN CITY HIGH WAY DO NOT MATTER .
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2017
ENGINE LOSING POWER AND CAR NOT TURNING ON
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 25, 2016
WHEN I PUSH ON THE GAS (CAR IN PARK ON FLAT SURFACE) I HEAR WHAT SOUNDS LIKE A RUSHING OF WATER. ALSO WHEN CAR SITS IN THE SUN, DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW INOPERABLE AND BACK DOOR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK INOPERABLE. ELECTRICAL HAS BEEN AN ON GOING ISSUE FOR ABOUT A YEAR.
Electrical system, Structure, Oct 31, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS OF THE VEHICLE FAILED TO LOCK AND HAD TO BE LOCKED MANUALLY. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
Electrical system, Jul 1, 2016
2008 EQUINOX - MY KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND I CAN'T TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE ISN'T REGISTERING THAT IT'S IN PARK. IT'S SOME ISSUE WITH THE SHIFTER. THE KEY WAS STICKING FOR ABOUT A MONTH BUT WOULD ALWAYS TURN OFF UNTIL NOW. NUMEROUS EQUINOX OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE BUT CHEVY HASN'T FIXED THE PROBLEM OR ISSUED A RECALL.
Electrical system, Jun 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME STUCK AND WAS UNABLE TO BE EJECTED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Jun 2, 2016
I HAVE A LIGHT ON SAYING SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY AIRBAG .ALSO A TAPPING IN MY ENGINE
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 13, 2016
THE SPEEDOMETER TO MY VEHICLE IS NOT WORKING. REGARDLESS IF THE CAR IS ON OR OFF, THE NEEDLE IS ALWAYS STUCK ON 120 MPH. I HAVE ALSO STARTED TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE BACK DOORS IN WHICH THE LOCKS ARE NOT WORKING WITH THE REMOTE. IF I TRY TO UNLOCK, THE BACK DOORS REMAIN LOCKED. WHEN I DO USE THE REMOTE TO LOCK THE VEHICLE, THE BACK DOORS WILL UNLOCK. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. THE SEALS MUST NOT BE THAT GREAT BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF MOISTURE IN THEM TO WHERE NOW I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THEM. MY BACK LIGHTS CONSTANTLY GO OUT AS WELL AND AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR, I HAVE TO REPLACE THE BULBS.
Electrical system, Apr 25, 2016
DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT OPERATE WITH REMOTE AND WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH REMOTE. WHEN VEHICLE IS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK, AND WHEN VEHICLE PLACED IN PARK DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 1, 2016
BAD WIRING HARNESS.
Electrical system, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 10, 2016
TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS ON, ALWAYS . AIR BAG IS OFF ALWAYS. THIS CAR IS ONE PIECE OF TRASH.
Electrical system, Air bags, Jan 29, 2016
SERVICE AIR BAG, SOMETIMES PASSENGER CAME ON, SOMETIMES DIDN'T, NOW FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE OF IT. AUTO DOOR LOCKS SOMETIMES WORK, SOMETIMES DO NOT
Electrical system, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 15, 2016
AIRBAG LIGHTS COMING ON AND OFF PASSENGER AIR BAG WORKS SOMETIMES ON AND OFF ELECTRICAL WITH THE LIGHTS BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAGS A LOT AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Dec 31, 2015
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR DOESN'T GO ON OR GOES ON AND THEN TURNS OFF WHILE IN CAR DRIVING OR STATIONARY. MOVING AROUND ON SEAT MAKES IT SWITCH BACK AND FORTH. LOOKS LIKE THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE FROM THE 2007 RECALL, BUT NOT EXTENDED TO 2008. HAVEN'T TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP YET, BUT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. WAS SOLD TO ME LAST MONTH FROM A USED CAR DEALER.
Electrical system, Dec 10, 2015
DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK WHEN INSIDE THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR IN ORDER TO GET OUT. WINDOW MUST BE ROLLED DOWN IN ORDER TO REACH OUTSIDE AND OPEN THE DOOR . VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND I WAS TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR WITH THE HANDLE AND SOMETHING CAME LOOSE AND DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR WITH THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK.
Electrical system, Air bags, Nov 10, 2015
I HAVE PURCHASED A CHEVY EQUINOX 2008 AND THE MESSAGE CENTER FOR THE PAST 3 WEEKS DISPLAYED SERVICE AIR BAG. THERE SEEMS TO BE A ELECTRICAL ISSUE I CAN HEAR STATIC OR SOMETHING COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR EVERY TIME I OPEN AND CLOSE IT. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I ONLY HAVE A 30 DAY WARRANTY. I CHECKED THIS CAR ON AUTO CHECK AND THE MILEAGE WAS EVEN WRONG, WHEN INSPECTED LAST THE MILES WERE 118,000 WHEN I GOT IT IT HAD 115,769 DID THEY ROLL IT BACK. WHAT SITES ARE ACCURATE? I CHECKED AUTOCHECK VIN PRO THE PAST COUPLE YEARS THEY HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING SAME ISSUES AIR BAG SENSOR ETC CHEVY SUCKS!
Electrical system, Oct 1, 2015
ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY IN WARM OR HOT WEATHER. YOU CAN HEAR THE ACTUATOR TRYING, BUT IT WILL ONLY "PARTIALLY" UNLOCK THE DOOR OR NOT EVEN BUDGE THE INTERNAL MANUAL LEVER. THINGS WORK FINE WHEN IT IS COLD. THIS IS DEFINITELY RELATED TO HEAT BECAUSE IN THE SPRING AND FALL THIS IS ONLY A PROBLEM WHEN THE SUN SHINES ON THAT SIDE OF THE CAR. FURTHERMORE, IN THE SUMMER THE LOCKS WILL OFTEN WORK AFTER RUNNING THE A/C FOR 30 MINUTES OR SO. I THINK THIS PROBLEM STARTED WHEN THE CAR WAS 2-3 YEARS OLD. WE CAN USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS, AND IF WE USE THE REMOTE FOB FIRST, THE ALARM WON'T SOUND. JUST THE SAME, IT IS AGGRAVATING.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Aug 17, 2015
ELECTRICAL - MY COLLEGE AGE DAUGHTER DRIVES THE EQUINOX - THE LOCKS DO NOT LOCK UNLESS SHE PHYSICALLY GOES AROUND AND LOCKS ALL OF THE DOORS. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE - ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT - NOT SAFE WHEN SHE IS WORKING AND ALONE AND HAVING TO LOCK AND UNLOCK ALL DOORS - ALSO SOMETIMES A MANUAL UNLOCK WILL SET OFF THE CAR ALARM!!! AND SHE HAS TO JUMP IN AND PUT KEY IN IGNITION TO GET IT TO STOP. SO WORRIED. HAD CHEVROLET LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAY ALL 4 DOOR ACTUATORS HAVE TO BE FIXED FOR A COST OF OVER 1200.00. COLLEGE KIDS CANNOT AFFORD THAT AND IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN ANYWAY. NEED IMMEDIATE HELP WITH THIS. VISIBILITY/WIPER - WINDSHIELD FLUID LEAKING INTO FLOOR ON DRIVER SIDE WHEN WIPER FLUID FILLED. CHEVROLET SAID COST OVER 500.00 TO REPLACE FLUID BOTTLE??? COLLEGE KIDS CANNOT AFFORD THIS AND IT SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING ANYWAY. SAFETY HAZARD WITH VISIBILITY CONCERNS SINCE BOTTLE EMPTY AT ALL TIMES.
Electrical system, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 7, 2015
PASSENGER AIR BAG DOES NOT WORK WHEN SOMEONE IS IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. DRIVERS WINDOW & LOCK STOPPED WORKING(HAS BEEN REPAIRED). SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL & SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHTS ARE ON. EGR VALVE CODE, TORQUE CONVERTER CODE, EVAP SYSTEM CODE, AND ABS CODE. THERE IS ALSO A SQUEEKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR & HAS LESS THAN 77K MILES. ALSO LIKE OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED I TOO GET HURT ON THE BACK OF MY LEG WHEN GETTING OUT OF THE PASSENGER SEAT.
Electrical system, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 15, 2015
WHERE DO I BEGIN?!?!!?! AFTER MULTIPLE FAILED ATTEMPTS OF THE DEALER TRYING TO FIX THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM/STABILITRACK LIGHTS ARE STILL ON AND STILL DING! TIRES ARE DOUBLE CHECKED REGULARLY. PASSENGER AIR BAG ONLY COMES ON WHEN IT WANTS TO, WEATHER THE PERSON WEIGHS 70LBS OR 250LBS. THE KEY SOMETIMES GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION WON'T TURN OR COME OUT, I USUALLY GIVE UP FIGHTING IT AND FORGET ABOUT IT FOR AWHILE THEN IT MAGICALLY WORKS. NONE OF THE DOORS WILL LOCK OR UNLOCK WITH THE FOB OR ELECTRIC BUTTON INSIDE, KEY FOB ONLY SETS THE ALARM ON/OFF, SO I HAVE TO MANUALLY LOCK AND UNLOCK ALL THE DOORS. WHICH IS A A PAIN WITH THREE KIDS, NOT ONLY THAT BUT MAKES ME FEEL VERY UNSAFE TRAVELING WITH THE KIDS IN THE CAR. I AM A SINGLE MOM AND BOUGHT THIS CAR BELIEVING IT WOULD BE SAFE AND RELIABLE. I'M ABOUT READY TO PUSH IT OFF A CLIFF. HOW MANY MORE COMPLAINTS WILL YOU IGNORE, CAUSING A FATAL ACCIDENT, BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THIS?!?! I WILL NOT BE INVESTING IN ANOTHER GM VEHICLE THAT'S FOR SURE! SHOULD OF STUCK WITH FOREIGN!