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, Engine, Feb 3, 2014
WHILE IDLING HEARING VERY LOUD CLICKING NOISE FROM PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. OPENED THE HOOD AND FOUND MY #1 SPARK PLUG JUTTING IN AND OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. ALSO SMELL BURNING RUBBER/GAS SMELL. VERY TIRED OF THIS VEHICLE AND MANUFACTURE'S UNWILLINGNESS TO SAY THERE IS MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH IT. THIS IS THE 5TH ISSUE I HAVE HAD WITH THE VEHICLE!!!!!!!! *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 16, 2013
THE DRIVER'S DOOR OF MY 2008 EQUINOX HAS STARTED NOT LOCKING OR UNLOCKING WITH THE REMOTE. THE WINDOW WILL NOT GO DOWN, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON OR GO OFF WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED OR CLOSED, & THE RADIO WILL NOT SHUT OFF WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED. I HAVE ALSO CHANGED HEADLIGHTS 3 TIMES IN THE 3 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. NOW THE TAGS LIGHTS ARE BURNT OUT ALSO. SEEMS LIKE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM TO ME. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 23, 2013
DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS NON RESPONSIVE TO KEY FOB OR ELECTRONIC LOCK CONTROL. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 22, 2013
THE DRIVERS SIDE BACK DOOR WILL SOMETIMES UNLOCK WITH THE KIOSK AND SOMETIMES I HAVE TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR LOCK. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A YEAR. NOW MY DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WILL SOMETIMES ROLL DOWN AFTER SEVERAL TIMES TRYING TO ROLL IT DOWN. OTHER TIMES IT WILL NOT ROLL DOWN. HAS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED THIS WITH THEIR 2008 EQUINOX? *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 13, 2013, crash
STABILITY TRAC LIGHT CAME ON, LOST POWER STEERING, TOOK IT TO CHEVY DEALER, SAID LOW VOLTAGE CONDITION, REPLACED BATTERY, WORK FOR ABOUT A MONTH, SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. NOT THE BATTERY. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 25, 2013
THE CAR WAS JERKING INTO GEAR, ESPECIALLY WHILE PUTTING IT INTO REVERSE. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR THE NEXT MORNING AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE SHOP. I HAD TO GET THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 43,000 MILES. I HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS TWICE AND HIT THE HOOD THIS LAST TIME AND IT CAME ON. THE MECHANIC SAID IT'S NOT SEALED PROPERLY. I HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS AFTER A THUNDERSTORM. THE MECHANIC SAID THE CAR IS NOT PROPERLY SEALED AND MOISTURE IS TRAPPED INSIDE THE LIGHTS. THE COST TO REPLACE AN $11 BULB WAS $24 IN LABOR BECAUSE ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET TO THE HEADLIGHT. THE BRAKE LIGHTS COST $$54 IN LABOR BECAUSE YOU LITERALLY HAVE TO DISASSEMBLE THE ENTIRE BUMPER. *TR
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
Electrical system, Visibility, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 10, 2012
DRIVERS SIDE POWER DOOR LOCK STOPPED WORKING. DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW SLOWLY BEGAN TO FAIL. WOULD WORK WHEN IT WANTED TO AND THEN STOPPED WORKING ALTOGETHER. SEEMS LIKE THE SAME RECALL AS THE 250K MIDSIZE SUV'S BASED ON THE TRAILBLAZER(2006,2007). *TR
Electrical system, Equipment, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 3, 2011
SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL,SERVICE STABILITRAK, ALL WHEEL DRIVE OFF. DASH LIGHTS CAME ON WITH THESE 3 MESSAGES AGAIN. APRIL 6 THE DEALERSHIP PUT IN A NEW STABILIZER AND IT FAILED AGAIN! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility, Tires, Seats, Interior lighting, Dec 7, 2010
SEVERAL INCIDENTS WITH VEHICLE FROM 6/08-CURRENT - CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS AND SEVERAL REPAIRS INCLUDING TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AND CURRENTLY AWAITING PARTS FOR A NEW PROBLEM. CAR 24 MONTHS OLD, PURCHASE NEW AND HAS HAD SEVERAL ISSUES AND HAS BEEN TOWED 4 TIMES FOR BREAKDOWNS. HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN UNDER 5YRS AND TERRIFIED TO DRIVE WITH ISSUES. HAVE COPIES OF ALL DEALERSHIP PAPERWORK, REPAIRS. REPAIRS INCLUDE, NOT LIMITED TO TRANSMISSION REPLACED, HEATER/COOLER SYSTEM LEAK, LIGHTING/DASH REPLACED, TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACED BUT CURRENTLY BROKE, CURRENTLY AWAITING PARTS FOR TIMING CHAIN REPLACEMENT APPROX COST $5000 REPAIR, LEATHER CRACKING, WINDSHIELD WIPER REAR NOT WORKING, CARPETING COMING OUT IN NEED OF REPAIR, FRONT HEADLIGHT LEAK AND FOGGY IN NEED OF REPAIR. THIS CAR IS CONSTANTLY IN THE SHOP, GETTING NOWHERE WITH GENERAL MOTORS. HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON SIDE OF HIGHWAY WITH CHILDREN WHEN BROKE DOWN. DANGEROUS NOW KNOWING WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Apr 5, 2010
2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX ENGINE SHUT OFF. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS. *KB AN INTERNAL FAULT CODE WAS FOUND WITH THE ECM.
Electrical system, Visibility, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 23, 2009
2008 CHEVY EQUINOX - PURCHASED MAY 2008. NINE (9) OF THE LAST ELEVEN (11) MONTHS, THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS; 'SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM', 'SERVICE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM", & "SERVICE STABILITRAK"ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS EACH. EACH TIME, I WAS TOLD THAT A MODULE RELAY WAS REPLACED. THEY ALSO EVENTUALLY GAVE US A NEW BATTERY AND CHANGED THE STARTER. NOW, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS LIT UP, AND THE "SERVICE STABILITRAK" LIGHT IS COMING BACK ON. THE REAR WIPER WILL MAKE A SINGLE SWEEP EVEN WHEN IN THE OFF POSITION AND THE RADIO WILL START SEARCHING FOR A STATION EVEN WITH A STRONG SIGNAL FROM AN AREA STATION. IF I HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, THE CD'S WILL SKIP SONGS OR RESTART ITSELF. MOST TIMES, I AM TOLD THAT THE ISSUE NEEDS TO BE HAPPENING WHEN I BRING IT IN. UNFORTUNATELY, IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY OR AFTER HOURS. THEREFORE, NOTHING IS DONE TO CORRECT THE CONSTANT PROBLEMS. I REALLY FEEL LIKE I PURCHASED A LEMON AND EVEN GAVE MY DEALER A COPY OF THE TEXAS LEMON LAW, I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE TAKING EVEN SHORT LENGTH ROAD TRIPS FOR FEAR MY CAR WILL FAIL TO RUN PROPERLY. I FEEL AS THOUGH I AM STUCK PAYING FOR A "LEMON" CAR FOR FOUR MORE YEARS. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 9, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL GAUGES WERE POORLY ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, HE IS UNABLE TO PROPERLY READ THE WARNING INDICATORS AND OTHER MESSAGES ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. SPORADICALLY, THE CLUSTER WILL HAVE SPONTANEOUS SURGES OF BRIGHT LIGHT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THESE WERE NORMAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,000.
Electrical system, Jun 25, 2008
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, SPEEDOMETER STUCK ON 35 MPH, GAS GAGE SAID I HAD 1 1/4 TANK OF GAS, AND IT SAID MY CAR WAS OVERHEATING. WHEN WE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IT STAYED THE SAME. AFTER BEING PARKED FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS, EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL EXCEPT FOR THE GAS GAGE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT BECAUSE IT WASN'T DOING IT ANYMORE. WE BOUGHT THIS AS OUR FIRST ALL NEW CAR BECAUSE WE WERE TIRE OF PROBLEMS INHERITED WITH USED CARS. ALOT A GOOD THAT DID, WE HAD IT 3 MONTHS BEFORE PROBLEMS STARTED. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 7, 2008
I HAVE BEEN DRIVING SINCE 1963 AND THIS CAR HAS ABSOLUTELY THE WORST PROBLEM WITH STATIC ELECTRICITY THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN. I THOUGHT AT FIRST IT WAS JUST ME, BUT AT A COMPANY MEETING (IT IS A COMPANY CAR) I DISCOVERED THAT EVERYONE I SPOKE TO THAT HAS AN EQUINOX HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. EVEN IF THE CAR ISN'T RUNNING AND YOU HAVE ALREADY BEEN SHOCKED, IF YOU MOVE AROUND SLIGHTLY IN THE SEAT YOU WILL GET ANOTHER SHOCK THE NEXT TIME YOU TOUCH SOMETHING METAL. THE SHOCK IS SOMETIMES SO SEVERE THAT AT FIRST I THOUGHT THE BATTERY HAD A SHORT TO GROUND. *TR