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: steering
44 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Suspension, Mar 26, 2020
2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX SPORT MAKES A LOUD POPPING/CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. IT ALSO POPS LOUD WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN I AM DRIVING ON STRAIGHT AND SMOOTH ROADS, THERE IS NO ISSUE WHATSOEVER. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO FOUR DIFFERENT SHOPS AND HAD IT LOOKED AT BY EIGHT DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY GENERAL MOTORS IMMEDIATELY! I STRONGLY FEEL THAT THIS CAN BECOME A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 6, 2018
I BOUGHT MY EQUINOX USED IN 2015 WITH 87,000. SINCE HAVING IT, I'VE REPLACED THE TIRE VALVE SENSORS (BROKE AGAIN). I WAS TOLD THAT FIXING THEM ARE A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION. I'VE REPLACED TURN SIGNAL HANDLE. A MONTH LATER, I HAVE TO MANUALLY TURN OFF MY TURNING SIGNALS NO MATTER HOW SHARP OR WIDE MY TURNS ARE. SINCE I FIRST GOT MY VEHICLE, MY STABILITY TRACTION SERVICE LIGHT, I THINK THE ABS LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT POPS ON. CAN'T TAKE TO MECHANIC DUE TO THE ISSUES NOT BEING CONSTANT. ONCE I CAUGHT ENGINE LIGHT ON,IT WAS A EGR VALVE, REPLACED THAT. ISSUE CONTINUES. WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY, MY VEHICLE SEEMS TO HESITATE AND/OR STALL.
Steering, Mar 13, 2018
I HAVE A NEW BATTERY (PURCHASED 2-3MONTHS AGO) & A NEW ALTERNATOR (INSTALLED YESTERDAY). TODAY DRIVING TO WORK I NOTICE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AS SOON AS I STARTED TO DRIVE. THERE IS NO PLACE TO ADD POWER STEERING FLUID AS I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY EMPLOYEES AT ADVANCE AUTO PART BECAUSE IT IS EITHER ELECTRIC OR HYDRAULIC. PLEASE HELP? ..... P.S. IT WAS LOCKED JUST B4 REPLACING THE ALTERNATOR (ABOUT 1 WEEK AGO) AND REMAINS LOCKED TODAY.
Steering, Air bags, Jun 7, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH HIS DAUGHTER, WIFE, AND NEPHEW, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A ROAD SIGN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER SUSTAINED A CONTUSION ON THE CHEST WALL AND HIS WIFE SUSTAINED SHOULDER PAIN. THE DAUGHTER REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.
Steering, Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 11, 2016
MY 74 YEAR OLD BROTHER BOUGHT HIS 2008 EQUINOX NEW IT HAS LESS THAN 120,000 MILES ON IT AND IT IS THE BIGGEST HEAP OF CRAP CHEVROLET INVENTED!!!! 5. POWER STEERING WENT OUT COSTING $2500.00 TO FIX JAN 2015 6. TRANSMISSION STARTS JERKING WHEN HITTING 45 MPH DEALERSHIP INFORMED US OF THE TRANSMISSION WHEN WE TOOK IN FOR A RECALL ON A DEFECTIVE GAS MODUAL THAT THEY NEVER REPLACED SAYING THE PART WAS OK. THEY DROVE IT AND SAID THAT ITS THE TRANSMISSION AND ASKED $500.00 TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC. STARTED FEB 2016 7. THE STABLE LINK LIGHT PERIODICALLY COMES ON SAYING TO SERVICE THE STABLE TRAC THEN GOES OFF STARTED MARCH OF 2016 8. THE TOP OF THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE BACK HATCH IS GONE WHERE IT FELL OFF AT SOME POINT HAS MANY OTHER THINGS WRONG. TURN SIGNAL GEARS TO TURN OFF SIGNALS FOR RIGHT AND LEFT SIGNAL DO NOT WORK. THE WASHER FLUID MOTOR DOES NOT WORK. DRIVERS DOOR POWER WINDOW MOTOR BROKE FROM WINDOW.DRIVERS DOOR HAS TO BE MANUALLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. THIS VEHICLE IS A CLEAN AND IN EXCELLENT SHAPE IT WAS BOUGHT NEW AND IS OWNED BY AN ELDERLY MAN. IT HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED HAS LESS THAT 120,000 MILES ON IT
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Jun 20, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STABILITY AND TRACTION LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000. TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STABILITY TRACTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000. UPDATED 08/30/16*LJ CONSUMER STATED NO POWER STEERING HAS WIRING, FLUID LEAK, AND BOLTS WERE MISSING. UPDATED 06/20/18*JB
Steering, Mar 21, 2016
THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND PARK AT LOW SPEEDS. I'VE SEVERAL FORUMS WITH THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING A LOT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE POWER STEERING RECALLS. IT'S NEARLY $1,000 TO HAVE THIS PART REPLACED!
Steering, Jan 23, 2016
THE STEERING KIND OF LOCKS WHILE IN MOTION AND YOU HAVE TO FORCE IT SOMETIMES TO TURN. ONCE I ADJUST THE COLUMN IT WILL SHUT THE CAR OFF AND THEN ONCE I START THE CAR AGAIN IT WILL BE FINE FOR A WHILE AND I HAVE TO KEEP DOING IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN. BUT THE COMPUTER READS IT'S FINE AND THE MACHANIC CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT
Steering, Dec 28, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Steering, Oct 5, 2015
MY CAR WOULDN'T START. SO I BROUGHT A NEW BATTERY THEN MY CAR STARTED AND THEN I NOTICED STABILITRAK LIGHT WAS ON. I TRY TO DRIVE CAR BUT MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN AND COULDN'T DRIVE THE CAR.
Steering, Power train, Engine, Aug 21, 2015
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A TRIP WHEN SHE PULLED OVER TO GET GAS. THE DRIVESHAFT SNAPPED IN HALF JUST AS SHE WAS PULLING INTO THE GAS STATION. THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO SOUND BEFORE THEN. SHE HAD NO CONTROL OF HER CAR. NO STEERING, NOTHING. SHE HAD JUST PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY, SO THANK GOD IT DID NOT HAPPEN WHEN SHE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 70 MPH OR SHE WOULD BE DEAD. COST TO HAVE TOWED AND FIXED OVER $1000.ALSO PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, HAS HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH FRONT END. HAD TO REPLACE THE BEARINGS, FRONT AXLE, TIE RODS 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS DUE TO SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE WAY IT DRIVES OR IS MADE. CONSTANT "RUBBING, GRINDING" NOISE WHEN YOU TURN TIRES. GAS FUMES ARE VERY STRONG IN THE CAR, ALWAYS HAVE BEEN, AND REPAIR SHOPS CANNOT FIND ANY LEAKS. SHE CANNOT SELL IT, AS IT IS WORTH VERY LITTLE DUE TO ALL THESE DEFECTS AND NO RECALLS, AND SHE IS STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR FOR THE NEXT 4 YEARS. STUCK WITH A VERY DANGEROUS LEMON.
Steering, Jul 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Steering, Jul 22, 2015
MY STABILIZER CONTROL LIGHTS ARE FLASHING AND THEY CONTINUE TO FLASH THEY SOMETIMES SLOW THE CAR FOR NO REASON TOOK IT TO THE SHOP WHERE I WORK AND THEY TELL ME I HAVE TO HAVE A PART REPLACED IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND MY ABS IS NO LONGER WORKING MY STABILIZING SYSTEM IS NO LONGER WORKING
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 20, 2015
I DROVE MY CAR TO THE STORE WENT IN FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. WHEN I CAME BACK OUT MY CAR WOULDN'T START. I THOUGHT MY CAR BATTERY HAD WENT DEAD SO I GOT A JUMP BUT THEN I NOTICED MY STABILITY TRACK LIGHT WAS ON AND THAT MY POWER STEERING HAD WENT OUT. AS SOON AS I MADE IT HOME TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TRIED TO RESTART IT, IT WENT DEAD AGAIN. AS I LOOK UP TO SEE WHAT COULD BE WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE I'VE NOTICED THAT THIS IS A COMMON MALFUNCTION THAT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING A LOT. I KNOW CARS CAN GO OUT BUT THIS ALSO HAPPEN A LOT WHERE A CONSUMER SPENDS THERE HARD EARNED MONEY ONLY TO BE DUKED IN THE END. I'VE ONLY HAD MY CAR FOR FOUR MONTHS AND ALTHOUGH IT'S USED I FELT THAT I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MY DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT I WANT TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE. EVEN THOUGH I WAS LUCKY AND DIDN'T CRASH. I HOPE THAT THIS DOES BECOME A RECALL AS IT IS WAY TO DANGEROUS.
Steering, May 21, 2015
THE STEERING COLUMN RUBS. THE REPAIRMEN SAY THEORY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE FLUID IS FINE ALSO
Steering, May 21, 2015
SOMETHING SQUEALS IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR ANY TIME I TURN.
Steering, Apr 28, 2015
AS I'M DRIVING AT ANY SPEED MY STEERING COLUMN RUBS AND MAKES IT HARD TO TURN CORNERS. HAVE TO FORCE MORE JUST TO DRIVE CAUSE IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE IT HAS POWER STEERING. *TR
Steering, Apr 17, 2015
STEERING SQUEALS WHEN TURNING. 2008 CHEVY EQUINOX SPORT. *TR
Steering, Apr 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Feb 5, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE POWER STEERING RESUMED AFTER THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED AND RECONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 4/7/15*CN UPDATED 04/09/15
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 19, 2014
SINCE MID-AUG, MY EQUINOX HAS BEEN RANDOMLY/INTERMITTENTLY LOSING ENGINE POWER (AS WELL AS STEERING/BRAKING) FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME. THANKFULLY, WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY, (NOW AT LEAST WEEKLY) IT HAS NOT HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC. WHEN CHECKING SERVICE CODES, THE INDICATED PROBLEM SYSTEMS ARE "SECONDARY IGNITION CIRCUIT" AND "STABILITRAK." I DO NOT FEEL THE CAR IS SAFELY DRIVABLE, BUT MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER CANNOT OFFER ME EVEN A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT EARLIER THAN DEC 1. *TR
Steering, Oct 28, 2014
I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED ON SEPT. 15, 2014. IT IS THE SPORT EDITION OF THE EQUINOX. EVERY TIME I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT ANY SPEED THERE IS A RUBBING SOUND BETWEEN THE STEERING COLUMN & JUST BEHIND THE AIRBAG ON STEERING WHEEL & NEAR THE IGNITION SWITCH. I ASSUME IF THERE IS ENOUGH RUBBING FRICTION IT COULD AFFECT THE AIRBAG OR IGNITION SWITCH TO CAUSE A FIRE OR AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I TOOK CAR TO ROGER DEAN CHEVY DEALER IN CAPE CORAL, FL & THEY SAID THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR SUCH A PROBLEM. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS RUBBING FRICTION & KNOW THAT GM HAS HAD BOTH IGNITION ISSUES & AIRBAG ISSUES WHICH THIS RUBBING SOUND IS NEAR BOTH OF THESE COMPONENTS. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 31, 2014, crash
FIRST INCIDENT, STEERING FAILURE. SERVICE STABILITRACK WARNING APPEARED AND STEERING WENT OUT MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WHO STATED STEERING MODULE WENT OUT AND REPLACED AT MY OWN COST. VERY DANGEROUS TO LOOSE STEERING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. ENTIRE STEERING AND INTERIOR CONTROL MODULE WAS ALSO REPLACED A SECOND TIME. DEALER STATED IT WAS NORMAL FOR THIS TO WEAR OUT AND NEED REPLACED. SERVICE STABILITRACK WARNING STILL CONTINUES TO COME ON OCCASIONALLY. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUE. HOPEFULLY THE STEERING WILL NOT GO OUT THIS TIME WHILE I AM GOING DOWN A MAJOR HIGHWAY AT HIGHER SPEEDS. HAVE ALSO CONTINUOUSLY EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH WATER IN THE VEHICLE. CAN HEAR THE WATER SLOSHING AROUND. WATER IN THE HEADLIGHTS MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT. DOOR LOCKS ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY. CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, FRONT END COLLISION AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SERIOUS SAFETY RISK. *TR
Steering, Jul 8, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. HOWEVER, RESULTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,218.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 1, 2014
WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT THE STABILITRAK FAILED AND THE CAR IN A POSSESSED MANOR ACCELERATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED PUSHING ME FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC. ONCE I REGAINED SOME CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE CAR WAS HOPPING, THE ENGINE WAS MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND, AND I COULD NOT GO MORE THAN 25 MILES PER HOUR AND STEERING WAS DIFFICULT. TWO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. 1 WAS AS STABILATRAK REQUIRES SERVICE, THE OTHER WAS REDUCED ENGINE POWER. THE DASH ALSO HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. BECAUSE IT WAS LATE AND THE ISSUE STARTED MAYBE ON 5 MILES FROM HOME, WE TRIED TO CREEP HOME AT 25 MILES PER HOUR. THERE IS NO WARNING THAT YOUR VEHICLE IS GOING TO DO THIS. THIS ALSO HAPPENED ON A ROAD TRIP FROM CHICAGO TO MINNEAPOLIS; HALFWAY THERE WARNING LIGHTS WENT OFF AND I LOST STABILITY ALONG WITH MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE. *TR