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
370 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 31, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS DEFECTIVE AND PREVENTED THE KEY FROM RELEASING FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000. UPDATED 05/28/14 MA
Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 30, 2014
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DOESN'T WORK AND MAY BE BECAUSE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF GM VEHICLES. *TR
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Mar 29, 2014
PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT WORK, DOESN'T EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE A PASSENGER. LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON TO SERVICE AIRBAGS. ALSO MY STABIL CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON THEN GO OFF. A COUPLE MONTHS OR EVEN LONGER, THEY COME ON AGAIN. I HAVE HAD THEM CHECKED OUT. THE PASSENGER AIR BAGS SENSOR WAS REPLACE AT A COST OF $900.00 ANDSTABIL CONTROL LIGHTS REPAIR WAS $350 AND CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS . ALSO BOTH MY HEADLIGHTS ARE FULL OF MOISTURE AND I CONTINUE TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE BULBS, AFTER REPLACING ONE BULB THAT NIGHT WAS PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE , BULB BURNED OUT AGAIN.I TALKED TO THE DEALER NO RECALLS ON ANY OF THE PROBLEMS AND I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH GMC PRODUCTS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 21, 2014
MY KEY SOMETIMES IS VERY HARD TO GET OUT OF THE SWITCH. *TR
Air bags, Mar 19, 2014
READ OUT ON DASH, FLASHES " SERVICE AIR BAG SOON " THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN FIRST STARTING THE CAR.I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE OF THE CURRENT RECALL ON SOME VEHICLES AND THE WORRY THAT THE AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY ON THEIR OWN. *TR
Structure, Mar 19, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON VEHICLE WAS CHIPPING OFF AND EXPOSING THE METAL ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPAINTED TO PREVENT CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 106,000.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 19, 2014
PASSENGER AIR BAGS DON'T WORK, DOESN'T EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE A PASSENGER. LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON TO SERVICE AIRBAGS. ALSO MY STABIL CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON THEN GO OFF. A COUPLE MONTHS OR EVEN LONGER, THEY COME ON AGAIN. I HAVE HAD THEM CHECKED OUT. FIND NOTHING. ALSO BOTH MY HEADLIGHTS ARE FULL OF MOISTURE AND I CONTINUE TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE BULBS WHICH ARE A PAIN TO GET TO. I HAD A BLAZER THAT DID THE SAME THING WITH THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS. *TR
Air bags, Mar 17, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WOULD NOT ACTIVATE WHEN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE AIR BAG READY LIGHT SHOULD HAVE ILLUMINATED WHEN THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED BUT FAILED TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,911.
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
Electrical system, Mar 9, 2014
I HAVE A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX LTZ PURCHASED NEW. MY COMPLAINT IS SIMILAR TO MANY OF THE REPORTS BY DRIVERS INVOLVED IN THE GM RECALL ON IGNITIONS. LIKE THEM, I CANNOT REMOVE MY KEY FROM THE IGNITION. FORTUNATELY, MY CAR HAS NOT STALLED, BUT I WONDER IF THAT'S NEXT. WHEN TURN OFF MY IGNITION, OCCASIONALLY I MUST WAIT UP TO A MINUTE FOR THE IGNITION TO RELEASE THE KEY. I WAIT TO HEAR A CERTAIN SOUND AND THEN AM ABLE TO PULL THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. WHILE WAITING, I REALIZE THAT I'M IN A VULNERABLE POSITION SINCE CRIMES OCCUR AGAINST THOSE SITTING IN CARS. I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE MY CAR WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, SO I WAIT. I READ A FEW YEARS IN THE EQUINOX FORUM AT EDMUNDS.COM THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS EXPERIENCE. SOME TOOK THEIR CARS TO THE DEALERS, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER SOLVED. SO I DIDN'T TAKE MINE TO A DEALER SINCE IT SEEMED POINTLESS. SOME IN THE FORUM RECOMMENDED TO REMOVE EVERYTHING FROM THE KEYCHAIN, EXCEPT THE KEY. I DID THAT 2-3 TWO YEARS AGO. IT DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM, AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT MITIGATED THE PROBLEM FROM ESCALATING LIKE THOSE INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. IF YOU PLAN TO INVESTIGATION, I'LL BE GLAD TO PROVIDE MY VIN. *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
Steering, Feb 11, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000. UPDATED 03/18/14*LJ *TR
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
Structure, Jan 20, 2014
I LEFT MY DENTIST IN THE MORNING OF THURS 2-16-2013 AND PROCEEDED TO WALGREENS AND TRIED TO GET OUT OF MY CAR AND NOW MY DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. IT WAS BELOW ZERO AND I HAD TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN AND OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. IT WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, NOT VERY SAFE INCASE U WANT TO GET OUT IN A HURRY. I HAD SO MANY CARS IN THE 50 YEARS I BEEN DRIVING AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN. IT SHOULD BE FIXED FREE. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control, Traction control system, Dec 29, 2013
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME LATE WHEN THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON THEN SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED. MADE STEERING VERY DIFFICULT, LIKE OLD TIME TRUCK WOULD HAVE BEEN. LUCKILY KEPT CONTROL OR COULD HAVE RESULTED INTO SOMETHING VERY SERIOUS! BAD PART NO EARLY WARNINGS, VEHICLE BATTERY HAS NEVER BEEN JUMPED OR USED TO JUMP (READ SOMETHING ABOUT BLOWING MEGA FUSE ) VEHICLE 5 MONTHS PAST 5 YR. WARRANTY WITH ONLY 64265 MILES ON IT .I HAVE READ OF THIS OCCURRING TO MANY OTHERS, HOPEFULLY NO INJURIES.THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. I AM TAKING IT TO THE DEALER TOMORROW. *TR
Steering, Dec 9, 2013
GOT INTO MY CAR THAT MORNING TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER TO DAYCARE AND I WAS TURNING THE CURB TO GET ONTO THE FREEWAY MY STEERING LOCKED UP AND WAS HARD TO MANAGE. LOOKED DOWN AND THERE WERE TWO LIGHTS ON TRACTION CONTROL OFF AND SERVICE STABILITRACK SYSTEM. NO WARNING JUST GAVE OUT. ME & MY CHILD COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED IF WE WERE GOING ANY FASTER. THEN IT COST OVER $1200 DOLLARS AT THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE READ SO MANY ISSUES WITH THE SAME THING. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PART. THERE IS NO WAY THAT EVERYONE WHO HAS THE 2008 CHEVY EQUINOX IS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. NOT ONLY IS MY TRUCK STILL IN THE SHOP ($1200 PLUS) IM STILL HAVING TO PAY A TRUCK NOTE ALSO. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TAKE CARE OF THIS. ITS TO CLOSE TO CHRISTMAS TO BE PAYING SUCH HIGH EXPENSES ON A PROBLEM THAT COULD HAVE BEEN SOLVED. *TR
Steering, Dec 9, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000
Engine, Dec 2, 2013
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I NOTICE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I WENT STRAIGHT TO AUTO ZONE AND HAD THEM HOOK ITUP TO THEIR DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND THE CODE P0455 CAME BACK WHICH IS AN EVAP PROBLEM. I LEFT AUTO ZONE AND MY DASH STARTED BLINKING TO TIGHTEN GAS CAP. I PULLED OVER AND TIGHTENED IT, WHICH DIDN'T FEEL LOOSE IN THE FIRST PLACE. I WENT BACK TO AUTOZONE AND BOUGHT ANOTHER GAS CAP WITH THE LOCKING MECHANISM ON IT. I DROVE OFF AND IT WAS FINE FOR ABOUT 2 DAYS. ON MY WAY TO WORK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND AGAIN TOLD ME TO TIGHTEN THE GAS CAP. I TOOK THAT ONE OFF AND PUT THE OLD ONE BACK ON. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON WITH THE SAME CODE. WHERE IS A GOOD PLACE TO ORDER A GAS CAP FOR MY EQUINOX? *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Nov 25, 2013
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE I GET 2 WARNING LIGHTS. 1: TRACTION CONTROL OFF 2: SERVICE STABILITRACK. I HAVE ALSO READ THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO ALOT OF EQUINOX OWNERS, AND HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPEND ON 2007 EQUINOX MODELS, AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHER GM MODEL VEHICLES. I AM APPAULED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL POSTED FOR THIS ISSUE!!!! I HAVE ALSO READ THAT THERE COULD BE VEHICLE FIRES, ENGINE POWER REDUCTION, ENGINE POWER CUT OFF, WHEEL HUBS COULD BREAK OFF!!! THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY AS IT IS A MAJOR SAFTEY ISSUE!!!!!!!!! *TR
Steering, Nov 15, 2013
I WAS ON MY WAY TO MY DAUGHTERS DRS APP WITH HER FRIEND IN MY 2008 CHEV EQUINOX,THIS APP WAS APPROXIMATELY 1 HR AWAY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING. WHEN THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND WOULDN'T LET ME TURN , MANAGED TO FORCE A SMALL ENOUGH TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD.IT WAS VERY SCARY ,WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. MANAGE TO OFF HIGHWAY DOWN TO COMMUNITY TO NEAREST GM DEALER SAFELY.THEY TOLD ME ITS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE,AND NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE,MY WARRANTY IS OUT,STILL PAYING ON THIS AND IT COULD HAVE KILLED US! *TR
Suspension, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 6, 2013
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE I GET 3 WARNING LIGHTS. 1: TRACTION CONTROL OFF 2: SERVICE STABILITRACK 3: SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM. AS I HAVE READ ONLINE THIS ISSUES COULD HAVE SEVERAL DIFFERENT ISSUES GOING ON. I HAVE ALSO READ THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO ALOT OF EQUINOX OWNERS, AND HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED ON 2007 EQUINOX MODELS, AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHER GM MODEL VEHICLES. I AM APPALLED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL POSTED FOR THIS ISSUE!!!! I HAVE ALSO READ THAT THERE COULD BE VEHICLE FIRES, ENGINE POWER REDUCTION, ENGINE POWER CUT OFF, WHEEL HUBS COULD BREAK OFF!!! THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY AS IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE!!!!!!!!! *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