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.
Power train, Oct 20, 2013
MY TRANSMISSION QUIT GOING INTO 3RD GEAR COMPLETELY ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2013. I CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS BECAUSE I WAS A YEAR OUT OF WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD THAT THE REASON THE TRANSMISSION HAD WENT OUT WAS BECAUSE OF A FAULTY WAVE PLATE. I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE GENERAL MOTORS MIGHT COVER THIS BECAUSE OF IT BEING A MANUFACTURER DEFAULT. THEY HAVE CONTINUED TO TELL ME THAT THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR IT BUT THEY WILL GIVE $1500 TOWARDS THE $3500 IT IS GOING TO COST TO FIX IT. I DO NOT HAVE THIS KIND OF MONEY TO REPLACE A PART THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE WENT OUT YET. GENERAL MOTORS ADMITS TO THERE BEING A BULLETIN OUT ON THE TRANSMISSION BUT BECAUSE THERE ISN'T A RECALL THEY WON'T FIX IT. I LIVE IN A SMALL TOWN AND I HAVE SPOKEN WITH AT LEAST TEN PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME THING GO WRONG WITH THEIR GM VEHICLE. FROM THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE ONLINE AND SPEAKING WITH OTHER PEOPLE I THINK A RECALL IS WELL OVERDUE. PLEASE HELP!!!! *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
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
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 23, 2013
DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS NON RESPONSIVE TO KEY FOB OR ELECTRONIC LOCK CONTROL. *TR
Engine, Aug 22, 2013
WHILE DRIVING MY EQUINOX THE CHECK ENGINE AND STABILITRAK LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP O'RIELLY CHEVROLET TUCSON AZ, I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM AND THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THEM TO CHECK IT. I WENT TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP AND THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND SAID THERE WAS A AIR LEAK IN THE FUEL LINE MOST LIKELY THE GAS CAP. I REPLACED THE GAS CAP AND BOTH LIGHTS WENT OFF. THEN THEY BOTH RANDOMLY CAME BACK ON. I CALLED O'REILLY CHEVROLET AGAIN THEY OFFERED TO FIX CHARGING ME WHAT THE COST WAS TO FIX. I WENT TO A DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOP AND I WAS TOLD THE ERG VALVE WAS BAD SO I HAD THAT REPLACED. THE STABILITRAK LIGHT WENT OFF BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. THIS HAS GONE ON FOR A YEAR. I JUST RECEIVED A SOFT RECALL NOTICE FROM GM ABOUT A FUEL LEAK AND THERE WERE THREE ISSUES SHOWING UP. ONE OF THE ISSUES IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. I TOOK THIS RECALL ALONG WITH MY EQUINOX TO O'RIELLYS CHEVROLET MECHANIC TEC EXPLAINED TO ME THAT IT COULD BE A 50 50 CHANCE IT WAS EITHER MY PROBLEM OR THE RECALL AND THEY WOULD FIX IT AT MY COST. EACH TIME I CALLED I WAS NEVER TOLD AT THIS DEALERSHIP THAT MY VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. NOW WITH A RECALL I STILL HAVE TO PAY THE PART OF THE REPAIRS. IS THIS NORMAL? *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
Structure, Aug 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH AND HEARD WATER MOVING INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FOUND WATER WAS INSIDE OF THE SPARE TIRE WELL ALSO. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE WATER COULD HAVE AFFECTED THE WIRING OR ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 12, 2013
THE FUEL RAIL DEVELOPED A PINPOINT LEAK RESULTING IN GAS BEING SPRAYED OUT OF THE SYSTEM AND INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. LEAK WAS ONLY DETECTED BECAUSE IT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY PULLED INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN CAUSING NAUSEA AND HEADACHES IN MY TODDLERS. HOLE IS NOT VISIBLE TO THE NAKED EYE, AND IS SMALL ENOUGH THAT THE SYSTEM ONLY LEAKS WHEN PRESSURIZED. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 12, 2013
DOOR LOCKS OCCASIONALLY FAILING TO LOCK/UNLOCK WHEN USING KEYLESS ENTRY OR INTERNAL DOOR LOOK SWITCH. WARMER WEATHER APPEARS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE FREQUENCY IN WHICH THE DOORS FAIL TO LOOK/UNLOCK. *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
Visibility/wiper, Jul 26, 2013
GOT IN CAR TO GO TO WORK UPON CRANKING THE VEHICLE THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 23, 2013
I BEGAN TO SMELL A STRONG GAS ODOR. THEN THE EQUINOX STARTED TO GIVE ME TROUBLE WHEN I STARTED IT UP. IT WOULD JUST KEEP TURNING OVER BUT NEVER START RIGHT AWAY. PEOPLE WOULD LEAVE NOTES ON MY CAR THE GAS SMELL GOT SO STRONG. GAS MILEAGE WENT DOWN DRAMATICALLY. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO MY MECHANIC AND IT WAS A FAULTY FUEL MODULE THAT WAS LEAKING. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALLED PART MY TRUCK IS NEW NEVER BEEN WRECKED OR WORKED ON THAT THE FUEL MODULE SHOULD BE LEAKING. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jun 25, 2013
THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A FEW SHOPS AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING PHYSICALLY WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY IT LOOKS LIKE THE PCM/ ECM IS FAILING ON THE CAR WHICH HAS BEEN A REASON FOR A RECALL OF PRIOR YEAR'S VEHICLES. I ALSO HAVE MY CAR THAT FILLS UP WITH WATER EVERY TIME THAT IT RAINS. *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
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 13, 2013
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
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
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 28, 2013
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON THE FUEL GAUGE READS ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE TURNING THE KEY ON AND OFF QUICKLY WILL LET THE GAUGE RETURN TO NORMAL SETTINGS. THE KEY NEEDS TO BE TURNED ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES FOR IT TO RETURN TO THE NORMAL SETTING, ALSO DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY WILL ALLOW IT TO RETURN TO THE NORMAL SETTING BUT THIS ONLY LASTS FOR A FEW TIMES. THE RANGE - HOW MANY MILES YOU HAVE LEFT TILL YOU NEED TO GET GAS - WORKS FINE IF I DID NOT HAVE THIS I WOULD PROBABLY RUN OUT OF GAS OR I WOULD BE VISITING THE GAS STATION QUITE A BIT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE GARAGE AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. IT WAS GOING TO COST ABOUT $500 TO FIX THIS. THEY SUGGESTED A NEW FUEL PUMP TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. NO CODES SHOWED UP ON THE MACHINE. *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
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