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, Vehicle speed control, Feb 16, 2013
I AM HAVING ACCELERATION HESITATION ISSUES DURING TRAFFIC WHICH CAUSES A TRANSMISSION TO MISFIRE AND STALL OUT DURING TRAFFIC. I AM CURRENTLY FIGHTING WITH CHEVY DEALERSHIP IN TURNERSVILLE NJ TO FIX THIS ISSUES SINCE CHEVY EQUINOX 2008 HAS OVER 39 RECALLS. *TR
Service brakes, Feb 15, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND THEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WOULD GO TRAVEL TO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND AFTER TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,214. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 6, 2013
FUEL SMELL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF CAR PLASTIC FITTING ON FUEL PUMP ASSY CRACKED AND LEAKING WAS TOLD MY CAR DID NOT HAVE A RECALL INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS A RECALL FOR 41,000 GM VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Dec 28, 2012
MY 2008 CHEVY EQUINOX HAS HAD THE AIRBAG ERROR LIGHT ON THE CONSOLE INTERMITTENTLY ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. NOW IT IS JUST ON. PAID $124 TO HAVE IT LOOK AT THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM, CURRENTLY HAS 55K 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 2007S HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE HAS BEEN NO DAMAGE TO THAT SEAT, THIS IS FAULTY EQUIPMENT. *TR
Exterior lighting, Dec 27, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WOULD BECOME FILLED WITH WATER, AFFECTING THE ILLUMINATION OF THE LIGHTS WHEN IN OPERATION. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER THAT IF HE ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO RUN FOR SIX HOURS, THE WATER WOULD BURN FROM THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMEDY THAT THE DEALER PROVIDED DID NOT SEEM TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR WHENEVER IT WOULD RAIN OR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THROUGH THE CAR WASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOT A REMEDY AVAILABLE FOR THE PARTICULAR FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,350. UPDATED 3/13/13 *CN THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE EXPERIENCED ANOTHER HEADLIGHT FAILURE.
Seat belts, Nov 16, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WOULD NOT RETRACT AND CAUSED A CHILD PASSENGER TO BECOME TRAPPED IN THE BOOSTER SEAT WITH THE SEAT BELT CHOKING THE CHILD. THE CONTACT HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE CHILD PASSENGER. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,822. ..UPDATED 12/11/12 *BF UPDATED THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT UNBUCKLE, AS WELL AS RETRACT. THE CONSUMER STRUGGLED FOR AT LEAST 7 MINUTES TO GET THE CHILD OUT OF THE SEATBELT. THE CHILD COULD NOT SLIDE FROM UNDER IT. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO OTHER CHOICE THAN TO CUT THE SEAT BELT WITH CUTICLE CLIPPERS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. UPDATED 12/13/2012 *JS
Air bags, Nov 16, 2012
AIRBAG SENSOR - SERVICE AIRBAG IS ILLUMINATED FOR NO REASON. MULTIPLE OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUES, YET WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER. *TR
Steering, Oct 13, 2012
I HAVE A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AND THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING WITH IT, IS THAT THE POWER STEERING HAS STOPPED WORKING. THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATE WHEN I TRY TO TURN THE WHEEL. AT TIMES IT WON'T TURN AT ALL. I CAN BARELY TURN THE CAR. I CAN'T SAFELY OPERATE THE VEHICLE AT ALL. THIS CAME ON SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING. *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
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 5, 2012
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN DISPLAYING INTERMITTENTLY TURNING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ON AND OFF WHILE DISPLAYING A SERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG NOW REMAINS OFF AT ALL TIMES STILL DISPLAYING THE SERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGE. THIS IS WITH A 200 POUND MAN SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE NO LONGER CLEARS THE PROBLEM. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE 2007 EQUINOX WAS RECALLED FOR THE SAME REASON SO WHY AREN'T THE 2008 MODELS NOT BEING INCLUDED IN THE RECALL? ALSO, AFTER SOMEONE MENTIONED THAT THEIR EQUINOX HAD THE SAME PROBLEM I STARTED ASKING OTHER OWNERS. APPARENTLY IT IS FAIRLY COMMON AND I GUESS A SOURCE OF INCOME FOR GM. ONE WOMAN TOLD ME THE CHEVY TECH TOLD HER THAT AIR BAG PROBLEMS WERE COMMON AFTER 45,000 MILES AND WAS CONSIDERED A ROUTINE REPAIR. DEALER WANTS $500 PLUS TO REPAIR. AS LONG AS DEALERS ARE TELLING PEOPLE THIS IS A ROUTINE REPAIR NO ONE IS GOING TO REPORT IT AS A PROBLEM. ALSO, THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR CONSTANTLY READS 15 POUNDS WHEN TWO SEPARATE MANUAL AIR GAUGES SHOW 37 PSI. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL MESSAGE COMES ON PERIODICALLY EVEN WHEN PARKED. DRIVING IS DIFFICULT UNTIL IT CLEARS WHICH IS ALSO AFTER A RESTART. *TR
Air bags, Sep 2, 2012
I TOOK MY 2008 CHEVY EQUINOX TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ROOF RAIL MODULE NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $1,475. I HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR $175 AND LEAVE EQUINOX FOR REPAIR WHEN THE GM TECH TOLD ME THE EQUINOX WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. UPON COMPLETION, THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS OFF AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT DISPLAYED ON AS MY 115LB DAUGHTER WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. HALF WAY HOME, PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT SWITCHED TO OFF. WOULD THE AIRBAG HAVE DEPLOYED IN AN ACCIDENT NOW THAT THE SENSOR WASN'T DETECTING ANYONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT? MOST LIKELY NOT. SOMETIMES THE PASSENGER LIGHT IS ON AND THEN IT GOES OFF. SOMETIMES IT NEVER SENSES A PASSENGER AT ALL. I HAVE CONTACTED GM CORPORATE OFFICE AND THEY WILL NOT RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. THEY WANT TO GIVE A $2,000 LOYALTY CERTIFICATE TO PURCHASE A NEW GM VEHICLE WITHIN A YEAR. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. PER GM CORPORATE, THIS $1,475 REPAIR IS ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THIS CONTRADICTS THE CERTIFIED GM TECH WHO TOLD ME THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING. HE SAID IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MILEAGE OR MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE. A QUALITY VEHICLE & THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS IS OF NO CONCERN TO GM. I'VE HAD THIS ISSUE FOR A YEAR NOW SINCE THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE WAS REPLACED IN SEPTEMBER 2011 AT A COST OF $545. BOB BELL CHEVY BEL AIR CAN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO THEREFORE DEEMED THERE IS NO PROBLEM. I CAN'T HAVE ANYONE SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT DUE TO THIS DEFECTIVE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE EQUINOX ON THIS SAME ISSUE. IN FACT, 2007 EQUINOX WAS RECALLED FOR SIMILAR AIRBAG ISSUES. I HAVE REQUESTED A FULL REFUND FROM GM BUT THEY REFUSE. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY. REPLACING AIR BAG MODULES & SENSORS IS NOT ROUTINE MAINTENANCE THAT I SHOULD BE FORCED TO BEAR. *TR
Air bags, Aug 21, 2012
DOES NOT RECOGNIZE PASSENGER, AND AIRBAG IS "OFF". THIS HAS HAPPENED BEGINNING FIRST DAY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, AND INTERMITTENTLY SINCE. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE, AS IT USUALLY DOES NOT RECOGNIZE ADULT PASSENGER OF LESS THAN ABOUT 150 LBS. MOST RECENT TRIP A FEW DAYS AGO WITH THREE ADULTS OF MEDIUM SIZE HAD PROBLEMS WITH NONE OF OCCUPANTS BEING RECOGNIZED BY SENSOR, EVEN WHEN PROPERLY SEATED AND BUCKLED. LITERATURE STATES PASSENGERS OF OVER ABOUT 100 LBS SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED. WE HAVE ALSO FOUND THAT IT SOMETIMES SPONTANEOUSLY SHUTS AIRBAG "OFF" WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD, LEADING TO CONCERN THAT THIS ESSENTIAL SAFETY FEATURE MAY NOT WORK WHEN NEEDED IN A CRASH. WE HAVE FOUND IT NECESSARY TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, SHUT OFF ENGINE AND WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING ENGINE TO ACTIVATE PASSENGER AIRBAG. SOMETIMES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS ARE NEEDED, AND PASSENGER HAS HAD TO MOVE TO REAR SEAT WHEN ACTIVATION FAILED. IT ALWAYS RECOGNIZES A LARGER ADULT PASSENGER, BUT TYPICAL PASSENGER IS OF MEDIUM SIZE. THIS IS A COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE SITUATION FROM A SAFETY STANDPOINT. GM POSITION IS THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER STANDARD WARRANTY, AND OUR RESEARCH SHOWS REPAIR COST TO BE SUBSTANTIAL. RESEARCH HAS TURNED UP OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVING SAME ISSUE WITH SAME VEHICLE. IF A RECALL WERE TO BE CALLED FOR, CUSTOMERS WOULD NOT HAVE TO BEAR THIS HIGH COST. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Aug 3, 2012
RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE I NOTICED AFTER RUNNING THE AIR CONDITIONER THAT A MOLDY MUSTY SMELL CAME FROM THE CAR. MY HUSBAND CHANGED THE CABIN AIR FILTER, THAT ONLY HELPED FOR JUST A FEW WEEKS. I HAD MY SERVICE DEPARTMENT CHECK IT OUT. THEY TOLD ME THE CONDENSER NEED A FOAM SPRAY TO KILL THE BACTERIA AT MY COST. I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS VEHICLE BUT THAT WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF THE FIX. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS VEHICLE. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT WE ARE BREATHING ALL THIS CONTAMINATED AIR. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 29, 2012
MY WIFE SMELLED GAS ON MY 2008 EQUINOX WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. VEHICLE WAS PULLED OUT AND I NOTICED THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE PASSENGER REAR. I GOT UNDER THE CAR TO SEE IF I COULD SEE A VISIBLE LEAK AND NOTICED GAS AROUND THE GAS TANK. MONDAY JULY 30 2012 I WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I SEARCHED ON LINE AND NOTICED THIS IS A ON-GOING PROBLEM WITH THE EQUINOX, I'M ALARMED THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. THIS COULD LEAD TO A FIRE/ FATALITIES WITH THE VEHICLE. *JS
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 12, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR PASSENGER DOORS FAILED TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Air bags, Jul 9, 2012
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN TURNING OFF AND ON INTERMITTENTLY TURNING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ON AND OFF WHILE DISPLAYING A SERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER A FEW MONTHS THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG JUST REMAINS OFF AT ALL TIMES STILL DISPLAYING THE SERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGE. THIS IS WITH A 120 POUND WOMAN OR A 170 POUND MAN SITTING IN THE SEAT. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THE 2007 EQUINOX WAS RECALLED FOR THE SAME REASON WHY IS THIS ONE NOT BEING RECALLED? *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 26, 2012
GAS IS DRIPPING FROM THE FUEL TANK POSSIBLE EARLY DEFECTIVE PARTS. PREMATURE WORN PARTS ONLY 43000 MILES. CONCERN SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO LEAKING GAS. *JB
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 25, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL, BRAKE, AND STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHT HAD BEEN ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN REMAINED ILLUMINATED PERMANENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS ALSO A CONTINUOUS BELL SOUND WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
Air bags, Jun 7, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT DID NOT IDENTIFY THAT A PASSENGER WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THIS CAUSED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WOULD NOT TO DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 1, 2012
GAS TANK LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK. *TR
Air bags, May 21, 2012
AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO STATE THAT IT IS OFF WHEN PASSENGER IS SITTING IN PASSENGER FRONT SEAT. PASSENGER WEIGHS 115 +LBS. SEEMS TO BE FAULTY SENSOR AS SOMETIMES IT WORKS CORRECTLY AND THE NEXT IT DOES NOT. SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS AS THERE ARE PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS REGUARDING THIS ISSUE. *TT
Service brakes, May 11, 2012
ABS BRAKE SENSORS ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT TIRES FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM TO VIBRATE AND MAKE STOPPING DIFFICULT. ADVISED BY DEALER THAT BOTH SENSORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD IF HAVING TO STOP AT HIGH SPEEDS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 30, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE WOULD STALL SPORADICALLY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ECM FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,580.
Exterior lighting, Mar 18, 2012
HEADLIGHT LENSES WITH MAJOR MOISTURE ISSUES THAT WILL NOT GO AWAY. THERE IS A MAJOR AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS. GM TELLS ME THAT THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTLY DOES NOT INCLUDE LIGHT BULBS. THIS IS NOT A BULB PROBLEM. THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY LETS MOISTURE IN, BUT DOES NOT LET IT OUT. IT GETS TO THE POINT THAT THE HEADLIGHT LOOKS LIKE THERE IS A BULB PROBLEM AT NIGHT. THE MOISTURE BLOCKS THAT MUCH LIGHT.
Exterior lighting, Feb 29, 2012
THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE MOISTURE THAT DOES NOT DRY OUT WHEN RUN, EVEN FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED DURING A SNOW STORM. THE MOISTURE IN THE HEADLIGHT FROZE LETTING VERY LITTLE LIGHT THROUGH. CHEVROLET WAS CONTACTED AND THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT UNDER ANY WARRANTY OR RECALL. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS DURING A SNOW STORM AND NIGHT.