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.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 31, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED, THE CONTACT TRIED TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND IT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SPEED INCREASED TO 85 MPH. THE CALLER HAD TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD BE SLOWED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE IF THE BRAKES RESPONDED OR IF THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BY THE BRAKES. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES. THE VEHICLE IS NOT BEING DRIVEN AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 17449.
Air bags, Jul 30, 2010
WHILE DRIVING A 2008 CHEVY EQUINOX, IT WAS NOTICED PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WAS NOT OPERATING, IT HAS OPERATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEW THEN SPONTANEOUSLY QUITE, FAILURE IS INTERMITTENT IN NATURE , THE CONSEQUENCES COULD BE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH OF PASSENGER. PASSENGER SIDE HAS A PRESENCE DETECTION MODULE AND MAY OR MAY NOT DETECT SOMEONE WHO WEIGHS AROUND 112 LBS. THIS VIOLATES FEDERAL LAW SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER208, OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION, CHEVROLET HAS REFUSED TO CONFIRM THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM, AND YES THE SAME PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS 2007 MODELS AND EARLY PRODUCTION 2008 MODELS. *TR
Steering, Jul 3, 2010
ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
Visibility, Jun 13, 2010
M7 2008 EQUINOX REAR WIPER MOTOR SHORTED OUT AND IS TIED IN DIRECTLY TO THE BATTERY, THUS KILLING MY BATTERY AS WELL. *TR
Visibility, Jun 8, 2010
MY REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT CAUSE THE INSIDE OF MY CAR TO BE FILLED WITH A SMOKE. I HAD TO HAVE THE MOTOR REPLACED AND THE CAR CLEANED TO GET THE SMELL OUT. *TR
Air bags, May 13, 2010
MY VEHICLE IS A 2008 CHEVY EQUINOX. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WILL NOT ACTIVATE THE DEVICE WHEN MY 107 TO 110 LB WIFE IS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER TWICE, THEY ADVISE THE SYSTEM IS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY, AS IT WAS DESIGNED, AND THAT MY WIFE DOES NOT WEIGH ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE "ON" FUNCTION OF THE AIR BAG. THIS SEEMS UNSAFE, AND UNREASONABLE TO ME. I'D LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT, AND ASK, DOES THIS VIOLATE NHTSA SAFETY STANDARDS? DOES THE NHTSA RESEARCH SUPPORT THAT A 110 LB ADULT SHOULD NOT HAVE AIRBAG PROTECTION? I'VE NOTICED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEBSITE FOR THIS ISSUE. THANKS. *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.
Air bags, Sep 9, 2009
2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATES OFF WHEN A 107# LADY IS SETTING IN SEAT. OFTEN YOU CAN TURN OFF ENGINE AND RESTART ENGINE AND LIGHT WILL FUNCTION CORRECTLY. HAVE HAD TO DEALER 4 TIMES AND THEY SAY THAT IT CAN'T BE FIXED. THIS COULD BE A REAL PROBLEM IF I WERE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. *TR
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.
Steering, Electronic stability control, Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Mar 31, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH IN RAINY CONDITIONS, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE MOVED SIDEWAYS UNCONTROLLABLY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE GAS CAPS WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE TYPICALLY RESURFACES SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIR. THIRDLY, THE RADIO:CD:TAPE:DECK FAILS SPORADICALLY AND PREVENTS A MUSIC CD FROM BEING EJECTED. LASTLY, THE AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT BLOW OUT OF THE SIDE VENTS, WHICH PREVENTS AIR FROM DISSEMINATING PROPERLY. AS OF MARCH 31, 2009, THE TECHNICIANS ARE RE-INSPECTING THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 26,000. UPDATED 04/21/09. *LJ UPDATED 04/21/09.*JB
Parking brake, Mar 20, 2009
2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX HAS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CAN NOT BE USED IF THE ARM REST/CUP HOLDER IS IN USE. *JB
Visibility, Sep 17, 2008
HVAC CONTROL DEFECTS. WHEN RECIRCULATION AIR BUTTON IS ACTIVATED, THE COMPRESSOR IS ENGAGED WITH AC ON, EVEN IF THE AC BUTTON IS NOT ACTIVATED (PUSHED). *TR
Equipment, Sep 15, 2008
SINCE I PURCHASED MY 08 CHEVY EQUINOX THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN SOME ISSUES WITH MY A/C. I HAVE HAD IT IN FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES AND STILL CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM. EVEN WITH THE AIR SET ON THE COLDEST SETTING THE AIR STILL OCCASIONALLY BLOWS HOT THEN COLD THEN HOT. THIS CONTINUOUS CONSTANTLY WHILE I AM DRIVING AROUND THE CITY. IT DOES NOT DO IT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE I HAVE FIGURED OUT THE RPM IS HIGH. WHENEVER THE RPM DROPS BELOW AROUND 1800 TO 1600 THE AIR BEGINS TO HAVE PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED SOME PARTS AND RECHARGED THE FREON IN THE CAR TWICE. I AM FED UP AND NEED SOME ADVICE. *TR
Seats, Sep 2, 2008
PASSENGER FRONT SEAT IN 2008 EQUINOX. WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE YOUR RIGHT LEG PINCHED BETWEEN THE SEAT ITSELF AND THE SIDE MOLDING TO THE SEAT. THOUGH THIS NOT A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION OR A CRITICAL HAZARDS, IT IS NEITHER THE LESS A CONSTANT REMINDER THAT THERE IS A FAULT WITH THE DESIGN OF THE SEAT. THE DEALERSHIP WILL SIMPLY LOOK AT THE SEAT AND SHAKE THEIR HEAD AND LOOK AT YOU AS WHAT THEY WANT THE DEALERSHIP TO DO ABOUT IT. THIS WHY I AM WRITING THIS COMPLAINT. *TR
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
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 19, 2008
THE A/C WHEN TURNED ON, WITHIN 20 MINUTES OF BEING TURNED ON, WILL ALL OF THE SUDDEN FOR 20 SECONDS , MINIMUM, BLOW HOT AIR DESPITE BEING ON THE COLDEST SETTING. THERE IS ALSO A RATTLE OR VIBRATION HEARD WHEN THE AC IS ON AND THE CAR IS IDLING ( INTERMITTENTLY) AND AT ABOUT 1700 RPM 9 EVERYTIME THE RPM IS 1700 THE VIBRATION NOISE CAN BE EASILY HEARD. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE ( WITH 9000 MILES ) TO THE DEALER, THE FIRST 2 TIMES THE DEALER HAD THE EQUINOX THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY OF THE SYMPTOMS AFOREMENTIONED. THEN ON THE 3RD VISIT TO THE DEALER, I PERSONALLY DROVE THE EQUINOX WITH THE MECHANIC. DURING THIS DRIVE IT BECAME EVIDENT THE VIBRATION NOISE ONLY OCCURRED WITH THE AC ON AND AT 1700 RPM ( ROUGHLY) THE MECHANIC SAID HE WOULD PUT A AC CONTROLLER VALVE ON. AFTER THE NEW VALVE IS PLACED ON THE AC THE VIBRATION NOISE IS STILL EVIDENT AND THE AIR IS STILL BLOWING WARM EVERY SO OFTEN ON EACH CAR TRIP. THE MECHANIC SAID HE CALLED CHEVROLET AND CHEVROLET SAID THE AC IS " WORKING TOO WELL, THAT IS WHY IT BLOWS WARM AIR OUT OCCASIONALLY" EVEN ON THE COLDEST THERMOSTAT SETTING. *TR
Seats, Jun 15, 2008
MY 2008 CHEVY EQUINOX FRONT PASSENGER SEAT PINCHES YOU WHEN YOU ARE EXITING THE CAR. IT GRABS YOUR BOTTOM / LEG ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF SEAT. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURE, THEY SAY THAT IS THE WAY THE CAR IS MADE AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE HAD PEOPLE OF ALL SIZES TRY GETTING IN AND OUT , FAT OR SKINNY IT HURTS EVERYONE. I HAVE EVEN ASKED ANOTHER PERSON WITH THE SAME CAR IF IT DOES IT TO THEM , AND THEY SAID YES AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. MY HUSBAND IS THE PASSENGER MOST OF THE TIME AND HE IS ON BLOOD THINNERS FOR HIS HEART. HE HAS TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THE SLIGHTEST INJURY TO WATCH FOR INTERNAL BLEEDING. CURRENTLY WE HAVE TO STICK A PIECE OF FOAM ON THERE SO WHEN HE GETS OUT OF CAR IT WONT PINCH HIM. WE CONSTANTLY HAVE TO DO THIS. I FIND IT UNACCEPTABLE FOR A NEW CAR I PAID 25 K FOR TO DO THIS AND THE MANUFACTURE NOT WILLING TO FIX THIS DEFECT. IT HAS BEEN LIKE THIS SINCE WE BROUGHT THE CAR HOME IN FEB. WE HAVE COMPLAINED MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO RESOLVE. *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
Structure, Jan 13, 2008
FRONT BUMPER COVER CRACKED INSIDE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WELL WHERE BUMPER WRAPS AROUND. CRACK BEGAN WHEN OBJECT IN GARAGE WAS "BUMPED". COVER MATERIAL SO THIN THAT COVER WAS DAMAGED. COST TO REPLACE WAS $888.00 AT DEALERSHIP. IF MATERIAL AND/OR DESIGN WAS BETTER, THIS NEVER WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. MANUFACTURER WANTS NO PART IN REPLACING OR FIXING THE PROBLEM. TOLD ME TO SEND IT TO MY INSURANCE CARRIER. MY COMPLAINT IS THE POOR MATERIAL INVOLVED AND THAT GM WANTS REPAIRS FOR POOR QUALITY REPAIRED OR REPLACED ON THE BACK OF A CONSUMERS INSURANCE. *TR