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.
Air bags, Mar 19, 2020
SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON - CAN'T GET ANY INFORMATION, HOWEVER, RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, HIGH COST, RECALL WAS ISSUED TO VEHICLES UP TO 2007. THERE NEEDS TO BE AT LEAST A 2008 RECALL ISSUED.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 8, 2020
CAN'T DISABLE TRACTION OR STABILITY CONTROL WON'T LET ME GO OVER 50 MPH ON HIGHWAY OR IN TOWN STREETS BRAKES BURNT TO NOTHING LEFT AND BRAKE HOSE MELTED CLOSE ALMOST CAUSED A FIRE AND HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM ON BOTH FRONT TIRES. USE CRUISE CONTROL TO DRIVE AFTER GOING 40 MPH TO GET TO 70 MPH ON HIGHWAY ONLY WAY TO GET TO 70 MPH WITHOUT USING GAS PETAL OR BRAKE SO THE STABILITY CONTROL WOULD NOT ENGAGE. SLOWED DOWN BY TURNING OFF CRUISE CONTROL UNLESS I HAD TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT THEN I USED THE BRAKE PETAL THEN AFTER A FEW MINUTES LATER STABILITY CONTROL ENGAGED THEN HAD TO PULL OVER AND TURNED OFF VEHICLE WAIT A FEW MINUTES THEN RESTART VEHICLE PRESS BRAKES TO RELEASE THEN GOT BACK ON ROAD AND REPEAT .
Structure, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 2, 2019, fire
APRIL 26, 2019 THE ENGINE IN MY 2008 CHEVY EQUINOX SPORT LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MIDWEST TIRE & AUTO IN THE CICERO,IL FOR ENGINE REPLACEMENT. A WEEK AFTER RETRIEVING MY SUV ON JUNE 20,2019 FROM THE SHOP IT HAD AN EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK AND IT CAUGHT FIRE. WHILE THE OCCUPANCY OF MY WIFE AND 3 CHILDREN AGES 7,4, AND 2 WERE WITHIN 11 MILES OF TRAVEL FROM OUR RESIDENCE ALONG THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RECOGNIZABLE FROM THE INTERIOR, FROM FRONT TO CENTER OF THE VEHICLE'S BODY IT WAS A GRAYISH COLOR. SHOWING THE FIRE'S INTENSITY.
Air bags, Sep 16, 2019
THE SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS FAULT AND HAS TURNED OFF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MANY TIMES WITH MY HUSBAND IN THE SEAT NEXT TO ME WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS, HIGHWAYS, AND INTERSTATES. I FEAR IT WILL TURN OFF AND WE WILL GET INTO AN ACCIDENT PUTTING HIS LIFE IN UNNECESSARY DANGER. THIS HAS BEEN A WELL REPORTED INCIDENT TO THE MANUFACTURER BY MANY INDIVIDUALS AND THE 2007 MODEL HAD A RECALL IN PLACE. THERE IS NO REASON THE 2008 MODEL SHOULD NOT ALSO HAVE THAT RECALL.
Air bags, Aug 28, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SPITZER CHEVROLET NORTHFIELD (333 E AURORA RD, NORTHFIELD, OH 44067, 440-499-7900) WHERE IT WAS SPECULATED THAT THERE COULD BE A SENSOR MALFUNCTION ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A COST ESTIMATE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,700.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 7, 2019
VERY STRONG FUEL/GASOLINE SMELL IN AND AROUND VEHICLE. SOME FUEL DRIPPING FROM ABOVE FUEL TANK AREA. HAD THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AT LOCAL MECHANIC. HE STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE ON THE MAIN FUEL PUMP IS CRACKED/DAMAGED.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 3, 2019
A STRONG SMELL OF GAS COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR OF CAR, TOOK IT TO A AUTO SERVICE STATION THERE WHEN IT WAS CHECKED THE SERVICE PEOPLE FOUND THAT THE FUEL LINE ROTTED AT ONE OF CONNECTIONS AND IT STARTED TO LEAK, AFTER I HAD IT REPLACED I TOLD ME THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRENTY AND THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
Suspension, Jul 15, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED TO OPERATE. WHILE DRIVING, A GROANING SOUND WAS GETTING LOUDER COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE TO CLIFF ANSCHUETZ CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 1074 US 23 N, ALPENA, MI 49707, (989) 884-0576) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BEARINGS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED EACH TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5-297162112. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARING FAILED AT 67,697 MILES AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED AT 70,495 MILES. *BF *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 1, 2019
WHEN DRIVING MY CAR AT ANY TIME THE FOLLOWING LIGHTS WILL COME ON: ABS / SERVICE STABILITRAK / ALL WHEEL DIVE - OFF / SERVICE TRACTION CONTOL. ALSO WHEN DRIVING YOU MAY SEE THE BRAKE LIGHT COME ON AND MY FOOT WOULD NOT BE ON THE BRAKE. WHEN HITTING THE BRAKE I WILL HEAR WHAT SEEMS LIKE A GRINDING NOTICE. I HAVE HAD BRAKES CHECK AND BRAKES AND ROTOR ON BACK RIGHT WHEELS REPLACE AND STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. CAR DEALERSHIP DOES NOT SEEM TO KNOW WHAT TO DO. SECOND TIME IN SERVICE. ONE TIME I HAD JUST PULLED OFF AND HEARD THIS LOUD GRINDING/ SCRAPING NOISE. IT IS FRIGHTENING . MILEAGE IS 63830 CAN HAPPEN ON CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY THIS HAS HAPPEN A NUMBER OF TIMES. WITH SPEED AS LOW AS 25 OR 60.MPH
Air bags, Fuel/propulsion system, Visibility/wiper, May 3, 2019
MY DEFROST DOESN'T WORK NOR DOES MY HEAT AND EVERY TIME I PUT GAS IN THE TRUCK IT DOESN'T WANT TO START UP RIGHT AWAY. IT'S DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND I CAN'T SEE OUT MY WINDOWS I LIVE IN WISCONSIN. I'VE HAD MY BEND DOOR AND ACTUATOR FIXED TWICE EVEN HAD ALL MY FLUIDS DRAINED AND REFILLED. IT DOESN'T HEAT UP THE TRUCK AT ALL EVEN WITHOUT DEFROST ON I STILL GET COLD AIR NO MATTER THE SETTING AND SERVICE AIR BAG HAS BEEN POPPING UP SINCE IVE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 11, 2019
THE IGNITION LOCKS UP WHEN SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF. IT WON'T LET THE KEY TURN THE WHOLE WAY OFF AND LOCKS IT IN PLACE FOR ANYWHERE FROM A MINUTE TO 5 MINUTES. SOMETIMES IF YOU SLAM THE SHIFTER IN PARK IT WILL RELEASE BUT NOT ALWAYS.
Air bags, Mar 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN RECALL NOTIFICATION REGARDING THE AIR BAGS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. HALL CHEVROLET NEWPORT NEWS (12896 JEFFERSON AVE, NEWPORT NEWS, VA 23608, (888) 320-6072) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 10, 2019
FUEL LEAKING FROM THE TOP FRONT LEFT SIDE OF FUEL TANK.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 21, 2018
FIRST THERE WAS SMELL IN DRIVER SIDE BACK PASSENGER SEAT. THEN THE SMELL GOT STRONGER OUTSIDE CAR, RIGHT DRIVER WHEEL WELL. TOOK TO MY MECHANIC FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND HE VERIFIED SMELL AND WAS ABLE TO STICK HIS HAND UP AND FEEL WET SPOT ON TOP/ SIDE OF GAS TANK. BOTH WITH CAR IN MOTION AND STOPPED. THE 2007 EQUINOX HAS A RECALL FOR THE EXACT SAME COMPLAINT, GAS SMELL IN DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER SEAT AND WHEEL WELL. I CALLED CHEVROLET AND THERE IS A NOTICE BUT NO RECALL. THEY ARE USING THE SAME PLASTIC PART ON THE BOTH CARS AND THE PART MAY DETERIORATE OR DEFECTIVE ON BOTH YEARS.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 3, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FUEL SYSTEM FAILED AND A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAVY ODOR OF FUEL WAS POIGNANT NEAR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL LEAKED ONTO THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK AFTER AN INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,000.
Other or unspecified, Nov 20, 2018
DOOR HANDLES KEEP BREAKING
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.
Structure, Oct 29, 2018
I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT FROM DO TO PAINT PEELING AND FALLING TO THE GROUND BACK AROUND 2013 I SEE NOW MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS WITH THIS YEARS VEHICLE. IT HAS IT METAL EXPOSED AND I LOVE MY EQUINOX BUT I'M NOT LIKING IT MORE EACH DAY DO TO SIDE BACK PANELS PEELING ON BOTH SIDES IT DEFECTED MY 2008 CHEVY EQUINOX HAS ALWAYS BEEN PLACED IN THE GARAGE
Visibility/wiper, Oct 19, 2018
WHEN I PUT MY EQUINOX IN GEAR AND GO, YOU HEAR LIKE A WATER WASHING IN THE DASH. MY WINDSHIELD AND DRIVES WINDOWS FOG UP WHILE I HAVE MY HEAT, OR DEFROST ON DRIVING.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 16, 2018
TAKATA RECALL- I STARTED SMELLING GASOLINE A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO AND IT SEEMS LIKE GAS IS LEAKING ABOVE THE GAS TANK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MY CAR MAY CATCH ON FIRE WHILE I AM DRIVING. NEED TO KNOW IF THIS IS A RECALL. WHEN I FIRST SMELLED IT, I WAS PARKED AT THE STORE BUT NOW I SMELL IT WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE IT IS PARKED!!
Structure, Sep 21, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL TIRE SHOP FOR NEW TIRES AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME UNDER THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOHN JONES CHEVROLET BUICK CADILLAC OF SALEM (1450 IN-60, SALEM, IN 47167, (812) 883-3081) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Structure, Jul 31, 2018
THE PAINT ON MY VEHICLE BUBBLED UP AND PEEL OFF. THE PAINT CONTINUE TO CHIP AWAY AND RUST.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Jul 11, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE SERVICE TRACTION STABILIZER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,120.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jun 8, 2018
PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR DOESN'T GO ON OR GOES ON AND OFF WHILE IN CAR DRIVING OR STATIONARY. LOOKS LIKE THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE FROM THE 2007 RECALL, BUT NOT EXTENDED TO THE 2008. HAVEN'T TAKEN IT TO A DEALERSHIP YET BUT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 80,000 MILES. THE AIRBAG SENSOR INDICATOR SAYS SERVICE AIRBAG ALL THE TIME AND THE SEATBELT INDICATOR FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE IS ON ALL THE TIME WHETHER THE SEATBELT IS ON OR NOT
Engine, May 16, 2018
I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHICH HAS 32,650 MILES ON IT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED JERKING, AS IT SOMEONE WAS PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT A SPEED OF 45 TO 50 DURING ACCELERATION! I AM A HEART TRANSPLANT SURVIVOR OF 15 YRS AND DID NO NEED TO BE PUT THROUGH THIS KIND OF SCARE! I DUG THROUGH SOME PAPERS AND FOUND AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE THAT STATED NOT TO BRING IT IN UNTIL IT STARTED TO DO THIS. OF COURSE THE TIME OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY RAN OUT AND CHEVY WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY AND REPAIR THEIR MISTAKE! I INHERITED THIS VEHICLE FROM MY MOTHER IN 2015 WITH 29,000 MILE ON IT! I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH RELEASING THIS VEHICLE TO THE PUBLIC WITH THIS ISSUE THAT MAY OR MAY NOT HAPPEN! THEY SHOULD HAVE STEPPED UP AND REPAIRED THESE VEHICLES BEFORE THIS COULD HAPPEN. THE CAUSE OF THIS MALFUNCTION WAS A CRACKED SPARK PLUG OF THE THIRD CYLINDER! WILL NEVER BY A GM PRODUCT! I WAS CONTACTED BY CHEVROLET AND BECAUSE IT HAD OVER 19,500 MILES THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE FOR REPAIRS! THEY REPLIED THT THEY CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS SAFETY, HOW WHEN THEY CAN LET SOMETHING LIKE THIS OUT INTO THE PUBLIC.