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, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 1, 2016
PASSENGER AIR BAG CONSTANTLY COMING ON SAYING IT IS NOT WORKING. ALL OTHERS RECALLED BY 2008. NOW SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND SERVICE STABILITRAK SENSOR ON. I'VE READ ABOUT BOTH OF THESE ISSUES ONLINE HERE SO WHY NO RECALLS WHEN IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S REACURRING FOR OTHERS.
Steering, Mar 21, 2016
THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND PARK AT LOW SPEEDS. I'VE SEVERAL FORUMS WITH THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING A LOT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE POWER STEERING RECALLS. IT'S NEARLY $1,000 TO HAVE THIS PART REPLACED!
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 17, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD A CRACK AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 12V459000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000.
Fuel system, Diesel, Engine, Mar 2, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TURNING ON THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EMIT A FUEL ODOR FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO REPAIRED THE FUEL PUMP MODULE UNDER A COVERAGE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. WHEN DIAGNOSING THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS STRETCHED AND HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,050.
Other or unspecified, Feb 25, 2016
I HAVE A WATER SOUND UNDER MY DASH. POSSIBLE COOLANT THAT MAY DROP INSIDE THE CAR.
Air bags, Feb 10, 2016
2008 CHEVY EQUINOX PASSENGER PRESENCE SENSOR SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE. IT WAS RECALLED ON THE 2007'S BUT NOT THE 2008'S EVEN THOUGH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE PERSISTS. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT GM WILL NOT RECALL IT. THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE AS THE AIRBAG WILL NEVER DEPLOY AS THE SENSOR AND/OR PRESSURE MAT IS DEFECTIVE. THE "SERVICE AIRBAG" LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. THIS IS ABOUT A $1,000 CHARGE AT A DEALER THAT IS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL DEFECT. THEY ADMITTED ON THE 2007'S AND SHOULD BE FORCED TO FIX THE 2008'S ALSO. LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR 40,000 MILES WAITING FOR THE RECALL.
Electrical system, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 10, 2016
TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS ON, ALWAYS . AIR BAG IS OFF ALWAYS. THIS CAR IS ONE PIECE OF TRASH.
Engine, Feb 2, 2016
VEHICLE HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT AND IT HAS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WITH THE DTC P0008. THIS CODE IS IN REFERENCE TO THE TIMING CHAINS NEEDING REPLACED. THERE ARE RECALLS ON OTHER VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME ENGINE AND THE EXACT SAME CODE.
Electrical system, Air bags, Jan 29, 2016
SERVICE AIR BAG, SOMETIMES PASSENGER CAME ON, SOMETIMES DIDN'T, NOW FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE OF IT. AUTO DOOR LOCKS SOMETIMES WORK, SOMETIMES DO NOT
Steering, Jan 23, 2016
THE STEERING KIND OF LOCKS WHILE IN MOTION AND YOU HAVE TO FORCE IT SOMETIMES TO TURN. ONCE I ADJUST THE COLUMN IT WILL SHUT THE CAR OFF AND THEN ONCE I START THE CAR AGAIN IT WILL BE FINE FOR A WHILE AND I HAVE TO KEEP DOING IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN. BUT THE COMPUTER READS IT'S FINE AND THE MACHANIC CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT
Electrical system, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 15, 2016
AIRBAG LIGHTS COMING ON AND OFF PASSENGER AIR BAG WORKS SOMETIMES ON AND OFF ELECTRICAL WITH THE LIGHTS BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAGS A LOT AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Engine, Jan 14, 2016
I HAVE ONLY 73000 MILES ON 2008 EQUINOX AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IN INDICATING THE TIMING CHAIN HAD TO BE CHANGED. THERE IS A SPECIAL COVERAGE BULLETIN #11340 THAT COVERS THE 3.6L V6 ENGINES IN AUTOS BETWEEN 2007-2009 BUT GM IS TELLING ME THAT MY 3.6L LY7 ENGINE IS NOT COVERED I HAVE THE SPORT MODEL.
Structure, Jan 11, 2016
WHITE PAINT BEGAN PEELING OFF BACK RIGHT CORNER OF VEHICLE OVERNIGHT. WHEN PARKED, PAINT WAS FINE- NEXT MORNING IT WAS COMPLETELY PEELED. NO VANDALISM OCCURRED. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH- THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2008 MODEL.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED STRONG FUEL FUMES EMITTING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE STARTING AND THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 5, 2016
LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Dec 31, 2015
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR DOESN'T GO ON OR GOES ON AND THEN TURNS OFF WHILE IN CAR DRIVING OR STATIONARY. MOVING AROUND ON SEAT MAKES IT SWITCH BACK AND FORTH. LOOKS LIKE THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE FROM THE 2007 RECALL, BUT NOT EXTENDED TO 2008. HAVEN'T TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP YET, BUT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. WAS SOLD TO ME LAST MONTH FROM A USED CAR DEALER.
Steering, Dec 28, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Electrical system, Dec 10, 2015
DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK WHEN INSIDE THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR IN ORDER TO GET OUT. WINDOW MUST BE ROLLED DOWN IN ORDER TO REACH OUTSIDE AND OPEN THE DOOR . VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND I WAS TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR WITH THE HANDLE AND SOMETHING CAME LOOSE AND DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR WITH THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK.
Electrical system, Air bags, Nov 10, 2015
I HAVE PURCHASED A CHEVY EQUINOX 2008 AND THE MESSAGE CENTER FOR THE PAST 3 WEEKS DISPLAYED SERVICE AIR BAG. THERE SEEMS TO BE A ELECTRICAL ISSUE I CAN HEAR STATIC OR SOMETHING COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR EVERY TIME I OPEN AND CLOSE IT. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I ONLY HAVE A 30 DAY WARRANTY. I CHECKED THIS CAR ON AUTO CHECK AND THE MILEAGE WAS EVEN WRONG, WHEN INSPECTED LAST THE MILES WERE 118,000 WHEN I GOT IT IT HAD 115,769 DID THEY ROLL IT BACK. WHAT SITES ARE ACCURATE? I CHECKED AUTOCHECK VIN PRO THE PAST COUPLE YEARS THEY HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING SAME ISSUES AIR BAG SENSOR ETC CHEVY SUCKS!
Engine, Oct 26, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
Air bags, Oct 19, 2015
AIRBAG LIGHT COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE SYSTEM WILL NOT ARM DUE TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR, THE SYSTEM WILL SOMETIMES WORK IF A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT OR MAY SUDDENLY STOP WORKING WHEN THE PASSENGER MOVES IN THE SEAT. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR AND IT WAS RECALLED, WHY NOT THE 2008 MODEL? VERY POOR RELIABILITY OF A SAFETY SYSTEM.
Vehicle speed control, Oct 10, 2015
TWICE NOW, MY 2008 CHEVY EQUINOX HAS CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AFTER I STOP PUSHING THE GAS. BOTH TIMES, I HAVE BEEN MERGING WITH HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, SO I AM PUSHING THE GAS PRETTY HARD TO GET UP TO THE SPEED OF TRAFFIC. THIS LAST TIME, I SPENT ABOUT FIVE SECONDS TRYING TO BRAKE, FEELING THE ACCELERATOR STILL PUSHING THE CAR FORWARD. I DIDN'T WANT TO DESTROY MY BRAKES, ESPECIALLY SINCE BY THEN I WAS GOING DOWNHILL, SO I TRIED A QUICK TAP OF THE ACCELERATOR AND THAT LET IT UP TO WHERE I HAD CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE WAY HOLDING THE PEDAL DOWN, (NOT THE FLOOR MAT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT) SO MY ASSUMPTION IS THERE IS SOME SORT OF SPEED CONTROLLING SOFTWARE FOR THE CAR THAT IS MALFUNCTIONING.
Suspension, Engine, Oct 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE "STABILIZER BAR OFF TRACK" AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTIFY A DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Power train, Engine, Oct 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAMSHAFT WAS MISALIGNED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
Steering, Oct 5, 2015
MY CAR WOULDN'T START. SO I BROUGHT A NEW BATTERY THEN MY CAR STARTED AND THEN I NOTICED STABILITRAK LIGHT WAS ON. I TRY TO DRIVE CAR BUT MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN AND COULDN'T DRIVE THE CAR.