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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 1, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED STRONG FUMES EMITTING FROM THE INNER PART OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Oct 1, 2015
ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY IN WARM OR HOT WEATHER. YOU CAN HEAR THE ACTUATOR TRYING, BUT IT WILL ONLY "PARTIALLY" UNLOCK THE DOOR OR NOT EVEN BUDGE THE INTERNAL MANUAL LEVER. THINGS WORK FINE WHEN IT IS COLD. THIS IS DEFINITELY RELATED TO HEAT BECAUSE IN THE SPRING AND FALL THIS IS ONLY A PROBLEM WHEN THE SUN SHINES ON THAT SIDE OF THE CAR. FURTHERMORE, IN THE SUMMER THE LOCKS WILL OFTEN WORK AFTER RUNNING THE A/C FOR 30 MINUTES OR SO. I THINK THIS PROBLEM STARTED WHEN THE CAR WAS 2-3 YEARS OLD. WE CAN USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS, AND IF WE USE THE REMOTE FOB FIRST, THE ALARM WON'T SOUND. JUST THE SAME, IT IS AGGRAVATING.
Air bags, Sep 11, 2015
BEGINNING LAST YEAR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR BEGAN TO NOT WORK PROPERLY. I HAD THE SERVICE CODES CHECKED AND THERE WAS NO CODE FOR THE REPEATED WARNING LIGHT TO SERVICE AIR BAG. NOW THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME WORSE. WHEN PASSENGERS OF ANY WEIGHT ARE IN THE SEAT THE INDICATOR AND SERVICE LIGHTS WILL COME ON RANDOMLY. MOST TIME MY FAMILY IS NOT PROTECTED BY THE AIRBAG DUE TO THIS ISSUE. IT APPEARS THE SAME ISSUE HAPPEND TO THE PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR AND A RECALL WAS DONE. NOT FOR THIS MODEL. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND A SOLUTION CREATED BY CHEVORLET.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 8, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED STRONG FUEL FUMES EMITTING FROM THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
Tires, Sep 5, 2015
COOPER TIRE 235/60R17 CS4 TOURING TIRE -HAVE A BAD NOISE COMING FROM TIRE,STEEL BELTS BUSTED IN TIRE VIBRATES CAR
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 26, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, FUEL FUMES EMITTED IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP. THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM TWO CONNECTIONS ON THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
Seat belts, Aug 26, 2015
THE BACK CHILD REAR SEATBELT BECAME LOCKED IN A POSITION AROUND HIS STOMACH WHERE IT WAS UNABLE TO BE RELEASED FROM THE LOCKED POSITION, LUCKILY MY 4 YEAR OLD SON HAD JUST ENOUGH ROOM TO BREATHE LIGHTLY UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET HIM HELP. IT TOOK US OVER AND HOUR TO REMOVE HIM AND THANK GOD IT WAS NOT WRAPPED AROUND HIS NECK. IT IS VERY SCARY AND NOW WORRIES ME ABOUT ANY FUTURE INCIDENTS OR EVEN ACCIDENTS WHERE HE WILL BE UNABLE TO ESCAPE.
Steering, Power train, Engine, Aug 21, 2015
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A TRIP WHEN SHE PULLED OVER TO GET GAS. THE DRIVESHAFT SNAPPED IN HALF JUST AS SHE WAS PULLING INTO THE GAS STATION. THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO SOUND BEFORE THEN. SHE HAD NO CONTROL OF HER CAR. NO STEERING, NOTHING. SHE HAD JUST PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY, SO THANK GOD IT DID NOT HAPPEN WHEN SHE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 70 MPH OR SHE WOULD BE DEAD. COST TO HAVE TOWED AND FIXED OVER $1000.ALSO PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, HAS HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH FRONT END. HAD TO REPLACE THE BEARINGS, FRONT AXLE, TIE RODS 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS DUE TO SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE WAY IT DRIVES OR IS MADE. CONSTANT "RUBBING, GRINDING" NOISE WHEN YOU TURN TIRES. GAS FUMES ARE VERY STRONG IN THE CAR, ALWAYS HAVE BEEN, AND REPAIR SHOPS CANNOT FIND ANY LEAKS. SHE CANNOT SELL IT, AS IT IS WORTH VERY LITTLE DUE TO ALL THESE DEFECTS AND NO RECALLS, AND SHE IS STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR FOR THE NEXT 4 YEARS. STUCK WITH A VERY DANGEROUS LEMON.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 19, 2015
I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR ITS ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT I HAD A GAS LEAK AND THAT I WAS DRIVING A TIME BOMB. I BOUGHT MY CAR AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR AND IT ONLY HAD 36,000 MILES ON IT AND IT NOW ONLY HAS 47,000 MILES AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW IT COULD BE LEAKING GAS. A MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR I ALSO TRIED TO USE THE WASHER CLEANER TO CLEAN MY WINDOWS AND IT DOES NOT WORK EITHER, AT THIS POINT, I AM AT A LOST FOR WORDS, I JUST STARTED A NEW JOB AND I HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO WORK. FRUSTRATED!!!!
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Aug 17, 2015
ELECTRICAL - MY COLLEGE AGE DAUGHTER DRIVES THE EQUINOX - THE LOCKS DO NOT LOCK UNLESS SHE PHYSICALLY GOES AROUND AND LOCKS ALL OF THE DOORS. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE - ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT - NOT SAFE WHEN SHE IS WORKING AND ALONE AND HAVING TO LOCK AND UNLOCK ALL DOORS - ALSO SOMETIMES A MANUAL UNLOCK WILL SET OFF THE CAR ALARM!!! AND SHE HAS TO JUMP IN AND PUT KEY IN IGNITION TO GET IT TO STOP. SO WORRIED. HAD CHEVROLET LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAY ALL 4 DOOR ACTUATORS HAVE TO BE FIXED FOR A COST OF OVER 1200.00. COLLEGE KIDS CANNOT AFFORD THAT AND IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN ANYWAY. NEED IMMEDIATE HELP WITH THIS. VISIBILITY/WIPER - WINDSHIELD FLUID LEAKING INTO FLOOR ON DRIVER SIDE WHEN WIPER FLUID FILLED. CHEVROLET SAID COST OVER 500.00 TO REPLACE FLUID BOTTLE??? COLLEGE KIDS CANNOT AFFORD THIS AND IT SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING ANYWAY. SAFETY HAZARD WITH VISIBILITY CONCERNS SINCE BOTTLE EMPTY AT ALL TIMES.
Air bags, Aug 15, 2015
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR GOES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT AND THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER DOES NOT MATTER. THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT ALSO FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 12, 2015
I PURCHASED THIS 2008 CHEVROLET, EQUINOX FROM HENDERSON CHEVROLET IN HENDERSON, NEVADA IN 2007. ON JULY 2013 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM JIM MOLONEY, GENERAL DIRECTOR, CUSTOMER AND RELATIONSHIP SERVICES. ON JULY 15, 2015 I WENT SHOPPING AT NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE HERE IN LAS VEGAS, NV. I STOPPED AT THE FIRESTONE REPAIR BECAUSE I SMELL GAS AND I DID NOT WANT TO MOVE MY CAR ANY MORE FOR FEAR OF FIRE ACCORDING TO THE LETTER I RECEIVED FROM CHEVROLET. I TOOK IT TO FIRESTONE TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT, THEY LIFTED MY CAR ON THE LIFT AND THEY SHOWED ME THAT IT WAS LEAKING GAS AND COMING FROM THE FUEL PUMP AREA. I TOLD THEM TO REPAIR IT FOR I CAN'T DRIVE ANY FURTHER DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE ACCORDING TO THE LETTER FROM CHEVROLET. ON JULY 17, 2015 I WENT TO HENDERSON CHEVROLET TO SEE IF I COULD GET A REFUND ON REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS PART OF A SAFETY RECALL. I WAS DENIED A REFUND STATING THAT THE COVERING PERIOD EXPIRED ON JULY 31, 2014. THE COST OF REPAIRING THE FAULTY FUEL PUMP TOTAL WAS $1, 137.80 THIS IS WHAT I PAID FIRESTONE AND ASKING CHEVROLET FOR A REFUND.
Electrical system, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 7, 2015
PASSENGER AIR BAG DOES NOT WORK WHEN SOMEONE IS IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. DRIVERS WINDOW & LOCK STOPPED WORKING(HAS BEEN REPAIRED). SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL & SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHTS ARE ON. EGR VALVE CODE, TORQUE CONVERTER CODE, EVAP SYSTEM CODE, AND ABS CODE. THERE IS ALSO A SQUEEKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR & HAS LESS THAN 77K MILES. ALSO LIKE OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED I TOO GET HURT ON THE BACK OF MY LEG WHEN GETTING OUT OF THE PASSENGER SEAT.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 7, 2015
WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY VEHICLE IS HESITANT TO INCREASE SPEED, WHICH COULD ALMOST CAUSE TRAFFIC INCIDENTS. I AM EXPERIENCING JERKING AND HESITATION AS THE SPEED CHANGES OR THE GEARS CHANGE. THE HIGHWAY HAS A SPEED LIMIT OF 60-65. IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE DURING THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC AS THE CAR IS JERKING LIKE IT WILL CUT OFF. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THE TEST STATED THAT THERE IS A MISFIRE IN THE SPARKPLUGS. I'VE HAD A FULL TUNE-UP AND THE SPARKS PLUGS CHANGED BUT I AM STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO, THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. MY BREAKS HAS BEEN REPAIRED AND I AM AFRAID OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE FOR SAFETY REASON.
Air bags, Aug 4, 2015
THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG DOES NOT COME ON WHEN ANYBODY IS SITTING IN THE SEAT REGARDLESS OF THE WEIGHT. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO MILTON RUBEN CHEVROLET IN AUGUSTA, GA. FOR AN ESTIMATE OF REPAIR. THE ESTIMATE TO REPLACE THE SEAT MAT SENSOR WAS $980.00. MY WIFE AND I DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TO SPEND TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. I HAVE CONTACTED CHEVROLET ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE 2007 CHEVROLET EQUINOX HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND MY QUESTION WAS "WHY WAS THE 2008 EQUINOX'S NOT RECALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE". CHEVROLET STATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT FORCED THEM TO RECALL THE 2008 EQUINOX'S. I WISH THAT I HAD GOTTEN THE MAN'S NAME. I ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND THE BBB WAS NOT ABLE TO HELP MY WIFE AND I. I ALSO STATED TO THE BBB THAT IF SOMEONE GETS HURT IN A WRECK DUE TO THE FAULTY PASSENGER AIRBAG, I WOULD BE LOOKING TO THEM FOR ANSWERS. THE ONLY HELP THAT MILTON RUBEN CHEVROLET WOULD GIVE MY WIFE AND I WAS TO GIVE US A DISCOUNT ON A NEW CHEVROLET. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY A NEW CAR AT THIS TIME.
Steering, Jul 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Steering, Jul 22, 2015
MY STABILIZER CONTROL LIGHTS ARE FLASHING AND THEY CONTINUE TO FLASH THEY SOMETIMES SLOW THE CAR FOR NO REASON TOOK IT TO THE SHOP WHERE I WORK AND THEY TELL ME I HAVE TO HAVE A PART REPLACED IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND MY ABS IS NO LONGER WORKING MY STABILIZING SYSTEM IS NO LONGER WORKING
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 20, 2015
I DROVE MY CAR TO THE STORE WENT IN FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. WHEN I CAME BACK OUT MY CAR WOULDN'T START. I THOUGHT MY CAR BATTERY HAD WENT DEAD SO I GOT A JUMP BUT THEN I NOTICED MY STABILITY TRACK LIGHT WAS ON AND THAT MY POWER STEERING HAD WENT OUT. AS SOON AS I MADE IT HOME TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TRIED TO RESTART IT, IT WENT DEAD AGAIN. AS I LOOK UP TO SEE WHAT COULD BE WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE I'VE NOTICED THAT THIS IS A COMMON MALFUNCTION THAT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING A LOT. I KNOW CARS CAN GO OUT BUT THIS ALSO HAPPEN A LOT WHERE A CONSUMER SPENDS THERE HARD EARNED MONEY ONLY TO BE DUKED IN THE END. I'VE ONLY HAD MY CAR FOR FOUR MONTHS AND ALTHOUGH IT'S USED I FELT THAT I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MY DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT I WANT TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE. EVEN THOUGH I WAS LUCKY AND DIDN'T CRASH. I HOPE THAT THIS DOES BECOME A RECALL AS IT IS WAY TO DANGEROUS.
Electrical system, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 15, 2015
WHERE DO I BEGIN?!?!!?! AFTER MULTIPLE FAILED ATTEMPTS OF THE DEALER TRYING TO FIX THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM/STABILITRACK LIGHTS ARE STILL ON AND STILL DING! TIRES ARE DOUBLE CHECKED REGULARLY. PASSENGER AIR BAG ONLY COMES ON WHEN IT WANTS TO, WEATHER THE PERSON WEIGHS 70LBS OR 250LBS. THE KEY SOMETIMES GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION WON'T TURN OR COME OUT, I USUALLY GIVE UP FIGHTING IT AND FORGET ABOUT IT FOR AWHILE THEN IT MAGICALLY WORKS. NONE OF THE DOORS WILL LOCK OR UNLOCK WITH THE FOB OR ELECTRIC BUTTON INSIDE, KEY FOB ONLY SETS THE ALARM ON/OFF, SO I HAVE TO MANUALLY LOCK AND UNLOCK ALL THE DOORS. WHICH IS A A PAIN WITH THREE KIDS, NOT ONLY THAT BUT MAKES ME FEEL VERY UNSAFE TRAVELING WITH THE KIDS IN THE CAR. I AM A SINGLE MOM AND BOUGHT THIS CAR BELIEVING IT WOULD BE SAFE AND RELIABLE. I'M ABOUT READY TO PUSH IT OFF A CLIFF. HOW MANY MORE COMPLAINTS WILL YOU IGNORE, CAUSING A FATAL ACCIDENT, BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THIS?!?! I WILL NOT BE INVESTING IN ANOTHER GM VEHICLE THAT'S FOR SURE! SHOULD OF STUCK WITH FOREIGN!
Engine, Jul 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. UPON ENTERING AND STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,435.
Structure, Jul 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAILGATE WAS DIFFICULT TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GAS CHARGE LIFT SUPPORT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
Electrical system, Jun 15, 2015
DOORS WILL NOT LOCK/UNLOCK WITH BUTTON OR FOB, DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT OPERATE
Air bags, Jun 10, 2015
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DOES NOT TURN ON WHEN PERSON IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. I'VE HAD PEOPLE UP TO 250 POUNDS SITTING ON PASSENGER SIDE AND IT STILL WON'T TURN ON AIRBAG. THIS IS A VERY HIGH RISK OF INJURY OR FATALITY TO PASSENGER IF AIR BAG DOES NOT DEPLOY IF IN AN ACCIDENT. SO MANY OTHERS ARE SAYING SAME THING HOW IS THIS NOT ON A RECALL LIST YET OR AT LEAST BEING INVESTIGATED.
Steering, May 21, 2015
THE STEERING COLUMN RUBS. THE REPAIRMEN SAY THEORY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE FLUID IS FINE ALSO
Air bags, May 21, 2015
AT FIRST, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD TURN ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND AN AIRBAG WARNING WOULD COME ON MY DASH. NOW, IT IS ON ALL THE TIME. THIS CONCERNS ME AS I FREQUENTLY HAVE A PASSENGER IN MY FRONT SEAT AND THE AIRBAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY IF I GET IN A CRASH. THERE ARE A TON OF COMPLAINTS ON HERE AND THE SAME ISSUE IS HAPPENING ON THE 2007 MODEL, WHICH HAS BEEN RECALLED. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED YET ON THE 2008 MODEL?!