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 system, Gasoline, Dec 4, 2014
MY 2008 CHEVY EQUINOX HAS A HEAVY GAS SMELL, THAT WHEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE, LEAVES A HEAVY ODOR OF GAS THROUGHOUT MY HOME... I HAVE SEEN THE 12190 GM RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT IT IS A 2008 NOT 2007 AS LISTED IN THE RECALL, YET IT IS A NEVADA VEHICLE AND THIS STATE IS ON THE RECALL LIST. IT SEEMS TO BE EXHIBITING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE..I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF NOT ONLY MYSELF, BUT MY DAUGHTER AND OTHERS RIDING IN IT..PLEASE HELP. *TR
Structure, Dec 4, 2014
INTERIOR PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE MECHANISMS ARE BREAKING AND BROKEN. GIVEN THE FACT THAT WE CANNOT EXIT OUR VEHICLE, THIS WOULD STRIKE ME AS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE! GIVEN THE FACT THAT 3 OUT OF 4 TOTAL HANDLES ARE NOW BROKEN, THIS IS OBVIOUSLY NOT JUST A ONE-TIME FLUKE. GM CUSTOMER CARE ON TWITTER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE SAFETY CONCERN EXISTS AND THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE $51 PLUS TAX MINIMAL FOR NEW PARTS ON A SAFETY-RELATED ITEM. AFTER ALL, IF THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILS AND YOU GET INTO A FIERY ACCIDENT, HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE? THE AFFECTED INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BROKEN THUSFAR ARE AS FOLLOWS: LF, LR, AND RF. MY BOYFRIEND HAS TAKEN AND POSTED TWO YOUTUBE VIDEOS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THIS SEVERE DEFECT. THE LINKS ARE (SEPARATED BY 10 ASTERISKS EACH): ********** HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=YBJ8CS5I3_W ********** HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=7WQ1XL1KXFY ********** THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING ON A 2008 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE AND THIS(IN MY OPINION) IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 20, 2014
AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SEAT WOULD WORK AND NOT WORK AND HAS NOW COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. DOOR LOCKS ON FRONT WILL NOT LOCK ELECTRONICALLY. HAVE TO MANUALLY LOCK THE FRONT DOORS AT ALL TIMES. STABILIZER TRACK STAYS OFF. USE TO COME AND NO AND NOW WILL NOT COME BACK ON. *TR
Structure, Nov 19, 2014
PAINTING FALLING OFF METAL ON PASSENGER SIDE. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 19, 2014
SINCE MID-AUG, MY EQUINOX HAS BEEN RANDOMLY/INTERMITTENTLY LOSING ENGINE POWER (AS WELL AS STEERING/BRAKING) FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME. THANKFULLY, WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY, (NOW AT LEAST WEEKLY) IT HAS NOT HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC. WHEN CHECKING SERVICE CODES, THE INDICATED PROBLEM SYSTEMS ARE "SECONDARY IGNITION CIRCUIT" AND "STABILITRAK." I DO NOT FEEL THE CAR IS SAFELY DRIVABLE, BUT MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER CANNOT OFFER ME EVEN A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT EARLIER THAN DEC 1. *TR
Air bags, Nov 10, 2014
THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR ONLY WORKED INTERMITTENTLY--THE SENSOR WASN'T RECOGNIZING WHEN A PASSENGER WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT SO WE WERE VERY CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULDN'T DEPLOY IF WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT. AS A RESULT, WE TOOK IT TO TWO SEPARATE MECHANICS (INCLUDING ONE GM DEALERSHIP) AND IT ENDED UP COSTING OVER $1000 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I CONTACTED CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE ON 11/10/14 TO DOCUMENT THE CONCERN AND TO REQUEST FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE PROBLEM BUT NOTHING WAS AVAILABLE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY CHEVY ESPECIALLY IF IT IS HAPPENING ON MANY VEHICLES. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 6, 2014
MY KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND I HAVE TO WAIT A COUPLE OF MINUTES BEFORE IT RELEASES SO I CAN GET IT OUT. SOMETIMES ONCE I START THE CAR I CAN HEAR THE KEY CLICK SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE BROUGHT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. *TR
Steering, Oct 28, 2014
I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED ON SEPT. 15, 2014. IT IS THE SPORT EDITION OF THE EQUINOX. EVERY TIME I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT ANY SPEED THERE IS A RUBBING SOUND BETWEEN THE STEERING COLUMN & JUST BEHIND THE AIRBAG ON STEERING WHEEL & NEAR THE IGNITION SWITCH. I ASSUME IF THERE IS ENOUGH RUBBING FRICTION IT COULD AFFECT THE AIRBAG OR IGNITION SWITCH TO CAUSE A FIRE OR AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I TOOK CAR TO ROGER DEAN CHEVY DEALER IN CAPE CORAL, FL & THEY SAID THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR SUCH A PROBLEM. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS RUBBING FRICTION & KNOW THAT GM HAS HAD BOTH IGNITION ISSUES & AIRBAG ISSUES WHICH THIS RUBBING SOUND IS NEAR BOTH OF THESE COMPONENTS. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 13, 2014
SMELLED INCREASING GAS SMELL. MY MECHANIC FOUND A FUEL LEAK, PULLED THE GAS TANK AND HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP AS THE PLASTIC SUPPLY/RETURN HAD CRACKED AND WAS LEAKING FUEL. MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT HE THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL IN EFFECT FOR THIS PROBLEM. TO DATE, I HAVE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED BY CHEVY OF A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, YET I CAN SEE ONLINE THAT THIS IS HAPPENING FREQUENTLY. I FOUND GM'S CAMPAIGN # 12190 BUT NOT SURE IT IT COVERS MY YEAR AND MODEL. IT WAS OVER $600 TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP!! *TR
Air bags, Oct 8, 2014
AIR BAG WILL NOT COME ON SOMETIME WHILE SEATING IN DRIVER SEAT WE ARE HAVING A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS SYSTEM. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 30, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE STABILITRACK WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Exterior lighting, Sep 25, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 14, 2014
DOOR LOCKS ON ALL 4 SWINGING DOORS ACT INCONSISTENTLY. WHEN LOCKING VALUABLE ITEMS WITH THE REMOTE, ONLY SOME OF THE DOORS WOULD LOCK. VERY DANGEROUS AND I SEE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. WIFE DOESN'T ON FEEL SAFE IF SHE NEED TO GET IN HER CAR AND LOCK THE DOORS ONLY TO FIND 2 OF THE DOORS DID NOT LOCK. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Sep 11, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE HYDRO-PLANED AND CRASHED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT EXPECTED TO DEPLOY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000. PAM..UPDATED 09/25/14 *BF UPDATED 10/23/2014*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. UPDATED 12/08/14 .*JB UPDATED 12/28/15.*JB THE CONSUMER STATED GM CLAIMED TO HAVE INVESTIGATED THE CRASH AND STATED THE AIR BAG WAS NOT DESIGNED TO DEPLOY IN THE TYPE OF CRASH THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN. UPDATED 01/05/16.*JB UPDATED 06/02/16.*JB *JS
Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 10, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AS THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A MAILBOX. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 29, 2014
THIS CAR HAS BEEN A LEMON SINCE I GOT HER. SHE HAS HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS FROM STEREO, BRAKES, MOTOR AND NOW THE GAS TANKS LEAKS. WE HAD RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER MONTHS AGO STATING THAT THIS WAS A RECALL BUT IF YOU DO NOT SMELL FUEL, THEN DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. WELL, NOW WE DO AND I HAVE CALLED GM AND WAS TOLD THAT THEIR SYSTEM WAS DOWN AND THAT THEY WOULD CALL US BACK. THEY ALSO TOLD US THAT WITHOUT THE RECALL LETTER THEY COULDN'T HELP US. I AM LOOKING FOR THE LETTER BUT SHOULDN'T THEY HAVE THIS ON RECORD? THAT WAS OVER A WEEK AGO AND STILL NO ANSWER. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND STILL NO RESPONSE. WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO TO GET SOME ANSWERS? *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 27, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 26, 2014
1.)THIS MORNING, I STARTED MY CAR, IT STALLED OUT, LIKE IT DID NOT WANT TO START. I SWEPT THAT UNDER THE RUG. AFTER WORK, I STARTED MY CAR AND IT STALLED AGAIN WHILE TRYING TO START. AS A MATTER OF FACT IT WAS AS IF SOMEONE HAD GOTTEN UNDER THE HOOD AND DISCONNECTED/RECONNECTED MY BATTERY. I HAD TO RESET MY CLOCK AND RADIO STATIONS.2.)ALSO, WHILE I AM COMPLAINING, I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE MY BRAKE LIGHTS AT LEAST 4 TIMES WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY JUST SAID "YOU DO KNOW YOU HAVE TO CHANGE THE BULBS EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE"---YES! BUT NOT SEVERAL TIMES IN ONE YEAR. 3.)THERE IS ALSO MOISTURE IN THE HEADLIGHTS--EVEN AFTER THE DEALERSHIP "FIXING IT". 4.) MY KEY FOB DOES NOT LOCK THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. (SOMETIMES THEY LOCK, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. I HAVE READ SOME OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS, BUT YET THERE ARE NO RECALLS. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? *TR
Air bags, Aug 26, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 25, 2014
WIFE DRIVING CAR AT SLOW SPEED IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD (APPROX. 20 MPH); STEERING BECAME VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE, SEVERE FRONT END VIBRATION, AND STABILITRAK LIGHT CAME ON. CLEARED UP AFTER ABOUT 3 MINUTES. WAS DRIVEN LATER TODAY WITH NO PROBLEM RECURRENCE. HAD THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED IN TRAFFIC OR AT HIGHER SPEED, IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR
Tires, Aug 20, 2014
2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CORRODED TIRE VALVE CAP. *SMD
Air bags, Seats, Aug 13, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT IT WAS DISABLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Exterior lighting, Seat belts, Aug 11, 2014
HAVE OWNED MY 2008 EQUINOX SINCE JULY 2008.... STITCHING ON THE WEBBING ON BACK SEAT BELT HAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED AT THE BUCKLE. CANNOT BE USED AT ALL FRONT DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT COVER HOLDS WATER AND BULBS HAVE TO REPLACED A FEW TIMES A YEAR DUE TO THIS. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 11, 2014
MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH 2008 EQUINOX, PURCHASED IN JULY 2008.. KEY WILL GET STUCK IN IGNITION AND TAKES SEVERAL TRIES TO REMOVE IT. CHECK AIRBAG LIGHT ON INTERMITTENTLY AND PASSENGER AIRBAG SHUTS OFF. *TR CHECK STABILITRAC LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY AND SHUTS OFF WHEN ON INTERSTATE AND/OR WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS SET DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW IS INOPERABLE ALMOST 100% OF THE TIME, BUT WILL WORK,SOMETIMES, WHEN THE DOOR IS SHUTTING OR WHEN YOU HIT THE DOOR PANEL. VEHICLE ALARM WILL SET BUT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR NEVER LOCKS AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR RARELY LOCK, SAME FOR WHEN CAR IS PUT IN DRIVE. WILL NOT LOCK BY USING THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON LOCATED INSIDE VEHICLE BOTH BACK DOOR LOCKS GET HUNG AND MUST BE MANUALLY UNLOCKED. *TR
Exterior lighting, Aug 9, 2014
I PURCHASED MY 2008 EQUINOX IN MARCH 2010; THERE WAS SLIGHT MOISTURE BUILDING UP IN BOTH HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES; NOW MAJOR MOISTURE. AFTER REPLACING BOTH HEADLIGHTS AND MULTIPLE BULBS, THE ENTIRE LEFT SIDE WENT OUT IN JULY 2014. I TOOK TO A DEALERSHIP AND GM PART WAS REPLACED FOR $350 (HAD WORK DISCOUNT). MY RIGHT SIDE IS BUILDING UP WITH MOISTURE AND WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE TO BE REPLACED ONCE MY HEADLIGHT GOES OUT. THIS IS A KNOWN GM ISSUE; HOWEVER, GM DOES NOT SEEM TO WANT TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR A POORLY MANUFACTURED HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IN THE EQUINOX. *TR