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2008 Chevrolet Equinox

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 382.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

298 reports with mileage · 72 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 110 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 65 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports1 fire reports8 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

8 reports
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10,000 miles · Aug 3, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure

RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE I NOTICED AFTER RUNNING THE AIR CONDITIONER THAT A MOLDY MUSTY SMELL CAME FROM THE CAR. MY HUSBAND CHANGED THE CABIN AIR FILTER, THAT ONLY HELPED FOR JUST A FEW WEEKS. I HAD MY SERVICE DEPARTMENT CHECK IT OUT. THEY TOLD ME THE CONDENSER NEED A FOAM SPRAY TO KILL THE BACTERIA AT MY COST. I P…

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RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE I NOTICED AFTER RUNNING THE AIR CONDITIONER THAT A MOLDY MUSTY SMELL CAME FROM THE CAR. MY HUSBAND CHANGED THE CABIN AIR FILTER, THAT ONLY HELPED FOR JUST A FEW WEEKS. I HAD MY SERVICE DEPARTMENT CHECK IT OUT. THEY TOLD ME THE CONDENSER NEED A FOAM SPRAY TO KILL THE BACTERIA AT MY COST. I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS VEHICLE BUT THAT WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF THE FIX. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS VEHICLE. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT WE ARE BREATHING ALL THIS CONTAMINATED AIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10469062

31,200 miles · Mar 30, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE WOULD STALL SPORADICALLY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE WOULD STALL SPORADICALLY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ECM FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,580.

NHTSA ODI #10453543

70,000 miles · Dec 7, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

SEVERAL INCIDENTS WITH VEHICLE FROM 6/08-CURRENT - CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS AND SEVERAL REPAIRS INCLUDING TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AND CURRENTLY AWAITING PARTS FOR A NEW PROBLEM. CAR 24 MONTHS OLD, PURCHASE NEW AND HAS HAD SEVERAL ISSUES AND HAS BEEN TOWED 4 TIMES FOR BREAKDOWNS. HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN UNDER 5YRS AND TERRIFIED TO DRIV…

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SEVERAL INCIDENTS WITH VEHICLE FROM 6/08-CURRENT - CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS AND SEVERAL REPAIRS INCLUDING TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AND CURRENTLY AWAITING PARTS FOR A NEW PROBLEM. CAR 24 MONTHS OLD, PURCHASE NEW AND HAS HAD SEVERAL ISSUES AND HAS BEEN TOWED 4 TIMES FOR BREAKDOWNS. HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN UNDER 5YRS AND TERRIFIED TO DRIVE WITH ISSUES. HAVE COPIES OF ALL DEALERSHIP PAPERWORK, REPAIRS. REPAIRS INCLUDE, NOT LIMITED TO TRANSMISSION REPLACED, HEATER/COOLER SYSTEM LEAK, LIGHTING/DASH REPLACED, TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACED BUT CURRENTLY BROKE, CURRENTLY AWAITING PARTS FOR TIMING CHAIN REPLACEMENT APPROX COST $5000 REPAIR, LEATHER CRACKING, WINDSHIELD WIPER REAR NOT WORKING, CARPETING COMING OUT IN NEED OF REPAIR, FRONT HEADLIGHT LEAK AND FOGGY IN NEED OF REPAIR. THIS CAR IS CONSTANTLY IN THE SHOP, GETTING NOWHERE WITH GENERAL MOTORS. HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON SIDE OF HIGHWAY WITH CHILDREN WHEN BROKE DOWN. DANGEROUS NOW KNOWING WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10369470

40,000 miles · Oct 15, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL CLICKING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START. IN ADDITION, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE UPON THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL CLICKING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START. IN ADDITION, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE UPON THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER MADE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE STABILIZER YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE DEALER THEN INSTALLED A NEW BATTERY AND MADE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE STABILIZER A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE STABILIZER WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MOST RECENT FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #10360666

50,650 miles · Sep 27, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED MOMENTARILY. THE VEHICLE DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY FAILURES YET THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD POTENTIALLY EXPERIENCE SOME TYPE OF FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED MOMENTARILY. THE VEHICLE DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY FAILURES YET THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD POTENTIALLY EXPERIENCE SOME TYPE OF FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER EACH TIME THE REDUCE POWER LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CANISTER, A/C UNIT TRACTION CONTROL MODULE, ECM, EGR VALVE, SPARK PLUG WIRES AND THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR. NONE OF THE REPAIRS CORRECTED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,650.

NHTSA ODI #10357826

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX ENGINE SHUT OFF. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS. *KB AN INTERNAL FAULT CODE WAS FOUND WITH THE ECM.

NHTSA ODI #10323087

26,000 miles · Mar 31, 2009
Electronic Stability ControlEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

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 PA…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10263749

8,800 miles · Jun 19, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

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 NOIS…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10231607

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Chevrolet Equinox problems