Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
180–25K
5825–50K
7050–75K
6975–100K
62100–150K
21150K+
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
What owners actually said
370 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2016
Air Bags
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…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #10825506
30,000 miles · Feb 10, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS ON, ALWAYS . AIR BAG IS OFF ALWAYS. THIS CAR IS ONE PIECE OF TRASH.
NHTSA ODI #10825273
78,800 miles · Feb 2, 2016
Engine
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.
NHTSA ODI #10823757
133,000 miles · Jan 29, 2016
Air BagsElectrical System
SERVICE AIR BAG, SOMETIMES PASSENGER CAME ON, SOMETIMES DIDN'T, NOW FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE OF IT. AUTO DOOR LOCKS SOMETIMES WORK, SOMETIMES DO NOT
NHTSA ODI #10822979
80,000 miles · Jan 23, 2016
Steering
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…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10821847
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
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.
NHTSA ODI #10820490
73,000 miles · Jan 14, 2016
Engine
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.
NHTSA ODI #10820350
45,000 miles · Jan 11, 2016
Structure
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.
NHTSA ODI #10819455
33,000 miles · Jan 8, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System
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 W…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #10818979
85,000 miles · Jan 5, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON
NHTSA ODI #10818131
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 ↗
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