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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

What owners actually said

370 reports
17,449 miles · Aug 31, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED, THE CONTACT TRIED TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND IT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SPEED INCREASED TO 85 MPH. THE CALLER HAD TO P…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED, THE CONTACT TRIED TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND IT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SPEED INCREASED TO 85 MPH. THE CALLER HAD TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD BE SLOWED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE IF THE BRAKES RESPONDED OR IF THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BY THE BRAKES. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES. THE VEHICLE IS NOT BEING DRIVEN AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 17449.

NHTSA ODI #10353059

41,413 miles · Jul 30, 2010
Air Bags

WHILE DRIVING A 2008 CHEVY EQUINOX, IT WAS NOTICED PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WAS NOT OPERATING, IT HAS OPERATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEW THEN SPONTANEOUSLY QUITE, FAILURE IS INTERMITTENT IN NATURE , THE CONSEQUENCES COULD BE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH OF PASSENGER. PASSENGER SIDE HAS A PRESENCE DETECTION MODULE AND MAY OR MAY NOT DETE…

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WHILE DRIVING A 2008 CHEVY EQUINOX, IT WAS NOTICED PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WAS NOT OPERATING, IT HAS OPERATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEW THEN SPONTANEOUSLY QUITE, FAILURE IS INTERMITTENT IN NATURE , THE CONSEQUENCES COULD BE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH OF PASSENGER. PASSENGER SIDE HAS A PRESENCE DETECTION MODULE AND MAY OR MAY NOT DETECT SOMEONE WHO WEIGHS AROUND 112 LBS. THIS VIOLATES FEDERAL LAW SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER208, OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION, CHEVROLET HAS REFUSED TO CONFIRM THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM, AND YES THE SAME PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS 2007 MODELS AND EARLY PRODUCTION 2008 MODELS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10346421

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2010
Steering

ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341350

43,000 miles · Jun 13, 2010
Visibility

M7 2008 EQUINOX REAR WIPER MOTOR SHORTED OUT AND IS TIED IN DIRECTLY TO THE BATTERY, THUS KILLING MY BATTERY AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10336095

60,000 miles · Jun 8, 2010
Visibility

MY REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT CAUSE THE INSIDE OF MY CAR TO BE FILLED WITH A SMOKE. I HAD TO HAVE THE MOTOR REPLACED AND THE CAR CLEANED TO GET THE SMELL OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10335279

27,000 miles · May 13, 2010
Air Bags

MY VEHICLE IS A 2008 CHEVY EQUINOX. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WILL NOT ACTIVATE THE DEVICE WHEN MY 107 TO 110 LB WIFE IS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER TWICE, THEY ADVISE THE SYSTEM IS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY, AS IT WAS DESIGNED, AND THAT MY WIFE DOES NOT WEIGH ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE "ON" FUNCTION OF THE…

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MY VEHICLE IS A 2008 CHEVY EQUINOX. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WILL NOT ACTIVATE THE DEVICE WHEN MY 107 TO 110 LB WIFE IS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER TWICE, THEY ADVISE THE SYSTEM IS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY, AS IT WAS DESIGNED, AND THAT MY WIFE DOES NOT WEIGH ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE "ON" FUNCTION OF THE AIR BAG. THIS SEEMS UNSAFE, AND UNREASONABLE TO ME. I'D LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT, AND ASK, DOES THIS VIOLATE NHTSA SAFETY STANDARDS? DOES THE NHTSA RESEARCH SUPPORT THAT A 110 LB ADULT SHOULD NOT HAVE AIRBAG PROTECTION? I'VE NOTICED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEBSITE FOR THIS ISSUE. THANKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10330250

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

6,000 miles · Sep 9, 2009
Air Bags

2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATES OFF WHEN A 107# LADY IS SETTING IN SEAT. OFTEN YOU CAN TURN OFF ENGINE AND RESTART ENGINE AND LIGHT WILL FUNCTION CORRECTLY. HAVE HAD TO DEALER 4 TIMES AND THEY SAY THAT IT CAN'T BE FIXED. THIS COULD BE A REAL PROBLEM IF I WERE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM …

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2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATES OFF WHEN A 107# LADY IS SETTING IN SEAT. OFTEN YOU CAN TURN OFF ENGINE AND RESTART ENGINE AND LIGHT WILL FUNCTION CORRECTLY. HAVE HAD TO DEALER 4 TIMES AND THEY SAY THAT IT CAN'T BE FIXED. THIS COULD BE A REAL PROBLEM IF I WERE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283402

1,300 miles · Apr 23, 2009
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

2008 CHEVY EQUINOX - PURCHASED MAY 2008. NINE (9) OF THE LAST ELEVEN (11) MONTHS, THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS; 'SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM', 'SERVICE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM", & "SERVICE STABILITRAK"ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS EACH. EACH TIME, I WAS TOLD THAT A MODULE RELAY WAS REPLACED. THEY AL…

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2008 CHEVY EQUINOX - PURCHASED MAY 2008. NINE (9) OF THE LAST ELEVEN (11) MONTHS, THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS; 'SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM', 'SERVICE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM", & "SERVICE STABILITRAK"ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS EACH. EACH TIME, I WAS TOLD THAT A MODULE RELAY WAS REPLACED. THEY ALSO EVENTUALLY GAVE US A NEW BATTERY AND CHANGED THE STARTER. NOW, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS LIT UP, AND THE "SERVICE STABILITRAK" LIGHT IS COMING BACK ON. THE REAR WIPER WILL MAKE A SINGLE SWEEP EVEN WHEN IN THE OFF POSITION AND THE RADIO WILL START SEARCHING FOR A STATION EVEN WITH A STRONG SIGNAL FROM AN AREA STATION. IF I HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, THE CD'S WILL SKIP SONGS OR RESTART ITSELF. MOST TIMES, I AM TOLD THAT THE ISSUE NEEDS TO BE HAPPENING WHEN I BRING IT IN. UNFORTUNATELY, IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY OR AFTER HOURS. THEREFORE, NOTHING IS DONE TO CORRECT THE CONSTANT PROBLEMS. I REALLY FEEL LIKE I PURCHASED A LEMON AND EVEN GAVE MY DEALER A COPY OF THE TEXAS LEMON LAW, I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE TAKING EVEN SHORT LENGTH ROAD TRIPS FOR FEAR MY CAR WILL FAIL TO RUN PROPERLY. I FEEL AS THOUGH I AM STUCK PAYING FOR A "LEMON" CAR FOR FOUR MORE YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266547

300 miles · Apr 9, 2009
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL GAUGES WERE POORLY ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, HE IS UNABLE TO PROPERLY READ THE WARNING INDICATORS AND OTHER MESSAGES ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. SPORADICALLY, THE CLUSTER WILL HAVE SPONTANEOUS SURGES OF BRIGHT LIGHT. HE TOOK THE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL GAUGES WERE POORLY ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, HE IS UNABLE TO PROPERLY READ THE WARNING INDICATORS AND OTHER MESSAGES ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. SPORADICALLY, THE CLUSTER WILL HAVE SPONTANEOUS SURGES OF BRIGHT LIGHT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THESE WERE NORMAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,000.

NHTSA ODI #10264792

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