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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
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

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2009
Parking Brake

2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX HAS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CAN NOT BE USED IF THE ARM REST/CUP HOLDER IS IN USE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10263372

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2008
Visibility

HVAC CONTROL DEFECTS. WHEN RECIRCULATION AIR BUTTON IS ACTIVATED, THE COMPRESSOR IS ENGAGED WITH AC ON, EVEN IF THE AC BUTTON IS NOT ACTIVATED (PUSHED). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10242676

2,500 miles · Sep 15, 2008
Equipment

SINCE I PURCHASED MY 08 CHEVY EQUINOX THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN SOME ISSUES WITH MY A/C. I HAVE HAD IT IN FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES AND STILL CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM. EVEN WITH THE AIR SET ON THE COLDEST SETTING THE AIR STILL OCCASIONALLY BLOWS HOT THEN COLD THEN HOT. THIS CONTINUOUS CONSTANTLY WHILE I AM DRIVING AROUND THE CITY. IT DO…

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SINCE I PURCHASED MY 08 CHEVY EQUINOX THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN SOME ISSUES WITH MY A/C. I HAVE HAD IT IN FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES AND STILL CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM. EVEN WITH THE AIR SET ON THE COLDEST SETTING THE AIR STILL OCCASIONALLY BLOWS HOT THEN COLD THEN HOT. THIS CONTINUOUS CONSTANTLY WHILE I AM DRIVING AROUND THE CITY. IT DOES NOT DO IT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE I HAVE FIGURED OUT THE RPM IS HIGH. WHENEVER THE RPM DROPS BELOW AROUND 1800 TO 1600 THE AIR BEGINS TO HAVE PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED SOME PARTS AND RECHARGED THE FREON IN THE CAR TWICE. I AM FED UP AND NEED SOME ADVICE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10242203

Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2008
Seats

PASSENGER FRONT SEAT IN 2008 EQUINOX. WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE YOUR RIGHT LEG PINCHED BETWEEN THE SEAT ITSELF AND THE SIDE MOLDING TO THE SEAT. THOUGH THIS NOT A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION OR A CRITICAL HAZARDS, IT IS NEITHER THE LESS A CONSTANT REMINDER THAT THERE IS A FAULT WITH THE DESIGN OF THE SEAT. THE DEALERSHIP WILL SI…

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PASSENGER FRONT SEAT IN 2008 EQUINOX. WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE YOUR RIGHT LEG PINCHED BETWEEN THE SEAT ITSELF AND THE SIDE MOLDING TO THE SEAT. THOUGH THIS NOT A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION OR A CRITICAL HAZARDS, IT IS NEITHER THE LESS A CONSTANT REMINDER THAT THERE IS A FAULT WITH THE DESIGN OF THE SEAT. THE DEALERSHIP WILL SIMPLY LOOK AT THE SEAT AND SHAKE THEIR HEAD AND LOOK AT YOU AS WHAT THEY WANT THE DEALERSHIP TO DO ABOUT IT. THIS WHY I AM WRITING THIS COMPLAINT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10240629

5,753 miles · Jun 25, 2008
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, SPEEDOMETER STUCK ON 35 MPH, GAS GAGE SAID I HAD 1 1/4 TANK OF GAS, AND IT SAID MY CAR WAS OVERHEATING. WHEN WE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IT STAYED THE SAME. AFTER BEING PARKED FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS, EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL EXCEPT FOR THE GAS GAGE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD NOT FIX …

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, SPEEDOMETER STUCK ON 35 MPH, GAS GAGE SAID I HAD 1 1/4 TANK OF GAS, AND IT SAID MY CAR WAS OVERHEATING. WHEN WE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IT STAYED THE SAME. AFTER BEING PARKED FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS, EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL EXCEPT FOR THE GAS GAGE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT BECAUSE IT WASN'T DOING IT ANYMORE. WE BOUGHT THIS AS OUR FIRST ALL NEW CAR BECAUSE WE WERE TIRE OF PROBLEMS INHERITED WITH USED CARS. ALOT A GOOD THAT DID, WE HAD IT 3 MONTHS BEFORE PROBLEMS STARTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10232328

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

22 miles · Jun 15, 2008
SeatsInjury

MY 2008 CHEVY EQUINOX FRONT PASSENGER SEAT PINCHES YOU WHEN YOU ARE EXITING THE CAR. IT GRABS YOUR BOTTOM / LEG ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF SEAT. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURE, THEY SAY THAT IS THE WAY THE CAR IS MADE AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE HAD PEOPLE OF ALL SIZES TRY GETTING IN AND OUT , FAT OR SKI…

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MY 2008 CHEVY EQUINOX FRONT PASSENGER SEAT PINCHES YOU WHEN YOU ARE EXITING THE CAR. IT GRABS YOUR BOTTOM / LEG ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF SEAT. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURE, THEY SAY THAT IS THE WAY THE CAR IS MADE AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE HAD PEOPLE OF ALL SIZES TRY GETTING IN AND OUT , FAT OR SKINNY IT HURTS EVERYONE. I HAVE EVEN ASKED ANOTHER PERSON WITH THE SAME CAR IF IT DOES IT TO THEM , AND THEY SAID YES AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. MY HUSBAND IS THE PASSENGER MOST OF THE TIME AND HE IS ON BLOOD THINNERS FOR HIS HEART. HE HAS TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THE SLIGHTEST INJURY TO WATCH FOR INTERNAL BLEEDING. CURRENTLY WE HAVE TO STICK A PIECE OF FOAM ON THERE SO WHEN HE GETS OUT OF CAR IT WONT PINCH HIM. WE CONSTANTLY HAVE TO DO THIS. I FIND IT UNACCEPTABLE FOR A NEW CAR I PAID 25 K FOR TO DO THIS AND THE MANUFACTURE NOT WILLING TO FIX THIS DEFECT. IT HAS BEEN LIKE THIS SINCE WE BROUGHT THE CAR HOME IN FEB. WE HAVE COMPLAINED MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO RESOLVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231069

100 miles · May 7, 2008
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

I HAVE BEEN DRIVING SINCE 1963 AND THIS CAR HAS ABSOLUTELY THE WORST PROBLEM WITH STATIC ELECTRICITY THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN. I THOUGHT AT FIRST IT WAS JUST ME, BUT AT A COMPANY MEETING (IT IS A COMPANY CAR) I DISCOVERED THAT EVERYONE I SPOKE TO THAT HAS AN EQUINOX HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. EVEN IF THE CAR ISN'T RUNNING AND YOU HAVE A…

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I HAVE BEEN DRIVING SINCE 1963 AND THIS CAR HAS ABSOLUTELY THE WORST PROBLEM WITH STATIC ELECTRICITY THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN. I THOUGHT AT FIRST IT WAS JUST ME, BUT AT A COMPANY MEETING (IT IS A COMPANY CAR) I DISCOVERED THAT EVERYONE I SPOKE TO THAT HAS AN EQUINOX HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. EVEN IF THE CAR ISN'T RUNNING AND YOU HAVE ALREADY BEEN SHOCKED, IF YOU MOVE AROUND SLIGHTLY IN THE SEAT YOU WILL GET ANOTHER SHOCK THE NEXT TIME YOU TOUCH SOMETHING METAL. THE SHOCK IS SOMETIMES SO SEVERE THAT AT FIRST I THOUGHT THE BATTERY HAD A SHORT TO GROUND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10226975

500 miles · Jan 13, 2008
Structure

FRONT BUMPER COVER CRACKED INSIDE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WELL WHERE BUMPER WRAPS AROUND. CRACK BEGAN WHEN OBJECT IN GARAGE WAS "BUMPED". COVER MATERIAL SO THIN THAT COVER WAS DAMAGED. COST TO REPLACE WAS $888.00 AT DEALERSHIP. IF MATERIAL AND/OR DESIGN WAS BETTER, THIS NEVER WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. MANUFACTURER WANTS NO PART IN REPLACING…

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FRONT BUMPER COVER CRACKED INSIDE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WELL WHERE BUMPER WRAPS AROUND. CRACK BEGAN WHEN OBJECT IN GARAGE WAS "BUMPED". COVER MATERIAL SO THIN THAT COVER WAS DAMAGED. COST TO REPLACE WAS $888.00 AT DEALERSHIP. IF MATERIAL AND/OR DESIGN WAS BETTER, THIS NEVER WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. MANUFACTURER WANTS NO PART IN REPLACING OR FIXING THE PROBLEM. TOLD ME TO SEND IT TO MY INSURANCE CARRIER. MY COMPLAINT IS THE POOR MATERIAL INVOLVED AND THAT GM WANTS REPAIRS FOR POOR QUALITY REPAIRED OR REPLACED ON THE BACK OF A CONSUMERS INSURANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214633

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.

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