TroubleCAR
50
Trouble

2008 Chevrolet Equinox

Complaints: 370Avg mileage: 77,583 miSince: Jan 2008
CrashFire12 injured

Problem Areas

Air Bags
108
Electrical System
64
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
46
Steering
44
Fuel/Propulsion System
39
Engine
27
Structure:Body
24
Exterior Lighting
20
Unknown or Other
18
Latches/Locks/Linkages
18

Complaints Over Time

Recent Complaints

AIR BAGS
80,000 miNov 26, 2017COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
Crash1 injured

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT; I WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER SIDE, WHEN A DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO TURN LEFT IN FRONT OF ME AND AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.

AIR BAGS
160,000 miJun 7, 2017SARCOXIE, MO
Crash2 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH HIS DAUGHTER, WIFE, AND NEPHEW, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A ROAD SIGN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER SUSTAINED A CONTUSION ON THE CHEST WALL AND HIS WIFE SUSTAINED SHOULDER PAIN. THE DAUGHTER REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.

AIR BAGS
91,000 miSep 11, 2014PORTSMOUTH, VA
Crash1 injured

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

AIR BAGS
50,000 miMay 23, 2014DETROIT, MI
Crash2 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELTS MALFUNCTIONED AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, HAND AND KNEE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUFFERED HEAD, LUNG AND RIB INJURIES DURING THE CRASH, AND BOTH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

STEERING
111,023 miJun 13, 2013PHOENIX, AZ
Crash1 injured

STABILITY TRAC LIGHT CAME ON, LOST POWER STEERING, TOOK IT TO CHEVY DEALER, SAID LOW VOLTAGE CONDITION, REPLACED BATTERY, WORK FOR ABOUT A MONTH, SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. NOT THE BATTERY. *TR

AIR BAGS
34,000 miAug 19, 2011CHICAGO, IL
Crash1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL AND IT CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGERS OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED BRUISES BUT WERE NOT SEVERELY INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. RVK

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
85,000 miSep 10, 2014NICHOLASVILLE, KY
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.

AIR BAGS
100,767 miJul 31, 2014PEABODY, MA
Crash

FIRST INCIDENT, STEERING FAILURE. SERVICE STABILITRACK WARNING APPEARED AND STEERING WENT OUT MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WHO STATED STEERING MODULE WENT OUT AND REPLACED AT MY OWN COST. VERY DANGEROUS TO LOOSE STEERING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. ENTIRE STEERING AND INTERIOR CONTROL MODULE WAS ALSO REPLACED A SECOND TIME. DEALER STATED IT WAS NORMAL FOR THIS TO WEAR OUT AND NEED REPLACED. SERVICE STABILITRACK WARNING STILL CONTINUES TO COME ON OCCASIONALLY. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUE. HOPEFULLY THE STEERING WILL NOT GO OUT THIS TIME WHILE I AM GOING DOWN A MAJOR HIGHWAY AT HIGHER SPEEDS. HAVE ALSO CONTINUOUSLY EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH WATER IN THE VEHICLE. CAN HEAR THE WATER SLOSHING AROUND. WATER IN THE HEADLIGHTS MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT. DOOR LOCKS ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY. CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, FRONT END COLLISION AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SERIOUS SAFETY RISK. *TR

AIR BAGS
May 22, 2014ALVIN, TX
Crash

WAS INVOLVED IN A MVA AND DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 50-60MPH WHEN HER CAR HIT THE FRONT END DRIVER SIDE AND AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. SINCE THEN AIR BAG SENSOR TURNS ON AND OFF WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT . PASSENGER WEIGHING OVER 130 LBS. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY HAZARD AND IS SCARY TO THINK THAT THIS CAR HAS YET TO BE RECALLED!! WILL THE AIR BAG GO OFF NEXT TIME SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPENS AGAIN??!! GM IS WRONG FOR RECALLING EVERY OTHER VEHICLE BUT THIS ONE!! POWER LOCKS DO NOT UNLOCK OR LOCK EVER! I ALWAYS HAVE TO MANUALLY LOCK AND UNLOCK EACH ONE. SAFETY ISSUE AGAIN! AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE CAUSING EVERYTHING IN THE CAR TO GO OUT EVERY MONTH OR TWO. RECALL THIS CAR BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE GETS INJURED. *TR

STRUCTURE:BODY
140,000 miOct 2, 2019LANSING, IL
Fire

APRIL 26, 2019 THE ENGINE IN MY 2008 CHEVY EQUINOX SPORT LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MIDWEST TIRE & AUTO IN THE CICERO,IL FOR ENGINE REPLACEMENT. A WEEK AFTER RETRIEVING MY SUV ON JUNE 20,2019 FROM THE SHOP IT HAD AN EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK AND IT CAUGHT FIRE. WHILE THE OCCUPANCY OF MY WIFE AND 3 CHILDREN AGES 7,4, AND 2 WERE WITHIN 11 MILES OF TRAVEL FROM OUR RESIDENCE ALONG THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RECOGNIZABLE FROM THE INTERIOR, FROM FRONT TO CENTER OF THE VEHICLE'S BODY IT WAS A GRAYISH COLOR. SHOWING THE FIRE'S INTENSITY.

AIR BAGS
76,000 miAug 7, 2015ROANOKE, VA
1 injured

PASSENGER AIR BAG DOES NOT WORK WHEN SOMEONE IS IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. DRIVERS WINDOW & LOCK STOPPED WORKING(HAS BEEN REPAIRED). SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL & SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHTS ARE ON. EGR VALVE CODE, TORQUE CONVERTER CODE, EVAP SYSTEM CODE, AND ABS CODE. THERE IS ALSO A SQUEEKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR & HAS LESS THAN 77K MILES. ALSO LIKE OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED I TOO GET HURT ON THE BACK OF MY LEG WHEN GETTING OUT OF THE PASSENGER SEAT.

SEATS
22 miJun 15, 2008MARTINEZ, GA
3 injured

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

POWER TRAIN
Oct 25, 2025Benton, WI

Problem with transmission not shifting properly. Also, the subframe is rusting out because water from the air conditioning unit falls directly on the subframe at that point both are safety hazards My service provider told me about the subframe rusting when I had my oil changed and why it was rusting and I have my transmission checked by a transmission specialist and the oil changed at that point in time

ENGINE
Aug 28, 2025Parsonsburg, MD

Head gasket failure as well as intake manifold

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
182,000 miDec 17, 2024Shreveport, LA

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that there was an abnormally strong fuel odor on the outside of the vehicle and the odor was entering into the cabin of the vehicle. The contact noticed that fuel was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 182,000.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jul 4, 2024Levan, UT

Door locks they do not like to unlock lock, they will go halfway and get stuck and then I can’t get into my car

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
115,000 miFeb 6, 2024Delavan, WI

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while starting the vehicle and allowing the vehicle to idle for a minute or two, the contact started smelling an abnormally strong gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated an orange-colored engine symbol was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle was constant. The contact became aware that there was a small puddle of fuel on the passenger side rear tire underneath the vehicle. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
170,000 miNov 2, 2023Lincoln, NE

The contact's mother owns a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that upon turning off the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered a major fuel leak coming from the vehicle. The contact called the dealer and was given an estimate for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

SERVICE BRAKES
Aug 23, 2023Arley, AL

Brakes stopped working while vehicle was in drive. I had to use emergency brake to get it to stop.

SERVICE BRAKES
May 1, 2023Viera, FL

Over the entire life of this vehicle numerous issues with the ABS/Stabilitrak system resulting in handling issues and expensive repairs. The problem starts with handling issues while braking or driving in slippery conditions and eventually results in dash warning messages.

Other Equinox Years

Other Chevrolet Models