← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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 complaints

27 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2025
EngineFuel/propulsion System

Head gasket failure as well as intake manifold

NHTSA ODI #11683736

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2021
EngineUnknown Or Other

The car overheats within a very few minutes. Faster when idelling at a stop light or sign waiting to enter a busy street. I have replaced the thermostat, water pump, temperature sensor, antifreeze (with GM antifreeze) after flushing out the radiator, and it still gets hot. The dashboard heat gauge is not working but the warning…

Read full complaint

The car overheats within a very few minutes. Faster when idelling at a stop light or sign waiting to enter a busy street. I have replaced the thermostat, water pump, temperature sensor, antifreeze (with GM antifreeze) after flushing out the radiator, and it still gets hot. The dashboard heat gauge is not working but the warning “ENGINE HOT. AC OFF” flashes all the time. We took the thermostat out so the coolent could circulate while the weather is warm. I am aware that the computer in the car has been replaced at least once and I think it may be malfunctioning now. I have an appointment with the Service Dept at McLaughlin Chevrolet dealer in Milwaukie Oregon on Tuesday June 22, 2021. I hope they will check the compression on the chambers and the computer. I want them to replace the sensor, thermostat, water pump and radiator cap with GM parts. I am slow income 80 years old grandma who helps her single daughter who works full time take care of her kids. I need to have a dependable car and I worry that if the computer does like first one did, we will get stranded on the freeway with a completely dead vehicle. Please let me know if there is any help with the expense of making it safe to drive.

NHTSA ODI #11421525

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2020
EngineSuspension

THE WHEEL TRANSFER CASE LEAKING AND ENGINE LIGHT ON. PULLING LOTS OF DIFFERENT CODES. TIMING CHAIN IS AFFECTED AND NOT 100% SURE IF IT'S ALSO THOSE OTHER CODES.

NHTSA ODI #11364899

140,000 miles · Oct 2, 2019
EngineStructureUnknown Or OtherFire

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 A…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #11265781

32,680 miles · May 16, 2018
Engine

I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHICH HAS 32,650 MILES ON IT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED JERKING, AS IT SOMEONE WAS PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT A SPEED OF 45 TO 50 DURING ACCELERATION! I AM A HEART TRANSPLANT SURVIVOR OF 15 YRS AND DID NO NEED TO BE PUT THROUGH THIS KIND OF SCARE! I DUG THROUGH SOME PAPERS AND FOUND AN EXTENDED WARRAN…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHICH HAS 32,650 MILES ON IT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED JERKING, AS IT SOMEONE WAS PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT A SPEED OF 45 TO 50 DURING ACCELERATION! I AM A HEART TRANSPLANT SURVIVOR OF 15 YRS AND DID NO NEED TO BE PUT THROUGH THIS KIND OF SCARE! I DUG THROUGH SOME PAPERS AND FOUND AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE THAT STATED NOT TO BRING IT IN UNTIL IT STARTED TO DO THIS. OF COURSE THE TIME OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY RAN OUT AND CHEVY WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY AND REPAIR THEIR MISTAKE! I INHERITED THIS VEHICLE FROM MY MOTHER IN 2015 WITH 29,000 MILE ON IT! I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH RELEASING THIS VEHICLE TO THE PUBLIC WITH THIS ISSUE THAT MAY OR MAY NOT HAPPEN! THEY SHOULD HAVE STEPPED UP AND REPAIRED THESE VEHICLES BEFORE THIS COULD HAPPEN. THE CAUSE OF THIS MALFUNCTION WAS A CRACKED SPARK PLUG OF THE THIRD CYLINDER! WILL NEVER BY A GM PRODUCT! I WAS CONTACTED BY CHEVROLET AND BECAUSE IT HAD OVER 19,500 MILES THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE FOR REPAIRS! THEY REPLIED THT THEY CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS SAFETY, HOW WHEN THEY CAN LET SOMETHING LIKE THIS OUT INTO THE PUBLIC.

NHTSA ODI #11096414

112,000 miles · Dec 7, 2017
Engine

INTAKE VALVE AND VALVE COVER GASKETS BLOWN DUE TO CORROSION BY DEX-COOL OVER TIME. ALSO HAD BLOWN HEAD GASKET REPAIRED 10/16/2014 DUE TO SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11053381

77,008 miles · Apr 20, 2017
Engine

"TAKATA RECALL" THE TIMING BELT. TIMING BELT STRETCHED. KNOW FOR FACT THAT 5 OTHER CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2008 HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM BROUGHT TO THE SAME AUTOMACANIC SHOP. OURS WOULD BE THE 6TH KNOWN IN HASTINGS MINNESOTA. WOULD LIKE A RECALL AND HAVE PROBLEM FIXED AND PAID FOR BY THE MANUFACTURE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE…

Read full complaint

"TAKATA RECALL" THE TIMING BELT. TIMING BELT STRETCHED. KNOW FOR FACT THAT 5 OTHER CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2008 HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM BROUGHT TO THE SAME AUTOMACANIC SHOP. OURS WOULD BE THE 6TH KNOWN IN HASTINGS MINNESOTA. WOULD LIKE A RECALL AND HAVE PROBLEM FIXED AND PAID FOR BY THE MANUFACTURE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD GO ON AND WHEN BROUGHT IN SEVERAL TIMES, THEY KEPT SAYING IT WAS THE GAS CAP. REPLACED GAS CAP AND STILL SEVERAL TIMES ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THE DEALERSHIP KEPT SAYING IT WAS THE GAS CAP, EVEN AFTER THEY REPLACED GAS CAP. THE SAME THING KEPT HAPPENING OVER AND OVER. THEY DENIED ANYTHING WRONG UNTIL THE TIMING BELT STRETCHED AND CANNOT DRIVE. FOR A PERIOD OF 2 YEARS THIS WENT ON AND ON. THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM UNLESS WE PAY 2000 DOLLARS PLUS TO REPAIR TIMING BELT. THE DEALERSHIP IS THE ONES THAT WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO. HAD A SECOND OPINION DONE AND THEY CLAIMED WE WHERE THE 7TH CAR WITH THE SAME IDENTICAL PROBLEM. WE BOUGHT THE VEHICAL FROM THE DEALERSHIP. ALWAYS BROUGHT TO THEM WITH ANY MECHANICAL PROBEMS TP BE REPAIRED.ALL I AM ASKING FOR IS THE DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR PROBLEM. APPARENTLY THEY HAVE OVERLOOKED THE PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES AND BLAMED IT ON MY GAS CAP. I AM PARAPELEGIC ON RIGHT SIDE. ONLY DRIVE WHEN NECCESSARY. HAD 15,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I PURCHACED IT FROM DEALERSHIP. IT HAS 77,008 MILES ON IT WHEN WE BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP ON APRIL 17, 2017.VAM CODE IS P0017-CRANKSHAFT/CAMSHAFT CORRELATION BANK 1.....P0008-ENGINE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE, EXHAUST CAMSHAFT NOT MOVING WHEN COMMANDED...RECOMMENDED NEW TIMING CHAINS, CHAIN GUIDES,CHAIN TENTIONERS,CAM ACTUATORS... CONCERN#2 CUSTOMER STATES THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR DOES NOT LOCK/UNLOCK. FOUND THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAULTY. REPLACED THE FRONT DOOR PASSENGER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR/LATCH ASSEMBLY..PAID ...MAIN CONCERN IS TIMING BELT THAT IS FAULTY.

NHTSA ODI #10979701

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2017
Engine

ENGINE LOSS POWER MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON BARLETT RD IN ELGIN ILL,SUDDENLY SHE LOST ACCELERATION, THERE WAS SEMITRUCK BEHIND HER NERMISS A FATAL ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10946529

60,400 miles · Nov 25, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

WHEN I PUSH ON THE GAS (CAR IN PARK ON FLAT SURFACE) I HEAR WHAT SOUNDS LIKE A RUSHING OF WATER. ALSO WHEN CAR SITS IN THE SUN, DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW INOPERABLE AND BACK DOOR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK INOPERABLE. ELECTRICAL HAS BEEN AN ON GOING ISSUE FOR ABOUT A YEAR.

NHTSA ODI #10927894

98,000 miles · Sep 26, 2016
Engine

ENGINE LIGHT ON CODE SAYS TIMING CHAIN ON 2008 CHEVY EQUINOX 98,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10909841

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