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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

Steering complaints

44 reports
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90,147 miles · Mar 26, 2020
SteeringSuspension

2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX SPORT MAKES A LOUD POPPING/CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. IT ALSO POPS LOUD WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN I AM DRIVING ON STRAIGHT AND SMOOTH ROADS, THERE IS NO ISSUE WHATSOEVER. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO FOUR DIFFERENT SHOPS AND HAD IT LOOKED AT BY EIGHT DIFFERENT MECHANIC…

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2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX SPORT MAKES A LOUD POPPING/CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. IT ALSO POPS LOUD WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN I AM DRIVING ON STRAIGHT AND SMOOTH ROADS, THERE IS NO ISSUE WHATSOEVER. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO FOUR DIFFERENT SHOPS AND HAD IT LOOKED AT BY EIGHT DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY GENERAL MOTORS IMMEDIATELY! I STRONGLY FEEL THAT THIS CAN BECOME A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11319341

Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringVehicle Speed Control

I BOUGHT MY EQUINOX USED IN 2015 WITH 87,000. SINCE HAVING IT, I'VE REPLACED THE TIRE VALVE SENSORS (BROKE AGAIN). I WAS TOLD THAT FIXING THEM ARE A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION. I'VE REPLACED TURN SIGNAL HANDLE. A MONTH LATER, I HAVE TO MANUALLY TURN OFF MY TURNING SIGNALS NO MATTER HOW SHAR…

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I BOUGHT MY EQUINOX USED IN 2015 WITH 87,000. SINCE HAVING IT, I'VE REPLACED THE TIRE VALVE SENSORS (BROKE AGAIN). I WAS TOLD THAT FIXING THEM ARE A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION. I'VE REPLACED TURN SIGNAL HANDLE. A MONTH LATER, I HAVE TO MANUALLY TURN OFF MY TURNING SIGNALS NO MATTER HOW SHARP OR WIDE MY TURNS ARE. SINCE I FIRST GOT MY VEHICLE, MY STABILITY TRACTION SERVICE LIGHT, I THINK THE ABS LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT POPS ON. CAN'T TAKE TO MECHANIC DUE TO THE ISSUES NOT BEING CONSTANT. ONCE I CAUGHT ENGINE LIGHT ON,IT WAS A EGR VALVE, REPLACED THAT. ISSUE CONTINUES. WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY, MY VEHICLE SEEMS TO HESITATE AND/OR STALL.

NHTSA ODI #11149719

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2018
Steering

I HAVE A NEW BATTERY (PURCHASED 2-3MONTHS AGO) & A NEW ALTERNATOR (INSTALLED YESTERDAY). TODAY DRIVING TO WORK I NOTICE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AS SOON AS I STARTED TO DRIVE. THERE IS NO PLACE TO ADD POWER STEERING FLUID AS I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY EMPLOYEES AT ADVANCE AUTO PART BECAUSE IT IS EITHER ELECTRIC OR HYDRAULIC. PLEASE…

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I HAVE A NEW BATTERY (PURCHASED 2-3MONTHS AGO) & A NEW ALTERNATOR (INSTALLED YESTERDAY). TODAY DRIVING TO WORK I NOTICE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AS SOON AS I STARTED TO DRIVE. THERE IS NO PLACE TO ADD POWER STEERING FLUID AS I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY EMPLOYEES AT ADVANCE AUTO PART BECAUSE IT IS EITHER ELECTRIC OR HYDRAULIC. PLEASE HELP? ..... P.S. IT WAS LOCKED JUST B4 REPLACING THE ALTERNATOR (ABOUT 1 WEEK AGO) AND REMAINS LOCKED TODAY.

NHTSA ODI #11078928

160,000 miles · Jun 7, 2017
Air BagsSteeringCrashInjury

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 RESI…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10993759

100,000 miles · Aug 11, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainSteering

MY 74 YEAR OLD BROTHER BOUGHT HIS 2008 EQUINOX NEW IT HAS LESS THAN 120,000 MILES ON IT AND IT IS THE BIGGEST HEAP OF CRAP CHEVROLET INVENTED!!!! 5. POWER STEERING WENT OUT COSTING $2500.00 TO FIX JAN 2015 6. TRANSMISSION STARTS JERKING WHEN HITTING 45 MPH DEALERSHIP INFORMED US OF THE TRANSMISSION WHEN WE TOOK IN FOR A RECA…

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MY 74 YEAR OLD BROTHER BOUGHT HIS 2008 EQUINOX NEW IT HAS LESS THAN 120,000 MILES ON IT AND IT IS THE BIGGEST HEAP OF CRAP CHEVROLET INVENTED!!!! 5. POWER STEERING WENT OUT COSTING $2500.00 TO FIX JAN 2015 6. TRANSMISSION STARTS JERKING WHEN HITTING 45 MPH DEALERSHIP INFORMED US OF THE TRANSMISSION WHEN WE TOOK IN FOR A RECALL ON A DEFECTIVE GAS MODUAL THAT THEY NEVER REPLACED SAYING THE PART WAS OK. THEY DROVE IT AND SAID THAT ITS THE TRANSMISSION AND ASKED $500.00 TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC. STARTED FEB 2016 7. THE STABLE LINK LIGHT PERIODICALLY COMES ON SAYING TO SERVICE THE STABLE TRAC THEN GOES OFF STARTED MARCH OF 2016 8. THE TOP OF THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE BACK HATCH IS GONE WHERE IT FELL OFF AT SOME POINT HAS MANY OTHER THINGS WRONG. TURN SIGNAL GEARS TO TURN OFF SIGNALS FOR RIGHT AND LEFT SIGNAL DO NOT WORK. THE WASHER FLUID MOTOR DOES NOT WORK. DRIVERS DOOR POWER WINDOW MOTOR BROKE FROM WINDOW.DRIVERS DOOR HAS TO BE MANUALLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. THIS VEHICLE IS A CLEAN AND IN EXCELLENT SHAPE IT WAS BOUGHT NEW AND IS OWNED BY AN ELDERLY MAN. IT HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED HAS LESS THAT 120,000 MILES ON IT

NHTSA ODI #10894969

133,000 miles · Jun 20, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STABILITY AND TRACTION LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000. TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STABILITY AND TRACTION LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000. TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STABILITY TRACTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000. UPDATED 08/30/16*LJ CONSUMER STATED NO POWER STEERING HAS WIRING, FLUID LEAK, AND BOLTS WERE MISSING. UPDATED 06/20/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #10875384

95,000 miles · Mar 21, 2016
Steering

THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND PARK AT LOW SPEEDS. I'VE SEVERAL FORUMS WITH THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING A LOT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE POWER STEERING RECALLS. IT'S NEARLY $1,000 TO HAVE THIS PART REPLACED!

NHTSA ODI #10850864

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

54,000 miles · Dec 28, 2015
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

NHTSA ODI #10816461

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2015
Steering

MY CAR WOULDN'T START. SO I BROUGHT A NEW BATTERY THEN MY CAR STARTED AND THEN I NOTICED STABILITRAK LIGHT WAS ON. I TRY TO DRIVE CAR BUT MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN AND COULDN'T DRIVE THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10779909

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