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
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Equinox years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Unknown Or Other complaints
18 reportsI am constantly having to fix my "learn remote" settings, vehicle stereo volume does not always match the level of it's output, blinker continues to get stuck on even after the steering wheel is in the position for the blinker to have ceased, door locks are sometimes stuck unlocked and sometimes stuck locked, ignition sometimes …
Read full complaint
I am constantly having to fix my "learn remote" settings, vehicle stereo volume does not always match the level of it's output, blinker continues to get stuck on even after the steering wheel is in the position for the blinker to have ceased, door locks are sometimes stuck unlocked and sometimes stuck locked, ignition sometimes locked in ACC and will not allow for key to be removed, lug nuts have somehow become "swollen" and the dealership could not remove them in order to do a rotation, there is no protection plate under the vehicle causing easy access to vital items, the AC (for the third time since I got the car a year ago) has mysteriously stopped working, the fan motor continues to run for approximately 35 minutes after the vehicle has been turned off, fuel injectors are clogged (second time and I have already had this issue cleaned), headlights have collected water on inside, there is no rubber hose barrier(s) for any door, the hood, the hatch, the door windows, charging outlets are loosely fitted and do not add life to my electronics(they are for whatever reason being drained), the entire underside of the vehicle has become damaged, has begun to rust and bolts/plugs/other vital components have needed to be replaced once again due to there being no protection for the underside of the vehicle. These are just the components that I can think of off the top of my head!
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.
WHILE DRIVING MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP RANDOMLY SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I TRY TO TURN THE KNOB TO TURN THEM BACK ON NOTHING HAPPENS. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR COMPLETELY OFF AND START IT AGAIN. AND ALSO WHEN I PRESS MY LOCK BUTTON THE CAR STARTS UP WITH NO KEY.
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.
THE IGNITION LOCKS UP WHEN SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF. IT WON'T LET THE KEY TURN THE WHOLE WAY OFF AND LOCKS IT IN PLACE FOR ANYWHERE FROM A MINUTE TO 5 MINUTES. SOMETIMES IF YOU SLAM THE SHIFTER IN PARK IT WILL RELEASE BUT NOT ALWAYS.
DOOR HANDLES KEEP BREAKING
FAULTY HEAD GASKETS
THE STABILITRAX LIGHT HAS COME ON AND MY VEHICLE WON'T START, HAVE TRIED TO JUMP IT BUT IT ONLY MAKES A CLICKING NOISE. I'VE TRIED TO RESET IT ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL BUT NO LUCK. THE CAR IS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY I TRIED TO START IT THIS MORNING AND NOTHING.
ENGINE LOSING POWER AND CAR NOT TURNING ON
Official recalls
0No 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
Illustration