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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
184,000 miles · Oct 1, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED STRONG FUMES EMITTING FROM THE INNER PART OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED STRONG FUMES EMITTING FROM THE INNER PART OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10779060

55,000 miles · Oct 1, 2015
Electrical System

ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY IN WARM OR HOT WEATHER. YOU CAN HEAR THE ACTUATOR TRYING, BUT IT WILL ONLY "PARTIALLY" UNLOCK THE DOOR OR NOT EVEN BUDGE THE INTERNAL MANUAL LEVER. THINGS WORK FINE WHEN IT IS COLD. THIS IS DEFINITELY RELATED TO HEAT BECAUSE IN THE SPRING AND FALL THIS IS ONLY A PROBLEM WHEN THE SUN SH…

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ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY IN WARM OR HOT WEATHER. YOU CAN HEAR THE ACTUATOR TRYING, BUT IT WILL ONLY "PARTIALLY" UNLOCK THE DOOR OR NOT EVEN BUDGE THE INTERNAL MANUAL LEVER. THINGS WORK FINE WHEN IT IS COLD. THIS IS DEFINITELY RELATED TO HEAT BECAUSE IN THE SPRING AND FALL THIS IS ONLY A PROBLEM WHEN THE SUN SHINES ON THAT SIDE OF THE CAR. FURTHERMORE, IN THE SUMMER THE LOCKS WILL OFTEN WORK AFTER RUNNING THE A/C FOR 30 MINUTES OR SO. I THINK THIS PROBLEM STARTED WHEN THE CAR WAS 2-3 YEARS OLD. WE CAN USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS, AND IF WE USE THE REMOTE FOB FIRST, THE ALARM WON'T SOUND. JUST THE SAME, IT IS AGGRAVATING.

NHTSA ODI #10779036

96,000 miles · Sep 11, 2015
Air Bags

BEGINNING LAST YEAR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR BEGAN TO NOT WORK PROPERLY. I HAD THE SERVICE CODES CHECKED AND THERE WAS NO CODE FOR THE REPEATED WARNING LIGHT TO SERVICE AIR BAG. NOW THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME WORSE. WHEN PASSENGERS OF ANY WEIGHT ARE IN THE SEAT THE INDICATOR AND SERVICE LIGHTS WILL COME ON RANDOMLY. MOST TIME …

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BEGINNING LAST YEAR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR BEGAN TO NOT WORK PROPERLY. I HAD THE SERVICE CODES CHECKED AND THERE WAS NO CODE FOR THE REPEATED WARNING LIGHT TO SERVICE AIR BAG. NOW THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME WORSE. WHEN PASSENGERS OF ANY WEIGHT ARE IN THE SEAT THE INDICATOR AND SERVICE LIGHTS WILL COME ON RANDOMLY. MOST TIME MY FAMILY IS NOT PROTECTED BY THE AIRBAG DUE TO THIS ISSUE. IT APPEARS THE SAME ISSUE HAPPEND TO THE PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR AND A RECALL WAS DONE. NOT FOR THIS MODEL. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND A SOLUTION CREATED BY CHEVORLET.

NHTSA ODI #10763149

103,000 miles · Sep 8, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED STRONG FUEL FUMES EMITTING FROM THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED STRONG FUEL FUMES EMITTING FROM THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ODI #10762050

101,200 miles · Sep 5, 2015
Tires

COOPER TIRE 235/60R17 CS4 TOURING TIRE -HAVE A BAD NOISE COMING FROM TIRE,STEEL BELTS BUSTED IN TIRE VIBRATES CAR

NHTSA ODI #10761798

77,000 miles · Aug 26, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, FUEL FUMES EMITTED IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP. THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM TWO CONNECTIONS ON THE FUEL TANK. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, FUEL FUMES EMITTED IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP. THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM TWO CONNECTIONS ON THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

NHTSA ODI #10759613

103,477 miles · Aug 26, 2015
Seat Belts

THE BACK CHILD REAR SEATBELT BECAME LOCKED IN A POSITION AROUND HIS STOMACH WHERE IT WAS UNABLE TO BE RELEASED FROM THE LOCKED POSITION, LUCKILY MY 4 YEAR OLD SON HAD JUST ENOUGH ROOM TO BREATHE LIGHTLY UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET HIM HELP. IT TOOK US OVER AND HOUR TO REMOVE HIM AND THANK GOD IT WAS NOT WRAPPED AROUND HIS NECK. IT I…

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THE BACK CHILD REAR SEATBELT BECAME LOCKED IN A POSITION AROUND HIS STOMACH WHERE IT WAS UNABLE TO BE RELEASED FROM THE LOCKED POSITION, LUCKILY MY 4 YEAR OLD SON HAD JUST ENOUGH ROOM TO BREATHE LIGHTLY UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET HIM HELP. IT TOOK US OVER AND HOUR TO REMOVE HIM AND THANK GOD IT WAS NOT WRAPPED AROUND HIS NECK. IT IS VERY SCARY AND NOW WORRIES ME ABOUT ANY FUTURE INCIDENTS OR EVEN ACCIDENTS WHERE HE WILL BE UNABLE TO ESCAPE.

NHTSA ODI #10759444

105,000 miles · Aug 21, 2015
EnginePower TrainSteering

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A TRIP WHEN SHE PULLED OVER TO GET GAS. THE DRIVESHAFT SNAPPED IN HALF JUST AS SHE WAS PULLING INTO THE GAS STATION. THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO SOUND BEFORE THEN. SHE HAD NO CONTROL OF HER CAR. NO STEERING, NOTHING. SHE HAD JUST PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY, SO THANK GOD IT DID NOT HAPPEN WHEN SHE WAS O…

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MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A TRIP WHEN SHE PULLED OVER TO GET GAS. THE DRIVESHAFT SNAPPED IN HALF JUST AS SHE WAS PULLING INTO THE GAS STATION. THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO SOUND BEFORE THEN. SHE HAD NO CONTROL OF HER CAR. NO STEERING, NOTHING. SHE HAD JUST PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY, SO THANK GOD IT DID NOT HAPPEN WHEN SHE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 70 MPH OR SHE WOULD BE DEAD. COST TO HAVE TOWED AND FIXED OVER $1000.ALSO PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, HAS HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH FRONT END. HAD TO REPLACE THE BEARINGS, FRONT AXLE, TIE RODS 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS DUE TO SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE WAY IT DRIVES OR IS MADE. CONSTANT "RUBBING, GRINDING" NOISE WHEN YOU TURN TIRES. GAS FUMES ARE VERY STRONG IN THE CAR, ALWAYS HAVE BEEN, AND REPAIR SHOPS CANNOT FIND ANY LEAKS. SHE CANNOT SELL IT, AS IT IS WORTH VERY LITTLE DUE TO ALL THESE DEFECTS AND NO RECALLS, AND SHE IS STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR FOR THE NEXT 4 YEARS. STUCK WITH A VERY DANGEROUS LEMON.

NHTSA ODI #10750217

45,610 miles · Aug 19, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR ITS ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT I HAD A GAS LEAK AND THAT I WAS DRIVING A TIME BOMB. I BOUGHT MY CAR AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR AND IT ONLY HAD 36,000 MILES ON IT AND IT NOW ONLY HAS 47,000 MILES AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW IT COULD BE LEAKING GAS. A MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR I ALS…

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I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR ITS ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT I HAD A GAS LEAK AND THAT I WAS DRIVING A TIME BOMB. I BOUGHT MY CAR AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR AND IT ONLY HAD 36,000 MILES ON IT AND IT NOW ONLY HAS 47,000 MILES AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW IT COULD BE LEAKING GAS. A MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR I ALSO TRIED TO USE THE WASHER CLEANER TO CLEAN MY WINDOWS AND IT DOES NOT WORK EITHER, AT THIS POINT, I AM AT A LOST FOR WORDS, I JUST STARTED A NEW JOB AND I HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO WORK. FRUSTRATED!!!!

NHTSA ODI #10749639

95,000 miles · Aug 17, 2015
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

ELECTRICAL - MY COLLEGE AGE DAUGHTER DRIVES THE EQUINOX - THE LOCKS DO NOT LOCK UNLESS SHE PHYSICALLY GOES AROUND AND LOCKS ALL OF THE DOORS. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE - ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT - NOT SAFE WHEN SHE IS WORKING AND ALONE AND HAVING TO LOCK AND UNLOCK ALL DOORS - ALSO SOMETIMES A MANUAL UNLOCK WILL SET OFF THE CAR …

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ELECTRICAL - MY COLLEGE AGE DAUGHTER DRIVES THE EQUINOX - THE LOCKS DO NOT LOCK UNLESS SHE PHYSICALLY GOES AROUND AND LOCKS ALL OF THE DOORS. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE - ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT - NOT SAFE WHEN SHE IS WORKING AND ALONE AND HAVING TO LOCK AND UNLOCK ALL DOORS - ALSO SOMETIMES A MANUAL UNLOCK WILL SET OFF THE CAR ALARM!!! AND SHE HAS TO JUMP IN AND PUT KEY IN IGNITION TO GET IT TO STOP. SO WORRIED. HAD CHEVROLET LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAY ALL 4 DOOR ACTUATORS HAVE TO BE FIXED FOR A COST OF OVER 1200.00. COLLEGE KIDS CANNOT AFFORD THAT AND IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN ANYWAY. NEED IMMEDIATE HELP WITH THIS. VISIBILITY/WIPER - WINDSHIELD FLUID LEAKING INTO FLOOR ON DRIVER SIDE WHEN WIPER FLUID FILLED. CHEVROLET SAID COST OVER 500.00 TO REPLACE FLUID BOTTLE??? COLLEGE KIDS CANNOT AFFORD THIS AND IT SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING ANYWAY. SAFETY HAZARD WITH VISIBILITY CONCERNS SINCE BOTTLE EMPTY AT ALL TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #10749083

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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