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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
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2023
Electrical System

Occasionally, when finished driving and the key is turned towards the off position it will not fully turn back in order to pull the key out. It will shut off the engine but generally stops in approx. the accy position. If you restart the engine and drive a little more it has then backed all the way off and been able to remove …

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Occasionally, when finished driving and the key is turned towards the off position it will not fully turn back in order to pull the key out. It will shut off the engine but generally stops in approx. the accy position. If you restart the engine and drive a little more it has then backed all the way off and been able to remove the key. (It has been ongoing for some time but my father has been just dealing with it.)

NHTSA ODI #11500308

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2022
Air Bags

I believe the Airbags on 08 Equinox's need recalled. I currently have an airbag light on and would like it fixed.

NHTSA ODI #11499452

Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2022
Power Train

Transmission Control Module is a known problem on these vehicles. When it fails, it causes a failure in the clutch wave plate resulting in a catastrophic failure in the transmission. I believe this problem is a safety issue and needs to be reported to GM Motor Corporation!!! I am currently experiencing the delayed shifting from …

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Transmission Control Module is a known problem on these vehicles. When it fails, it causes a failure in the clutch wave plate resulting in a catastrophic failure in the transmission. I believe this problem is a safety issue and needs to be reported to GM Motor Corporation!!! I am currently experiencing the delayed shifting from park to drive. On some occasions, the vehicle drops into limp mode and will not go over 15 mph. It occurs at random times and when it does, it will downshift violently almost to the point of over-running the engine. It is a real safety hazard and needs a recall!!!!!

NHTSA ODI #11457330

73,000 miles · Jan 4, 2022
Air Bags

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the airbag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.

NHTSA ODI #11446125

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System

I could smell gas Took it in for inspection it has not been fixed yet so we know it’s something to do with the fuel and the mechanic said if you drive it could blow up

NHTSA ODI #11437681

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…

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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

86,400 miles · Apr 1, 2021
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COLE CHEVY BUICK GMC CADILLAC (1156 BIG LAUREL HWY, BLUEFIELD, WV 24701) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COLE CHEVY BUICK GMC CADILLAC (1156 BIG LAUREL HWY, BLUEFIELD, WV 24701) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,400.

NHTSA ODI #11406019

79,100 miles · Feb 13, 2021
Air Bags

CODE B0081 PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE ERRATIC. SEEMS LIKE A COMMON PROBLEM CAUSED BY FAULTY DESIGN.

NHTSA ODI #11396098

186,209 miles · Oct 18, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

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.

NHTSA ODI #11364909

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

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