2008 Chevrolet Equinox Problems

What owners report

Complaints for this model year center on the passenger-side airbag sensing system, which many owners describe as failing at relatively low mileage and leaving the airbag indicator lit. Fuel and vapor odors, occasional leaks, and intermittent StabiliTrak or stall events are also frequently described, usually at higher mileage. Many reports involve older vehicles well past warranty, so a pre-purchase inspection and a records check matter more than the odometer alone.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Passenger airbag sensor or seat mat failure, airbag light on

   • 108 complaints (29%)
   • median 68,000 mi at 6.2 yrs old (87 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $900 (median of 20 quotes)
   • filed 2009–2022

   Owners describe a "Service Air Bag" message or a passenger airbag indicator that comes and goes, then stays on regardless of who is sitting in the seat. Several say a dealer diagnosed a faulty passenger seat sensor, seat cushion assembly or airbag module and quoted roughly $800 to $1,000 for the repair. Complaints frequently note that earlier model years were covered by a recall for a similar symptom while this year was not, and that the work was not covered once out of warranty. Often reported between about 40,000 and 100,000 miles, with a few as low as 32,000.

   What to check: Turn the key on and confirm the passenger airbag indicator reads correctly with an adult in the seat and with the seat empty. Ask for any records of sensor, seat mat or module replacement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving down the interstate and warning light came on that passenger airbag was not on which was odd since my 250 lb husband was in the seat. Never has worked right since. It says no one in seat and air bag not on when there is someone in seat or visa versa. I believe this is a huge safety issue more so now that my teenage daughter is driving this vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10680326, filed 2015-02, 100,000 miles

   “My 2008 chevy Equinox has had the airbag error light on the console intermittently on for several months. Now it is just on. Currently has 47k miles on it so out of warranty. The said the sensor unit under the passenger seat needs to be replaced which mean replacing that whole seat cushion over $800, the part is over $500. With this airbag error light on the airbags will not activate on impact so this is a safety risk. Why would this not be part of a recall since I read the 2007's have the same problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10546129, filed 2013-09, 43,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel odor and fuel leaks from the tank or fuel module

   • 47 complaints (13%)
   • median 93,500 mi at 8.5 yrs old (38 state mileage)
   • filed 2012–2025

   Complaints describe a strong gasoline smell inside or around the vehicle, sometimes with fuel visibly leaking near the rear or from the fuel module, and in some cases poor starting or a drop in fuel economy. Owners report the fuel pump module or a cracked plastic fitting as the source, and some mention a prior special-coverage letter that applied only if a leak or odor was present. Several say the repair was done at their own expense or that they were told the coverage period had passed. Mostly reported from about 65,000 to 180,000 miles, on vehicles several years old.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Smell around the rear of the vehicle and under the hood after a cold start, and look for staining or dampness at the fuel tank and module. Ask whether any fuel system special coverage or repair was ever performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased this 2008 Chevrolet, Equinox from henderson Chevrolet in henderson, nevada in 2007. On july 2013 I received a letter from jim moloney, general director, customer and relationship services. On july 15, 2015 I went shopping at nellis air force base here in las vegas, nv. I stopped at the firestone repair because I smell gas and I did not want to move my car any more for fear of fire according to the letter I received from Chevrolet. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10748257, filed 2015-08, 120,279 miles

   “I began to smell a strong gas odor. Then the Equinox started to give me trouble when I started it up. It would just keep turning over but never start right away. People would leave notes on my car the gas smell got so strong. Gas mileage went down dramatically. I took the truck to my mechanic and it was a faulty fuel module that was leaking. This should be a recalled part my truck is new never been wrecked or worked on that the fuel module should be leaking.”

   NHTSA complaint #10531510, filed 2013-07, 65,000 miles
3. 3
   Electronic stability control

   StabiliTrak warning light with stall or power loss

   • 38 complaints (10%)
   • median 83,500 mi at 6.6 yrs old (33 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2020

   Owners describe the StabiliTrak and traction-control lights coming on, sometimes with the vehicle stalling, shuddering, or losing power and power steering briefly while driving at low speed. A few report the condition clearing after a restart and recurring later. Complaints mention trouble getting a timely dealer diagnosis and codes pointing to the ignition circuit or stability system. Reported from roughly 75,000 to 155,000 miles, often at low speeds.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the stability and traction warnings have appeared and whether any diagnosis or module work was done. A scan for stored codes before purchase is worthwhile.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1.)this morning, I started my car, it stalled out, like it did not want to start. I swept that under the rug. After work, I started my car and it stalled again while trying to start. As a matter of fact it was as if someone had gotten under the hood and disconnected/reconnected my battery. I had to reset my clock and radio stations.2.)also, while I am complaining, I have had to change my brake lights at least 4 times within the last year. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10628544, filed 2014-08, 81,777 miles

   “Stabilitrak light and warning sound has come on a few times for no rhyme or reason. Some times will shake vehicle as it goes down the road afterwards. Also, when plugged in auxiliary cord for ipod, sparks flew out from radio control station and car died as I was driving down the road. Managed to pull off road and sat for ten minutes. Restarted car and drove to safe location and had some one pick me up. Next day, went to pick up car and no issues. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10680346, filed 2015-02, 120,000 miles
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Door locks and interior door handles not working

   • 25 complaints (7%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 5.8 yrs old (22 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2023

   Complaints describe power door locks that lock or unlock only some doors when using the remote, and interior door handles that break, leaving occupants unable to open a door from inside. Owners report the failures happening intermittently at first and then permanently, and say dealers quoted parts and labor without acknowledging the pattern. Some mention slow or failing power windows alongside the lock problem. Mostly reported between about 50,000 and 100,000 miles, with some at lower mileage.

   What to check: Cycle every door lock with the remote and the interior switch, and open each door from the inside to check the handles. Test all power windows as well.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On 5/27/11 my rear wiper froze up in the on mode which caused my battery to go dead. In trying to jumper the car we noticed the driver door would not open even with the handle. The passenger doors would open. I had to crawl over the console to flip the hood release so we could start the car. My concern is if there was an accident & battery was dislodged you would never be able to get the driver out. This is a big safety concern for me as I am the primary driver of this 2008 Equinox. Has anyone else noticed this safety hazard? …”

   NHTSA complaint #10407190, filed 2011-06, 52,000 miles

   “Interior plastic door handle mechanisms are breaking and broken. Given the fact that we cannot exit our vehicle, this would strike me as a huge safety issue! Given the fact that 3 out of 4 total handles are now broken, this is obviously not just a one-time fluke. Gm customer care on twitter refuses to acknowledge safety concern exists and the dealership wants to charge $51 plus tax minimal for new parts on a safety-related item. After all, if the ignition switch fails and you get into a fiery accident, how are you supposed to exit the vehicle? …”

   NHTSA complaint #10662113, filed 2014-12, 75,000 miles
5. 5
   Body and structure

   Water in the spare tire well and rear leaks

   • 27 complaints (7%)
   • median 60,825 mi at 5.4 yrs old (20 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2025

   Owners describe hearing water sloshing inside the vehicle and finding standing water in the spare tire well after heavy rain or a car wash. Some attribute it to seals or trim around the liftgate, and one reports a liftgate trim piece detaching. Complaints note concern that water near wiring and electronics could lead to other faults. Reported from very low mileage up to about 110,000 miles, typically after rain or washing.

   What to check: Lift the rear cargo floor and check the spare tire well for water, rust or damp carpet, and inspect the liftgate weatherstrip and trim for gaps.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Part on liftgate above window and below the break light popped off. Entire GM part needs to be ordered over $1000 and then has to be painted and pay labor. Was told they've never seen this happened before. Now my vehicle needs to be parked in doors until I get afford to get fixed due to water will leak in. Simply opened the back and it fell off.”

   NHTSA complaint #11013860, filed 2017-08, 110,000 miles

   “My 2008 chevy Equinox has been an ok car until today when I found several gallons of rain water in the rear hatch spare tire wheel well. Never experienced this before because I garage my car and I had to park out side and it rained 5 inches over night. Did notice suds in the water so at this time I am assuming when it gets washed it leaks in the wheel well too. I have never been in an accident nor is my vehicle abused. I do believe this is not a lone incident, as I read about others having the same issues as well. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10445273, filed 2012-01, 45,000 miles

Buying note. Have a mechanic scan for airbag and stability-system codes and check the fuel system and rear cargo area for leaks before buying. Ask for service records on the airbag sensor, fuel module and door lock repairs, since these are the areas owners describe most often.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.