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Electrical systemPart report

2008 Chevrolet Equinox Electrical system Problems

Complaints
65about this part
Share
18%of 370 total for the year
Median mileage
75,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 65 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox, 18% of the 370 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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 complaint #11364909, filed 2020-10, 186,209 miles

“2008 Equinox - my key is stuck in the ignition and I can't turn the vehicle off. The vehicle isn't registering that it's in park. It's some issue with the shifter. The key was sticking for about a month but would always turn off until now. Numerous Equinox owners have had the same issue but chevy hasn't fixed the problem or issued a recall.”

NHTSA complaint #10882008, filed 2016-07, 130,000 miles

“While idling hearing very loud clicking noise from passenger side of the car. Opened the hood and found my #1 spark plug jutting in and out of the cylinder head. Also smell burning rubber/gas smell. Very tired of this vehicle and manufacture's unwillingness to say there is major problems with it. This is the 5th issue I have had with the vehicle!!!!!!!!”

NHTSA complaint #10562677, filed 2014-02, 74,000 miles

“The drivers side back door will sometimes unlock with the kiosk and sometimes I have to manually unlock the door lock. This has been going on for a year. Now my drivers side window will sometimes roll down after several times trying to roll it down. Other times it will not roll down. Has anyone else experienced this with their 2008 Equinox?”

NHTSA complaint #10536692, filed 2013-08, 65,500 miles

“Driver door will not lock or unlock when inside the car. This is a safety issue as I would not be able to get to the other side of the car in order to get out. Window must be rolled down in order to reach outside and open the door . Vehicle was parked and I was trying to open the door with the handle and something came loose and door would not open from inside or with the automatic door lock.”

NHTSA complaint #10809436, filed 2015-12, 57,801 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20261418%
20257933%
20241721%
20231313%
20222212%
20211818%
20204314%
20194515%
20186115%
2017197%
2016246%
2015457%
2014468%
2013699%
20127010%
2011749%
20108110%
20092324%
20086518%
200710215%
200614120%
200515925%

Other parts of the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox

Air bags
110 complaints
Electronic stability control
48 complaints
Fuel system
48 complaints
Steering
44 complaints
Body and structure
33 complaints
Engine
27 complaints
Other or unknown
25 complaints
Exterior lighting
22 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
18 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
16 complaints
Brakes
8 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology