2008 Chevrolet Equinox Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 4%of 370 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 91,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox, 4% of the 370 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 91,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I am having acceleration hesitation issues during traffic which causes a transmission to misfire and stall out during traffic. I am currently fighting with chevy dealership in turnersville nj to fix this issues since chevy Equinox 2008 has over 39 recalls.”
NHTSA complaint #10498349, filed 2013-02, 66,000 miles“I have a 2008 chevy Equinox sports and the transmission went out without any notice I was driving and stop the truck for on coming traffic and when it was clear to go the truck would not move and also I had the steering collar repaired and the noise is back again those two things need to looked at and evaluated because that is dangerous their is a grinding noise in the steering wheel and its back again.”
NHTSA complaint #10367220, filed 2010-11, 32,000 miles“I purchased my Equinox brand new in july of 2008 and it currently has 109,000 miles on it. I just started having transmission issues so I took it to a transmission shop. The vehicle is having a hard time shifting into 3rd shift. The transmission shop stated that I needed a new wave plate. Chevrolet has an extended warranty on my vehicle for this exact issue and I fall within the date and mileage limits, but GM is claiming that my vehicle does not qualify. There is absolutely no reason that my vehicle should be excluded from this warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10882446, filed 2016-07, 109,000 miles“Purchased a used chevy Equinox sport 2008 in august 2013(8 months after the powertrain warranty) I was driving down the road with my 3 children in the car and my car stopped going forward, scary when you have 3 kids in the car and it just stops going. Thank god we didn't wreck but there was no warning at all, no dummy lights on the dash came on, no jerking before hand, nothing even when it stopped moving, actually just had a tune up done on the car less than a month ago. There was absolutely no signs & symptoms of this going to happen. …”
NHTSA complaint #10586167, filed 2014-05, 130,000 miles“My transmission quit going into 3rd gear completely on tuesday, october 15, 2013. I contacted general motors because I was a year out of warranty and was told that the reason the transmission had went out was because of a faulty wave plate. I thought that maybe general motors might cover this because of it being a manufacturer default. They have continued to tell me that they will not pay for it but they will give $1500 towards the $3500 it is going to cost to fix it. I do not have this kind of money to replace a part that should not have went out yet. …”
NHTSA complaint #10548601, filed 2013-10, 93,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11009088Sep 16, 2024This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be…
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 11001321May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 11000119Apr 26, 2024This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
- 10250347Feb 2, 2024This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10247768Sep 1, 2023This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician of a complaint of a sag or hesitation when accelerating. The concern is present when coasting at…
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10242061Aug 7, 2023This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 17 | 22% |
| 2025 | 35 | 15% |
| 2024 | 11 | 13% |
| 2023 | 6 | 6% |
| 2022 | 12 | 6% |
| 2021 | 17 | 17% |
| 2020 | 40 | 13% |
| 2019 | 37 | 12% |
| 2018 | 66 | 16% |
| 2017 | 32 | 12% |
| 2016 | 27 | 7% |
| 2015 | 63 | 9% |
| 2014 | 40 | 7% |
| 2013 | 80 | 11% |
| 2012 | 84 | 12% |
| 2011 | 145 | 19% |
| 2010 | 182 | 23% |
| 2009 | 10 | 11% |
| 2008 | 16 | 4% |
| 2007 | 31 | 5% |
| 2006 | 31 | 4% |
| 2005 | 114 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
110 complaintsElectrical system
65 complaintsElectronic stability control
48 complaintsFuel system
48 complaintsSteering
44 complaintsBody and structure
33 complaintsEngine
27 complaintsOther or unknown
25 complaintsExterior lighting
22 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
18 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsBrakes
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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