Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Chevrolet Equinox owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving 70 MPH with his daughter, wife, and nephew, the contact stated that the steering wheel failed to turn without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into a road sign. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact's daughter sustained a contusion on the chest wall and his wife sustained shoulder pain. The daughter required medical attention. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Where do I begin?!?!!?! After multiple failed attempts of the dealer trying to fix the tire pressure monitor system/stabilitrack lights are still on and still ding! Tires are double checked regularly. Passenger air bag only comes on when it wants to, weather the person weighs 70lbs or 250lbs. The key sometimes gets stuck in the ignition won't turn or come out, I usually give up fighting it and forget about it for awhile then it magically works. None of the doors will lock or unlock with the fob or electric button inside, key fob only sets the alarm on/off, so I have to manually lock and unlock all the doors. Which is a a pain with three kids, not only that but makes me feel very unsafe traveling with the kids in the car. I am a single mom and bought this car believing it would be safe and reliable. I'm about ready to push it off a cliff. …
The passenger seat airbag does not come on when anybody is sitting in the seat regardless of the weight. The car was taken to milton ruben Chevrolet in augusta, ga. For an estimate of repair. The estimate to replace the seat mat sensor was $980.00. My wife and I do not have that kind of money to spend to have it repaired. I have contacted Chevrolet about the problem. The 2007 Chevrolet Equinox had a recall for the same issue and my question was "why was the 2008 Equinox's not recalled for the same issue". Chevrolet stated that the government has not forced them to recall the 2008 Equinox's. I wish that I had gotten the man's name. I also filed a complaint with the better business bureau and the bbb was not able to help my wife and I. I also stated to the bbb that if someone gets hurt in a wreck due to the faulty passenger airbag, I would be looking to them for answers. …
First incident, steering failure. Service stabilitrack warning appeared and steering went out making it almost impossible to steer. Took to dealership who stated steering module went out and replaced at my own cost. Very dangerous to loose steering control while driving. Entire steering and interior control module was also replaced a second time. Dealer stated it was normal for this to wear out and need replaced. Service stabilitrack warning still continues to come on occasionally. Took to dealership again and they said they could not find any issue. Hopefully the steering will not go out this time while I am going down a major highway at higher speeds. Have also continuously experienced issues with water in the vehicle. Can hear the water sloshing around. Water in the headlights making it difficult to see at night. Door locks only work intermittently. …
I own a 2008 Chevy Equinox. I am having the same complaints. My service air bag come on and off intermittently. When its warm outside the passenger air bag seems to work fine. The passenger side door lock works intermittently as well. The funny thing is the door lock seems to work better in the winter months. Also, I have experienced my service stabilitrak and traction control light come on intermittently as well. It doesn't seem to affect the vehicle when I am driving. It will stay on for a couple of days then one day it will be gone. It will stay off from a few weeks to a few months. Then it will start the process all over again. I am very disappointed with Chevy. I purchased it because Chevy is supposed to be reliable regardless of the miles and now I am afraid to put my children in it and drive it out of town. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle hydro-planed and crashed. The contact mentioned that none of the air bags deployed. A police report was filed and injuries were sustained. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was inspected and the technician stated that the air bags were not expected to deploy. The failure mileage was 91,000. Pam..updated 09/25/14 updated 10/23/2014 the consumer stated the key was stuck in the ignition. Updated 12/08/14 . Updated 12/28/15. The consumer stated GM claimed to have investigated the crash and stated the air bag was not designed to deploy in the type of crash the consumer was involved in. Updated 01/05/16. Updated 06/02/16.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the power steering suddenly malfunctioned making the steering wheel very difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the power steering was faulty. The vehicle was repaired. On another occasion, the contact stated that while the vehicle was stationary a second vehicle crashed into the front end of the vehicle. The seat belts malfunctioned and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the neck, hand and knee. The front passenger suffered head, lung and rib injuries during the crash, and both required medical attention. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Passenger presence sensor goes on and off with a full size adult in the passenger seat. The service airbag light will come on and stay on. Apparently this was also an issue with the 2007 model that GM recalled, but failed to fix the problem when building future cars and never recalled newer models to fix the problem. Extreme safety hazard. Dealership wants to replace the majority of the system as they are unsure what is causing the fault even though you can wiggle in the seat and get the sensor to activate and as a result the system will work. Wiggle again and the system will shut off and the service air bags light will return. Anyone see a pattern in GM ignoring critical safety violations?
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving approximately 70 MPH the traction control light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle began to spin out of control and it crashed into a wall. The air bags did not deploy. The passengers of the vehicle sustained bruises but were not severely injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the an auto body shop. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the vehicle should be taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 34,000. Rvk
Airbag complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 110 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox, 30% of the model year's 370 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Equinox airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Equinox airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 1% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.