Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
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.)
In the instrument panel the speedometer goes up to 120 MPH and gets stuck. I will be driving at 45 miles an hour and the speedometer will go up to say that I am driving 120 miles per hour. It will be stuck there for several days and then will gradually go back down to where it should be. When it goes up to 120 MPH you will hear clicking in the instrument panel. If you bring the vehicle to a complete stop the speedometer might say you are driving 120 MPH or it might say 60 MPH. The RPM meter will also sometimes show it going up. We have changed out the fuses and still have this problem. There is also some problem with the cruise control. This is very dangerous since my teenage daughter was using this to drive back and forth to college and panicked when this happened. I contacted Chevy and they told me that there is no recalls and it was my problem to get the vehicle repaired. …
Recently, I started having problems with my driver side door electric window and door lock, not functioning at all unless I push the door opened. This weekend the window and door lock quit working all together. Since I have an electrical background, I started troubleshooting the problem. After 20 minutes I found the source of the problem to be completely broken wires that are part of the wiring harness right before it goes through the driver side door and protected by a rubber boot/sleeve . Almost all wires that are part of the wiring harness at this location were either broken as I mentioned or the insulation was so bridle and cracked that the copper wire strands were exposed. I would not expect a vehicle barely over 50,000 miles to have wires that are in a location where they are not exposed to high temperatures, to be in a condition like this. …
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. …
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. …
Electrical - my college age daughter drives the Equinox - the locks do not lock unless she physically goes around and locks all of the doors. This is a severe safety issue - especially at night - not safe when she is working and alone and having to lock and unlock all doors - also sometimes a manual unlock will set off the car alarm!!! And she has to jump in and put key in ignition to get it to stop. So worried. Had Chevrolet look at it and they say all 4 door actuators have to be fixed for a cost of over 1200.00. College kids cannot afford that and it shouldn't happen anyway. Need immediate help with this. Visibility/wiper - windshield fluid leaking into floor on driver side when wiper fluid filled. Chevrolet said cost over 500.00 to replace fluid bottle??? College kids cannot afford this and it shouldn't be happening anyway. …
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.
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. Car is becoming unreliable with not only these issues but previous complaints I have filed with you. Shouldn't be having these type issues, especially safety ones, this soon. Car only has a little over 120000 miles.
Electric door locks do not work properly in warm or hot weather. You can hear the actuator trying, but it will only "partially" unlock the door or not even budge the internal manual lever. Things work fine when it is cold. This is definitely related to heat because in the spring and fall this is only a problem when the sun shines on that side of the car. Furthermore, in the summer the locks will often work after running the A/C for 30 minutes or so. I think this problem started when the car was 2-3 years old. We can use the key to unlock the doors, and if we use the remote fob first, the alarm won't sound. Just the same, it is aggravating.
Passenger air bag does not work when someone is in front passenger seat. Drivers window & lock stopped working(has been repaired). Service traction control & service stabilitrak lights are on. EGR valve code, torque converter code, EVAP system code, and ABS code. There is also a squeeking noise from the front driver side wheel. I take very good care of my car & has less than 77K miles. Also like others have complained I too get hurt on the back of my leg when getting out of the passenger seat.
Electrical complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 65 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox, 18% of the model year's 370 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Equinox electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to electrical system 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.