Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 car overheats within a very few minutes. Faster when idelling at a stop light or sign waiting to enter a busy street. I have replaced the thermostat, water pump, temperature sensor, antifreeze (with GM antifreeze) after flushing out the radiator, and it still gets hot. The dashboard heat gauge is not working but the warning "ENGINE HOT. AC OFF" flashes all the time. We took the thermostat out so the coolent could circulate while the weather is warm. I am aware that the computer in the car has been replaced at least once and I think it may be malfunctioning now. I have an appointment with the Service Dept at McLaughlin Chevrolet dealer in Milwaukie Oregon on Tuesday June 22, 2021. I hope they will check the compression on the chambers and the computer. I want them to replace the sensor, thermostat, water pump and radiator cap with GM parts. …
April 26, 2019 the engine in my 2008 Chevy Equinox sport locked up. The vehicle was towed to midwest tire & auto in the cicero,il for engine replacement. A week after retrieving my SUV on June 20,2019 from the shop it had an excessive engine oil and power steering fluid leak and it caught fire. While the occupancy of my wife and 3 children ages 7,4, and 2 were within 11 miles of travel from our residence along the highway. The vehicle was not recognizable from the interior, from front to center of the vehicle's body it was a grayish color. Showing the fire's intensity.
I was driving vehicle which has 32,650 miles on it and all of a sudden it started jerking, as it someone was pumping the brake pedal at a speed of 45 to 50 during acceleration! I am a heart transplant survivor of 15 yrs and did no need to be put through this kind of scare! I dug through some papers and found an extended warranty for this issue that stated not to bring it in until it started to do this. Of course the time of the extended warranty ran out and Chevy would not honor the warranty and repair their mistake! I inherited this vehicle from my mother in 2015 with 29,000 mile on it! I would like to know why they can get away with releasing this vehicle to the public with this issue that May or May not happen! They should have stepped up and repaired these vehicles before this could happen. The cause of this malfunction was a cracked spark plug of the third cylinder! …
My daughter was driving home from a trip when she pulled over to get gas. The driveshaft snapped in half just as she was pulling into the gas station. There was no warning, no sound before then. She had no control of her car. No steering, nothing. She had just pulled off the highway, so thank god it did not happen when she was on the highway going 70 MPH or she would be dead. Cost to have towed and fixed over $1000.also prior to this incident, has had several issues with front end. Had to replace the bearings, front axle, tie rods 3 times in the last 2 years due to something wrong with this vehicle and the way it drives or is made. Constant "rubbing, grinding" noise when you turn tires. Gas fumes are very strong in the car, always have been, and repair shops cannot find any leaks. …
My vehicle has 84,000 miles on it. About 3 weeks ago the check engine light came on for code p0008. After further review the dealer discovered I had a stretched timing chain that needed to be replaced at the tune of $3,000. I have changed my oil as stated in the manual and check the oil levels periodically. The service schedule in the manual indicates that the belts need to be checked for wear at 150,000. The timing chain should surely last longer than the belts. Chevy issued a customer service bulletin with regard to premature timing chain wear on all 2008 Equinox's except the sport (which is what I have). After doing some online digging I have discovered many other people with the 2008 sport that are having the same issue. I contacted GM and they stated since my VIN was not included in the recall there was nothing they could do.
I bought my Equinox in October of 2015. After having it just 6 months and driving it approx. 3,000 miles the head gasket blew. I bought the car with only 70,000 miles on it. I took it to a local auto body shop, and they told me I would need a whole new engine (they suspected stop leak was put in to mask the problem before I purchased the vehicle). They are quoting $3,400 for a refurbished engine (that could run into the same issue) or $5,900 for a new engine. GM has been no help at providing any type of assistance. As I've done more research, I see countless other cases of this happening with low miles. We have always purchased GM vehicles, as my husband's stepdad and uncle were both GM employees. My faith has now been shaken in the company, and I will not be purchasing another GM vehicle anytime soon.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact previously had the timing chain replaced due to the check engine light being illuminated. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The check engine light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the mileage on the timing chain was not a factor when determining the repair. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that when turning on the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle and the vehicle began to emit a fuel odor from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, who repaired the fuel pump module under a coverage from the manufacturer. When diagnosing the vehicle, the dealer stated that the timing chain was stretched and had failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,050.
Over a year and a half ago I had the engine light come on in my 2008 Equinox. Took it into the Chevy dealer and the diagnostic tool said timing chain/engine position. Here I am today, did not do the $1,600 recommended repair and the car is still driving fine and no issues. The engine light has been reset multiple times only to keep coming back. I also have both headlights filled with moisture and it affects the brightness of the lights at night. Finally, I have had multiple times when the stabilitrac light comes on and then by day end it will be off.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. Upon entering and starting the vehicle, the warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that this was a recurring failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing and the technician stated that the timing chain was failing. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacture was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,435.
Engine complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox, 9% of the model year's 370 complaints. The component named most often is engine (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Equinox engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.