Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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 while starting the vehicle and allowing the vehicle to idle for a minute or two, the contact started smelling an abnormally strong gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated an orange-colored engine symbol was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle was constant. The contact became aware that there was a small puddle of fuel on the passenger side rear tire underneath the vehicle. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
The contact's mother owns a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that upon turning off the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered a major fuel leak coming from the vehicle. The contact called the dealer and was given an estimate for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that there was an abnormally strong fuel odor on the outside of the vehicle and the odor was entering into the cabin of the vehicle. The contact noticed that fuel was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 182,000.
I am constantly having to fix my "learn remote" settings, vehicle stereo volume does not always match the level of it's output, blinker continues to get stuck on even after the steering wheel is in the position for the blinker to have ceased, door locks are sometimes stuck unlocked and sometimes stuck locked, ignition sometimes locked in ACC and will not allow for key to be removed, lug nuts have somehow become "swollen" and the dealership could not remove them in order to do a rotation, there is no protection plate under the vehicle causing easy access to vital items, the AC (for the third time since I got the car a year ago) has mysteriously stopped working, the fan motor continues to run for approximately 35 minutes after the vehicle has been turned off, fuel injectors are clogged (second time and I have already had this issue cleaned), headlights have collected water on inside, …
I purchased this 2008 Chevrolet, Equinox from henderson Chevrolet in henderson, nevada in 2007. On July 2013 I received a letter from jim moloney, general director, customer and relationship services. On July 15, 2015 I went shopping at nellis air force base here in las vegas, nv. I stopped at the Firestone repair because I smell gas and I did not want to move my car any more for fear of fire according to the letter I received from Chevrolet. I took it to Firestone to have it checked out, they lifted my car on the lift and they showed me that it was leaking gas and coming from the fuel pump area. I told them to repair it for I can't drive any further due to the possibility of fire according to the letter from Chevrolet. On July 17, 2015 I went to henderson Chevrolet to see if I could get a refund on repairs and replacement of the fuel pump which was part of a safety recall. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving various speeds, the contact observed a fuel odor within the vehicle and the check engine indicator illuminated. In addition, when the vehicle was filled with fuel, the fuel gauge displayed otherwise. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer. The vehicle was taken to almeda auto (car inspection station) where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump module/system needed to be replaced. After the contact left the inspection station, the vehicle stalled, was not able to restart, and was towed to the contact's residence. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. While the vehicle was parked, there was a strong fuel odor emitted in and around the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that a crack was in the inlet or the outlet line and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the top inlet or outlet was leaking fuel, which dripped onto the garage floor. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V459000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
First there was smell in driver side back passenger seat. Then the smell got stronger outside car, right driver wheel well. Took to my mechanic for over 20 years and he verified smell and was able to stick his hand up and feel wet spot on top/ side of gas tank. Both with car in motion and stopped. The 2007 Equinox has a recall for the exact same complaint, gas smell in driver side passenger seat and wheel well. I called Chevrolet and there is a notice but no recall. They are using the same plastic part on the both cars and the part May deteriorate or defective on both years.
My vehicle should have two recalls; first the airbags. When my passenger is sitting in the seat the check engine light will come on telling me to check my airbag and the airbag light is off. I'm not sure if it will deploy if I get in an accident or if it will on its own one day hurting my passenger. Second, my vehicle smells like gasoline. It smells worse when I fill the tank up and its doesn't start right away. I am driving my vehicle since this is the only vehicle I have. I have seen online were the 2007 Equinox had a recall for the airbag and gas tank. Please help me.
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.
Fuel System complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox, 13% of the model year's 370 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Equinox fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 96,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
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.