Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (electronic stability control and traction control).
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).
My 74 year old brother bought his 2008 Equinox new it has less than 120,000 miles on it and it is the biggest heap of crap Chevrolet invented!!!! 5. Power steering went out costing $2500.00 to fix jan 2015 6. Transmission starts jerking when hitting 45 MPH dealership informed us of the transmission when we took in for a recall on a defective gas modual that they never replaced saying the part was OK. They drove it and said that its the transmission and asked $500.00 to run a diagnostic. Started feb 2016 7. The stable link light periodically comes on saying to service the stable trac then goes off started March of 2016 8. The top of the brake light on the back hatch is gone where it fell off at some point has many other things wrong. Turn signal gears to turn off signals for right and left signal do not work. The washer fluid motor does not work. …
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. …
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 while driving at 20-30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle shuddered with the stabilitrac and AWD off warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was turned off and on and operated as intended. Additionally, while driving with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle loss motive power with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rear wheel bearing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving 55 MPH, the stability and traction lights illuminated without warning. In addition, the power steering malfunctioned. The vehicle was taken to be repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 133,000. Tl-the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the stability traction light illuminated without warning. In addition, the power steering malfunctioned as well. The vehicle was taken to be repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 133,000. Updated 08/30/16 consumer stated no power steering has wiring, fluid leak, and bolts were missing. Updated 06/20/18
Can't disable traction or stability control won't let me go over 50 MPH on highway or in town streets brakes burnt to nothing left and brake hose melted close almost caused a fire and had to replace the entire brake system on both front tires. Use cruise control to drive after going 40 MPH to get to 70 MPH on highway only way to get to 70 MPH without using gas petal or brake so the stability control would not engage. Slowed down by turning off cruise control unless I had to stop at a red light then I used the brake petal then after a few minutes later stability control engaged then had to pull over and turned off vehicle wait a few minutes then restart vehicle press brakes to release then got back on road and repeat .
When driving my car at any time the following lights will come on: ABS / service stabilitrak / all wheel dive - off / service traction contol. Also when driving you May see the brake light come on and my foot would not be on the brake. When hitting the brake I will hear what seems like a grinding notice. I have had brakes check and brakes and rotor on back right wheels replace and still have the same problem. Car dealership does not seem to know what to do. Second time in service. One time I had just pulled off and heard this loud grinding/ scraping noise. It is frightening . Mileage is 63830 can happen on city street or highway this has happen a number of times. With speed as low as 25 or 60.MPH
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.
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
Traction Control complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox, 14% of the model year's 370 complaints. The component named most often is automatic (asc) (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Equinox traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control 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 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to stability & traction control 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.