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).
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.
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. …
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. …
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. …
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.
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
2008 Chevrolet Equinox sport makes a loud popping/clunking noise in the front end when going over bumps. It also pops loud when turning the steering wheel. When I am driving on straight and smooth roads, there is no issue whatsoever. I have taken my vehicle to four different shops and had it looked at by eight different mechanics and no one can figure out the problem. This needs to be fixed by general motors immediately! I strongly feel that this can become a serious safety issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. When the vehicle was started, the power steering failed without warning. The power steering resumed after the contact disconnected and reconnected the battery. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000. Updated 4/7/15 updated 04/09/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. While the vehicle was parked, the steering wheel became difficult to control. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power steering assist failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.
The steering kind of locks while in motion and you have to force it sometimes to turn. Once I adjust the column it will shut the car off and then once I start the car again it will be fine for a while and I have to keep doing it over and over again. But the computer reads it's fine and the machanic can't find anything wrong with it
Steering complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 44 complaints about the steering of the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox, 12% of the model year's 370 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Equinox steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to steering 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.