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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
74,687 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Chevrolet Equinox engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Chevrolet Equinox Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

May 032021

Equinox

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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. I am slow income 80 years old grandma who helps her single daughter who works full time take care of her kids. I need to have a dependable car and I worry that if the computer does like first one did, we will get stranded on the freeway with a completely dead vehicle. Please let me know if there is any help with the expense of making it safe to drive.

- West Linn, OR, USA

problem #25

Apr 172020

Equinox

  • miles
The wheel transfer case leaking and engine light on. Pulling lots of different codes. Timing chain is affected and not 100% sure if it's also those other codes.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #24

Jul 032019

Equinox

  • 140,000 miles
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.

- Lansing, IL, USA

problem #23

May 022018

Equinox

  • 32,680 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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! will never by a GM product! I was contacted by Chevrolet and because it had over 19,500 miles they would not reimburse for repairs! they replied tht they care about their customers safety, how when they can let something like this out into the public.

- Sn Antonio, TX, USA

problem #22

Jul 012017

Equinox

  • 112,000 miles
Intake valve and valve cover gaskets blown due to corrosion by dex-cool over time. Also had blown head gasket repaired 10/16/2014 due to same problem.

- Takoma Park, MD, USA

problem #21

Apr 172017

Equinox

  • 77,008 miles
"takata recall" the timing belt. Timing belt stretched. Know for fact that 5 other Chevrolet Equinox 2008 has had the same problem brought to the same automacanic shop. Ours would be the 6th known in hastings Minnesota. Would like a recall and have problem fixed and paid for by the manufacture. While driving the vehicle. The engine light would go on and when brought in several times, they kept saying it was the gas cap. Replaced gas cap and still several times engine light would come on and the dealership kept saying it was the gas cap, even after they replaced gas cap. The same thing kept happening over and over. They denied anything wrong until the timing belt stretched and cannot drive. For a period of 2 years this went on and on. They will not repair the problem unless we pay 2000 dollars plus to repair timing belt. The dealership is the ones that we took the vehicle to. Had a second opinion done and they claimed we where the 7th car with the same identical problem. We bought the vehical from the dealership. Always brought to them with any mechanical probems tp be repaired.all I am asking for is the dealership to repair problem. Apparently they have overlooked the problem several times and blamed it on my gas cap. I am parapelegic on right side. Only drive when neccessary. Had 15,000 miles on it when I purchaced it from dealership. It has 77,008 miles on it when we brought it into the dealership on April 17, 2017.vam code is P0017-crankshaft/camshaft correlation bank 1.....P0008-engine system performance, exhaust camshaft not moving when commanded...recommended new timing chains, chain guides, chain tentioners, cam actuators... concern#2 customer states the passenger front door does not lock/unlock. Found the door lock actuator faulty. Replaced the front door passenger door lock actuator/latch assembly..paid...main concern is timing belt that is faulty.

- Hastings, MN, USA

problem #20

Jan 122017

Equinox 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine loss power my wife was driving on barlett rd in elgin ill, suddenly she lost acceleration, there was semitruck behind her nermiss a fatal accident.

- Elgin, IL, USA

problem #19

Nov 242016

Equinox

  • 60,400 miles
When I push on the gas (car in park on flat surface) I hear what sounds like a rushing of water. Also when car sits in the sun, drivers side window inoperable and back door drivers side door lock inoperable. Electrical has been an on going issue for about a year.

- Hurst, TX, USA

problem #18

Sep 262016

Equinox

  • 98,000 miles
Engine light on code says timing chain on 2008 Chevy Equinox 98,000 miles.

- Houghton Lake, MI, USA

problem #17

Oct 142014

Equinox

  • 85,000 miles
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.

- Massillon, OH, USA

problem #16

Jul 052016

Equinox

  • 84,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

problem #15

Apr 012016

Equinox

  • 73,000 miles
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.

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

problem #14

Mar 172016

Equinox

  • 90,000 miles
I have a light on saying something is wrong with my airbag.also a tapping in my engine

- Muskegon, MI, USA

problem #13

Feb 182016

Equinox

  • 59,050 miles
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.

- Moreno Valley, CA, USA

problem #12

Jan 112016

Equinox

  • 78,800 miles
Vehicle has 80,000 miles on it and it has a check engine light on with the dtc P0008. This code is in reference to the timing chains needing replaced. There are recalls on other vehicles with this same engine and the exact same code.

- Marion, NC, USA

problem #11

Jan 122016

Equinox

  • 73,000 miles
I have only 73000 miles on 2008 Equinox and the check engine light in indicating the timing chain had to be changed. There is a special coverage bulletin #11340 that covers the 3.6L V6 engines in autos between 2007-2009 but GM is telling me that my 3.6L LY7 engine is not covered I have the sport model.

- Dupo, IL, USA

problem #10

Oct 232015

Equinox

  • 66,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the engine stalled without warning while driving at 30 mph. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact replaced the battery; however, the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,000.

- Kingston, PA, USA

problem #9

Oct 092013

Equinox

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the "stabilizer bar off track" and check engine warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact did not notify a dealer or the manufacturer of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.

- Augusta, GA, USA

problem #8

Aug 312015

Equinox

  • 91,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact was informed that the camshaft was misaligned and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000.

- Plymouth, MA, USA

problem #7

Jun 022015

Equinox

  • 105,000 miles
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. She cannot sell it, as it is worth very little due to all these defects and no recalls, and she is still making payments on this car for the next 4 years. Stuck with a very dangerous lemon.

- Brooklyn, MI, USA

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