2008 Chevrolet Equinox — Known Issues & Recalls

Your airbag warning light is on, which means your airbag system isn't working properly. This is a safety issue that should be checked right away since airbags are crucial for protecting you in a crash. A dealer will need to diagnose the problem and repair or replace the faulty airbag component.

Your passenger airbag system is displaying error code B0081, which indicates the passenger presence detection module isn't working correctly. This error prevents the airbag system from functioning properly and may prevent the passenger airbag from deploying if needed. Fixing this will likely require replacing the faulty passenger presence detection module.

Your airbag warning light is illuminated on your dashboard. This indicates a problem with your vehicle's airbag system that needs to be diagnosed and repaired by a technician. The repair will likely involve having the airbag system scanned with diagnostic equipment to identify the fault and then replacing or repairing the faulty component.

Your airbag warning light came on when you started your vehicle. A dealer diagnosed the problem as a faulty passenger airbag module that needs replacement. The manufacturer confirmed your vehicle isn't covered by a recall for this issue. The fix will involve replacing the passenger airbag module.

Your vehicle is leaking fuel, which is causing a strong fuel smell outside the car and inside the cabin. The leak appears to be coming from somewhere on the fuel system, allowing gasoline to escape. You'll need a mechanic to locate the source of the leak and repair or replace the damaged fuel system component.

You're noticing a strong gasoline smell inside your cabin when you start the vehicle and let it idle, along with an orange check engine light coming on. You've also spotted a small puddle of fuel under the passenger side rear of your vehicle. This suggests a fuel leak somewhere in your fuel system that should be inspected and repaired to prevent further fuel loss and eliminate the odor.

Your car is leaking fuel, which you may notice as a strong fuel smell when you turn off the engine. You discovered a major leak during inspection, but no warning light appeared on the dashboard. The leak was identified around 170,000 miles and will likely require the fuel system to be inspected and the leaking component (such as fuel lines, connections, or the fuel tank) to be repaired or replaced.

Your brake system failed while driving, and the regular brakes stopped working completely. You had to use the emergency brake to bring the vehicle to a stop. This is a serious safety issue that requires immediate inspection of your braking system.

Your ABS and StabiliTrak stability control system has experienced repeated problems throughout the vehicle's lifetime, causing handling difficulties when braking or driving on slippery roads, followed by warning lights on your dashboard. These issues have led to multiple expensive repairs. A mechanic will need to diagnose and repair the ABS/StabiliTrak system, which may involve replacing sensors, control modules, or wiring.

Your transmission control module may be failing, causing delayed shifting from park to drive and occasional harsh downshifts. When the problem occurs, your vehicle may enter limp mode and won't exceed 15 mph, which happens randomly and creates a safety hazard. The transmission control module may need to be replaced or reprogrammed, and the transmission itself may require inspection or repair.

You notice a strong gasoline smell coming from your vehicle. A mechanic inspected it and identified a fuel system issue but hasn't fixed it yet. The mechanic warned that continuing to drive the car could be dangerous due to the fuel leak or problem. This will likely require a fuel system inspection and repair to locate and fix the source of the leak.

Your engine is overheating within minutes of driving, especially when idling at traffic lights, and the dashboard warning "ENGINE HOT. AC OFF" appears repeatedly even though the temperature gauge itself isn't working. You've already replaced the thermostat, water pump, temperature sensor, and flushed the radiator with GM antifreeze, but the problem continues. The issue may be related to the vehicle's computer (which has been replaced before) or could require checking engine compression and replacing additional cooling system components.

Your headlights randomly shut off while driving on the highway, and turning the headlight knob doesn't turn them back on. You have to completely restart your car to get the headlights working again. Additionally, your car starts up when you press the lock button on your key fob without needing to insert the key. These issues suggest problems with your electrical system, possibly involving the headlight switch, ignition switch, or keyless entry module that may need diagnosis and replacement.

Your transmission isn't shifting properly, which a transmission specialist should diagnose. Additionally, water from your air conditioning system is dripping directly onto the subframe and causing it to rust, creating a structural safety concern. Both issues need attention from a mechanic—the transmission may need servicing or repairs, and the AC drainage should be redirected to prevent further rust damage to the subframe.

Your engine's head gasket and intake manifold have failed. This means coolant or oil may leak from the engine, and you might notice overheating, rough idle, or loss of power. The engine will need to be partially disassembled to replace both the head gasket and intake manifold.

Your door locks are getting stuck halfway when you try to unlock them, preventing you from opening the doors and getting into your car. The locks may partially move but then jam, leaving you unable to access your vehicle. This typically requires inspection and repair or replacement of the door lock actuators or mechanisms.

Your 2008 Equinox has experienced multiple recurring issues including stuck door locks and blinker, fuel injectors clogging repeatedly, AC failures, swollen lug nuts that can't be removed for tire rotation, a cooling fan that runs 35 minutes after shutdown, water inside the headlights, loose charging ports that drain electronics, and extensive rust and damage to the undercarriage due to missing protective covers. Many of these problems — especially the fuel injectors and AC — have required multiple repairs in just one year of ownership. Addressing these issues will likely require professional diagnosis and replacement of affected components, installation of undercarriage protection, and addressing electrical connection points.

Your transfer case is leaking fluid, and your check engine light is on with multiple diagnostic codes being triggered. The timing chain may be affected, though it's unclear if all the codes are related to the timing chain issue or if there are additional problems. A mechanic will need to scan your vehicle's computer and inspect the transfer case and timing chain to determine what repairs are needed.

Your interior door handles on both the driver's and passenger's sides have cracked or broken. This happened around 100,000 miles on your 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. You may have difficulty opening the doors from inside the vehicle if both handles fail. Fixing this typically involves replacing the broken door handle assemblies.

Your ignition key occasionally gets stuck and won't turn all the way to the off position after you finish driving, though the engine will shut off. The key typically stops at the accessory position, and you'll need to restart the engine, drive a bit more, and try again before the key will turn far enough to remove it. This issue may involve replacing the ignition switch or cylinder.