Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
2008 Chevrolet EquinoxRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 370 owner complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. Most complaints involve air bags (110) and electrical system (65). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
370
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
370 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2008 – Oct 2025
- Air bags110
- Electrical system65
- Electronic stability control (esc)46
- Steering44
- Fuel/propulsion system39
- Structure33
- Engine27
- Exterior lighting22
- Latches/locks/linkages18
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
By model year
Complaints for each Equinox model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 638 |
| 2006 | 695 |
| 2007 | 685 |
| 2008 | 370 |
| 2009 | 94 |
| 2010 | 784 |
| 2011 | 783 |
| 2012 | 685 |
| 2013 | 751 |
| 2014 | 549 |
| 2015 | 680 |
| 2016 | 399 |
| 2017 | 276 |
| 2018 | 410 |
| 2019 | 310 |
| 2020 | 318 |
| 2021 | 100 |
| 2022 | 182 |
| 2023 | 99 |
| 2024 | 192 |
| 2025 | 407 |
| 2026 | 79 |
| 2027 | 1 |
- Crashes reported
- 9
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 12
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Air bags
110 reports7 crashes
“The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the airbag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.”
Electrical system
65 reports3 crashes
“Occasionally, when finished driving and the key is turned towards the off position it will not fully turn back in order to pull the key out. It will shut off the engine but generally stops in approx. the accy position. If you restart the engine and drive a little more it has then backed all the way off and been able to remove the key. (It has been ongoing for some time but my father has been just dealing with it.)”
Electronic stability control (esc)
46 reports3 crashes
“THE BRAKE SYSTEM LOCKS AND OVERHEAT. EVEN WHEN NEW PARTS ARE PUT ON .AFTER 10 MIN OF DRIVING OLD PROBLEMS DUE EXIST. FROM BRAKE CALIPER TO BRAKE LINE TO BRAKE BOOSTER CHANGED”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
4 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Engines
- 3.6L 6-cyl · 3.4L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic (S6) · Automatic 5-spd
- Drive
- 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equinox AWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| Equinox AWD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| Equinox FWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| Equinox FWD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
- 19mpg comb.
- 19mpg comb.
- 19mpg comb.
- 19mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 2568
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2008 Equinox questions
How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 8, 2026.
What are the most common 2008 Chevrolet Equinox problems?
Owners filed 370 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (110), electrical system (65), electronic stability control (esc) (46). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox get?
The EPA rates the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026