66 of the
535 complaints about the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox are about the
electrical system — 12% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
74,500 miles.
C
66
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Electrical System
6497.0%
Ignition
11.5%
Switch
11.5%
Electrical System across every Chevrolet Equinox year
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.)
NHTSA complaint #11500308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 186,209 milesDover, DE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP RANDOMLY SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I TRY TO TURN THE KNOB TO TURN THEM BACK ON NOTHING HAPPENS. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR COMPLETELY OFF AND START IT AGAIN. AND ALSO WHEN I PRESS MY LOCK BUTTON THE CAR STARTS UP WITH NO KEY.
NHTSA complaint #11364909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 225,000 milesOIL City, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE IGNITION LOCKS UP WHEN SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF. IT WON'T LET THE KEY TURN THE WHOLE WAY OFF AND LOCKS IT IN PLACE FOR ANYWHERE FROM A MINUTE TO 5 MINUTES. SOMETIMES IF YOU SLAM THE SHIFTER IN PARK IT WILL RELEASE BUT NOT ALWAYS.
NHTSA complaint #11195729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesMahanoy City, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THE SPEEDOMETER GOES UP TO 120 MPH AND GETS STUCK. I WILL BE DRIVING AT 45 MILES AN HOUR AND THE SPEEDOMETER WILL GO UP TO SAY THAT I AM DRIVING 120 MILES PER HOUR. IT WILL BE STUCK THERE FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND THEN WILL GRADUALLY GO BACK DOWN TO WHERE IT SHOULD BE. WHEN IT GOES UP TO 120 MPH YOU WILL HEAR CLICKING IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IF YOU BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP THE SPEEDOMETER MIGHT SAY YOU ARE DRIVING 120 MPH OR IT MIGHT SAY 60 MPH. THE RPM METER WILL ALSO SOMETIMES SHOW IT GOING UP. WE HAVE CHANGED OUT THE FUSES AND STILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS ALSO SOME PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER WAS USING THIS TO DRIVE BACK AND FORTH TO COLLEGE AND PANICKED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I CONTACTED CHEVY AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO RECALLS AND IT WAS MY PROBLEM TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE GOTTEN INFO THAT IT WAS DUE TO FAULTY MOTOR IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL. IT WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO ATTACHED THE PICTURE OF THE VIDEO OR PHOTO OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BELOW.
NHTSA complaint #11032035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Birmingham, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HAVING TROUBLE WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE TEMP GAUGE AND GAS METER NOT READING
NHTSA complaint #11020274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yosemite, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FIRST THE CAR FUEL TANK' THE GAS GAGE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY WHEN THE GAS TANK FULL IT SHOWS HALF OR EMPTY, SECOND THE HEAD LIGHT BULB BLOWS LIKE EVERY TWO WEEKS BECAUSE WATER IS GETTING INTO THE CONSOLE OR THE HEAD LIGHT ,THE TURN SIGNAL NEVER TURN OFF AFTER YOU SWISH IN ON AND MAKE THE TURN I HAVE TO MANUALLY SWISH IT OFF AT ALL TIMES WEATHER YOU ARE IN CITY HIGH WAY DO NOT MATTER .
NHTSA complaint #11010420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newtown, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ENGINE LOSING POWER AND CAR NOT TURNING ON
NHTSA complaint #11006094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,400 milesHurst, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10927894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 milesSummerville, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS OF THE VEHICLE FAILED TO LOCK AND HAD TO BE LOCKED MANUALLY. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
NHTSA complaint #10920152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesAustin, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2008 EQUINOX - MY KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND I CAN'T TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE ISN'T REGISTERING THAT IT'S IN PARK. IT'S SOME ISSUE WITH THE SHIFTER. THE KEY WAS STICKING FOR ABOUT A MONTH BUT WOULD ALWAYS TURN OFF UNTIL NOW. NUMEROUS EQUINOX OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE BUT CHEVY HASN'T FIXED THE PROBLEM OR ISSUED A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10882008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesNorth LAS Vegas, NV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME STUCK AND WAS UNABLE TO BE EJECTED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #10881630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesMuskegon, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A LIGHT ON SAYING SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY AIRBAG .ALSO A TAPPING IN MY ENGINE
NHTSA complaint #10872224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rowlett, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE SPEEDOMETER TO MY VEHICLE IS NOT WORKING. REGARDLESS IF THE CAR IS ON OR OFF, THE NEEDLE IS ALWAYS STUCK ON 120 MPH. I HAVE ALSO STARTED TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE BACK DOORS IN WHICH THE LOCKS ARE NOT WORKING WITH THE REMOTE. IF I TRY TO UNLOCK, THE BACK DOORS REMAIN LOCKED. WHEN I DO USE THE REMOTE TO LOCK THE VEHICLE, THE BACK DOORS WILL UNLOCK. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. THE SEALS MUST NOT BE THAT GREAT BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF MOISTURE IN THEM TO WHERE NOW I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THEM. MY BACK LIGHTS CONSTANTLY GO OUT AS WELL AND AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR, I HAVE TO REPLACE THE BULBS.
NHTSA complaint #10864803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT OPERATE WITH REMOTE AND WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH REMOTE. WHEN VEHICLE IS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK, AND WHEN VEHICLE PLACED IN PARK DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK.
NHTSA complaint #10861410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pensacola, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BAD WIRING HARNESS.
NHTSA complaint #10852870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesBelmont, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS ON, ALWAYS . AIR BAG IS OFF ALWAYS. THIS CAR IS ONE PIECE OF TRASH.
NHTSA complaint #10825273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 133,000 milesWest Boylston, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SERVICE AIR BAG, SOMETIMES PASSENGER CAME ON, SOMETIMES DIDN'T, NOW FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE OF IT. AUTO DOOR LOCKS SOMETIMES WORK, SOMETIMES DO NOT
NHTSA complaint #10822979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Leesville, LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AIRBAG LIGHTS COMING ON AND OFF PASSENGER AIR BAG WORKS SOMETIMES ON AND OFF ELECTRICAL WITH THE LIGHTS BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAGS A LOT AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10820490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesWaterbury, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR DOESN'T GO ON OR GOES ON AND THEN TURNS OFF WHILE IN CAR DRIVING OR STATIONARY. MOVING AROUND ON SEAT MAKES IT SWITCH BACK AND FORTH. LOOKS LIKE THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE FROM THE 2007 RECALL, BUT NOT EXTENDED TO 2008. HAVEN'T TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP YET, BUT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. WAS SOLD TO ME LAST MONTH FROM A USED CAR DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10817263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,801 milesLittle River Academy, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK WHEN INSIDE THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR IN ORDER TO GET OUT. WINDOW MUST BE ROLLED DOWN IN ORDER TO REACH OUTSIDE AND OPEN THE DOOR . VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND I WAS TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR WITH THE HANDLE AND SOMETHING CAME LOOSE AND DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR WITH THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK.
NHTSA complaint #10809436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Savannah, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE PURCHASED A CHEVY EQUINOX 2008 AND THE MESSAGE CENTER FOR THE PAST 3 WEEKS DISPLAYED SERVICE AIR BAG. THERE SEEMS TO BE A ELECTRICAL ISSUE I CAN HEAR STATIC OR SOMETHING COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR EVERY TIME I OPEN AND CLOSE IT. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I ONLY HAVE A 30 DAY WARRANTY. I CHECKED THIS CAR ON AUTO CHECK AND THE MILEAGE WAS EVEN WRONG, WHEN INSPECTED LAST THE MILES WERE 118,000 WHEN I GOT IT IT HAD 115,769 DID THEY ROLL IT BACK. WHAT SITES ARE ACCURATE? I CHECKED AUTOCHECK VIN PRO THE PAST COUPLE YEARS THEY HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING SAME ISSUES AIR BAG SENSOR ETC CHEVY SUCKS!
NHTSA complaint #10789551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesWinfield, KS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY IN WARM OR HOT WEATHER. YOU CAN HEAR THE ACTUATOR TRYING, BUT IT WILL ONLY "PARTIALLY" UNLOCK THE DOOR OR NOT EVEN BUDGE THE INTERNAL MANUAL LEVER. THINGS WORK FINE WHEN IT IS COLD. THIS IS DEFINITELY RELATED TO HEAT BECAUSE IN THE SPRING AND FALL THIS IS ONLY A PROBLEM WHEN THE SUN SHINES ON THAT SIDE OF THE CAR. FURTHERMORE, IN THE SUMMER THE LOCKS WILL OFTEN WORK AFTER RUNNING THE A/C FOR 30 MINUTES OR SO. I THINK THIS PROBLEM STARTED WHEN THE CAR WAS 2-3 YEARS OLD. WE CAN USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS, AND IF WE USE THE REMOTE FOB FIRST, THE ALARM WON'T SOUND. JUST THE SAME, IT IS AGGRAVATING.
NHTSA complaint #10779036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesChapel Hill, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL - MY COLLEGE AGE DAUGHTER DRIVES THE EQUINOX - THE LOCKS DO NOT LOCK UNLESS SHE PHYSICALLY GOES AROUND AND LOCKS ALL OF THE DOORS. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE - ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT - NOT SAFE WHEN SHE IS WORKING AND ALONE AND HAVING TO LOCK AND UNLOCK ALL DOORS - ALSO SOMETIMES A MANUAL UNLOCK WILL SET OFF THE CAR ALARM!!! AND SHE HAS TO JUMP IN AND PUT KEY IN IGNITION TO GET IT TO STOP. SO WORRIED. HAD CHEVROLET LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAY ALL 4 DOOR ACTUATORS HAVE TO BE FIXED FOR A COST OF OVER 1200.00. COLLEGE KIDS CANNOT AFFORD THAT AND IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN ANYWAY. NEED IMMEDIATE HELP WITH THIS. VISIBILITY/WIPER - WINDSHIELD FLUID LEAKING INTO FLOOR ON DRIVER SIDE WHEN WIPER FLUID FILLED. CHEVROLET SAID COST OVER 500.00 TO REPLACE FLUID BOTTLE??? COLLEGE KIDS CANNOT AFFORD THIS AND IT SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING ANYWAY. SAFETY HAZARD WITH VISIBILITY CONCERNS SINCE BOTTLE EMPTY AT ALL TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10749083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 milesRoanoke, VA1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PASSENGER AIR BAG DOES NOT WORK WHEN SOMEONE IS IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. DRIVERS WINDOW & LOCK STOPPED WORKING(HAS BEEN REPAIRED). SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL & SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHTS ARE ON. EGR VALVE CODE, TORQUE CONVERTER CODE, EVAP SYSTEM CODE, AND ABS CODE. THERE IS ALSO A SQUEEKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR & HAS LESS THAN 77K MILES. ALSO LIKE OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED I TOO GET HURT ON THE BACK OF MY LEG WHEN GETTING OUT OF THE PASSENGER SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10747136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,291 milesMarysville, KS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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. HOW MANY MORE COMPLAINTS WILL YOU IGNORE, CAUSING A FATAL ACCIDENT, BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THIS?!?! I WILL NOT BE INVESTING IN ANOTHER GM VEHICLE THAT'S FOR SURE! SHOULD OF STUCK WITH FOREIGN!
NHTSA complaint #10734338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesMagee, MS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DOORS WILL NOT LOCK/UNLOCK WITH BUTTON OR FOB, DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT OPERATE
NHTSA complaint #10725424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,650 milesWheatfield, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
RECENTLY, I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR ELECTRIC WINDOW AND DOOR LOCK, NOT FUNCTIONING AT ALL UNLESS I PUSH THE DOOR OPENED. THIS WEEKEND THE WINDOW AND DOOR LOCK QUIT WORKING ALL TOGETHER. SINCE I HAVE AN ELECTRICAL BACKGROUND, I STARTED TROUBLESHOOTING THE PROBLEM. AFTER 20 MINUTES I FOUND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM TO BE COMPLETELY BROKEN WIRES THAT ARE PART OF THE WIRING HARNESS RIGHT BEFORE IT GOES THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND PROTECTED BY A RUBBER BOOT/SLEEVE . ALMOST ALL WIRES THAT ARE PART OF THE WIRING HARNESS AT THIS LOCATION WERE EITHER BROKEN AS I MENTIONED OR THE INSULATION WAS SO BRIDLE AND CRACKED THAT THE COPPER WIRE STRANDS WERE EXPOSED. I WOULD NOT EXPECT A VEHICLE BARELY OVER 50,000 MILES TO HAVE WIRES THAT ARE IN A LOCATION WHERE THEY ARE NOT EXPOSED TO HIGH TEMPERATURES, TO BE IN A CONDITION LIKE THIS. I TOOK A COUPLE OF PICTURES TO SUPPORT WHAT I AM WRITING. AS IT RELATES TO SAFETY AND BEING THAT I WORK IN THE ELECTRICAL FIELD, THIS COULD BE CONSIDERED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE HAZARD, IF THE EXPOSED WIRES EVER COME IN CONTACT WITH CHASSIS GROUND.
NHTSA complaint #10693559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesMount Sterling, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
LOCKS ON CAR HAVE GOT TO WHERE THEY MAY OR MAY NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK. NOT ONLY VERY INCONVENIENT TO GET IN OR OUT OF CAR BUT COULD VERY WELL BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IN THE EVENT OF A WRECK AND NOT ABLE TO GET OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10680328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesMount Sterling, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10680346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesBattle Creek, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #10676583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.