The Lemon Index2008 Chevrolet Equinox.
The 2008 Chevrolet Equinox is better than average by owner complaints: 43 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 62, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 0 recalls, and it gets 19 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Equinox year is 2017.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 370 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Equinox year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 48K to 100K miles on the car (296 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 41K–95K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 51K–95K miles
- stability control complaints mostly came at 64K–110K miles
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 971 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Ei-08116 - noise/looseness in steering column
- Buick/chevrolet/gmc/pontiac/saturn/suzuki: all wheel drive system inoperative and dtc c0550 set
- Pontiac/saturn/buick/gmc/chevrolet/cadillac/hummer: vehicle start and stalls after theft…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.4L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
2008 Chevrolet Equinox engine shut off. Consumer would like to be reimbursed for repairs.
2008 Chevrolet Equinox owner · NHTSA complaint 10323087
More owner reports
Service traction control,service stabilitrak, all wheel drive off. Dash lights came on with these 3 messages again. April 6 the dealership put in a new stabilizer and it failed again!
NHTSA complaint 10404320
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 62; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Equinox year by this measure is 2017.
What are the most common 2008 Chevrolet Equinox problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (30%), electrical (16%) and steering (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox get?
19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Equinox problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 48,400 and 100,000 miles. The middle report was at 75,000 miles, from 296 complaints.
Does the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox cost in fuel a year?
About $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox have?
3.4L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet Equinox year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2017, 2021 and 2014.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works