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.
2008 Chevrolet Equinox electrical problems
severe 58 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850
Complaints
58
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$850
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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.
MY 2008 EQUINOX HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STARTING, IT'S FINE WHEN IT'S SAT OVER NIGHT HOURS BUT DURING THE DAY WHEN IT'S ONLY SAT A COUPLE OR A FEW HOURS IT WILL HESITATE AND I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND THEY KEPT SAYING NOTHING IS WRONG BUT IT CONTINUES TO DO IT, SO SOMETHING HAS TO BE WRONG AND THE PASSENGER FRONT WINDOW DOESN'T GO DOWN AND I HAD BEEN TAKING IT …
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox?
It's a meaningful issue. 58 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
Some links on this page are affiliate links.