2008 Chevy Equinox MPG
EPA ratings for the 2008 Chevy Equinox run from 16–17 mpg in town to 24 on the highway, or 19 combined, depending on which of its 4 versions you look at.
The most efficient pairs the 3.6-liter 6-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, at 19 mpg combined.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equinox FWD | 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | Regular · 468 g CO₂/mi |
| Equinox FWD | 3.4 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | Regular · 468 g CO₂/mi |
| Equinox AWD | 3.4 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | Regular · 468 g CO₂/mi |
| Equinox AWD | 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | Regular · 468 g CO₂/mi |
2008 Chevy Equinox fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2008 Chevy Equinox costs about $3,440 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (19 mpg combined), or roughly 23 cents a mile.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2008 Chevy Equinox specs
2008 Chevy Equinox buyers could choose between 2 engines, according to EPA records: 3.4 L 6-cyl and 3.6 L 6-cyl. It came with an automatic transmission, in all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive versions. The EPA classes it as a sport utility vehicle.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.4 L | 6 | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 3.6 L | 6 | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 2 |
2008 Chevy Equinox problems
Owners have filed 370 complaints about the 2008 Chevy Equinox with NHTSA, the U.S. vehicle-safety agency, as of October 2026.
Air bags are the most-reported area (21% of component mentions), followed by electrical system (12%) and electronic stability control (esc) (9%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 19 complaints a year: more than the 2009 (5.2 a year).
That ranks 15th of 17 Chevy Equinox model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 370, 9 mention a crash, 1 a fire and 8 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 112 | 21% |
| Electrical system | 66 | 12% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 46 | 9% |
| Steering | 44 | 8% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 39 | 7% |
| Structure | 34 | 6% |
| Engine | 27 | 5% |
| Exterior lighting | 22 | 4% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 18 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 18 | 3% |
| Power train | 16 | 3% |
| Visibility | 13 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | 1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 8 | 1% |
| Seats | 8 | 1% |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 1% |
| Seat belts | 7 | 1% |
| Suspension | 7 | 1% |
| Traction control system | 7 | 1% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 4 | <1% |
| Equipment | 3 | <1% |
| Tires | 3 | <1% |
| Electronic stability control | 2 | <1% |
| Equipment adaptive/mobility | 2 | <1% |
| Interior lighting | 2 | <1% |
| Wheels | 2 | <1% |
| Diesel fuel system | 1 | <1% |
| Parking brake | 1 | <1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
I believe the Airbags on 08 Equinox's need recalled. I currently have an airbag light on and would like it fixed.
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. …
THE BRAKE SYSTEM LOCKS AND OVERHEAT. EVEN WHEN NEW PARTS ARE PUT ON .AFTER 10 MIN OF DRIVING OLD PROBLEMS DUE EXIST. …
2008 Chevy Equinox recalls
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2008 Chevy Equinox as of October 2026.
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 1 version of the 2008 Chevy Equinox, without an overall score.
These ratings use NHTSA's pre-2011 test method, so they can't be compared with stars for 2011 and later models.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-door | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Chevy Equinoxes can be compared fairly. Among other 2008 models in the EPA's sport utility vehicle class, the 2008 Honda Pilot (18 mpg), 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee (20 mpg) and 2008 Jeep Wrangler (18 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 19 | 370 | 19 | 0 |
| 2009 | 20 | 94 | 5.2 | 0 |
| 2010 | 26 | 784 | 46 | 3 |
| 2011 | 26 | 782 | 49 | 3 |
Every Chevy Equinox model year compared →
Similar 2008 models
FAQ
Is the 2008 Equinox a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2008 Chevy Equinox has 19 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (15th most of 17 model years), no recall campaigns and up to 19 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2008 Equinox problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are air bags (112), electrical system (66) and electronic stability control (esc) (46). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2008 Equinox have?
None as of October 2026. New recalls can be issued at any time, so check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Equinox get?
The EPA rates the versions at 19 mpg combined (16–17 city, 24 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Equinox per year?
About $3,440 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).