NHTSA Complaint #10478754 — 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN DISPLAYING INTERMITTENTLY TURNING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ON AND OFF WHILE DISPLAYING A SERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG NOW REMAINS OFF AT ALL TIMES STILL DISPLAYING THE SERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGE. THIS IS WITH A 200 POUND MAN SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE NO LONGER CLEARS THE PROBLEM. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE 2007 EQUINOX WAS RECALLED FOR THE SAME REASON SO WHY AREN'T THE 2008 MODELS NOT BEING INCLUDED IN THE RECALL? ALSO, AFTER SOMEONE MENTIONED THAT THEIR EQUINOX HAD THE SAME PROBLEM I STARTED ASKING OTHER OWNERS. APPARENTLY IT IS FAIRLY COMMON AND I GUESS A SOURCE OF INCOME FOR GM. ONE WOMAN TOLD ME THE CHEVY TECH TOLD HER THAT AIR BAG PROBLEMS WERE COMMON AFTER 45,000 MILES AND WAS CONSIDERED A ROUTINE REPAIR. DEALER WANTS $500 PLUS TO REPAIR. AS LONG AS DEALERS ARE TELLING PEOPLE THIS IS A ROUTINE REPAIR NO ONE IS GOING TO REPORT IT AS A PROBLEM. ALSO, THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR CONSTANTLY READS 15 POUNDS WHEN TWO SEPARATE MANUAL AIR GAUGES SHOW 37 PSI. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL MESSAGE COMES ON PERIODICALLY EVEN WHEN PARKED. DRIVING IS DIFFICULT UNTIL IT CLEARS WHICH IS ALSO AFTER A RESTART. *TR