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2005 Chevrolet Equinox

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 382.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

507 reports with mileage · 131 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 159 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 114 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 111 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

56 crash reports13 fire reports32 injury reports

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

7 reports
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91,000 miles · May 19, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

RIGHT WHEN I LEFT THE DEALERS LOT, IT NEEDED A NEW HEAD GASKET, INTAKE GASKET COIL PACK, AND A THERMOSTAT. LUCKILY THE DEALER PAID FOR THAT. SINCE THEN, I NOTICED WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP SIGN, IF THERE'S A SLIGHT BUMP IN THE ROAD, IT FEELS LIKE I'M RUNNING OVER A BOULDER. WHILE SLOWING DOWN MOST TIMES, THE FRONT END OF TH…

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RIGHT WHEN I LEFT THE DEALERS LOT, IT NEEDED A NEW HEAD GASKET, INTAKE GASKET COIL PACK, AND A THERMOSTAT. LUCKILY THE DEALER PAID FOR THAT. SINCE THEN, I NOTICED WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP SIGN, IF THERE'S A SLIGHT BUMP IN THE ROAD, IT FEELS LIKE I'M RUNNING OVER A BOULDER. WHILE SLOWING DOWN MOST TIMES, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO BOG DOWN ABOUT AN INCH, WAS TOLD MAYBE A MOTOR MOUNT? RPMS ALWAYS BOG UP AND DOWN FOR NO REASON LIKE IT'S TRYING TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. A FEW WEEKS AGO MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING MY AIR BAGS WON'T DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED. A COUPLE WEEKS LATER THE RPMS BOGGING AND FRONT END BOGGING DOWNWARD BECAME MORE CONSTANT, THEN MY SPEEDOMETER RANDOMLY WILL GO TO 0 WHILE IN MOTION, THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER WILL WORK FINE. RPMS SEEM TO BE WORKING NORMAL WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER IS WORKING NORMAL. THE OTHER DAY, WHILE BRAKING, OF COURSE.... THE BOULDER FEELING WHILE BRAKING, FRONT END BOGGED DOWNWARD, RPMS WENT RIDICULOUSLY HIGH BETWEEN 3-4 BACK AND FORTH ERRATICALLY, AND THE SPEEDOMETER WENT TO 0.. ALL THAT HAPPENED AT ONCE, MADE ME OFFICIALLY REALIZE, IT HAS TO ALL BE A CONNECTED PROBLEM. THEN I FOUND THIS SITE, WITH SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THESE SAME ISSUES, FOR SO LONG.. HOW IN GOD'S NAME IS THIS POS NOT RECALLED?? I CAN'T EVEN IN GOOD CONSCIENCE CHOOSE SOMEONE TO DIE BY SELLING THIS THING TO THEM, I STILL OWE SO MUCH MONEY ON IT. THERE'S SO MANY STORIES OF PEOPLE RANDOMLY STEERING, AND ACCELERATING FULL THROTTLE IN VARIOUS DIRECTIONS AND ANY GIVEN TIME. WHAT DEMONIZED TRANSFORMER OF A VEHICLE DID I BUY? HOW ARE THESE THINGS STILL ON THE ROAD? HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE CHEVY OWNS UP TO THIS DEADLY HUNK OF METAL THEY SOLD TO US? PLEASE RECALL ASAP. I LITERALLY CAN'T SELL IT TO ANYONE. IT'S GOING TO KILL SOMEONE! AT THIS YEAR, THERE CAN'T BE MANY MORE ON THE ROAD SINCE THEY KEEP CRASHING. RECALL THE ONES THAT ARE LEFT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11096853

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fire

DROVE VEHICLE TO A STORE, WHILE INSIDE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED UNDERNEATH FUSE BOX WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. FIRE MEN STATED VEHICLE WAS ATTEMPTING TO START ITSELF WITHOUT KEYS AND WITHOUT BEING ON. HEADLIGHTS N DASH REMAINED ON AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE VERY BADLY, WOULDN'T QUIT UNTIL BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED AND NEED…

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DROVE VEHICLE TO A STORE, WHILE INSIDE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED UNDERNEATH FUSE BOX WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. FIRE MEN STATED VEHICLE WAS ATTEMPTING TO START ITSELF WITHOUT KEYS AND WITHOUT BEING ON. HEADLIGHTS N DASH REMAINED ON AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE VERY BADLY, WOULDN'T QUIT UNTIL BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED AND NEEDED TO BE EXTINGUISHED. ELECTRICAL FIRE PROGRESSED TO DASH AND MELTED WIPER SHIFTER OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11057376

64,397 miles · Oct 26, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

ABS PULSATES BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT HARD TO STOP WHEN I NEED TO. WHEN I DO PUSH DOWN ON THE BRAKES IT PUSHES BACK PREVENTING ME FROM STOPPING QUICKLY OR AT ALL. AFTER A WHILE DRIVING LIKE THIS THE ABS TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON UNTIL I TURN IT OFF AND THEN IT HAPPEN ALL OVER AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER …

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ABS PULSATES BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT HARD TO STOP WHEN I NEED TO. WHEN I DO PUSH DOWN ON THE BRAKES IT PUSHES BACK PREVENTING ME FROM STOPPING QUICKLY OR AT ALL. AFTER A WHILE DRIVING LIKE THIS THE ABS TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON UNTIL I TURN IT OFF AND THEN IT HAPPEN ALL OVER AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT FIX BUT THE PROBLEM KEEPS REOCCURRING. IN 2012 THE CAR JUST STOP ON THE ROAD THAT WASN'T BRAKE RELATED CAUSING US TO GET HIT FROM BEHIND AND THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE CAR NOW IS HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHERE IT SEEMS LIKE ONE THING IS FAILING AFTER ANOTHER. FOR EXAMPLE SIDE MIRRORS DON'T WORK, REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER STOP WORKING, AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10919023

88,000 miles · Sep 15, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringSuspensionCrash

PLEASE NOTE IN ORDER TO TRY TO AVID AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH NARDONE ELECTRIC TRUCK,BROADSIDED MY DRIVER SIDE ON A COMPLETE SCREPEDOWN ON MY VEHICLE, AND AFTERWARD AFTER I LEFT THE EXPRESSWAY 93 N IN BOSTON ,15 MINUTES LATER AFTER I STOPPED AT A CONVENIENCE STORE,MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN LEFT OR RIGHT ONLY STRAIGHT... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10633273

34,000 miles · Jul 17, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

PROBLEM WITH SWAY BAR LINKS, REPLACED TWICE. STILL PROBLEM WITH FRONT END AS CHEWED UP TIRES...REPLACED STRUTS,STEERING SHAFT,BRAKES FRONT& BACK. FRONT END AND BRAKE PROBLEMS... COST ME OVER $3500 TO THIS POINT,PLUS HEAD& REAR SEAL GASKETS... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10525294

89,012 miles · May 30, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

10-14-11 PROBLEMS WITH ABS LIGHT, FOLLOWED BY TC LIGHT COMING ON, FOLLOWED BY THE CAR SLOWING OR JUMPING FORWARD WHEN BRAKES APPLIED, DIFFICULTY STOPPING. LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. SLOWED TO MAKE A TURN ON A 2 WAY ROAD, CAR TRAVELED OVER DOUBLE YELLOWS, OFF ROAD, INTO A PULL OUT AREA BEFORE STOPPING. LUCKILY I WAS TRAVELING AT A …

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10-14-11 PROBLEMS WITH ABS LIGHT, FOLLOWED BY TC LIGHT COMING ON, FOLLOWED BY THE CAR SLOWING OR JUMPING FORWARD WHEN BRAKES APPLIED, DIFFICULTY STOPPING. LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. SLOWED TO MAKE A TURN ON A 2 WAY ROAD, CAR TRAVELED OVER DOUBLE YELLOWS, OFF ROAD, INTO A PULL OUT AREA BEFORE STOPPING. LUCKILY I WAS TRAVELING AT A VERY SLOW SPEED & THERE WERE NO ON COMING VEHICLES. BY STOPPING AND TURNING OFF ENGINE, LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT BUT COME BACK ON AFTER ABOUT A MILE. CAR WOULD STALL OR JUMP FORWARD, BRAKING DIFFICULT. NEW BRAKES INSTALLED, PROBLEMS CONTINUED. 10-26-11 TOOK CAR BACK & HAD BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS & SENSORS REPLACED. PROBLEMS CONTINUE. 11-18-2011 CAR TAKEN TO CHEVY MECH. & TESTED. THEY DECIDED I NEEDED THE LF JUMPER HARNESS & SPEED SENSOR REPLACED. 4 WEEKS AGO: SLIGHT GRINDING SOUND FROM FRONT WHEELS WHILE TURNING. CHECK ENGINE & TC LIGHTS CAME ON, STALLING & BRAKING PROBLEMS. TOOK CAR IN FOR 100,000 SERVICE, DROVE 30 MILES TO MY HOME. CAR RAN PERFECTLY. LATER THE SAME DAY CAR RAN FINE FOR 2 MILES, THEN ABS & TC LIGHTS CAME ON, BEGAN TO LUG DOWN & STALL, SURGE FORWARD, STALL. CAR STALLING CONTINUALLY. TOWED CAR. MECHANIC IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT IS WRONG. TOMORROW HE WILL TOW THE CAR TO THE CHEVY DEALER FOR EVALUATION. QUESTION FOR CHEVROLET AND NHTSA~~MY CAR IS A 2005. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM & REALIZE THAT THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THE EQUINOX, A SAFETY PROBLEM TO MYSELF, MY FAMILY & OTHER CHEVY OWNERS & MOTORISTS. WHY HAVEN'T THESE VEHICLES BEEN RECALLED, WHY HAS CHEVROLET BEEN ALLOWED TO CONTINUE SELLING THE EQUINOX WITH THIS LIFE THREATENING BRAKE AND T/C PROBLEM? SCARY. NOT ONLY AM I OUT MONEY FOR TRYING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BUT NOW I FIND OUT THAT APPARENTLY THERE IS NO FIX TO THE PROBLEM! I OWN A VEHICLE I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING, I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE CAR WILL DECIDE TO SHIFT, STALL, BRAKE OR NOT BRAKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460096

31,000 miles · Jun 16, 2008
Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)CrashInjury

PROBLEMS WITH CAR BEGAN IMMEDIATELY (TRANSMISSION, AIR CONDITIONER, ODOMETER, WINDOW MOTOR, CAR SHIFTING ABRUPTLY, AND SKIDDING ON ANY WET SERVICE.) FINALLY WENT INTO 20 FT SKID, WHEELS LOCKED, NO RESPONSE TO STEERING. CAR HIT POLE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK. CAR TOTALED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231230

Official recalls

1

04V302000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Jun 30, 2004

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, 'THEFT PROTECTION.' AN IGNITION KEY PARK LOCK CABLE END FITTING WAS NOT FULLY SEATED ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER NAIL HEAD DURING INSTALLATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN PREVENT THE CABLE AUTO-SET FROM CORRECTLY ADJUSTING THE CABLE. AN INCORRECTLY ADJUSTED CABLE PREVENTS THE SHIFTER FROM LOCKING IN THE 'PARK' POSITION WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE KEY CYLINDER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR A PROPERLY FUNCTIONING SHIFT LOCK WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS REMOVED. DEALERS WILL REPAIR VEHICLES THAT EXHIBIT THE SUBJECT CONDITION. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Chevrolet Equinox problems