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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

Seat Belts complaints

9 reports
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35 miles · Dec 5, 2020
Electrical SystemSeat BeltsUnknown Or Other

VEHICLE IS ABLE TO DRIVE WHILE KEY IS OUT OF IGNITION WHEN ENGINE IS ALREADY RUNNING. SEAT BELT DISCONNECTS RANDOMLY. VEHICLE CAN BE OPEN WITH A NICKEL COIN. ECU TRIGGERS WARNING LIGHTS RANDOMLY

NHTSA ODI #11377995

140,000 miles · Sep 6, 2018
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 24 MPH ON AN EXIT RAMP, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY DROVE OFF THE SIDE OF THE RAMP AND CRASHED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE HEAD …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 24 MPH ON AN EXIT RAMP, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY DROVE OFF THE SIDE OF THE RAMP AND CRASHED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND HIPS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A FIELD INSPECTOR WAS SENT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE INSPECTION RESULTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #11127938

133,000 miles · Apr 13, 2017
Air BagsFuel/propulsion SystemSeat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE'S THERMOSTAT HOUSING WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE'S THERMOSTAT HOUSING WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DISCONTINUED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO SECURE THE PASSENGERS DURING HARD BRAKING AND THE AIR BAG AND CHECK ENGINE SENSORS ILLUMINATED WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

NHTSA ODI #10972229

155,000 miles · Dec 19, 2016
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON 12/15/2016 WHERE I HIT SOMEONE FROM BEHIND. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND DIDN'T NOTICE THE PEOPLE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPING. WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES, IT WAS TOO LATE AND MY CHEST WENT FLYING AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN MY EQUINOX HIT THEM, MY SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK AND MY CHEST HIT THE…

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I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON 12/15/2016 WHERE I HIT SOMEONE FROM BEHIND. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND DIDN'T NOTICE THE PEOPLE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPING. WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES, IT WAS TOO LATE AND MY CHEST WENT FLYING AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN MY EQUINOX HIT THEM, MY SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK AND MY CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE OF THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT. THE FORCE WAS SO HARD THAT THE AIR BAG DID NOT COME OUT. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS AN AIR BAG INSIDE THE VEHICLE. I COULD NOT CATCH MY BREATH AND I TESTED OUT MY SEAT BELT AND REALIZED IT DOES NOT LOCK WHEN BREAKING. IT IS ACTUALLY LOSE THE WHOLE TIME I AM DRIVING. THIS IS NOT SAFE FOR ME OR A PASSAGE THAT I HAVE IN THE CAR. TESTED OUT THE PASSAGE SIDE AS WELL AND IT IS THE SAME THING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10936302

80,000 miles · Aug 28, 2014
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemSeat BeltsCrashInjury

MY 2005 EQUINOX, I HAVE ONLY 80K MILES ON IT,- KEY WILL NOT START IGNITION NORMAL. GETS STUCK AND HAVE TO SHAKE KEY FORWARD FOR ABOUT 20+ MINUTES BEFORE IT FINALLY TURNS ON. AND WHEN THE CAR IS ON AND RUNNING AT ANY SPEED, THE KEY WILL JUST COME OUT OF IGNITION. MAP LIGHTS LEAK WATER WHEN IT RAINS. CAR SMELLS LIKE MOLD. FUEL GAU…

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MY 2005 EQUINOX, I HAVE ONLY 80K MILES ON IT,- KEY WILL NOT START IGNITION NORMAL. GETS STUCK AND HAVE TO SHAKE KEY FORWARD FOR ABOUT 20+ MINUTES BEFORE IT FINALLY TURNS ON. AND WHEN THE CAR IS ON AND RUNNING AT ANY SPEED, THE KEY WILL JUST COME OUT OF IGNITION. MAP LIGHTS LEAK WATER WHEN IT RAINS. CAR SMELLS LIKE MOLD. FUEL GAUGE ALWAYS SAYS EMPTY AND I GET LESS THAN 16 MPG. GOT IN A CAR ACCIDENT APR 2014, SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK WHEN I WAS REAR-ENDED, MY FACE ALMOST HIT THE RADIO (INITIAL REASON FOR MY CALL TO GM-CHEVY LINE POSTED ON THEIR WEBSITE TODAY, LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER AS TO WHY MY IGNITION WON'T WORK PROPERLY AND FOUND OUT ABOUT FAULTY IGNITIONS ON MY CAR) GM STATED, AFTER GIVING THEM MY VIN THAT MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL!!! WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON??!! AFTER BEING ACCUSED OF "BLAMING GM FOR MY CAR PROBLEMS", I ASKED FOR A SUPERVISOR AND WAS HUNG UP ON. NO JOKE. SHE ALSO STATED NHTSB WAS AT FAULT. I'M SURE THEY RECORD ALL THE CALLS. I ENDED UP JUST CALLING THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SCHEDULED MY CAR FOR DIAGNOSTICS FOR TUE, 9/2/14. BUT THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WELL.....I'LL PULL MY KEY OUT TO SHOW THEM HOW EASILY THE KEY JUST COMES OUT AT ANY POSITION, AND THEN WHEN THE TECH TRIES TO START MY CAR AND CAN'T, AND IS STUCK IN THEIR GARAGE, WILL MY CAR BE ADDED THEN GM?? ?!!! I HAVE SO MANY ISSUES I COULD GO ON AND I SEE THAT SO MANY OTHERS HAVE REPORTED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THIS IS WHAT IS DONE TO US? NOW I'M ANGRY AND AFRAID. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10629257

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

32,000 miles · Feb 16, 2008
Air BagsEquipmentPower TrainCrashInjury

NUMEROUS FAILURES ON THIS CAR. THE A/C AND TRANSMISSION DEFECTIVE IN THE FIRST 100 MILES. THE POWER WINDOW FAILED. TRANSM. SHIFTED ON CURVES AND WOULD MOMENTARILY LOSE ALL CONTROL OF CAR. COMPLAINED THAT HAD NO WHEEL DRIVE IN WET OR SNOW. WOULD JUMP SIDEWAYS OR SKID. ,NOW HEAD-ON INTO PHONE POLE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, SEA…

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NUMEROUS FAILURES ON THIS CAR. THE A/C AND TRANSMISSION DEFECTIVE IN THE FIRST 100 MILES. THE POWER WINDOW FAILED. TRANSM. SHIFTED ON CURVES AND WOULD MOMENTARILY LOSE ALL CONTROL OF CAR. COMPLAINED THAT HAD NO WHEEL DRIVE IN WET OR SNOW. WOULD JUMP SIDEWAYS OR SKID. ,NOW HEAD-ON INTO PHONE POLE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK. AS A RESULT, HIT STEERING WHEEL AND DASHBOARD. INJURIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10218190

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2005
Seat BeltsInjury

WHEN UNBUCKLING THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT MY GRANDSON SOMEHOW GOT IT AROUND HIS WAIST. IT RETRACTED SO QUICKLY THAT WE COULD NOT FREE HIM FROM IT. AS WE WOULD PULL ON IT TO TRY TO GIVE HIM BREATHING ROOM, IT WOULD PULL TIGHTER. HE WAS BECOMING UNABLE TO SPEAK & BREATHE. SOMEONE CAME OUT WITH A KNIFE AND WE WERE ABLE TO CU…

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WHEN UNBUCKLING THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT MY GRANDSON SOMEHOW GOT IT AROUND HIS WAIST. IT RETRACTED SO QUICKLY THAT WE COULD NOT FREE HIM FROM IT. AS WE WOULD PULL ON IT TO TRY TO GIVE HIM BREATHING ROOM, IT WOULD PULL TIGHTER. HE WAS BECOMING UNABLE TO SPEAK & BREATHE. SOMEONE CAME OUT WITH A KNIFE AND WE WERE ABLE TO CUT THE BELT. I CONTACTED GM AND THEY GAVE ME LINKS TO PROPER SEAT BELT USE & CHILD RESTRAINT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10133040

Mileage unknown · May 5, 2005
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AFTER BEING HIT IN THE REAR WHILE STOPPED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT ENGAGE.*MR THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SOME INJURIES WHEN HE WAS PUSHED FORWARD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASH. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10120423

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