← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

638 reports
145,000 miles · Jun 5, 2014
Electrical System

WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK AND KEYS ARE OUT OF THE IGNITION THE CAR STILL THINKS THE KEY IS IN THE IGNITION OR THE CAR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IT IS IN PARK. *TR THE CAR IS IN PARK AND KEY IS OUT OF IGNITION, YOU CAN STILL MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT THE WHEEL LOCKING AND THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK DOES NOT LOCK WHEN THIS IS HA…

Read full complaint

WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK AND KEYS ARE OUT OF THE IGNITION THE CAR STILL THINKS THE KEY IS IN THE IGNITION OR THE CAR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IT IS IN PARK. *TR THE CAR IS IN PARK AND KEY IS OUT OF IGNITION, YOU CAN STILL MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT THE WHEEL LOCKING AND THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK DOES NOT LOCK WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING. SOMETIME THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK AND THAT IS WHEN THE DOOR LOCK WORKS AGAIN. MOST OF THE TIME THE STEERING WHILE DOES NOT LOCK WHEN IN PARK OR IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. THIS IS A SCARY ISSUES WITH ALL CURRENT RECALLS OF KEY LOCKS AND POSSIBLY NOT THE CAR DOES NOT KNOW THE VEHICLE IS OFF AND LOCKS ARE NOT WORKING. THANK YOU! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10596446

130,056 miles · May 23, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

I TODAY JUST BOUGHT A USED 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX LS FROM A DEALERSHIP IN ROCHESTER,NH - ( OWED CAR FOR ONLY 3 HR ) ONCE I PULLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY I REALIZED THAT MY CAR MIGHT BE PART OF THE 2014 RECALL ON (KEYS) AND I HAD WATCHED THE CNN BROADCAST WHERE THEIR SHOWED DRIVER WHO THINK THEIR CAR MIGHT BE PART OF THE ISSUE HOW IT MI…

Read full complaint

I TODAY JUST BOUGHT A USED 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX LS FROM A DEALERSHIP IN ROCHESTER,NH - ( OWED CAR FOR ONLY 3 HR ) ONCE I PULLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY I REALIZED THAT MY CAR MIGHT BE PART OF THE 2014 RECALL ON (KEYS) AND I HAD WATCHED THE CNN BROADCAST WHERE THEIR SHOWED DRIVER WHO THINK THEIR CAR MIGHT BE PART OF THE ISSUE HOW IT MIGHT HAPPEN IN A CONTROLLED TEAT WELL I DID THE SAME THING WHILE THE CAR WAS IN THE BREAKDOWN LANE JUST OUTSIDE OF THE DEALERSHIP HEADING HOME AND I TRIED IT WITH 3 LIGHT TUG THE CAR STALLED I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AS I WAS NOT GOING VERY FAST ( ONLY 5 MPH) WHEN I GOT HOME IN MY OWN GARAGE I TRIED IT AGING WHILE IN A PARKED AND IT HAPPENED AGING I REPEATED THIS 3 MORE TIME TO ENSURE IT WAS NOT A ERROR ON MY PART - I THEN CALLED THE DEALERSHIP LEFT A MESSAGE ABOUT THIS AS IF IT CAN GETREPIRED - UNDER MY WARRENTY I LIKE TO DO SO AS I HAVE ON MY KEYT CLIMBING CARBINE I USE FOR WORK AS A FOOD DELIVERY GUY I THEN CALLED GM RECALL HOTLINE AND WAS BOUNCE AROUND TO 3 DIFFERENT WOMEN WHO TOOK MY INFOR AND TOLD ME MY CAR NOT PART OF THE RECALL SO I CANT GET IT FIXED . . .AS OF RIGHT NOW BUT I CAN LEAVE A MESSAGE FOR NHTSA TO GET A RECALL ON MY CAR STARTED *** 3 LITTLE TUGS ON THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX LS (AUTO) AND THE CAR STALLED OUT - WHILE IN PARK - AND GOING 5 MPH IN A BREAKDOWN LANE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593784

60,000 miles · May 23, 2014
Electrical System

THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THIS VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE. THE KEY MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION AT ANY TIME, EVEN IF THE CAR IS RUNNING. THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY LOCK AT ANY TIME SO THAT THE CAR MAY NOT BE STARTED. THE IGNITION SWITCH DAMAGES THE CAR KEY CAUSING THE CYLINDER TO BE FILLED WITH METAL SHAVINGS. THIS IS AN ONGOING, WE…

Read full complaint

THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THIS VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE. THE KEY MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION AT ANY TIME, EVEN IF THE CAR IS RUNNING. THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY LOCK AT ANY TIME SO THAT THE CAR MAY NOT BE STARTED. THE IGNITION SWITCH DAMAGES THE CAR KEY CAUSING THE CYLINDER TO BE FILLED WITH METAL SHAVINGS. THIS IS AN ONGOING, WELL KNOWN PROBLEM. GM'S ANSWER IS TO CLEAN AND LUBRICATE THE IGNITION CYLINDER. THIS DOES NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593707

150,000 miles · May 23, 2014
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION INTERMITTENTLY. THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND TO BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIME FRAME HAD …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION INTERMITTENTLY. THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND TO BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIME FRAME HAD EXPIRED TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V302000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10593653

20,400 miles · May 20, 2014
Electrical SystemService Brakes

I TO OWN A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX WHICH I PURCHASED BRAND NEW, WITH ONLY 34,400 MILES ON IT TO DATE. OUR CAR IS VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND IT LOOKS AS GOOD AS THE DAY WE TOOK IT OFF THE CAR LOT. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY CAR,YOU COULD REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND THE MOTOR IS STILL RUNNING ,ALSO A…

Read full complaint

I TO OWN A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX WHICH I PURCHASED BRAND NEW, WITH ONLY 34,400 MILES ON IT TO DATE. OUR CAR IS VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND IT LOOKS AS GOOD AS THE DAY WE TOOK IT OFF THE CAR LOT. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY CAR,YOU COULD REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND THE MOTOR IS STILL RUNNING ,ALSO AROUND THE IGNITION THERE IS METAL SHAVINGS .I NOW HAVE WORN OUT THE SECOND KEY AND THE IGNITION DOES NOT LOCK AND WHEN IT DOES YOU CANNOT OPEN IT TO START. SO, I MADE A MARK ON THE IGNITION WHERE TO TURN THE KEY OFF SO I CAN START IT THE NEXT TIME.THE VEHICLE'S BOTH REMOTES DO NOT WORK. I PAID $65.00 FOR A NEW ONE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND NOW IT DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. I LOCK THE DOORS THEN, THEY WON'T OPEN WE HAVE TO USE THE KEY AND HURRY UP TO START THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE ALARM GOES OFF.I TO HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY, BUT I CHALK THAT UP TO AGE, ALSO 4 SETS OF FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS, 4 SETS OF TIRES AND MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 34,400 MILES ON IT. BEING A PA. STATE INSPECTION MECHANIE I CONCURR THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE INGNITION SWITCH AND IN MY OPINION A POSSIBLE DEFECT IN THE FRONT BRAKING SYSTEM.I HOPE GM LOOKS INTO THE PROBLEM ...UPDATED 06/09/14 *BF UPDATED 06/11/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10592908

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

KEY DOES NOT STAY IN THE IGNITION WHILE THE SUV IS IN DRIVE OR BEING DRIVEN AND ALSO WHILE IT IS IN PARK, THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, IN WHICH I'VE COMPLAINED TO GM. UPON CONTACTING GM CUSTOMER SERVICE TO DETERMINE IF MY VEHICLE WAS APART OF THE RECALL FOR FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES, I WAS INFORMED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO COVER T…

Read full complaint

KEY DOES NOT STAY IN THE IGNITION WHILE THE SUV IS IN DRIVE OR BEING DRIVEN AND ALSO WHILE IT IS IN PARK, THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, IN WHICH I'VE COMPLAINED TO GM. UPON CONTACTING GM CUSTOMER SERVICE TO DETERMINE IF MY VEHICLE WAS APART OF THE RECALL FOR FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES, I WAS INFORMED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO COVER THE COST TO HAVE REPAIRED SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10592733

50,000 miles · May 20, 2014
Electrical System

IGNITION SWITCH HAS PROBLEMS - THE KEY WILL NOT GO IN AT ALL, OR PARTIALLY GOES IN AND GETS STUCK, GOES IN FULLY AND GETS STUCK, OR COMES OUT WHILE THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING. CURRENTLY THE KEY WILL NOT GO IN RENDERING THE CAR TOTALLY INOPERABLE. THE CAR IS HARD TO START AT TIMES - IT TAKES SEVERAL TRIES TO GET IT TO TURN OVER…

Read full complaint

IGNITION SWITCH HAS PROBLEMS - THE KEY WILL NOT GO IN AT ALL, OR PARTIALLY GOES IN AND GETS STUCK, GOES IN FULLY AND GETS STUCK, OR COMES OUT WHILE THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING. CURRENTLY THE KEY WILL NOT GO IN RENDERING THE CAR TOTALLY INOPERABLE. THE CAR IS HARD TO START AT TIMES - IT TAKES SEVERAL TRIES TO GET IT TO TURN OVER, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE. THE HEADLIGHTS MAY OR MAY NOT GO TO HIGH BEAM AND THE DASH LIGHTS MAY OR MAY NOT TURN ON AT ALL. THERE IS CONSTANT FLUCTUATION. DUE TO THE COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ WITH REGARD TO THE SAME PROBLEMS I BELIEVE THAT THIS FACT ALONE SHOULD MANDATE AN INSTANT RECALL. I AM DISABLED AND THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION TO MY DOCTORS FOR FREQUENT TREATMENTS THE COST TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE IS NOT WITHIN MY REACH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10592670

89,584 miles · May 19, 2014
SuspensionCrash

PLEASE NOTE I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS VEHICLE WITH OTHER PROBLEMS HAS BAD FRONT END PARTS .THIS TIME IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH FRONT END PARTS THAT COULD FALL OFF FRONT GEARS ETC,I HAD JUST SPENT OVER $1000 ON THE FRONT END .THIS VEHICLE IS A PIECE A JUNK I WANT CHEVY TO FIX AT THEIR DEALER FOR FREE HERE IN MASS AT [XXX]…

Read full complaint

PLEASE NOTE I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS VEHICLE WITH OTHER PROBLEMS HAS BAD FRONT END PARTS .THIS TIME IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH FRONT END PARTS THAT COULD FALL OFF FRONT GEARS ETC,I HAD JUST SPENT OVER $1000 ON THE FRONT END .THIS VEHICLE IS A PIECE A JUNK I WANT CHEVY TO FIX AT THEIR DEALER FOR FREE HERE IN MASS AT [XXX] MY PHONE NUMBER. ANOTHER ONE OF CHEVY BONEHEAD DEFECTS. MY ADDRESS IS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR UPDATED 12/9/2014 *JS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10592513

Mileage unknown · May 19, 2014
Electrical SystemPower Train

THE KEY FAILS SOMETIMES TO TURN IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER, WENT TO MECHANIC, IGNITION SWITCH NEEDS REPLACEMENT. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10592471

65,000 miles · May 16, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO TURN PREVENTING THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. T HE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO TURN PREVENTING THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. T HE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

NHTSA ODI #10588897

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