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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.

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
78,000 miles · Oct 15, 2012
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BURNING FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE WINDOWS WERE MALFUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BURNING FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE WINDOWS WERE MALFUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000. UPDATED 12/14/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER'S WINDOW DID NOT WORK AT ALL. UPDATED 12/17/12

NHTSA ODI #10480602

85,700 miles · Oct 6, 2012
Engine

WE PURCHASED A 2005 EQUINOX A FEW MONTHS AGO AND HAVE ONLY PUT ABOUT 1600 MILES ON IT. WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE GETTING HOT, AND THE COOLANT BEING A STRANGE ORANGE-BROWN COLOR AND DISAPPEARING FROM THE OVERFLOW TANK. TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP ON OCT. 2, 2012 AND FOUND OUT IT HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. ESTIMATE F…

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WE PURCHASED A 2005 EQUINOX A FEW MONTHS AGO AND HAVE ONLY PUT ABOUT 1600 MILES ON IT. WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE GETTING HOT, AND THE COOLANT BEING A STRANGE ORANGE-BROWN COLOR AND DISAPPEARING FROM THE OVERFLOW TANK. TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP ON OCT. 2, 2012 AND FOUND OUT IT HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. ESTIMATE FOR GETTING IT FIXED IS A LITTLE OVER $1400, AND MORE IF THE HEAD IS CRACKED. THE REPAIR SHOP INFORMED US THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS A GOOD ENGINE AND THEY ARE VERY SURPRISED THAT IT HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET WITH ONLY 85,700 MILES. WE'RE VERY DISAPPOINTED SEEING ALL THE COMPLAINTS OF OTHER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT GM IS NOT DOING ANYTHING. WE WILL BE CONTACTING THEM NEXT, EVEN THOUGH IT WON'T MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10478871

77,743 miles · Sep 18, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS UNRESPONSIVE TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS UNRESPONSIVE TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIRS AT THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,743.

NHTSA ODI #10475803

107,000 miles · Sep 13, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine

MY EQUINOX HAS TROUBLE STARTING AND IT WILL TURN OVER UNTIL YOU GIVE IT SOME GAS, I'VE BEEN READING ON CONSUMER REPORTS AND THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH MOST EQUINOX'S. I WAS AT THE GROCERY STORE THE OTHER DAY AND HEARD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH ANOTHER THAT WAS PARKED SOME WHAT CLOSE TO MINE AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475320

85,000 miles · Sep 12, 2012
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO ACCESS THE REAR LIFT GATE, THE LOCKING MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONED MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE LIFTGATE FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED (OR THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO ACCESS THE REAR LIFT GATE, THE LOCKING MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONED MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE LIFTGATE FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED (OR THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000. UPDATED 10/17/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ELECTRONIC LOCK FAILED ON THE REAR HATCH. THERE WAS NO WAY TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH FROM THE INSIDE.

NHTSA ODI #10475167

56,000 miles · Sep 4, 2012
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A REALLY LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE CARRIER BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX MON…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A REALLY LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE CARRIER BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS AWAITING REPAIR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FRONT STRUTS WERE DEFECTIVE, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW FAILED, AND WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED IT HESITATED AND FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,300.

NHTSA ODI #10473710

90,000 miles · Aug 21, 2012
Wheels

AS SOON AS THE SPEED REACHES 65, THE WHEELS SHAKE, I HAD TIRES REPLACED, NEW DRIVE BELT REPLACED AND IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. AS I READ SOME OF THE PROBLEM THE 2005 EQUINOX WERE HAVING IT IS THE SAME THING.

NHTSA ODI #10472221

164,000 miles · Aug 7, 2012
Engine

WHILE STOPPED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE ON I-80, CAR STARTED TO RUN VERY HOT, FAN KICKED ON AND IT FINALLY COOLED OFF. UPON ARRIVAL HOME, COOLANT WAS LOW, MY HUSBAND REFILLED COOLANT. CALLED JOHNSON MOTORS AND SCHEDULED A CHECK AND OIL CHANGE. JOHNSON MOTORS SERVICE PERFORMED A COMPRESSION CHECK AND INFORMED MY …

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WHILE STOPPED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE ON I-80, CAR STARTED TO RUN VERY HOT, FAN KICKED ON AND IT FINALLY COOLED OFF. UPON ARRIVAL HOME, COOLANT WAS LOW, MY HUSBAND REFILLED COOLANT. CALLED JOHNSON MOTORS AND SCHEDULED A CHECK AND OIL CHANGE. JOHNSON MOTORS SERVICE PERFORMED A COMPRESSION CHECK AND INFORMED MY HUSBAND THAT ENGINE WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACED FOR PRICE OF APPROXIMATELY $6,000 DOLLARS (WOW). OF NOTE, IN DECEMBER 2010 HEADER GASKETS WERE REPLACED TO A PRICE OF $1,200 DOLLARS, I WENT ON LINE TO FIND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FROM MANY EQUINOX OWNERS CONCERNING THE SAME ISSUES OF HEADER GASKETS GOING BAD AND CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN ON A REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE CARE SCHEDULE WITH ONLY GMC SERVICE TECHNICIANS. I AM SHOCKED THAT WITH REGULAR OIL CHANGES ETC THAT THIS HAPPENED. THIS SITUATION IS DANGEROUS AND REALLY NEEDS A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION. APPARENTLY THE V6 ENGINE USED IN THE EQUINOX VEHICLES IS A PROBLEM ENGINE THAT GMC IS WELL AWARE OF, TIME FOR SOMEONE TO MAKE A CHANGE. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10469515

64,000 miles · Aug 5, 2012
Service BrakesTraction Control System

ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. FEELS LIKE BRAKES ARE STICKING OR NOT RESPONDING. I'LL BE PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AND AS SOON AS I TAKE MY FOOT OFF IT IMMEDIATELY SLOWS DOWN. WHEN I GOT OUT, IT SMELLED LIKE BURNED RUBBER AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE BRAKE AREA. I'VE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE TO GET IT REPAIRED AND NOT…

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ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. FEELS LIKE BRAKES ARE STICKING OR NOT RESPONDING. I'LL BE PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AND AS SOON AS I TAKE MY FOOT OFF IT IMMEDIATELY SLOWS DOWN. WHEN I GOT OUT, IT SMELLED LIKE BURNED RUBBER AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE BRAKE AREA. I'VE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE TO GET IT REPAIRED AND NOTHING HAS WORKED SO FAR. I GOT NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS PUT ON 3 MONTHS AGO AND THEY'RE ALREADY WORN OUT. I'VE ONLY PUT ON ABOUT 1200 MILES ON THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10469242

101,152 miles · Jul 30, 2012
Service BrakesCrash

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE STALLED ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH. HAVE BEEN HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS BRAKES WHEN I PRESSED ON THEM I HAD NO BRAKES HAD TO GO OFF SIDE OF THE ROAD TO STOP SO I WOULDN'T HIT STOPPED VEHICLES. THEN THE ENGINE DOES NOT WANT TO START BACK UP AFTER IT STALLS AND THE TRACTION …

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WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE STALLED ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH. HAVE BEEN HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS BRAKES WHEN I PRESSED ON THEM I HAD NO BRAKES HAD TO GO OFF SIDE OF THE ROAD TO STOP SO I WOULDN'T HIT STOPPED VEHICLES. THEN THE ENGINE DOES NOT WANT TO START BACK UP AFTER IT STALLS AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON. I'VE OWNED THE CAR FOR 3 YEARS AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. I THOUGHT I BOUGHT A LEMON BUT WHEN I READ OTHER PEOPLE AND THEIR PROBLEMS WITH THESE CARS IT SOUNDS LIKE THEIR ALL LEMONS!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10468210

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