← 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
64,320 miles · Jul 19, 2012
EngineVisibility

MY CAR A/C BLOWS HOT AIR UNLESS I AM TRAVELLING LONG DISTANCES DOWN THE ROAD, HEAT SOMETIMES DOES NOT WORK IN THE WINTER AND I HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN BACK ON TO GET HEATER TO WORK. ALSO WHILE CRANKING THE CAR IT DOESN'T WANT TO TURN OVER AT TIMES UNLESS I STOMP ON THE GAS PEDAL. THIS HAPPENS ARO…

Read full complaint

MY CAR A/C BLOWS HOT AIR UNLESS I AM TRAVELLING LONG DISTANCES DOWN THE ROAD, HEAT SOMETIMES DOES NOT WORK IN THE WINTER AND I HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN BACK ON TO GET HEATER TO WORK. ALSO WHILE CRANKING THE CAR IT DOESN'T WANT TO TURN OVER AT TIMES UNLESS I STOMP ON THE GAS PEDAL. THIS HAPPENS AROUND TWICE A WEEK. FREON IS OK IN MY CAR AND NOBODY CAN FIND THE PROBLEM FOR A/C OR THE REASON IT SOMETIMES WON'T TURN OVER WITHOUT GIVING IT GAS FIRST. ITS HIGHLY UNSAFE TO HAVE AN AIR TEMP DOOR NOT WORK PROPERLY AS IT WON'T DEFROST DURING THE WINTER AND WON'T BLOW COLD DURING THE SUMMER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10466584

115,000 miles · Jul 18, 2012
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING, SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL DRUM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING, SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL DRUM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

NHTSA ODI #10466495

103,900 miles · Jul 6, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System

WAS GOING UP HILL LOST POWER, SOUNDED LIKE CAR DID NOT HAVE MUFFLER, GOT HOME AND THE HOSE GOING TO HEADERS WAS BROKEN. TOOK TO GET FIXED SAID IT HAD BEEN REDESIGNED AND HAD TO ADD NEW PARTS TO FIX COST 400 PLUS LABOR. IF REDESIGNED MUST BE PROBLEM IN MORE THAN ONE CAR. THIS IS NOT RIGHT AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10464389

65,000 miles · Jun 22, 2012
Suspension

CARRIER BEARING FAILED ON CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THIS APPEARS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH 2005 EQUINOX. THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED BY GM. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10462734

67,000 miles · Jun 21, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineFire

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 55-60MPH WHEN THE CAR DIES. STARTED RUNNING AGAIN A FEW SECONDS LATER BUT THEN DIED AGAIN. PULLED OVER COULD NOT GET IT STARTED, BUT STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. POPPED THE HOOD TO FIND THE MAIN FUSE BOX BELLOWING SMOKE, THANKFULLY IT WAS RAINING SO I LET THE RAIN COOL IT DOWN. I FIGURED …

Read full complaint

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 55-60MPH WHEN THE CAR DIES. STARTED RUNNING AGAIN A FEW SECONDS LATER BUT THEN DIED AGAIN. PULLED OVER COULD NOT GET IT STARTED, BUT STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. POPPED THE HOOD TO FIND THE MAIN FUSE BOX BELLOWING SMOKE, THANKFULLY IT WAS RAINING SO I LET THE RAIN COOL IT DOWN. I FIGURED THIS WAS BETTER THAN IT EVENTUALLY CATCHING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE ON FIRE AS MY WIFE AND 3 KIDS WERE IN THE CAR. AFTER THE SMOKE STOPPED, THE CAR REPEATEDLY TRIED TO START ITSELF WITHOUT THE KEY BEING PRESENT IN THE IGNITION. IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED DOING THIS BUT THE DASH LIGHTS WOULD RANDOMLY FLICKER IN UNISON. ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WERE STILL OPERATIONAL (RADIO, LIGHTS, SIGNALS, WIPERS, ETC...) BUT AGAIN NO KEY WAS PRESENT IN THE IGNITION. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10462490

Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2012
Suspension

REAREND WENT OUT DRIVING WITH MY BABY DAUGHTER IN CAR, NO WARNING WHATSOEVER! JUST BOUGHT 6 MONTHS AGO NOW I HAVE A LARGE LOAN AND NO CAR, WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER CHEVY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460860

73,047 miles · Jun 1, 2012
Power TrainCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS DAMAGED AS IT CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A PARKED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP BY …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS DAMAGED AS IT CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A PARKED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE POLICE WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE PER THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT IN ORDER FOR THEM TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO WITHDRAW HIS CLAIM. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF THE OUTCOME OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,047.

NHTSA ODI #10460270

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 …

Read full complaint

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

78,000 miles · May 7, 2012
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY AND THE CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE SLIGHTLY AS THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT WAS FINALLY ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT FENDER OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY AND THE CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE SLIGHTLY AS THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT WAS FINALLY ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT FENDER OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND THE RADIATOR WAS BUSTED AND LEAKING. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING EXTREMELY ROUGH. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE AND CONTACT HIM AT A LATER DATE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. ....UPDATED 06/18/12 *BF UPDATED 06/21/12

NHTSA ODI #10457631

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2012
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

CAR DOESN'T START ON FIRST ATTEMPT. IT TRIES, THEN EVEN AFTER I RELEASE THE KEY IT CONTINUES TO START, LIKE ITS STUCK, I HAVE TO PUMP THE GAS TO GET IT TO START, AND IT ACTS FLOODED. I HAVE SPENT CLOSE TO $5000.00 DOLLARS, BRAKES, WHEEL BEARINGS, EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE FRONT END BEGAN TO FEEL VERY LOOSE. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE S…

Read full complaint

CAR DOESN'T START ON FIRST ATTEMPT. IT TRIES, THEN EVEN AFTER I RELEASE THE KEY IT CONTINUES TO START, LIKE ITS STUCK, I HAVE TO PUMP THE GAS TO GET IT TO START, AND IT ACTS FLOODED. I HAVE SPENT CLOSE TO $5000.00 DOLLARS, BRAKES, WHEEL BEARINGS, EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE FRONT END BEGAN TO FEEL VERY LOOSE. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE STRUTS PREMATURELY FAILED AND CREATED A VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION. REPLACED MOUNTS STRUTS ETC ETC THIS CAR HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW OUT OF THE DEALER. 2005 NEW PROBLEM STEERING WHEEL IS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE DEALER IS SAYING $1300.00 TO REPAIR IT WHEN DOES IT STOP GM / CHEVY NEEDS TO FIX THIS CARS AT NO COST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454856

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