KEY FALLS OUT OF THE IGNITION SINCE I GOT IT A YEAR AGO I HAVE REPLACED 02 SENSOR AC COMPRESSOR AND A WATER TANK. IT WAS ACTING LIKE IT WASN'T GETTING FUEL LIKE LOSING POWER AND THEN I KILLED IT WENT TO START IT THE NEXT DAY AND IT WON'T CRANK IT WILL TURN OVER AND ACT LIKE IT WANTS TO RUN BUT IT DIES
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Equinox years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
638 reportsTHERE ARE TWO ISSUES WITH THIS EQUINOX. THE FIRST, IS THE KEY SOMETIMES LOCKS ON THE IGNITION AND I CANNOT TURN THE VEHICLE ON NOR TURN THE KEY - IT COMPLETELY LOCKS LEADING TO ANXIETY AND FRUSTRATION BECAUSE IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT TRYING TO PUT THE KEY IN OR EVEN TRYING TO PULL IT OUT OF THE IGNITION. THIS HAS BEEN …
Read full complaint
THERE ARE TWO ISSUES WITH THIS EQUINOX. THE FIRST, IS THE KEY SOMETIMES LOCKS ON THE IGNITION AND I CANNOT TURN THE VEHICLE ON NOR TURN THE KEY - IT COMPLETELY LOCKS LEADING TO ANXIETY AND FRUSTRATION BECAUSE IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT TRYING TO PUT THE KEY IN OR EVEN TRYING TO PULL IT OUT OF THE IGNITION. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE WE FIRST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE. THE SECOND ISSUE IS THE BACK DOOR/HATCH OF THE 2005 EQUINOX DOES NOT OPEN/UNLOCK. THE ONLY WAY TO ACCESS BACK AREA IS TO LOWER BACK SEAT AND CLIMB TO BACK AREA. VEHICLE WASWAS STATIONARY WHEN WE FIRST NOTICED PROBLEM. LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. WHY WASN'T THIS ISSUE MADE INTO A RECALL ISSUE? WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY $150-$200 (ACCORDING TO SOME COMPLAINTS ONLINE) OR MORE OUT OF MY OWN POCKET TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED? I CAN'T EVEN SELL THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I DISCLOSE THESE ISSUES TO POTENTIAL BUYERS AND RIGHT AWAY THEY GET DISCOURAGED AND WALK AWAY. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THIS CAR NOW?
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED BACK ON 02/2019. THE DRIVE SHAFT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE ON 07/2019 AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DEEMED THE VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE ON 12/23/19. THE CONTACT CALLED THE STATE POLICE FOR VEHICLE FRAUD AN DWAS STILL WAITING FOR A CALLBAC…
Read full complaint
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED BACK ON 02/2019. THE DRIVE SHAFT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE ON 07/2019 AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DEEMED THE VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE ON 12/23/19. THE CONTACT CALLED THE STATE POLICE FOR VEHICLE FRAUD AN DWAS STILL WAITING FOR A CALLBACK. THE CONTACT ALSO CONTACTED COUNTY ATTORNEY GENERAL AN RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE STATE'S ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE DEALER M C'S AUTO SALES 1343 CONNELLSVILLE ST, LEMONT FURNACE, PA 15456 (724) 438-0191 STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT ITAND REFUSED TO REFUND THE PURCHASE. THE DEALER TRIED TO REPOCESS THE VEHICLE THE NEXT DAY BUT WAS UNSUCESSFUL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.TF
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND TURNING ON CURVE TOO FAST, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST. THE VEHICLE SWERVED LEFT AND RIGHT ULTIMATELY COMING TO A STOP AFTER CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DURING THE IMPACT THE CONTACT HEAD WAS HIT ON THE W…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND TURNING ON CURVE TOO FAST, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST. THE VEHICLE SWERVED LEFT AND RIGHT ULTIMATELY COMING TO A STOP AFTER CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DURING THE IMPACT THE CONTACT HEAD WAS HIT ON THE WINDSHIELD AND ABRASION TO THE KNEE WERE SUSTAINED. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT SOUGHT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 165,000.
MY KEY TO MY CAR WON'T TURN. AND WHEN YOU DO GET IT STARTED BY HITTING IT THE KEY FALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS MY THIRD TIME REPLACING IT BUT SAW THERE'S BEEN RECALLS FOR THE LOCK IGNITION SWITCH FOR THIS MODEL. IT'S STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN A YEAR AFTER I LAST REPLACED THE LOCK IGNITION SWITCH.
MY UNDER HOOD FUSE BOX WENT UP IN FLAMES WHILE DRIVING ON A BACK ROAD IN MY HOME TOWN. I WAS DOING 45 MPH WHEN THEN TRUCK SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. I AT FIRST THOUGHT WAS THE FUEL PUMP WENT. WHEN I OPENED MY DRIVERS DOOR I COULD SMELL SOMETHING WAS BURNING. I PULLED THE HOOD RELEASE AS I EXITED KINDLY DOWN AND LOOKED UNDER THE …
Read full complaint
MY UNDER HOOD FUSE BOX WENT UP IN FLAMES WHILE DRIVING ON A BACK ROAD IN MY HOME TOWN. I WAS DOING 45 MPH WHEN THEN TRUCK SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. I AT FIRST THOUGHT WAS THE FUEL PUMP WENT. WHEN I OPENED MY DRIVERS DOOR I COULD SMELL SOMETHING WAS BURNING. I PULLED THE HOOD RELEASE AS I EXITED KINDLY DOWN AND LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK DID NOT SEE AND SMOKE. I THEN WENT AND OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THE UNDER HOOD FUSE BOX WAS ON FIRE AND WAS BEING FUELED BY THE BATTERY I RASH TO THE BACK AND GRABBED A PAIR OF PLIERS TO DISCUSS CONNECT THE BATTERY. I FEEL THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE BECAUSE I HAD TO CALL 6 DIFFERENT JUNK YARDS SOME THE PARTS WERE ALREADY REMOVED AND OTHERS DID NOT HAVE ALL BUT HAD ONE OF THEM AND A COUPLE THE PARTS WERE MELTED AND BURNT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND DRIVING STRAIGHT PREPARING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE FRONT QUARTER PANEL OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND ANKLE, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FIL…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND DRIVING STRAIGHT PREPARING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE FRONT QUARTER PANEL OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND ANKLE, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT LOT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. *DT *TR
THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT COME ON WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN YOU GO TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN, THE BRAKES PULSATE AND MAKE IT TO WHERE YOU CAN'T STOP OR SLOW DOWN, EVEN ON DRY ROADS.
OUR CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2005 IS SHIFTING HARD DOWN SHIFT AND UPSHIFT BUT DOESN'T SHOW ANY RECALLS ON THEM WHICH THERE SHOULD SINCE THERE IS PROBLEMS AND ANOTHER VEHICLE SOMEONE ELSE OWNS IS A CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2008 MODEL IS ALSO SHIFTING HARD IT'S A SERIUSE PROBLEM IT COULD CAUSE A WRECK DUE POSSIBILITY SOMETHING LOCKING UP ON IT …
Read full complaint
OUR CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2005 IS SHIFTING HARD DOWN SHIFT AND UPSHIFT BUT DOESN'T SHOW ANY RECALLS ON THEM WHICH THERE SHOULD SINCE THERE IS PROBLEMS AND ANOTHER VEHICLE SOMEONE ELSE OWNS IS A CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2008 MODEL IS ALSO SHIFTING HARD IT'S A SERIUSE PROBLEM IT COULD CAUSE A WRECK DUE POSSIBILITY SOMETHING LOCKING UP ON IT ALSO AT TIMES WHEN YOU TRY AND START IT THE STARTER TRYS TO STAY ENGAGED HAVE TO TRY SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT STARTS RIGHT PLEASE CHECK INTO THE ISSUES BEFORE SOME GETS SERIOUSLY HURT PLEASE!! ALSO THERES BEEN ELECTRICAL ISSUES ON WINDOWS AND ALSO THERES LEAKS FROM OIL NOT FOR SURE IF IT'S A ENGINE ISSUE OR NOT BUT IT COULD GET CHECK TO PLEASE CHECK ALL ON THE CHEVROLET EQUINOXS PLEASE BEFORE SOMETHING SERIOUSLY HAPPENS TO SOMEONE OR US IT HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING IT ANYWHERE
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 …
Read full complaint
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.
Official recalls
104V302000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
Illustration