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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

What owners actually said

638 reports
43,000 miles · Oct 13, 2010
Power TrainService Brakes, ElectricTires

2005 EQUINOX BOUGHT USED IN 2007AT 35000 MILES-I WAS CONFUSED WHY SOMEONE WOULD TRADE SUCH A NEW CAR IN-BRAKES CONTINUE TO WEAR DOWN-IGNITION HAD TO BE REPLACED,CAR WOULD JUST DIE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY-CAR ALMOST FEELS LIKE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE GAS-TIRES THAT I BOUGHT 1 YEAR AGO ARE WEARING …

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2005 EQUINOX BOUGHT USED IN 2007AT 35000 MILES-I WAS CONFUSED WHY SOMEONE WOULD TRADE SUCH A NEW CAR IN-BRAKES CONTINUE TO WEAR DOWN-IGNITION HAD TO BE REPLACED,CAR WOULD JUST DIE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY-CAR ALMOST FEELS LIKE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE GAS-TIRES THAT I BOUGHT 1 YEAR AGO ARE WEARING OUT- *TR

NHTSA ODI #10360246

44,635 miles · Sep 30, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSuspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, SHE HEARD LOUD WHINING GRINDING NOISES OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON THE OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME FAILURE AND THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED EACH TIME. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. RECENTLY, THE DEA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, SHE HEARD LOUD WHINING GRINDING NOISES OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON THE OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME FAILURE AND THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED EACH TIME. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. RECENTLY, THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVE SHAFT BEARING AND THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT UPPER STRUT MOUNT ALONG WITH THE LOWER STRUT INSULATOR, SWAY BAR LINK AND COIL SPRING WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE AIR BAG AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AS 44,635. UPDATED 01/19/11 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED EMISSION DUE TO A FAULTY GAS CAP. UPDATED 02/22/11

NHTSA ODI #10358478

111,275 miles · Sep 28, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

IN APRIL OF 09 THE TRUCK WAS LEAKING OIL, HAD HEAD GASKET REPLACED. IN JUNE 2010 THE ENGINE OVERHEATED HEAD GASKETS WAS REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. WHEN RECEIVED TRUCK BACK FROM DEALER TRUCK DIED ON FREEWAY AND NOW IT NEEDS NEW FUSE BLOCK AND MAIN COMPUTER. JUST PAID 2500 IN REPAIRS AND DEALER WANTS 1500 AND CANNOT TELL ME IF THAT W…

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IN APRIL OF 09 THE TRUCK WAS LEAKING OIL, HAD HEAD GASKET REPLACED. IN JUNE 2010 THE ENGINE OVERHEATED HEAD GASKETS WAS REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. WHEN RECEIVED TRUCK BACK FROM DEALER TRUCK DIED ON FREEWAY AND NOW IT NEEDS NEW FUSE BLOCK AND MAIN COMPUTER. JUST PAID 2500 IN REPAIRS AND DEALER WANTS 1500 AND CANNOT TELL ME IF THAT WILL FIX THE CURRENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. TRUCK IS NOW WORTH 3,000. THIS WAS A 24,000 TRUCK. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10358082

67,000 miles · Sep 23, 2010
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIVE INTO SAFE MODE AND SLOW DOWN TO 10 MPH. THE TRACTION LIGHT, A GREEN ENGINE AND AN ORANGE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DECREASE IN SPEED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE D…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIVE INTO SAFE MODE AND SLOW DOWN TO 10 MPH. THE TRACTION LIGHT, A GREEN ENGINE AND AN ORANGE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DECREASE IN SPEED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A CAR WASH. THE DEALER THOUGHT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY WATER MAKING CONTACT WITH THE WIRING HARNESS, BUT THAT REPAIR DID NOT WORK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTINUE WORKING ON THE FAILURE, BUT THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78000.

NHTSA ODI #10357110

68,750 miles · Sep 22, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingSeatsFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE WIRES UNDER THE SEAT WERE GETTING HOT AND MELTING, BUT THE SEAT WAS NOT GETTING HOT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE WIRES UNDER THE SEAT WERE GETTING HOT AND MELTING, BUT THE SEAT WAS NOT GETTING HOT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,750. UPDATED 01/04/11*LJ ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE SEAT WERE AFTER MARKET AND THERE WAS NO WIRING CHART. ALSO, THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS WORN. UPDATED 01/07/11

NHTSA ODI #10356974

74,000 miles · Sep 17, 2010
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes, Electric

SINCE 2008, I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES GRINDING & SQUEAKING EVEN AFTER GETTING THEM REPAIRED (FRONT AND REAR BRAKES / ROTORS REPLACED). A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER REAR BRAKES REPLACED THE ABS & TC LIGHTS WERE ON. I HAD TO HAVE SENSORS REPLACED. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED CAR NOT STARTING AND SOUNDING L…

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SINCE 2008, I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES GRINDING & SQUEAKING EVEN AFTER GETTING THEM REPAIRED (FRONT AND REAR BRAKES / ROTORS REPLACED). A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER REAR BRAKES REPLACED THE ABS & TC LIGHTS WERE ON. I HAD TO HAVE SENSORS REPLACED. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED CAR NOT STARTING AND SOUNDING LIKE IT IS FLOODING, AFTER LETTING CAR SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES IT THEN STARTS. THERE IS ALSO A POPPING NOISE THAT COMES FROM THE BACK OF CAR AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE. WHEN CHANGING SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE CAR OCCASIONALLY JERKS & SHOOTS FORWARD. WHEN PRESSING THE GAS, THE CAR TAKES A FEW MOMENTS THEN JERKS FORWARD. NOW I'M BEING TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING BAD & I HAVE TO PAY $350 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO DETERMINE IF THEY CAN REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION OR HAVE TO REPLACE IT, WHICH WILL COST BETWEEN $1800 TO $3000. THERE IS A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE RECALL BUT MY CAR IS NOT COVERED. NOTE: VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY ACCORDING TO THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE TIMETABLE PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10356219

101,000 miles · Sep 17, 2010
Service Brakes, ElectricCrashInjury

WHEN I FIRST HIT THE BRAKES, THE CAR DID NOT BRAKE. THERE WAS A GRINDING SOUND FOR ABOUT 4 SECONDS AND THEN THE BRAKES GRABBED HARD AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THEN THE LIGHTS CAME ON STATING THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES AND TRACTION CONTROL DO NOT WORK. THE NEXT TIME I STARTED THE CAR, THE LIGHTS FOR THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES AND TRACTION …

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WHEN I FIRST HIT THE BRAKES, THE CAR DID NOT BRAKE. THERE WAS A GRINDING SOUND FOR ABOUT 4 SECONDS AND THEN THE BRAKES GRABBED HARD AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THEN THE LIGHTS CAME ON STATING THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES AND TRACTION CONTROL DO NOT WORK. THE NEXT TIME I STARTED THE CAR, THE LIGHTS FOR THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES AND TRACTION CONTROL WERE NOT ON. I WAS DRIVING 50 MPH. TRAFFIC STOPPED FAST. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES, BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THERE WAS THE GRINDING SOUND AS BEFORE, AND THEN I CRASHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10356198

90,000 miles · Sep 17, 2010
Suspension

2005 EQUINOX STRUTS WENT BAD, MAKING TERRIBLE THUMPING NOISE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10356152

2,000 miles · Aug 29, 2010
Electrical System

MY 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX TENDS TO STALL. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THE TC LIGHT COMES ON, AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WITH A DOWN ARROW COMES ON. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS AFTER IT RAINS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND THE FIRST TIME THEY JUST RESET THE COMPUTER. THE SECOND TIME THEY SAID IT WAS A LEAK …

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MY 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX TENDS TO STALL. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THE TC LIGHT COMES ON, AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WITH A DOWN ARROW COMES ON. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS AFTER IT RAINS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND THE FIRST TIME THEY JUST RESET THE COMPUTER. THE SECOND TIME THEY SAID IT WAS A LEAK IN THE SUNROOF THAT LEAKS DOWN TO THE COMPUTER WIRES. THIS IS A CHEVY PROBLEM FROM THE DAY WE BOUGHT THE CAR. NOW THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND IT WILL COST TOO MUCH TO FIX. USUALLY I CAN TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND TURN IT BACK ON AND IT FIXES IT SELF, BUT SOMETIMES I HAVE TO WAIT TILL IT STOPS RAINING AND LET THE CAR DRY OUT. NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON, AND STALLS OFTEN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE CAUSE IT MAKES THE ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING NO MATTER WHAT THE SPEED. I HAVE NOTICED THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, AND COULD CAUSE A WRECK IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10352602

80,000 miles · Aug 28, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO THE CAR ITSELF, AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND WINDOW SWITCHES. I PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX FROM CHRIS NICKEL DEALERSHIP (USED). FOR $10,000 ON JUNE 12, 2010 ;NOT EVEN 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL UP......IT HAD THE MOTOR IN THE WINDOW GO OUT…

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THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO THE CAR ITSELF, AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND WINDOW SWITCHES. I PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX FROM CHRIS NICKEL DEALERSHIP (USED). FOR $10,000 ON JUNE 12, 2010 ;NOT EVEN 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL UP......IT HAD THE MOTOR IN THE WINDOW GO OUT......HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED..... AT 8 WEEKS OF OWNING IT....THE BRAKES WERE SQUEALING........TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP......THEY SAID IT IS NORMAL FOR THESE CARS AND BRAKES TO DO THAT........THEY SAID THEY TURNED THE ROTORS AND GRAVITATED THEM AND SAID IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM......ON MY WAY HOME....THE CAR AIR CONDITIONER WAS BLOWING OUT HOT AIR......I ONCE AGAIN CALLED THE DEALERSHIP......THEY SAID IT WAS MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY LOW FREON........HOWEVER 2 WEEKS LATER IT STARTED MAKING A FUNNY NOISE........TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT.......TOLD IT I WAS TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT......IT WOULD LOCK UP THE ENGINE.........IT COST 918.00 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED.......(CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO LET THEM KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM....REFUSED TO LISTEN AND MAKE CUSTOMERS HAPPY........ IN MY PURCHASE......THEY HAD A CERTIFIED MECHANIC INSPECTORS SIGNED AND DATED FORM SHOWING THAT ALL ITEMS HAD BEEN CHECKED AND THEY WERE IN TIP TOP SHAPE........NOW I AM WONDERING DO THEY JUST GO THROUGH AND PLACE A CHECK MARK IN ALL THE BOXES BECAUSE SOME OF THE BOXES WERE CHECKED AND THEY ARE NOT INCLUDED IN MY CAR.......... I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM IN THESE VEHICLES AND COSTING CONSUMERS LOTS OF MONEY THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PUT OUT.....PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM.......MAKE THE CONSUMERS HAPPY CHECK OUT THIS WEBSITE FOR MORE COMPLAINTS ON THE 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2005/CHEVROLET/EQUINOX/COOLING+SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10352504

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.

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