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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
79,000 miles · Sep 7, 2009
Electrical System

THE SAFETY(PARKING) LIGHTS FRONT OR BACK DO NOT WORK, BRAKE LIGHTS,TURN SIGNALS, HEAD LIGHTS THEY ALL WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283060

39,700 miles · Sep 4, 2009
Power Train

IN MY 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AWD, THE DRIVE SHAFT CENTER SUPPORT BEARING IS BLOWN WITH ONLY 39,000 MILES. SYMPTOMS INCLUDED A SHAKING FELT IN THE FLOORBOARD AT 50MPH AND ABOVE THAT FEELS SIMILAR TO AN UNBALANCED WHEEL. I HAD THE WHEELS BALANCED AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVE SHAFT BEARING SUPPORT. THE VEHICL…

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IN MY 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AWD, THE DRIVE SHAFT CENTER SUPPORT BEARING IS BLOWN WITH ONLY 39,000 MILES. SYMPTOMS INCLUDED A SHAKING FELT IN THE FLOORBOARD AT 50MPH AND ABOVE THAT FEELS SIMILAR TO AN UNBALANCED WHEEL. I HAD THE WHEELS BALANCED AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVE SHAFT BEARING SUPPORT. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN WITHOUT THE SUPPORT DUE TO THE RISK OF DAMAGING THE DRIVE SHAFT POSSIBLY LEADING TO AN ACCIDENT, ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE STAFF. THE DEALER REPORTS THAT THE PART IS ON "NATIONAL BACKORDER" AND THAT HE HAS "12 PEOPLE ALREADY ON THE LIST WAITING." A QUICK SEARCH ON THE INTERNET SHOWS MANY PEOPLE WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM. THERE APPEARS TO BE NO AFTER-MARKET PART AND THE DEALER WAS NOT FORTHCOMING WITH TIMING OF AVAILABILITY OF THE PART. SEEMS THERE IS SIGNIFICANT DEMAND FOR THE DEFECTIVE PART WARRANTING INVESTIGATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282875

39,700 miles · Sep 4, 2009
Power Train

IN MY 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AWD, THE DRIVE SHAFT CENTER SUPPORT BEARING IS BLOWN WITH ONLY 39,000 MILES. SYMPTOMS INCLUDED A SHAKING FELT IN THE FLOORBOARD AT 50MPH AND ABOVE THAT FEELS SIMILAR TO AN UNBALANCED WHEEL. I HAD THE WHEELS BALANCED AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVE SHAFT BEARING SUPPORT. THE VEH…

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IN MY 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AWD, THE DRIVE SHAFT CENTER SUPPORT BEARING IS BLOWN WITH ONLY 39,000 MILES. SYMPTOMS INCLUDED A SHAKING FELT IN THE FLOORBOARD AT 50MPH AND ABOVE THAT FEELS SIMILAR TO AN UNBALANCED WHEEL. I HAD THE WHEELS BALANCED AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVE SHAFT BEARING SUPPORT. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN WITHOUT THE SUPPORT DUE TO THE RISK OF DAMAGING THE DRIVE SHAFT POSSIBLY LEADING TO AN ACCIDENT, ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE STAFF. THE DEALER REPORTS THAT THE PART IS ON "NATIONAL BACKORDER" AND THAT HE HAS "12 PEOPLE ALREADY ON THE LIST WAITING." A QUICK SEARCH ON THE INTERNET SHOWS MANY PEOPLE WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM. THERE APPEARS TO BE NO AFTER-MARKET PART AND THE DEALER WAS NOT FORTHCOMING WITH TIMING OF AVAILABILITY OF THE PART. SEEMS THERE IS SIGNIFICANT DEMAND FOR THE DEFECTIVE PART WARRANTING INVESTIGATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282874

70,000 miles · Sep 1, 2009
Power Train

MY 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX NEEDS A NEW DRIVE SHAFT CARRIER BEARING. THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP WHICH IS TO PERFORM THE REPAIR STATED THAT THIS BEARING IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER AND COULD TAKE BETWEEN 3 WEEKS TO 3 MONTHS FOR A REPLACEMENT BEARING. THE DEALERSHIP, THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY AND GM WILL NOT AUTHORIZE A LOANER CAR. …

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MY 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX NEEDS A NEW DRIVE SHAFT CARRIER BEARING. THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP WHICH IS TO PERFORM THE REPAIR STATED THAT THIS BEARING IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER AND COULD TAKE BETWEEN 3 WEEKS TO 3 MONTHS FOR A REPLACEMENT BEARING. THE DEALERSHIP, THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY AND GM WILL NOT AUTHORIZE A LOANER CAR. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS BEARING IS USED ON MANY TYPES OF GM VEHICLES AND THERE WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH LEAD TO THE PART SHORTAGE. MY CONCERN IS THAT SOMEONE WILL NOT REALIZE THAT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVE SHAFT IS OCCURRING ' POSSIBLY CREATING A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282586

42,000 miles · Aug 27, 2009
Power Train

I OWN A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX: THE CAR STARTED SHAKING WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING. SEE STOP AT A NEAR BY SERVICE STATION TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE CENTER SUPPORT CARRIER BEARING, WHICH HOLDS THE DRIVESHAFT IN PLACE. WE CONTACTED SEVERAL CHEVY DEALERS FOR THE PART AND WERE INFORMED THAT THIS PARTICULAR CA…

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I OWN A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX: THE CAR STARTED SHAKING WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING. SEE STOP AT A NEAR BY SERVICE STATION TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE CENTER SUPPORT CARRIER BEARING, WHICH HOLDS THE DRIVESHAFT IN PLACE. WE CONTACTED SEVERAL CHEVY DEALERS FOR THE PART AND WERE INFORMED THAT THIS PARTICULAR CARRIER BEARING IS OUT OF STOCK, ON BACK ORDER AND NONE WERE AVAILABLE IN THE COUNTRY. THEY PUT US ON A LIST TO HAVE ON ORDERED. I WAS TOLD NOT TO EXPECT IT UNTIL SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER. THIS CAR IS NOW IMMOBILIZED. APPARENTLY, THERE ARE SEVERAL CHEVY EQUINOX'S WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, WHICH NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL PUT INTO EFFECT IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10281992

71,000 miles · Aug 12, 2009
Exterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT HEADLIGHT BULBS CONSTANTLY FAILED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SEALANT WAS LOOSE, WHICH ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER AND BLOW OUT THE BULB. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR REPAIR WAS $500. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTUR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT HEADLIGHT BULBS CONSTANTLY FAILED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SEALANT WAS LOOSE, WHICH ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER AND BLOW OUT THE BULB. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR REPAIR WAS $500. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ODI #10280215

Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, ENGINE WOULD CONTINUALLY ROLL OVER UNTIL STARTING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY MANY TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY TRIED TO TELL ME THAT I WAS HOLDING THE KEY TOO LONG IN THE START POSITION. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES AND HAVE BEEN LICENSED FOR OVER 15 YEARS, NEVER HAPPENED WITH …

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WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, ENGINE WOULD CONTINUALLY ROLL OVER UNTIL STARTING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY MANY TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY TRIED TO TELL ME THAT I WAS HOLDING THE KEY TOO LONG IN THE START POSITION. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES AND HAVE BEEN LICENSED FOR OVER 15 YEARS, NEVER HAPPENED WITH ANY OTHER CAR. NOW 5 YEARS LATER, WITH ONLY 65K MILES, IT STILL ROLLS OVER BUT DOESN'T START. I HAVE TO TRY AGAIN AND PUMP THE GAS A FEW TIMES TO GET IT TO START. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280125

63,900 miles · Aug 7, 2009
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A VIBRATION AND HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CARRIER BARRON WAS FAILING. THE REPAIR …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A VIBRATION AND HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CARRIER BARRON WAS FAILING. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,300; HOWEVER, THE NECESSARY PART WAS ON BACKORDER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,900 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

NHTSA ODI #10279719

65,000 miles · Jul 30, 2009
Power Train

MY 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX BEGAN SHAKING WHEN DRIVING GREATER THAN 50 MPH. THE REPAIR SHOP FOUND IT WAS THE DRIVE SHAFT. THE CARRIER BEARING WAS DETACHED AND NEEDED REPLACED. I AM STILL WAITING FOR THIS PART TO ARRIVE SO THAT MY CAR CAN BE REPAIRED. HOW THIS IS NOT A RECALL IS BEYOND ME. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND GREATER THAN 15-2…

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MY 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX BEGAN SHAKING WHEN DRIVING GREATER THAN 50 MPH. THE REPAIR SHOP FOUND IT WAS THE DRIVE SHAFT. THE CARRIER BEARING WAS DETACHED AND NEEDED REPLACED. I AM STILL WAITING FOR THIS PART TO ARRIVE SO THAT MY CAR CAN BE REPAIRED. HOW THIS IS NOT A RECALL IS BEYOND ME. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND GREATER THAN 15-20 COMPLAINTS ON LINE STATING THE SAME THING FOR THEIR 2005 EQUINOX. PLEASE HELP ME. I AM GETTING NO WHERE WITH CHEVY AND THEY DON'T WANT TO COVER THE PART EITHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10278767

48,467 miles · Jul 29, 2009
Power Train

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX WITH 48K MILES ON IT. RECENTLY I BEGAN HEARING AND FEELING A THUMPING BELOW ME. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND LEARNED THE DRIVE SHAFT CENTER BEARING IS SHOT. DEALER TOLD ME THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN AS THE DRIVE SHAFT COULD FALL AT ANY TIME CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FLIP OR ROLL OVER. IF TH…

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I HAVE A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX WITH 48K MILES ON IT. RECENTLY I BEGAN HEARING AND FEELING A THUMPING BELOW ME. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND LEARNED THE DRIVE SHAFT CENTER BEARING IS SHOT. DEALER TOLD ME THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN AS THE DRIVE SHAFT COULD FALL AT ANY TIME CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FLIP OR ROLL OVER. IF THAT IS NOT BAD ENOUGH HE ALSO TOLD ME THE PART IS UNAVAILABLE AND IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. WE'VE BEEN WAITING OVER A WEEK NOW AND THE DEALER IS SAYING HE DOESN'T SEE ANY CHANCE OF HAVING THE PART IN THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO! I SEE ANOTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINT HERE AND ACCORDING TO THE SALES PERSON WHO SOLD THE CAR, THE PART HAS BEEN REDESIGNED BY GM DUE TO NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH IT. CLEARLY THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER TO DETERMINE IF GM IS WORKING TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH AN APPROPRIATE SENSE OF URGENCY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10278714

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