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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
35,000 miles · Apr 2, 2007
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicVisibility

MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP OR DOWN, IT JUST FAILED COMPLETELY. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT THE WIRES INSIDE THE DOOR ARE COMPLETELY BROKEN. THE SYSTEM NEEDED TO FIX IT IS BACK ORDERED SO I HAVE TO WAIT TO HAVE IT REPLACED. FOUR DAYS LATER MY BRAKES BECAME THE NEW PROBLEM. ON MY WAY TO SCHOOL, I WAS APPROACHING A ST…

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MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP OR DOWN, IT JUST FAILED COMPLETELY. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT THE WIRES INSIDE THE DOOR ARE COMPLETELY BROKEN. THE SYSTEM NEEDED TO FIX IT IS BACK ORDERED SO I HAVE TO WAIT TO HAVE IT REPLACED. FOUR DAYS LATER MY BRAKES BECAME THE NEW PROBLEM. ON MY WAY TO SCHOOL, I WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT AND BEGAN APPLYING THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. IT MADE A VIBRATING NOISE AND THRUST ITSELF FORWARD. IT WASN'T A GRINDING SOUND BUT CLICKS AND VIBRATION. LUCKILY THERE WASN'T ANYONE IN FRONT OF ME OR COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. I THOUGHT IT SOMETHING I DID AND CONTINUED DRIVING CAREFULLY. AT THE NEXT STOP I WAS UNABLE TO SLOW DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN. I PASSED THE TURN COMPLETELY BEFORE THE CAR SLOWED ENOUGH TO TURN. THIS SCARED ME SO I PULLED OVER AND CALLED FOR HELP. AFTER TAKING A TEST DRIVE WITH A CAR REPAIR PERSON WHO INFORMED ME IT WASN'T MY BRAKE PADS OR ROTORS. HE SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE MY ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM FAILING AND I SHOULD CALL THE DEALERSHIP. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN. GM ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOWED IT. THAT WAS SATURDAY AND TODAY IS MONDAY, THE DEALERSHIP WORKER TOLD ME SHE DROVE IT AND SHE HAS BEEN DRIVING FOR 12 YEARS AND SHE DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES BUT THEY WILL PUT IT ON THE ELECTRIC DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE TO DOUBLE CHECK IT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE WITH MY CHILDREN. THE FACT THAT THE CAR MAY NOT STOP OR THE BRAKES MAY FAIL AT ANY TIME IS SCARY. I SHOULD HEAR FROM THEM BY THIS EVENING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10186748

Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON AN INCLINE THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY. THE CHECK ENGINE OCCASIONALLY ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE ENGINE STALLED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A CRACKED SPARK PLUG WHICH WAS …

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TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON AN INCLINE THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY. THE CHECK ENGINE OCCASIONALLY ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE ENGINE STALLED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A CRACKED SPARK PLUG WHICH WAS CAUSED BY RAIN ENTERING THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AND COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE SPARK PLUGS. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED, AND A SHIELD WAS SEALED TO PREVENT WATER FROM COMING INTO CONTACT WITH SPARK PLUGS. THE CONTACT STATED APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS LATER SHE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER REMOVED AND REPLACED THE SPARK PLUG, THE WIRE AND THE COIL. A MONTH LATER THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A CRACKED SPARK PLUG WAS THE REASON FOR THIS OCCURRENCE. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD 33,000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10186029

8,795 miles · Mar 13, 2007
Electrical System

ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE AFTER BEING DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MILES. CLICKING SOUND HAPPENS EACH TIME (APPROX 15) AND ENGINE STRUGGLES TO ENGAGE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10184958

21,523 miles · Feb 26, 2007
Steering

ON JANUARY 26 I TOOK MY 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX TO THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHICH I PURCHASED IT (CLASSIC EAST, MADISON OHIO 44057) FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND MENTIONED THAT I HEARD A RATTLE IN MY STEERING COLUMN WHEN I WAS ON ROUGH ROAD. THEY ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE NOISE BY ADJUSTING THE PRELOAD STEERING GEAR, BUT IT DID NOT WORK SO THEY S…

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ON JANUARY 26 I TOOK MY 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX TO THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHICH I PURCHASED IT (CLASSIC EAST, MADISON OHIO 44057) FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND MENTIONED THAT I HEARD A RATTLE IN MY STEERING COLUMN WHEN I WAS ON ROUGH ROAD. THEY ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE NOISE BY ADJUSTING THE PRELOAD STEERING GEAR, BUT IT DID NOT WORK SO THEY SPECIAL ORDERED A PART. I RETURNED ON FEBRUARY 1 AND THEY ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE NOISE BY INSTALLING A POWER STEERING GEAR, BUT THAT DID NOT WORK. USING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM GENERAL MOTORS, THEY RAN SEVERAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND ULTIMATELY ENDED UP REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN ON FEBRUARY 2. ON FEBRUARY 3 I PHONED THE DEALERSHIP TO LET THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT KNOW THAT THE STEERING DID NOT FEEL RIGHT- IT WAS ALTERNATELY VERY LOOSE OR VERY TIGHT. I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING, SO THAT WAS NORMAL. I STATED THAT IT HAD NEVER BEEN THAT WAY BEFORE, BUT WAS ASSURED THAT IT WAS NORMAL AND I SHOULD DRIVE IT FOR A WHILE TO SEE IF IT GOT BETTER. ON FEBRUARY 24, I WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AND HEARD A SNAP IN MY STEERING COLUMN. AT THAT POINT, I HAD LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND WAS ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL 360 DEGREES WITH NO IMPACT ON THE TIRES OR CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AT THAT TIME. AT THIS TIME, THEY HAVE NOT YET DETERMINED IF THIS WAS DEALER INSTALLATION ERROR OR A FAULTY PART. NM

NHTSA ODI #10183470

600 miles · Feb 12, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

2005 CHEVY EQUINOX AWD, 3 STARTERS, 3 COOLANT TANKS, ALL COOLANT HOSES CHANGED, HEATER CHANGED TWICE, A PILLAR PANELS LEAKED AIR, RADIATOR REPLACED, BATTERY BOLT REPLACED, REAR SHELF BROKE, CONSTANT COOLANT SMELL IN CAR, MADE WIFE SICK, HAD CAR 5 MONTHS APPROX, SPEND AROUND 90 + DAYS IN SHOP, DEALER DID ALL THEY COULD, BUT G.M.…

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2005 CHEVY EQUINOX AWD, 3 STARTERS, 3 COOLANT TANKS, ALL COOLANT HOSES CHANGED, HEATER CHANGED TWICE, A PILLAR PANELS LEAKED AIR, RADIATOR REPLACED, BATTERY BOLT REPLACED, REAR SHELF BROKE, CONSTANT COOLANT SMELL IN CAR, MADE WIFE SICK, HAD CAR 5 MONTHS APPROX, SPEND AROUND 90 + DAYS IN SHOP, DEALER DID ALL THEY COULD, BUT G.M. REFUSED TO WORK ON CAR UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE, G.M. " FORCED " TO BUY BACK UNDER LEMON LAW, BOUGHT TOYOTA, PERIOD. HAVE ALL RECEIPTS AND PAPER WORK FOR ANYBODY INTERESTED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10182415

37,640 miles · Jan 22, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

VEHICLE'S ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED TO BRING VEHICLE TO STOP ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS DURING THE PAST 2 WEEKS. ALL OCCURRENCES WERE DURING OR IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING A MEASURABLE SNOWFALL. IN THE FIRST INCIDENT MY VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION AT NOT MORE THAN 15 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED WITH LOAD GRINDING NOISE …

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VEHICLE'S ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED TO BRING VEHICLE TO STOP ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS DURING THE PAST 2 WEEKS. ALL OCCURRENCES WERE DURING OR IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING A MEASURABLE SNOWFALL. IN THE FIRST INCIDENT MY VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION AT NOT MORE THAN 15 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED WITH LOAD GRINDING NOISE AND SLID THOUGHT THE STOP LIGHT, FORTUNATELY WITHOUT ACCIDENT. IN THE 2ND AND 3RD OCCURRENCES, MY WIFE WAS UNABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP DUE TO THE SAME TYPE OF BRAKE FAILURE AND NOISE, RESULTING IN HER GOING OF THE SHOULDER INTO A DITCH TO AVOID COLLISION. AND FINALLY THE NEXT DAY WHICH IS A MONDAY, I WAS TAKING THE VEHICLE TO OUR CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED WHEN ONCE AGAIN, WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO APPROACH 5-10 MPH WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, I NEARLY REAR-ENDED A SCHOOL BUS DUE TO ANOTHER OCCURRENCE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO BRAKE. A BRAKE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP TOOK THE CAR FOR A TEST DRIVE ON THE BACK LOT FOR 2 MINUTES AND DECLARED THE BRAKES WORKED FINE. FURTHER PERSISTENCE PROMPTED THE SERVICE MANAGER TO TAKE THE CAR FOR A STREET TEST DRIVE AND UPON HIS RETURN HE STATED THE BRAKES WORKED FINE FOR HIM. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR ALMOST 40 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE FRIGHTENED TO DRIVE A CAR ON ICE OR SNOW AS I AM WITH THIS VEHICLE, WHICH BY THE WAY DOES NOT HANDLE WELL IN WIND EITHER. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THE RESPONSE OF MY DEALERSHIP AND FEEL THESE OCCURRENCES ARE VERY SIMILAR IF NOT EXACTLY THE SAME AS THOSE THAT PROMPTED A SIMILAR RECALL OF GM 1999 -2002 MODEL TRUCKS AND SUV VEHICLES IN 2005. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10179375

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN FIXED, HOWEVER ONE REMAINS. THERE IS A POPPING NOISE, COMING FROM THE BACK END, RESULTING IN MANY POPS IN A SERIES, AND THEN IT WON'T DO IT AGAIN. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS AFTER A COLD START AND DRIVING IT FOR A COUPLE MINUTES THEN COMING TO A STOP. HOWEVER IT HAS HAPPENED IMMEDIATELY…

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THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN FIXED, HOWEVER ONE REMAINS. THERE IS A POPPING NOISE, COMING FROM THE BACK END, RESULTING IN MANY POPS IN A SERIES, AND THEN IT WON'T DO IT AGAIN. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS AFTER A COLD START AND DRIVING IT FOR A COUPLE MINUTES THEN COMING TO A STOP. HOWEVER IT HAS HAPPENED IMMEDIATELY AT START UP AND DURING THE COURSE OF DRIVING FOR THE FIRST COUPLE MINUTES.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10178401

Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2006
StructureUnknown Or Other

I AM EXPERIENCING AN EXTREMELY STRONG MILDEW SMELL INSIDE MY EQUINOX. IT IS SO STRONG PEOPLE COMMENT OUTSIDE THE CAR. THE SMELL ALSO PENETRATES CLOTHING SO THAT OTHERS NOTICE THE SMELL. PEOPLE WILL NOT RIDE IN MY CAR. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER TWICE. BOTH TIMES THE ODOR IMPROVES SLIGHTLY (THEY DEPDORIZE THE HVAC) BUT STIL…

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I AM EXPERIENCING AN EXTREMELY STRONG MILDEW SMELL INSIDE MY EQUINOX. IT IS SO STRONG PEOPLE COMMENT OUTSIDE THE CAR. THE SMELL ALSO PENETRATES CLOTHING SO THAT OTHERS NOTICE THE SMELL. PEOPLE WILL NOT RIDE IN MY CAR. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER TWICE. BOTH TIMES THE ODOR IMPROVES SLIGHTLY (THEY DEPDORIZE THE HVAC) BUT STILL OTHERS COMMENT. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING MY 3 YEAR OLD B/C OF THE SMELL. WE HAVE FOUND NO VISIBLE WETNESS OR MOLD. THE RUBBER AROUND TWO WINDOWS WAS LOOSE BUT THE DEALER DID NOT FIND WATER INSIDE THE DOOR. THE SMELL DOES NOT SEEM TO BE COMING FROM THE VENTS BUT MORES SO JUST FROM THE CAR. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10177080

34,300 miles · Dec 13, 2006
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

BRAKE NOISE,THUMPING AND GRINDING. STEERING WHEEL IS VERY TIGHT AND LOOSENS AT ANY TIME. ROTORS ARE FAULTY. WHEN STARTING PERIODICALLY IGNITION SWITCH STICKS IN THE CRANKING POSITION ONCE MANUALLY STARTED UNLESS YOU JIGGLE KEY, CAUSING POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10176014

36,400 miles · Dec 11, 2006
Suspension

2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. IN OCTOBER, 2006, I WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREETS WHEN I LOST STEERING AND MY CAR FELT AS THOUGH A WHEEL WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. AFTER TOWING THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC (I WAS 400 MILES PAST THE 36,000 WARRANTY), I FOUND OUT THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD SNAPPED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10175854

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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