DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE REAR WINDOWS DOWN, THE AIR THUMPS AND POUNDS THROUGH THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSES DISCOMFORT TO THE CONTACT'S EARS. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THIS IS HOW THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED. *AK UPDATED 5/2/2006 - *NM
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 reportsCONSUMER REQUESTING A FILE REPAIR FOR 2005 EQUINOX. *TS THE COSUMER STATED OVER THE PAST YEAR, SHE HAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. *JB
MAP LIGHT LEAKS, FILLED WITH WATER ROTORS REPLACED AT 12,000 MILES ELECTRICAL FAILURE IN HOT WEATHER POPPING AND RATTLING NOISE FRONT END STEREO SPEAKER INTERMITTENT BUZZING NOISE WHEN RADIO NOT ON TIME DISPLAY DOESN'T ALWAYS LIGHT UP NOT NOTIFIED OF PRODUCT EMISSION RECALL BY MANUFACTURER. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. FIRST, THE ENGINE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY NOT CRANK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. SECOND, WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY DID NOT SLOW DOWN. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUMPED SEVERAL TIMES T…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. FIRST, THE ENGINE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY NOT CRANK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. SECOND, WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY DID NOT SLOW DOWN. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUMPED SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE BRAKES TO ACTIVATE CORRECTLY. THIRD, THE TRANSMISSION REVVED HIGH AND INTERMITTENTLY DID NOT CHANGE GEARS CORRECTLY WHILE DRIVING. FOURTH, THE ABS LAMP ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE ABS LAMP WAS RESET. LASTLY, THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW WAS ROLLED DOWN AND WOULD NOT RISE BACK UP. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WINDOW REGULATOR AND THE WINDOW WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPEATEDLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND ADDRESSED THE PROBLEMS THAT COULD BE DUPLICATED AND MADE APPROPRIATE REPAIRS. HARD START/HESITATION AND ALMOST STALLING. ALSO, DETERMINED SPEED SENSOR WAS CAUSING REDUCED POWER. *AK
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DID NOT RETURN TO THE NORMAL RAISED POSITION BUT REMAINED DEPRESSED. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES INTERMITTENTLY AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS "STUCK" TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DID NOT RETURN TO THE NORMAL RAISED POSITION BUT REMAINED DEPRESSED. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES INTERMITTENTLY AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS "STUCK" TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. UPDATED 4/17/2006 - *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS ONLY HALF AN INCH BETWEEN THE FRONT TIRES AND THE MACPHERSON STRUT SUPPORTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THIS IS HOW THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED; THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS WERE AVAILABLE. THE DESIGN OF THE CO…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS ONLY HALF AN INCH BETWEEN THE FRONT TIRES AND THE MACPHERSON STRUT SUPPORTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THIS IS HOW THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED; THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS WERE AVAILABLE. THE DESIGN OF THE COIL SPRING MOUNT HAS A RAZOR SHARP EDGE ON THE STRUT WHICH COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. UPDATED 03/17/06. *JB
DT: THE CONTACT STATED ON MAY 14, 2005 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, AND TO CHECK ON A NOISE THEY COULD HEAR COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ON SEPTEMBER 19 2005 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS CAUSI…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED ON MAY 14, 2005 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, AND TO CHECK ON A NOISE THEY COULD HEAR COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ON SEPTEMBER 19 2005 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING THIS NOISE. A TECHNICIAN TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND HEARD THE NOISE , AND DETERMINED IT WAS THE FRONT STRUTS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE REPAIRS THE VEHICLE WAS STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME NOISE PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK ON A THIRD OCCASION O ON OCTOBER 14, 2005. THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE CLUTCH DRUM MODULE, THE FILTERS, AND THE POWER TRAIN DRIVE LINE WAS LUBRICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND IT EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK
I HAVE TAKEN MY 2005 EQUINOX IN FOR SERVICE 4 TIMES DUE TO POOR FUEL ECONOMY (13 MPG CITY/15 MPG HWY). I JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN JUNE 05. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED CHEVROLET MOTORS CORP WITH MY COMPLAINT. EACH TIME THERE IS SOME ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT THE DEALER PUTS ON THE VEHICLE PER ADVICE FROM GM TECH'S. HOWEVER, MILEAGE ST…
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I HAVE TAKEN MY 2005 EQUINOX IN FOR SERVICE 4 TIMES DUE TO POOR FUEL ECONOMY (13 MPG CITY/15 MPG HWY). I JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN JUNE 05. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED CHEVROLET MOTORS CORP WITH MY COMPLAINT. EACH TIME THERE IS SOME ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT THE DEALER PUTS ON THE VEHICLE PER ADVICE FROM GM TECH'S. HOWEVER, MILEAGE STILL WAY OFF FROM THAT ADVERTISED. *JB
I PURCHASED MY 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX ON AUG. 22, 2005 AND INSTANTLY FELL IN LOVE. SOON AFTER IT BEGAN TO SMELL AS IF MY VEHICLE WAS GOING TO OVER HEAT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECK OUT AND NOTHING WAS FOUND. ALTHOUGH THEY DID ADD MORE ANTIFREEZE. THINGS WERE GOING FINE UNTIL IT GOT COLD OUTSIDE. WHEN STARTIN…
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I PURCHASED MY 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX ON AUG. 22, 2005 AND INSTANTLY FELL IN LOVE. SOON AFTER IT BEGAN TO SMELL AS IF MY VEHICLE WAS GOING TO OVER HEAT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECK OUT AND NOTHING WAS FOUND. ALTHOUGH THEY DID ADD MORE ANTIFREEZE. THINGS WERE GOING FINE UNTIL IT GOT COLD OUTSIDE. WHEN STARTING MY BRAND NEW 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX A POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS THE EXHAUST. THEY REPLACED THE EXHAUSTED AND NOTHING WAS HEARD, AT LEAST FOR TWO WEEKS. NEEDLESS THE SAY THE NOISE HAS COME BACK AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT'S WRONG. TO TOP IT OFF A FOUL SMELL COMES FROM THE VENTS WENT THE HEAT IS ON. I NOW HAVE TO RIDE WITH THE WINDOW SLIGHTLY OPEN BECAUSE THE SMELL IS NOW CAUSE HEADACHES FOR ME AND MY PASSENGERS. I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONDITION OF MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I HAVE A SMALL CHILD THAT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT WHILE TRAVELING IN THIS CAR. *NM
BOUGHT BRAND NEW 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX. BAD ODOR COMING FROM VENTS. DEX COOL IS CORRODING COOLING SYSTEM, AND ENGINE. 17,000 MILES HAVE HAD IT IN 3 TIMES FOR ENTIRE COOLANT SYSTEM FLUSH... STILL IS UN BEARABLE. BE AWARE THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE. CONSEQUENCE- AFTER EXTENDED DRIVE (GREATER THAN 30 MINUTES) RESULTS IN LIGHT-HEA…
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BOUGHT BRAND NEW 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX. BAD ODOR COMING FROM VENTS. DEX COOL IS CORRODING COOLING SYSTEM, AND ENGINE. 17,000 MILES HAVE HAD IT IN 3 TIMES FOR ENTIRE COOLANT SYSTEM FLUSH... STILL IS UN BEARABLE. BE AWARE THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE. CONSEQUENCE- AFTER EXTENDED DRIVE (GREATER THAN 30 MINUTES) RESULTS IN LIGHT-HEADEDNESS, HEADACHE, OR WATERY BURNING EYES. IT LEAVES A FILM OF ANTIFREEZE VAPOR ON THE WINDSHIELD, ON THE INSIDE. GM DOES NOT CONSIDER THIS VEHICLE INOPERABLE. GO FIGURE. GM HAS DONE LITTLE TO SATISFY OUR NEEDS, THEY PAY FOR NEW HOSES AND FLUSH- WHICH OBVIOUSLY DOESN'T WORK. 900 DOLLARS A POP, FOR THE SAME RESULT. PARTS REPAIRED: 5 HOSES (ALL OF THEM) 3X, DEX-COOL 3X. SAFETY IS SOMETHING THEY STRIVE FOR AT GM, WHAT HAPPENED? *NM
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.
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