2005 Chevrolet Equinox
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 638 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 21 Equinox model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 56 involved a crash and 13 involved a fire. 40 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, automatic transmissionJun 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 04V302000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
159 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Aug 20, 2014
THE IGNITION ON MY VEHICLE LITERALLY EATS MY KEY. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY KEY SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE EVENTUALLY KEY WON'T START VEHICLE. ALSO AFTER WEAR OF NEW KEY, THE KEY COMES OUT OF IGNITION WHILE VEHICLE IS RUNNING. *TR
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Aug 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY STEERED TO THE EXTREME RIGHT. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO DRIVE THROUGH A DITCH, ACROSS TRAFFIC, AND THROUGH ANOTHER DITCH. THE CONTACT HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT DID NOT CRASH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE IN ONE DAY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE IGNITION AND MIDDLE DRIVE SHAFT CARRIER BEARING WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 10/09/14*LJ UPDATED 05/18/2015 *JS
Electrical system, Aug 6, 2014
2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THERE WAS AN INTERNAL PROBLEM IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER TUMBLERS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER. THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS, WITH THE IGNITION CYLINDER BINDING UP DUE TO DEBRIS INSIDE THE CYLINDER HOUSING. THE LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. *JB
Electrical system, Jul 30, 2014
KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION. IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Jul 10, 2014
I HAD TROUBLE INSERTING THE KEY IN TO THE IGNITION. AFTER INSERTED I DROVE THE CAR TO THE STORE. WHEN I TURNED OFF THE CAR THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. AFTER WIGGLING THE KEY AROUND IT FINALLY CAME OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED. WHEN I TRIED TO PUT THE KEY BACK IN THE IGNITION THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NOT UNLOCK. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE COLUMN UNLOCKED AND THE KEY WAS ABLE TO BE INSERTED AND THE CAR STARTED. THIS HAS OCCURRED REPEATEDLY SINCE THE ABOVE DATE. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 8, 2014
THE KEY BECOMES LOOSE IN THE IGNITION AND CAME OUT WHILE CAR WAS ON OR IN MOTION. SPENT OVER $400 TO REPAIR IT AND NOW GM HAS MADE A MAJOR RECALL IN THE AREA BUT NOT ON THE 2005 EQUINOX. I HAD IT REPAIRED IN OR AROUND NOVEMBER 2013. *JS
Electrical system, Jul 3, 2014
CAN NOT TURN THE IGNITION KEY. I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THE 2005 EQUINOX. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS ME AND MY PROBLEM BY THE DEALER. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 2, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE KEY WOULD DETACH FROM THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED DAILY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER MADE A NEW IGNITION KEY, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX MONTHS LATER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Structure, Service brakes, Jul 1, 2014
WATER SEEPED IN UNDER SUN ROOF, DOWN FRONT DRIVER SIDE ROOF PILLAR AND THEN INTO CAR BEHIND DASHBOARD THEN DRIPPED DOWN INTO COMPUTER CONTROL DEVICE (WHERE OBDII UNIT HOOKS UP) WHERE IT SHORTED OUT ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I WAS GOING DOWN A HILL INTO TOWN WHERE SPEED IS 45 MPH AND MY SISTER IN LAW WAS IN CAR AND WE WERE HEADING TO AIRPORT HOWEVER ENGINE JUST SHUT DOWN. BRAKES AND STEERING BECAME REALLY MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. WE COASTED TO A STOP AND AFTER 15 MINS CAR STARTED UP BUT WITH SIGNIFICANTLY DIMINISHED POWER SO I DROVE INTO A SERVICE STATION WHERE CAR STAYED FOR NEXT 2-DAYS. I DISCOVERED WHAT SHUT CAR DOWN WHEN I STARTED SQUIRTING WATER ONTO ROOF AT A CAR WASH AND WATER STARTED DRIPPING DOWN ONTO CARPET FLOORING BUT FIRST IT SEEPED INTO COMPUTER CONTROL UNIT. I WAITED OUT DRYING OF UNIT AND THEN DROVE HOME AND APPLIED A LOT CAULK TO SUNROOF WHERE GLASS MEET METAL/RUBBER. CAR EXTERIOR ROOF NOW LOOKS TERRIBLE AS CAULK DRIED SORT OF A BROWN CRUD COLOR (CAR IS WHITE) BUT NO MORE (KNOCK ON WOOD) ENGINE STALLING WHEN IT RAINS OR I GO THROUGH A CAR WASH. MAKES ME VERY NERVOUS WHEN ON ROAD AND IN RAIN. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 1, 2014
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE KEYS CAME OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE CAR REMAINED DRIVABLE. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER, REINSERTED THE KEY AND CONTINUED ON THE TRIP. THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED AT ANY TIME. THE IGNITION HAS BEEN REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE BUT THE CAR IS STILL HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 1, 2014
I HAVE HAD AN IGNITION PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY A YEAR OR MORE. WHEN I PUT KEY IN IGNITION, I HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING IT TO TURN TO START VEHICLE. AND THEN, WHEN I WANT TO TURN CAR OFF, IT IS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION. I TOOK TO CHEVY DEALER IN KENOSHA, WI AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT ON RECALL LIST AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT MYSELF. I JUST WONDER WITH ALL THESE RECALLS GOING ON WITH CHEVY FOR THE SAME ISSUE THAT I AM HAVING WITH MY CHEVY, WHY THEY WON'T FIX IT AND COVER EXPENSES? PLEASE HELP! *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Jun 23, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V302000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 9/18/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WOULD SPUTTER TO A STOP NEED TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY FAILED COMPLETELY. UPDATED 02/12/2015 *JS
Electrical system, Jun 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,000.
Electrical system, Jun 11, 2014
DRIVING ON FREEWAY DOING 70 MILES A HOUR. KEY FELL OUT OF IGNITION AND CAR KEPT GOING. PULLED OVER AND PUT KEY BACK IN AND FOUND I COULD REMOVE THE KEY AT ANYTIME THE CAR IS RUNNING AND I COULD PUT IT IN ANY GEAR WITH KEY PULLED OUT AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Jun 11, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE KEY WAS DETACHING FROM THE IGNITION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V302000 (POWER TRAIN). WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70.
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 9, 2014
HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 2 IGNITION SWITCHES WHICH RESULTED IN CAR BEING TOWED EACH TIME. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 5, 2014
WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK AND KEYS ARE OUT OF THE IGNITION THE CAR STILL THINKS THE KEY IS IN THE IGNITION OR THE CAR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IT IS IN PARK. *TR THE CAR IS IN PARK AND KEY IS OUT OF IGNITION, YOU CAN STILL MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT THE WHEEL LOCKING AND THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK DOES NOT LOCK WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING. SOMETIME THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK AND THAT IS WHEN THE DOOR LOCK WORKS AGAIN. MOST OF THE TIME THE STEERING WHILE DOES NOT LOCK WHEN IN PARK OR IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. THIS IS A SCARY ISSUES WITH ALL CURRENT RECALLS OF KEY LOCKS AND POSSIBLY NOT THE CAR DOES NOT KNOW THE VEHICLE IS OFF AND LOCKS ARE NOT WORKING. THANK YOU! *TR
Steering, Electrical system, May 23, 2014
I TODAY JUST BOUGHT A USED 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX LS FROM A DEALERSHIP IN ROCHESTER,NH - ( OWED CAR FOR ONLY 3 HR ) ONCE I PULLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY I REALIZED THAT MY CAR MIGHT BE PART OF THE 2014 RECALL ON (KEYS) AND I HAD WATCHED THE CNN BROADCAST WHERE THEIR SHOWED DRIVER WHO THINK THEIR CAR MIGHT BE PART OF THE ISSUE HOW IT MIGHT HAPPEN IN A CONTROLLED TEAT WELL I DID THE SAME THING WHILE THE CAR WAS IN THE BREAKDOWN LANE JUST OUTSIDE OF THE DEALERSHIP HEADING HOME AND I TRIED IT WITH 3 LIGHT TUG THE CAR STALLED I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AS I WAS NOT GOING VERY FAST ( ONLY 5 MPH) WHEN I GOT HOME IN MY OWN GARAGE I TRIED IT AGING WHILE IN A PARKED AND IT HAPPENED AGING I REPEATED THIS 3 MORE TIME TO ENSURE IT WAS NOT A ERROR ON MY PART - I THEN CALLED THE DEALERSHIP LEFT A MESSAGE ABOUT THIS AS IF IT CAN GETREPIRED - UNDER MY WARRENTY I LIKE TO DO SO AS I HAVE ON MY KEYT CLIMBING CARBINE I USE FOR WORK AS A FOOD DELIVERY GUY I THEN CALLED GM RECALL HOTLINE AND WAS BOUNCE AROUND TO 3 DIFFERENT WOMEN WHO TOOK MY INFOR AND TOLD ME MY CAR NOT PART OF THE RECALL SO I CANT GET IT FIXED . . .AS OF RIGHT NOW BUT I CAN LEAVE A MESSAGE FOR NHTSA TO GET A RECALL ON MY CAR STARTED *** 3 LITTLE TUGS ON THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX LS (AUTO) AND THE CAR STALLED OUT - WHILE IN PARK - AND GOING 5 MPH IN A BREAKDOWN LANE. *TR
Electrical system, May 23, 2014
THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THIS VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE. THE KEY MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION AT ANY TIME, EVEN IF THE CAR IS RUNNING. THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY LOCK AT ANY TIME SO THAT THE CAR MAY NOT BE STARTED. THE IGNITION SWITCH DAMAGES THE CAR KEY CAUSING THE CYLINDER TO BE FILLED WITH METAL SHAVINGS. THIS IS AN ONGOING, WELL KNOWN PROBLEM. GM'S ANSWER IS TO CLEAN AND LUBRICATE THE IGNITION CYLINDER. THIS DOES NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, May 23, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION INTERMITTENTLY. THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND TO BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIME FRAME HAD EXPIRED TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V302000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Electrical system, Service brakes, May 20, 2014
I TO OWN A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX WHICH I PURCHASED BRAND NEW, WITH ONLY 34,400 MILES ON IT TO DATE. OUR CAR IS VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND IT LOOKS AS GOOD AS THE DAY WE TOOK IT OFF THE CAR LOT. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY CAR,YOU COULD REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND THE MOTOR IS STILL RUNNING ,ALSO AROUND THE IGNITION THERE IS METAL SHAVINGS .I NOW HAVE WORN OUT THE SECOND KEY AND THE IGNITION DOES NOT LOCK AND WHEN IT DOES YOU CANNOT OPEN IT TO START. SO, I MADE A MARK ON THE IGNITION WHERE TO TURN THE KEY OFF SO I CAN START IT THE NEXT TIME.THE VEHICLE'S BOTH REMOTES DO NOT WORK. I PAID $65.00 FOR A NEW ONE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND NOW IT DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. I LOCK THE DOORS THEN, THEY WON'T OPEN WE HAVE TO USE THE KEY AND HURRY UP TO START THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE ALARM GOES OFF.I TO HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY, BUT I CHALK THAT UP TO AGE, ALSO 4 SETS OF FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS, 4 SETS OF TIRES AND MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 34,400 MILES ON IT. BEING A PA. STATE INSPECTION MECHANIE I CONCURR THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE INGNITION SWITCH AND IN MY OPINION A POSSIBLE DEFECT IN THE FRONT BRAKING SYSTEM.I HOPE GM LOOKS INTO THE PROBLEM ...UPDATED 06/09/14 *BF UPDATED 06/11/2014 *JS
Steering, Electrical system, May 20, 2014
KEY DOES NOT STAY IN THE IGNITION WHILE THE SUV IS IN DRIVE OR BEING DRIVEN AND ALSO WHILE IT IS IN PARK, THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, IN WHICH I'VE COMPLAINED TO GM. UPON CONTACTING GM CUSTOMER SERVICE TO DETERMINE IF MY VEHICLE WAS APART OF THE RECALL FOR FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES, I WAS INFORMED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO COVER THE COST TO HAVE REPAIRED SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
Electrical system, May 20, 2014
IGNITION SWITCH HAS PROBLEMS - THE KEY WILL NOT GO IN AT ALL, OR PARTIALLY GOES IN AND GETS STUCK, GOES IN FULLY AND GETS STUCK, OR COMES OUT WHILE THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING. CURRENTLY THE KEY WILL NOT GO IN RENDERING THE CAR TOTALLY INOPERABLE. THE CAR IS HARD TO START AT TIMES - IT TAKES SEVERAL TRIES TO GET IT TO TURN OVER, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE. THE HEADLIGHTS MAY OR MAY NOT GO TO HIGH BEAM AND THE DASH LIGHTS MAY OR MAY NOT TURN ON AT ALL. THERE IS CONSTANT FLUCTUATION. DUE TO THE COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ WITH REGARD TO THE SAME PROBLEMS I BELIEVE THAT THIS FACT ALONE SHOULD MANDATE AN INSTANT RECALL. I AM DISABLED AND THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION TO MY DOCTORS FOR FREQUENT TREATMENTS THE COST TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE IS NOT WITHIN MY REACH. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, May 19, 2014
THE KEY FAILS SOMETIMES TO TURN IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER, WENT TO MECHANIC, IGNITION SWITCH NEEDS REPLACEMENT. *JS
Electrical system, May 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO TURN PREVENTING THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. T HE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.