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, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, May 15, 2014
THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING, THE HEADLIGHTS ONLY WORK ON HIGHBEAM, THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK EXCEPT FOR THE SMALL ONE IN THE MIDDLE. THE CAR WILL CONTINUE TO TRY TO START EVEN AFTER THE KEY IS REMOVED. THE CAR CURRENTLY RUNS HOT SO THE FAN RUNS CONSTANTLY AND RUNS THE BATTERY DOWN. I HAVE PARKED THE CAR AND WONT DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, May 13, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,659.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 9, 2014
I HAD TO HAVE MY BATTERY REPLACED TODAY. MY BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT IS NOT COMPLETELY TURNED OFF WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN PARK. FOR A YEAR OR SO I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD AND MY CARS KEY HAS BEEN REMOVABLE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE ASKED ABOUT THE IGNITION SWITCH BEFORE TO MY DEALERSHIP OVER THE YEARS WITH NO RESOLVE. SINCE THE RECALL OF OTHER GM MODELS DURING THE SAME YEAR MY CAR WAS MADE RECENTLY I HAVE READ OVER THESE ISSUES AND MY EQUINOX IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I DO NOT HAVE TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK FOR THE KEY TO BE TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. NOW MY BATTERY IS BEING COMPROMISED DUE TO IT NOT COMPLETELY BEING ABLE TO SHUT OFF. *TR
Electrical system, May 9, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT IT FAILED TO DO SO. ADDITIONALLY, SHE WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT THE VEHICLE POWERING OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Electrical system, Apr 21, 2014
FIRST WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 25 MPH I HIT MY KEY RING AND THE KEYS FELL OUT. THE CAR CONTINUE TO RUN I JUST PUT THE KEYS BACK IN TO THE IGNITION WHEN I CAME TO A STOP. I HAVE SINCE FOUND THAT YOU CAN START THE CAR AND THEN REMOVE THE KEY AND ALL CONTINUE TO RUN AND WORK. ALSO FOUND THAT WHEN I WENT TO START THE CAR THE OTHER DAY, ONCE I TURNED THE KEY TO START IT WOULD KEPT RUNNING THE STARTER. LET ME EXPLAIN A LITTLE BETTER, WHEN I TURNED THE KEY TO START THE CAR AND THEN LET GO THE CAR STARTER CONTINUE TO RUN UNTIL I MOVED THE KEY TO THE OFF POSTION. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 11, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS ERRONEOUSLY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE ENGINE WAS ACTIVE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND NOTIFIED THE LOCAL DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000....UPDATED 12/09/15 *BF UPDATED 8/21/2017*CN
Electrical system, Apr 10, 2014
I CAN START MY CAR AND THEN PULL THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE THE CAR IS STILL RUNNING. THIS ISSUE STARTED IN NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR (2013) AND MY EQUINOX ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 10, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, SHE ERRONEOUSLY STRUCK THE KEY RING AND THE IGNITION KEY RELEASED ONTO THE CONSOLE CUP HOLDER. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO OPERATE WITHOUT THE KEY BEING POSITIONED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PLACED THE KEY BACK INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE ENGINE WOULD OPERATE AT ANY GIVEN TIME WITHOUT THE KEY BEING PERMANENTLY PLACED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Electrical system, Apr 10, 2014
KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHEN IGNITION IS NOT OFF . CAN AND DOES FALL OUT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE NO MATTER WHAT GEAR THE SELECTOR SHIFT IS IN ( INCLUDING PARK). *TR
Electrical system, Apr 10, 2014
PROBLEMS WITH POWER WINDOWS AND DOOR SPEAKERS. HAD READ ABOUT ISSUES WITH THE WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE FRAME. I TOOK THE RUBBER BOOT OFF TO FIND 4 BROKEN WIRES. I WOULD IMAGINE THE OTHER DOORS ARE SIMILAR. HAVEN'T CKD THEM AS OF YET. I HAVE PICTURES IF YOU LIKE. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 2, 2014
I CAN PULL THE IGNITION KEY FOR MY 2005 OUT OF THE IGNITION OR IT CAN FALL OUT WHILE THE CAR IS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE KEYS WEAR OUT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE CAR WAS ABOUT 2 YEARS OLD. I BOUGHT IT NEW IN APRIL 2004. I DISCOVERED THIS WHEN I ACCIDENTALLY KNOCKED THE KEY OUT (FORTUNATELY DIRECTLY INTO MY HAND SO I WAS ABLE TO REINSERT IT QUICKLY.) I HAVE TO REPLACE KEYS ABOUT 2 YEARS BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS WEAR OUT. SO FAR NOTHING HAS HAPPENED WHEN THIS OCCURS BUT I AM PETRIFIED THAT THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF WHICH WILL LOCK UP THE STEERING, ETC. I DON'T INTENTIONALLY TAKE THE KEY OUT WHILE DRIVING, BUT WHAT IF IT FALLS OUT? IT'S SO LOOSE IN THE IGNITION THAT IT COULD.I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY EQUINOX OWNER WITH THIS PROBLEM. I CONTACTED GM WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED. THEIR REACTION WAS BASICALLY, "OH WELL, TRY A NEW KEY." I DID, AND THE DEALER RIPPED ME OFF FOR A WHOLE BUNCH OF MONEY TO "PROGRAM" KEYS THAT DON'T NEED TO BE PROGRAMMED (I DIDN'T FIND THIS OUT UNTIL A COUPLE YEARS LATER WHEN I BOUGHT THE NEXT SET OF KEYS ONLINE AND DIDN'T NEED TO PROGRAM THEM.) NOW, I JUST BUY KEYS ON LINE WHEN THE OLD ONES WEAR OUT. GIVEN THE PROBLEMS GM HAD WITH IGNITIONS IN THIS TIME SPAN, I THINK THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED AT CLOSELY. WHO KNOWS WHAT PROBLEMS (DEATHS?) MAY HAVE OR WILL OCCUR BECAUSE IF IT. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A BIT AFRAID OF THIS PROBLEM, AND NOW AM EVEN MORE SO. UPDATED 06/09/14 *BF *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 29, 2014
ON TRIP STOPPED FOR GAS,PULLED KEY OUT ONLY WENT 1/2 WAY. WAS STUCK WOULD NOT GO IN OR OUT. COULD NOT TURN KEY TO START THE VEHICLE.WAS WAITING FOR SERVICE, HEARD THE DOOR LOCKS CYCLE ON THEIR OWN, PANIC BUTTON ON. THEN KEY WOULD TURN AND VEHICLE WOULD START. REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AS PER THE DEALER. COST $587. THIS HAPPENED TWICE BOTH TIMES WHILE TRYING TO FUEL UP THE VEHICLE. SINCE THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS TWICE AGAIN AND DO NOTICE EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE KEY. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 18, 2014
I CONTACTED CHEVROLET EARLY ON ABOUT THIS PROBLEM TO NO AVAIL, THEY CLAIMED IT IS NOT COVERED. YET, ONLINE I WAS ABLE TO SEE THAT NUMEROUS CONSUMERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. RECENTLY, IT SEEMED THAT GM WAS RECALLING VEHICLES WITH A SIMILAR IGNITION PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THEM AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED SIMPLY BECAUSE IT DOES NOT SHUT OFF. THIS WAS ALL DONE OVER THE PHONE WHICH IS AN AMAZING DIAGNOSTIC TOOL THEY HAVE. I WAS ADVISED TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TO A DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIAN AND HAVE THEM CHECK IT OUT. WHEN ASKED WHAT THE COST WOULD BE, I WAS ADVISED THAT WOULD BE NORMAL SERVICE FEES WHICH IS A WASTE OF MONEY SINCE IT WOULD BE CHEAPER TO REPAIR IT AT MY MECHANIC WITHOUT ANY DEALER DIAGNOSTIC FEES. ITS DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURE DEFECT YET NO ONE WILL ADMIT IT. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 17, 2014
1ST TIME, GOING DOWN STEEP HILL, COULD NOT STOP VEHICLE, THOUGHT BRAKES DIED, HAD TO USE THE HAND BRAKE TO STOP, JUST MISSED A TRUCK BY A FOOT, WOULD OF HIT ME ON DRIVER SIDE. THAT WAS IN 2012 HAD SUV TOWED TO ROBINSON TOWNSHIP, NON GM DEALER, THEY SAID IT WAS THE IGNITION SENSOR, REPLACED IT, RE-TOWED TO GM DEALER IN MOON TOWNSHIP. THEY CHECKED IT OUT IT WAS OK SINCE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. 2ND TIME WAS IN 2013, STOPPED COMING DOWN A HILL AGAIN, NO POWER AGAIN, CALLED AAA THEY TOWED TO GM DEALER IN MOON TOWNSHIP PA. AGAIN IGNITION SENSOR REPLACED AND ALSO SOME OTHER WIRES BURNED WHICH WERE ALL REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS AROUND 33,000 ON IT ONLY. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 17, 2014
WENT TO START MY CAR AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I JIGGLED IT FOR A LONG TIME AND IT FINALLY TURNED BUT THE HEADLIGHTS WONT WORK NOW. I LOOKED ON LINE AND SAW A FEW OTHER HAVE THIS ISSUE. I CANNOT DRIVE AT NIGHT NOW. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 12, 2014
DRIVING ON SMOOTH ROAD AT ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN THE IGNITION KEY FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH ONTO THE CAR FLOOR. THE SWITCH WAS STILL IN THE RUN POSITION AND I WAS ABLE TO REINSERT THE KEY INTO THE SWITCH. THE ENGINE DID NOT STOP AND THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 73500. I NOTICED I CAN MANUALLY PULL THE KEY FROM THE SWITCH AT ANYTIME. I HAVE NOT TRIED TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE MOVING TO SEE IF IT WILL LOCK WHEN THE KEY IS OUT AND THE SWITCH IS IN THE RUN POSITION. IT DOES NOT LOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND THE SWITCH IS IN THE RUN POSITION WITH THE KEY OUT. I HAD THE CAR INTO THE DEALER FOR A BRAKE ISSUE AND IN A FOLLOW UP PHONE CALL BROUGHT THE KEY ISSUE TO THE SERVICE WRITERS ATTENTION. SHE SAID TO HAVE A NEW KEY MADE BY THE DEALER USING THE VEHICLE VIN. I DID NOT DO THIS YET. I HAVE THREE KEYS MADE BY LOCAL HARDWARE STORES ALL WITH THE SAME RESULT. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 6, 2014
THE IGNITION GETS HUNG UP AND WONT ALLOW TO START OR MOVE IGNITION SWITCH TO TURN OFF UNLESS YOU GIGGLE IT AROUND. THIS PROBLEM IS SOMETIMES HELPED BY GOING TO THE DEALER AND GETTING A NEW KEY. THIS WEARS OUT IN A FEW MONTHS AND THE PROBLEM RETURNS. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Dec 2, 2013
CAR WILL NOT START UNLESS I CHANGE THE REAR BRAKE FUSE. WHEN I CHANGE IT, IT CONTINUES TO BLOW OUT.. *TR
Electrical system, Service brakes, Oct 31, 2013
IT BEEN IN CHEVY DEALER FOR REPAIR HUB REPLACE WIND IN DEALER REFUND COST. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 8, 2013
KEY KEEPS GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHEN TRYING TO REMOVE THE KEY, AFTER MONTHS OF THIS AND COMPLAINING BOUT IT TO CARMAX AND THEM NOT FINDING A "PROBLEM" THE KEY WOULD NO LONGER WORK, TURN IN THE IGNITION. NOW THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIR. THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH MANY CHEVY EQUIONXES FROM 2005-2010. *TR
Electrical system, Service brakes, Aug 9, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BRAKES BEGAN TO PULSATE WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AFTER REPEATEDLY APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMALLY AND HAD BEEN TAKEN TO FOUR INDEPENDENT MECHANICS FOR DIAGNOSIS, ALL OF WHICH WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FRONT BRAKES, ABS SENSORS AND ABS MODULE WERE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. MOST RECENTLY, A TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT PROBLEM COULD POSSIBLY BE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Electrical system, Aug 3, 2013
I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION AND SHUT OFF TRUCK . GOT OUT AND PRESSED TWICE ON THE LOCK ON KEYLESS ALARM SYSTEM . THE TRUCK LOCKED BUT NO HONK . CAME OUT OF GAS STATION AND TRIED TO UNLOCK TRUCK WITH KEYLESS SYSTEM . NOTHING . HAD TO USE KEY TO GET IN . PUT KEY IN IGNITION TO TURN ON AND BING BING BING NOTHING . NO ELECTRONICS WORK TRUCK DOESN'T DO ANYTHING . *TR
Electrical system, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Service brakes, Jul 24, 2013
I PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX LT ON 7/20/2005 FROM GRAFF CHEVROLET IN GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS AND HAVE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED OF RECALLS ! I SPENTS HOURS ON THE PHONE WITH GM'S CUSTOMER SERVICE TRYING TO GET ASSISTANCE TO NO AVAIL.. THE GMPP DIDN'T HELP ME, JUST MONEY I PAID FOR NOTHING! *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Jun 24, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD BECOME RESISTANT TO BEING INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THEY FELT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V302 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167,000. *TR
Suspension, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 12, 2013
MY REMOTE WOULD NOT LOCK THE DOORS. REPLACED BATTERIES. IT WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK ONCE. THEN NOTHING. FUSE BLOWN. REPLACE FUSE. WORK ONCE, BLOW FUSE. TOOK TO DEALER AFTER 3 MONTHS OF NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCESS MY TRUNK SPACE, YOU CAN'T OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE WITHOUT REMOTE. A WIRE INSIDE THE PASSENGER DOOR HAD SOMEHOW BEEN SEVERED??? HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN. $685 TO FIX.... NEXT HUGE ISSUE: DRIVING DOWN ROAD.. FRONT END GONE???? STRUTS, LINKS...$1100 CAR WON'T START ...HAVE TO GIVE IT GAS, SEEN A LOT OF THESE WITH NO IDEA WHAT'S WRONG. WELL DEALERSHIP SAYS ITS FUEL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT, BAD INJECTORS... GRAND TOTAL TO FIX $2000.. IN WHAT WORLD SHOULD A VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT EVEN 100K MILES ON IT HAVE SO MANY COSTLY FIXES......I LOOKED ON HERE TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE IS HAVING THE STARTING ISSUE.. SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF PEOPLE. *TR