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: engine
165 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Apr 22, 2015
I WENT TO GET MY INSPECTION STICKER AND RECEIVED AN SAFETY/EMISSIONS RECALL SHEET OF PAPER INDICATING THAT I MIGHT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS DEFECT NUMBER: 2529, ENGINE FAMILY:5GMXV02.2025, EMISSION PROBLEM: SOME ENGINE CONTROL MODULES OR POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULES HAVE POTENTIALLY DAMAGED INTEGRATED CIRCUITS. THIS MAY CAUSE THE EGR SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION OR CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO TURN OFF OR THE TURBO SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT A MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME ABOUT THE EGR SYSTEM. IF YOU COULD PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT THIS ISSUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND IF IT IS COVERED OR IF I CAN GET IT REPAIRED AT NO COST TO ME. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 1 YEAR SINCE MARCH 1, 2014. I'M THE SECOND OWNER. *TR
Engine, Apr 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
Engine, Mar 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INDICATED THE A COMPUTER IN THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Engine, Mar 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INDICATED THAT THE COMPUTER IN THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Engine, Mar 3, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE HEAD GASKETS BLEW ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP HAD BEEN CHANGED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKETS FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Engine, Feb 10, 2015
I PURCHASED THE EQUINOX ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO AND IT HAD 1 PRIOR OWNER. SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES.. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH START UP. AND RECENTLY I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE CAR IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK LAST WEEK IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS JUST NOT RUNNING PROPERLY, I ENDED UP STALLING ON THE HIGHWAY AT A VERY DANGEROUS INTERSECTION.. WHEN I FINALLY IT HOME IT STALLED AGAIN IN THE DRIVEWAY.. I'M REALLY HAVING A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING HOW THIS VEHICLE HAS SO MANY ISSUES AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS! I WORK HARD TO PAY THE BILLS I ALREADY HAVE AND REALLY CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP FIXING THING OR PAY FOR A NEW VEHICLE.. PLEASE TELL CHEVY TO PULL THEIR HEADS OUT OF THEIR BUTTS AND TRY HELPING SOME HARD WORKING FOLKS INSTEAD OF TRYING TO KILL THEM! *TR
Engine, Dec 29, 2014
CAR OVERHEATED GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE (ABOUT 65 MPH). BLEW A HEAD GASKET, FIXED THAT. THEN OVERHEATED A WEEK LATER WHILE IN TOWN DRIVING (ABOUT 45 MPH) BLEW A HEAD GASKET AGAIN. *TR
Engine, Visibility/wiper, Nov 6, 2014
WATER NOISE IN DASH FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW. LOOSING ANTIFREEZE BUT CAN'T FIND WHERE. NOW THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK, ONLY BLOWS COLD AIR. CAN BECOME AN ISSUE WHEN DRIVING SINCE WINDSHIELD CAN FOG UP AND YOU CAN'T GET RID OF IT WITH YOUR DEFROSTER... *TR
Engine, Sep 25, 2014
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEEDS THIS VEHICAL BOGGS WAY WAY DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 250 RPMS AND THEN JUMPS BACK UP. NOT SAFE FOR DRIVERS THAT ARE DRIVING BEHIND ME WHEN IT BOGGS DOWN. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND HAVE GOTTEN THE RUN AROUND NOW FOR 2 YEARS AND HAVE REPLACED A LOT OF PARTS TO TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEM ALL BECAUSE GM SAID THEY CAN'T DO A RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS A MODEL MADE DURING THE GOVERNMENT BAIL OUT PROGRAM. WHY IS THIS. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF PEOPLE ASKING ABOUT THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS I'M HAVING AND LIKE ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS GM IS HAVING THEY ARE STRIVING TO COVER THIS ON UP AS WELL. *TR
Engine, Aug 3, 2014
I'VE HAD MY USED 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT UNTIL YESTERDAY. I HAD DRIVEN 32 MILES TO VISIT A RELATIVE AND PARKED THE CAR FOR THE REST OF THE EVENING. THE FOLLOWING DAY, I WENT TO TAKE A RIDE WITH MY FAMILY, AND THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS WENT ON AND THE CAR DIDN'T WANT TO DRIVE NORMAL. I DID A DIAGNOSTIC SCAN AND P0700, P1125, P2125, AND P2138 CODES CAME UP! *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
Engine, Mar 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
Engine, Mar 11, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Engine, Mar 8, 2014
I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 EQUINOX LX WITH MY TWO GRANDCHILDREN WHEN THEY NOTICED A SMELL OF EXHAUST GASES IN THE REAR PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THIS WAS WITH THE HEATING SYSTEM ON AND IN ITS NORMAL CONFIGURATION. AFTER STOPPING I CHECKED THE EXHAUST SYSTEM FOR LEAKS AND COULD NOT IDENTIFY ANY IMMEDIATELY WITH A VISUAL INSPECTION. I OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THE PIPE CONNECTING THE EGR VALVE TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS DISCONNECTED AND EMITTING EXHAUST GAS INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND INTAKE AREA. IT APPEARS THAT THE WELD ON THE PIPE BOSS WAS CRACKED. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE OCCURRED PREMATURELY. AFTER CALLING THE DEALERSHIP FOR A NEW PIPE I WAS TOLD BY THE PARTS DEPARTMENT THE PIPE WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AND I WOULD HAVE TO OBTAIN A KIT WHICH INCLUDED THE PIPE AND A NEW EGR VALVE. MY QUESTION WAS THIS EVER CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL ITEM AS THE KIT IS $360.00. *TR
Engine, Nov 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE AS 120,000.
Suspension, Power train, Engine, Oct 7, 2013
THIS VEHICLE IS A JOKE, I ALREADY PUT MONEY DOWN ON IT AND HAVE ONLY HAD IT A LITTLE OVER 2 WEEKS. 5 DAYS IT WAS ACTUALLY IN MY POSSESSION BUT NOT ABLE TO DRIVE IT MUCH. THE REST OF THE TIME IT WAS AT THE CAR LOTS MECHANIC, IT DIES DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, IT IS HARD TO START AND SOMETIMES WON'T START AFTER 10 TRIES, IT IS SHIFTING HARD AND NOT WHEN IT IS NECESSARY( DOWN SHIFTING WHEN SPEEDING UP) AND IT HAS A HORRIBLE NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHICH THE MECHANIC CAN'T FIGURE OUT. NOT TO MENTION THAT THE FUEL PUMP WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED THANKS TO THE FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING PROPERLY... I FEEL LIKE I JUST MADE A VERY COSTLY MISTAKE( I STILL OWE 6900 ON THIS VEHICLE... ) CHEVY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THIS VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE FIXING THESE PROBLEMS. *TR
Engine, Aug 16, 2013
MY CHEVY HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AFTER ONLY 112K. FROM WHAT CHEVY MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME IT'S BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY EGR VALVE ON THE VEHICLES BECAUSE GM FAILED TO NOTIFY THE OWNERS OF SAID VEHICLES TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FROM THE START. WINDOW MOTORS HAVE GONE BAD AFTER ONLY 45K MILES, BLOWN GASKET, THE NON STARTING, NO AC UNLESS I'M TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, HAVING TO PULLOVER AND STOP TURN CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON TO GET THE HEAT TO KICK ON IN THE WINTER. I'VE CONTACTED GM BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT IT. THE CHEAPEST I COULD FIND FOR MY CAR WAS 3000 TO REPLACE THE GASKETS. I MIGHT AS WELL DROP A NEW ENGINE IN THE CAR FOR THAT BUT WHY PAY THE 3000 TO REPLACE ENGINE FOR IT TO CRAP OUT ONCE AGAIN! WANDER IF I COULD PUT AN 08 ENGINE IN IT?? NEVER WILL I BUY AN EQUINOX AGAIN NOT IN A MILLION YEARS. *TR
Visibility, Engine, Aug 8, 2013
BOUGHT A NEW 2005. 2 MONTHS AFTER WARRANTY WENT OUT THE IGNITION MESSED. HAVE TO WIGGLE THE KEY TO GET IT TO TURN. TWO MONTHS LATER THE HEAT/AC BLOWER CONTROL SWITCH WENT OUT. AT 120,000 MILES LEAKING LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, FIXED THAT. 3 MONTHS LATER BLOWN HEAD GASKET, FOUND BAD FUEL INJECTOR WHILE FIXING THAT. 6 DAYS AFTER ALL THAT WAS FIXED THE PCM/ECM WENT OUT, STILL AT SHOP AS I TYPE. WONDER WHAT IS NEXT. I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED GM PRODUCTS, BUT I BELIEVE THIS IS MY LAST ONE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY TWO MECHANICS THAT THE BEARING IN MOTOR WILL NOW GO BAD SINCE WATER GOT IN OIL TWICE FROM LEAKING GASKETS. 3 MECHANICS TOLD ME THIS MOTOR IS KNOWN FOR BLOWN HEAD GASKETS AND LEAKING LOWING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS. ONLINE THERE IS TALK OF A RECALL ON THE PCM/ECM BUT DEALERSHIP SAYS NO RECALL. *TR
Engine, Aug 7, 2013
CAR STARTED OVERHEATING AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BAD HEAD GASKET AND REPAIRED. AFTER THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPAIRED THE EQUINOX STARTED OVERHEATING AGAIN AND THIS TIME IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD. THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT MOTOR LASTED 3 WEEKS BEFORE IT FAILED AS WELL WITH THE SAME DIAGNOSIS AS BEFORE, A BAD HEAD GASKET. I CONTACTED GM. THEY OFFERED NO SOLUTIONS, OFFERED NO HELP IN REPAIRING OR REPLACING THE ENGINE. THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND THEY KNOW THE ENGINES IN THE 2005 AND 2006 (VIN F) ARE BAD ENGINES SUFFERING FROM A POOR DESIGN. THEY DIDN'T MAKE THE ENGINES ONLY FOR 2 YEARS BECAUSE THEY WORKED SO WELL. NUMEROUS REPORTS ABOUT THE BAD ENGINES WITH GM'S RESPONSE SIMPLY TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON A CAR THAT WON'T LAST PAST 100K MILES. *TR
Engine, Jun 8, 2013
THIS VEHICLE TAKE 4QT OF OIL ,BUT THE BOOK SAID 4.5 QT THAT WILL OVER FILL DIP STICK SHOW OVER A QT FULL CHECK WITH PART DEPT AT CHEVROLET AND WAS TOLD THAT IT ONLY TAKE 4QT WITH FILTER INCLUDED OTHER SERVICE MANUAL ALSO SAY 4QT WITH FILTER 'BECAUSE OF THIS DIFFERENT IN MANUAL CAPACITY THIS HAS CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE OVER THE YEARS. *TR
Engine, Jun 3, 2013
SEEMS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEMS A LOT OF EQUINOX OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING. BLOWN HEADGASKET W/ A PRICE TAG OF 1800.00 TO FIX. *TR
Engine, May 24, 2013
BLOWN HEAD GASKET AT 101,000 MILES. I NOTICED THAT COOLANT WAS DISAPPEARING AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS SLIGHTLY ABOVE NORMAL. I MENTIONED THIS TO THE TECHNICIAN WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE COOLANT WAS MIXING WITH THE OIL AND I SHOULD HAVE IT CHECKED OUT BY A MECHANIC IMMEDIATELY. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED IT AS BLOWN HEAD GASKET. *TR
Engine, Feb 12, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY DEPRESS THE ACCELERATED PEDAL TO START THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FLOOD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Engine, Jan 2, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKETS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT ANTI-FREEZE LEAKED INTO THE MOTOR AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000. UPDATED 02/20/13*LJ UPDATED 02/21/2013 *JS
Engine, Nov 17, 2012
WITH ONLY 36,212 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE, THERE IS NOW A REAR HEAD GASKET LEAKING. NOW, AS A SENIOR CITIZEN WITH A FIXED INCOME, I NEED TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. IT SEEMS TO ME WITH THIS LOW MILEAGE AN ENGINE SHOULD LAST LONGER!! POOR WORKMANSHIP!!!! I SINCERELY HOPE THIS INFORMATION IS SHARED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. *TR