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: power train
114 reports, newest first. Show all
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
Power train, Jun 16, 2014
THE CENTER DRIVE SHAFT BEARING HAS FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME. ONCE AT 50,000 MILE AND NOW AT 100,000 MILES. COSTLY TO REPLACE 800 DOLLARS. THIS BEARING COULD CAUSE A SEVERE ACCIDENT AN INJURY IF NOT KNOW WHY THE VEHICLE IS VIBRATING. *TR CHEVY SAYS NOT THEIR PROBLEM FOR PARTS TO WEAR OUT. *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.
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
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
Power train, Apr 10, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION IN ANY DIRECTION. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V302000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
Power train, Mar 17, 2014
EQUINOX WAS ON A RECALL PREVIOUS OWNER RECEIVED NOTICE ,I NEVER DID, I HAVE BEEN PURSUING THIS MATTER FOR OVER 7 YEARS,GIVEN TO THE RUN-AROUND BY CHEVY CAN AT -1800-222-1020. *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
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
Suspension, Power train, Oct 22, 2013
MY CENTER BEARINGS WERE REPLACED ABOUT 3YRS AGO THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE THOUGH I HAD HEARD FROM MANY PEOPLE THAT THIS WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. CLUNKING BEGAN UNDER MY CAR AGAIN SO I KNEW WHAT IT WAS. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND THE CENTER BEARINGS WERE BROKE AGAIN AND THE BEARINGS AND THE BACK OF THE DRIVESHAFT ALSO. THE REAR U JOINT WAS ALSO BROKEN. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AS WELL AS DANGEROUS. I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY CAR NO RUNNING OVER LOGS IN THE WOODS OR THINGS OF THAT NATURE HOW CAN THIS KEEP HAPPENING UNLESS IT IS A DEFECT OR FLAW IN DESIGN.THIS TIME WITH THE CLUNKING MY ANTI LOCK BRAKES WERE GOING OFF EVERY TIME I STOPPED TOO.MECHANIC HAD A HARD TIME GETTING THE PARTS TO REPLACE APPARENTLY EVERYONE NEEDS THEM BUT CHEVY SEES NO PROBLEM WITH THIS. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Oct 22, 2013
NOT SURE OF EXACT FIRST DATE CLUNKING SOUNDS UNDER CAR TOOK IT IN AND THE BEARINGS THAT HOLD THE DRIVE SHAFT WERE BROKEN. MECHANIC SAID NEVER SAW SOMETHING LIKE THAT ON A CAR WITHOUT ANY OTHER DAMAGE AND THAT WHEN HE CHECKED WITH LOCAL DEALER WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS HAPPENING A LOT. I REPORTED TO CHEVY ALSO AND YET THEY SAID THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS. *TR
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
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 17, 2013
PROBLEM WITH SWAY BAR LINKS, REPLACED TWICE. STILL PROBLEM WITH FRONT END AS CHEWED UP TIRES...REPLACED STRUTS,STEERING SHAFT,BRAKES FRONT& BACK. FRONT END AND BRAKE PROBLEMS... COST ME OVER $3500 TO THIS POINT,PLUS HEAD& REAR SEAL GASKETS... *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
Power train, Apr 13, 2013
CARRIER BEARING ON 2005 EQUINOX TOTALLY GONE. MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT IS BENT WHICH MOST LIKELY CAUSED THE CARRIER BEARING TO WEAR DOWN. MECHANIC SAID IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO BEND THE DRIVESHAFT UNLESS THE VEHICLE IS IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF VEHICLE AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE HEARD A THUMPING NOISE IN THE REAR OF VEHICLE WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR THE PAST 6 YRS. SEVERAL SHOPS AND DEALERSHIP WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. *TR
Power train, Feb 22, 2013
I HEARD A RATTLING COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR, SO I TOOK IT MY REPAIR SHOP. HE SAID IT WAS A BROKEN CARRIER BEARING, AND ORDERED THE PART. SAID IT WOULD BE $550 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THE NEXT DAY HE CALLED AND SAID HE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO REPLACE JUST THE ONE PART, BUT THAT THE ENTIRE DRIVE SHAFT MIGHT HAVE TO BE REPLACED, FOR AROUND $1200. VERY CONSISTENT WITH OTHER OWNERS' ISSUE. *TR
Power train, Jan 11, 2013
INFREQUENTLY, WITHOUT WARNING, THIS VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WILL ABRUPTLY DOWN SHIFT. THE SHIFT WILL HAPPEN AS THE VEHICLE SLOWS AND VIOLENTLY SLOWS THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY. INFREQUENTLY THIS HAPPENS AS I SLOW TO TURN TO ENTER THE ON RAMP FOR INTERSTATE DRIVING. IN THE MOST RECENT CASE, THE ROADWAY SURFACE WAS VERY SLIPPERY. I WAS JUST BEGINNING A RIGHT TURN AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED VIOLENTLY. THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWING TO THE RIGHT AS THE FRONT TIRES IMMEDIATELY DROPPED THEIR SPEED. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH STABILITY, TRACTION CONTROL OR ANYTIME OF ANTI SKID ACCESSORIES/OPTIONS. THE SLIPPERY ROAD SURFACE GREATLY MAGNIFIED THE EFFECT OF THE UNEXPECTED DOWNSHIFT AND RESULTING IMMEDIATE DROP IN SPEED. UNTIL THIS EVENT, THE DOWN SHIFTING WAS SO INFREQUENT, I WAS ONLY REMOTELY CONCERNED ABOUT IT. MY CONCERN UP UNTIL THIS EVENT WAS MORE FOCUSED MECHANICAL AND NOT CONTROL ABILITY. I QUICKLY MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE GM DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. THEY ASSESSED THE PROBLEM AND CALLED ME TO ADVISE, THERE IS A TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE UPDATE WHICH GM RECOMMENDS FOR THIS TRANSMISSION. IT IS NOT CERTAIN IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT MOST LIKELY IT WILL. I WAS CHARGED $180. TO DIAGNOSE AND REPROGRAM. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN. GM APPARENTLY KNOWS THERE IS A PROGRAM ERROR WHICH NEEDS AN UPDATE, AND I AM SUPPOSE TO PAY TO FIX THE KNOWN PROBLEM? YET THERE IS NO SAFETY BULLETIN FOR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM? I STRONGLY POINTED OUT THIS IS KNOWN PROBLEM IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH CAN BECOME A SERIOUS ACCIDENT UNDER THE RIGHT SURFACE CONDITIONS. THE SERVICE ADVISER AGREED WITH ME, HOWEVER STATED TO THE EFFECT, THIS SOFTWARE UPDATE IS THE REPAIR GM AUTHORIZES. I FEEL THIS SOFTWARE UPDATE NEEDS TO BE MANDATORY FOR OLDER VEHICLES OPERATED IN SLIPPERY ROADWAY CONDITIONS, EVEN A SERVICE BULLETIN WOULD HELP WARN UNSUSPECTING DRIVERS. *TR
Power train, Nov 5, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SHIFTED INTO PARK AND AS SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY. THE CONTACT WAS KNOCKED TO THE GROUND BY THE VEHICLE AND SUSTAINED BRUISING TO THE RIBS. THE VEHICLE DID NOT CRASH INTO ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Power train, Jun 1, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS DAMAGED AS IT CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A PARKED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE POLICE WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE PER THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT IN ORDER FOR THEM TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO WITHDRAW HIS CLAIM. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF THE OUTCOME OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,047.
Suspension, Power train, Nov 18, 2011
THE CARRIER BEARING IS FAULTY ON 2005 EQUINOXES. OUR MECHANIC TOLD US THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO FLIP OVER. THE MAJOR ISSUE IS THAT TO REPAIR THE CARRIER BEARING, THEY HAVE TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE DRIVE SHAFT. THIS HAS TO BE SENT TO CHEVROLET, AND SINCE IT CAN ONLY BE DONE BY THEM, THEY HAVE A STRONG ARM ON THE PRICE. ($1200) IT IS EVIDENT THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT BECAUSE WHEN I BEGAN TO GOOGLE 'DRIVE SHAFT CHEVY', IT GAVE ME 2005 EQUINOX AS A SUGGESTION. THE YEAR WAS SPECIFIC IN THE PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Sep 29, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED A READING OF ZERO. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, WHO REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,190.
Power train, Sep 11, 2011
THE CENTER BEARING ON THE DRIVE SHAFT WORE OUT BACK IN APRIL 2011 AT 83,000 MILES. IT WAS REPLACED BY A GMC DEALERSHIP. THE SAME COMPONENT WORE OUT AGAIN AND REQUIRED REPLACING IN SEPTEMBER 2011. *TR
Power train, Aug 15, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE DRIVESHAFT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THE DRIVE-SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO ORDER A NEW DRIVESHAFT AND WAS ADVISED THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN TWO TO THREE MONTHS. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNTIL THE PART WAS AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Aug 3, 2011
I RECEIVED MY VEHICLE BACK ON 8.2.11 IT HAD BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP SINCE 5.14.11. THE REPAIR MAN REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED THE TRANSMISSION MODULATOR. HE NOTED THAT IT DID "ACT UP" FOR HIM, HOWEVER IT HAD NOT ACTED UP SINCE HIS LAST ATTEMPT AT FIXING IT. IT WAS RAINING WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR. IN THE FIRST 10 MILES I NOTICED THE STEERING PULLED TO THE LEFT A COUPLE OF TIMES. AFTER I HIT DRY ROAD THIS DID NOT OCCUR. AFTER ABOUT 30-60 MILES OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE SINCE GETTING IT BACK, THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED FAILING AND THE VEHICLE WHILE GOING 55MPH STARTS TO FEEL LIKE IT IS GOING TO CEASE TO OPERATE AND STUTTERS. IT IS ALSO NOTED THAT IT FEELS LIKE IT IS NOT GOING TO AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT TO THE APPROPRIATE GEAR. THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP ON FRIDAY 8.5.11. *KB
Power train, Jun 8, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEYS WOULD NOT TURNOVER IN THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WOULD ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE BY WIGGLING THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION FOR APPROXIMATELY TWENTY MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V302000, POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) BUT THE CONTACTS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.