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
638 reports, newest first.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 6, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT HAD NO ISSUES AFTER THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
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
Service brakes, Aug 13, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S BRAKE CALIPER SEIZED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE A PINCH IN THE BRAKE HOSE CAUSED THE CALIPER TO LOCK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CALIPER AND THE ABS SYSTEM. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE CALIPER SEIZED. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER NOR CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
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.
Visibility, Engine, Aug 8, 2013
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
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
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
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 31, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO START AND DECREASED SPEED WHEN TRAVELING UPHILL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAD REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP TWICE PREVIOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Service brakes, Jul 30, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKES BEGAN GRINDING AND PULSATING WHEN APPLIED. THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.
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
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
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
Exterior lighting, May 10, 2013
CONDENSATION WATER IN HEADLIGHTS SOMETIMES VERY BAD,,,,, *TR
Exterior lighting, Apr 24, 2013
CPSC: I12C0328A. 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. CONSUMER STATED THAT HEADLIGHT LENSES ON VARIOUS NEWER VEHICLES MADE FROM THE CLEAR PLASTIC FADES AND BECOMES CLOUDY AND IS NO LONGER SAFE. *LN
Service brakes, Apr 14, 2013
VEHICLE DEVELOPED A SHUTTER WHEN STOPPING AND ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO TAKE LONGER TO STOP. TOOK THE CAR TO ASE CERTIFIED REPAIR SHOPS AND THEY REPLACED THE WHEEL HUB AND SPEED SENSOR. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. WHAT FINALLY FIXED IT WAS REPLACING THE JUMPER HARNESS #15773652. I SPENT OVER $700 ON THIS ISSUE, BECAUSE IT WAS A SAFETY PROBLEM. THE MECHANICS DID NOT EVEN KNOW TO LOOK FOR THIS PROBLEM, BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT A BULLETIN ISSUED BY GM ON THIS. THE HARNESS AND INSTALL IS ONLY A $68 FIX AND I HAVE HAD NO MORE PROBLEMS IN OVER A YEAR. I HAVE READ ENOUGH REPORTS ON THE INTERNET TO KNOW THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2005 EQUINOX. *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
Other or unspecified, Apr 3, 2013
WE HAD SEVERAL INCHES OF RAIN, I WENT TO GET IN MY CAR FROM WORK TO GO HOME AND THE CAR WAS AN INCH DEEP IN THE FLOOR BOARDS. I COULD NOT TELL WHERE THIS WATER ACTUALLY CAME FROM. I WAS VERY UPSET, THIS WAS AFTER 5:00 PM ON A FRIDAY SO NEEDLESS TO SAY I DID NOT CALL INSURANCE COMPANY UNTIL THE FOLLOWING WEEK. I HAD NOT LEFT ANY WINDOWS DOWN BECAUSE IT HAD RAINED ALL WEEK. I SPOKE WITH A CHEVROLET DEALER NOT THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW FROM, THEY ARE NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. HE INFORMED ME THAT WE NEEDED TO GUT THE CAR AND DRY IT OUT FIRST IN ORDER TO DETERMINE WHERE THE WATER WAS LEAKING IN AT. I SPOKE WITH MY INS. AGENT AND ASKED WOULD THIS BE COVERED AND SHE DID NOT KNOW. SHE CALLED HER STATE FARM OFFICE AND RETURNED A CALL BACK TO ME. SHE STATED THAT AN ADJUSTER IN THE OFFICE TOLD HER THAT MY INSURANCE WOULD PAY FOR THE DRYING OUT OF MY CAR, BUT WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE MECHANICAL ISSUE. I WAS GIVEN A CLAIM NO. I CALLED THE ADJUSTER AND SHE SET UP A RENTAL CAR AND TOLD ME THAT THE CHECK WOULD BE PAYABLE TO ME AND I WOULD PAY THE DEALERSHIP. THIS WAS ON A WEDNESDAY, ON FRIDAY I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE AGENT WHO STATED TO ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY ANYTHING BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE WAS KNOWN FOR MULTIPLE LEAKS. I WAS TOLD ONE THING THEN ANOTHER. I WAS VERY FRUSTRATED AND CALLED GM TO COMPLAIN TO THEM THAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL IF THIS WAS AN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. THEY WERE GOING TO CALL ME BACK AND NEVER ANOTHER WORD FROM THEM. I EXPLAINED TO INS. AND TO GM, AND ALSO TO THE INSURANCE COMMISSION THAT THIS WAS A HAZARD ON THE ROAD DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CAR WAS FOGGING UP FROM INSIDE AND I HAD ICE ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR DUE TO COLD WEATHER.I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP ME WITH THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. I AM SENDING ALL DOCUMENTATION REGARDING THIS ISSUE. *TR ## VIN PASSED ##
Service brakes, Mar 21, 2013, crash
I WAS DRIVING AT APPROX 35 MPH APPROACHING A CURVE IN THE ROAD. I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE CAR FISHTAILED AND SLID SIDEWAYS OFF THE ROAD, DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THE CAR THEN TURNED HEADING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, I HIT A MAILBOX, THEN A PHONE POLE. THE ENTIRE TIME MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE BUT THE CAR WAS NOT SLOWING AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CAR THEN WENT BACK UP THE EMBANKMENT, HIT ANOTHER MAILBOX AND CONTINUED DOWN THE ROAD FOR A VERY LONG DISTANCE WITHOUT SLOWING WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. STEERING WAS NOT RESPONDING, THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, NO HELP, THEN FINALLY SLAMMED IT IN PARK AND PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON TO STOP THE CAR. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 20, 2013, crash
FROM STOPPED POSITION PUT CAR IN REVERSE MOVED APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET, STOPPED. CAR IMMEDIATELY MOVED IN REVERSE AT A HIGH SPEED AND HIT A TELEPHONE POLE, CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. TOTAL INCIDENT ON VIDEOTAPE FROM SECURITY CAMERA. *TR
Steering, Air bags, Mar 14, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A LOUD BANG HEARD FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE RACK AND PINION AND STEERING SHAFT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE AIR BAG FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
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
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.