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.
Suspension, May 18, 2009
AT APROX 135K MILES, THE STRUTS WENT BAD. I ASSUMED THIS WAS SOMETHING NORMAL CONSIDERING THE MILEAGE HOWEVER THE MECHANIC SAID THIS WAS HIGHLY UNUSUAL. COST TO REPAIR $600. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 18, 2009
AT APPROX 125K MILES THE THERMOSTAT FAILED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 18, 2009
AT INTERMITTENT TIMES, FOR NO REASON, THE VEHICLE WON'T START. IT TURNS OVER LIKE IT WANTS TO BUT THEN DOESN'T. IT DOESN'T DO THIS ALL THE TIME AND THERE'S NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY IT CHOOSES TO DO THIS WHENEVER. I USUALLY HAVE TO GIVE IT GAS IN ORDER FOR THE ENGINE TO FIRE UP. *TR
Suspension, May 18, 2009
AT APROX 140K MILES, THE SWAY BAR LINKS FAILED. LOUD CREAKING NOISE WHEN TURNING, AND GOING OVER BUMPS. UNABLE TO GREASE AND THEREFORE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COST TO REPAIR $200. *TR
Power train, May 18, 2009
AT APPROX 130K MILES THE DRIVESHAFT FAILED. COST TO REPAIR $800. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 18, 2009
AT APPROX 130K MILES THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS CRACKED. $1,800 TO REPAIR. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, May 13, 2009
SEVERE WATER LEAK IN 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AWD LT. WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE IN RAIN CONDITIONS, WATER ACCUMULATES IN THE SPARE TIRE WELL AND OVERFLOWS ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE, EVEN UP TO THE FRONT . IT ALSO SHORTS OUT THE SPEAKER SYSTEM WHICH CRACKLES AND BLARES OUT A LOUD NOISE EVEN WHEN THE RADIO IS TURNED OFF. THE CARPETING BECOMES SOAKED WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND THEN THE VEHICLE HAS A FOUL ODOR. A PHONE CALL TO THE DEALER RESULTED IN AN ANSWER THAT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE. I FEAR THIS WATER IS DAMAGING THE ELECTRICAL PARTS IN THE SPEAKER SYSTEM AND MAY RESULT IN A FIRE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS. *TR
Electrical system, May 3, 2009
I HAVE A 2005 EQUINOX THE FIRST MODEL YEAR FOR THIS VEHICLE. I ORDERED THE CAR NEW FROM THE FACTORY. AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN I TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY START. AT OTHER TIMES THE CAR WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED OFF. ON MAY 3, 2009 THE VEHICLE JUST "DIED" IT WOULD NOT TURN ON. I HAVE JUST OVER 40000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE ELECTRICAL GOES IN AND OUT SINCE THE ENGINE WILL NOT START. THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY THING THAT WORKS, AS IT KEEPS RESETTING ITSELF AFTER THE DOOR IS OPEN AND CLOSED. I DO HEAR SOUNDS OF SOME TYPE SIMILAR TO A COMPUTER TRYING TO RESET OR KICK IN. I TRIED TO JUMPSTART THE VEHICLE BUT THAT DID NOTHING. THE ENGINE WILL JUST NOT TURN OVER. TOWING IT TO THE DEALER TOMORROW. OF COURSE THIS IS A MAJOR HAZARD SINCE IT WAS SO RANDOM, WITHOUT ANY REAL WARNING TODAY, AS I HAD DRIVEN IT ONLY 10-15-MINUTES BEFORE AND HAD JUST RETURNED HOME AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO MOVE CAR SO THAT I COULD CUT THE LAWN AND IT WAS INOPERABLE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 2, 2009
I HAVE A 2005 EQUINOX. IT STARTED LOSING POWER, OVERHEATED THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC WITHIN ONE MILE OF INCIDENT HE TOLD ME I HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET OR CRACKED BLOCK. CODE P1258-ENGINE OVERHEATING. LOST COOLANT, THOUGH THERE WAS NO LEAK UNDERNEATH. *TR
Air bags, Apr 21, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, ANOTHER DRIVER PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR NECK INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY HER INSURANCE AGENCY AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS DESTROYED. THE ADJUSTER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT SHE WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK REGARDING THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Apr 15, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO AVOID A CRASH AND THE BRAKES FAILED. SHE CRASHED INTO A CEMENT OVERPASS AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE CONTACT NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. SHE FEELS THAT THE ABS FAILED AND CAUSED THE BRAKE SYSTEM TO FAIL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISED RIBS AND LACERATIONS TO THE FOREHEAD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE LOT FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, BUT THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 05/05/09 *BF UPDATED 05/06/09.*JB
Exterior lighting, Apr 6, 2009
TURN SIGNAL LIGHT SWITCH WENT OUT AND CAUSES THE BRIGHT LIGHTS TO STAY ON. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 28, 2009
MY 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX WANT START SOMETIMES AFTER SHORT TRIPS. IT WILL TURN OVER BUT WANT CRANK (IT ALMOST ACTS LIKE IT IS FLOODED). THEN AFTER ABOUT 10 OR 20 MINUTES IT WILL CRANK LIKE NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. THIS IS STARTING TO HAPPEN ALL THE TIME NOW. IT IS VERY ANNOYING WHEN THIS HAPPENS. *TR
Structure, Mar 16, 2009
REAR HATCH 'PUMPS' STOPPED WORKING. ONE COULD LOSE A LIMB OR BECOME DECAPITATED. THEREFORE, THE REAR SECTION OF CAR IS NOT USABLE, NOR CAN ONE CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE REAR WINDOW. I DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS IS THE KIND OF THING THAT THE OWNER SHOULD HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING. I HAVE NEVER HAD (OUT OF MANY GM LIFT BACK VEHICLES) THIS TYPE OF THING HAPPEN. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 4, 2009
HAVE TO WIGGLE KEY WHEN TAKING IT OUT OF IGNITION OR IT WILL GET STUCK. STARTING DOING THIS SHORTLY AFTER BUYING IT IN 2005. *TR
Visibility, Mar 4, 2009
THE POST ON WINDSHIELD ARE TO BIG. CREATES BLIND SPOTS WHEN GOING AROUND CURVES OR PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AT CERTAIN ANGLES. *TR
Power train, Mar 2, 2009
I HAVE A 2005 AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE EQUINOX WITH LESS THAN 23000 MILES THIS VEHICLE SHIFTS IN GEAR EXTREMELY HARD WHICH AT TIMES PROPELS YOU FORWARD. IT ALSO HITS HIGH RPM BEFORE IT SHIFTS INTO GEAR. ONE TIME IT HIT ALMOST 6000 RPMS WHILE DRIVING UP HILL BEFORE IT KICKED INTO GEAR. THIS SAME VEHICLE HAS ALSO FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR WHEN TRYING TO PUT IT INTO REVERSE FROM PARK. I RECEIVED A GM BULLETIN FROM MY LOCAL DEALER AND TOLD THIS IS A PROBLEM GM IS AWARE OF BUT WILL NOT COVER TO BE FITTED DUE TO THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT REQUIRING IT. DOES SOMEONE HAS TO BE KILLED FROM THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 22, 2009
IN JANUARY, 2008, I STARTED TO NOTICE AN ANTIFREEZE ODOR WHENEVER THE WEATHER WARMED A LITTLE. ON FEBRUARY 2, I STOPPED TO GET THE CARE WASHED AND WHILE I WAS DRYING IT OFF NOTICED STEAM COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR, WITH A STRONG ANTIFREEZE ODOR. I DROVE THE CAR DIRECTLY TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC, ONE THAT I USE EXCLUSIVELY FOR AFTER-WARRANTY REPAIRS IN MY TOWN. I WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE HAD WHAT SEEMED TO BE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON INITIAL EXAMINATION, BUT THEY WOULD LET ME KNOW FOR SURE AFTER THEY WERE ABLE TO CHECK IT FURTHER. INDEED IT WAS WHAT THEY THOUGHT, AND IT COST ME $970 TO REPAIR. I ASKED THEM WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED SUCH A THING IN A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX THAT WASN'T EVEN 4 YEARS OLD. I WAS TOLD THAT CHEVROLET USES DEX-COOL ORANGE COOLANT IN THIS VEHICLE AND IT HAS BEEN KNOWN TO CAUSE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. IT HAS ONLY BEEN NOW,MONTHS LATER, THAT I HAVE LEARNED GM AGREED TO SETTLE A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT TIED TO THE ENGINE COOLANT IN VEHICLES BEGINNING IN 1995. I HAVE OBTAINED A COPY OF THE PAPERWORK FOR THE CLASS-ACTION SUIT AND AM AWARE THAT THE YEARS INVOLVED ARE 1995 TO 2003 FOR THE GROUP A VEHICLES WITH 3.1 LITER OR 3.4 LITER V6 ENGINES MANUFACTURED BEFORE 4/10/2003. I WAS NOT FORTUNATE TO BELONG WITHIN THIS GROUP OF CARS WHO COULD BE COMPENSATED, AND MISSED THE FILING DEADLINE OF OCTOBER 27, 2008. HOWEVER, I AM EXTREMELY UPSET THAT GM CONTINUED TO USE THIS COOLANT IN A BRAND NEW MODEL IN 2005 KNOWING THERE HAD BEEN SERIOUS PROBLEMS FOR THE SAME TYPE ENGINE FOR YEARS OF USING IT. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY WAY I CAN RECOUP THE COST OT REPAIRING MY CAR DURING A TIME WHEN I STILL OWED ALMOST 1 1/2 YEARS PAYMENTS BEFORE IT WAS PAID OFF. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SALESMAN TOLD ME IF I HAD OWNED A 2007 MODEL IT WOULD STILL HAVE BEEN UNDER WARRANTY. THAT WAS A HEARTWARMING THING TO HEAR. *TR
Service brakes, Electric, Feb 18, 2009
37000 MILES THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING AND CAR SHIMMIED WHEN THE WERE APPLIED. TOOK CAR TO DEALER STATED NEEDED NEW PADS, PUT ON NEW PADS. WORKED FINE FOR 800 MILES, STARTED GRINDING AGAIN DEALER STATED NEEDED NEW ROTORS AND CALIPERS NOW. TOOK CAR TO DIFFERENT DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CARS FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS DEFECTIVE AND WAS WARPING THE ROTORS AND CALIPERS. THE PARTS ARE NOT UNDER WARRANTY OVER 36000 MILES. THIS IS A MAJOR DEFECT IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLES!!! *TR
Power train, Equipment, Jan 24, 2009
MY 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX STARTING MAKING A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN I HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF OF THE INTERSTATE AND WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES AND TURNING. IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS LOCKED FROM THE MIDDLE OF MY CAR TO THE BACK OF MY CAR. I WAS TOTALLY CAUGHT OFF GUARD AND WAS VERY SHAKEN. I STOPPED AND LOOKED AT MY TIRES AND TO SEE IF ANYTHING WAS HANGING DOWN FROM THE CAR. I COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING THAT WAS OBVIOUS. IT WAS 9:00AM. I WAS APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES FROM A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP SO I DROVE THERE. I WAS SCARED AND SHAKEN AND DIDN'T KNOW IF THIS PROBLEM WAS GOING TO CAUSE ME TO HAVE A WRECK OR POSSIBLY BE STRANDED. WHEN I GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP, A GENTLEMAN IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WENT FOR A DRIVE WITH ME. MY CAR DIDN'T MAKE THE LOUD GRINDING, BUT ONLY A LITTLE. HE SAID THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WOULD TAKE OFF ALL 4 WHEELS AND CHECK THE BRAKES. MY HUSBAND LEFT WORK TO PICK ME UP AS THIS WAS NOT GOING TO BE DONE BEFORE LUNCH. THE DEALERSHIP CONTACTED ME AT WORK AND SAID IT WAS NOT THE BRAKES, BUT IT WAS PROBABLY THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, BUT HE WANTED TO MAKE SURE AND HE WOULD CALL ME AFTER LUNCH. HE ASKED IF I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE CAR, I SAID NO, BUT THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE THAT WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW. HE AGREED. MY WARRANTY EXPIRED 5 MONTHS TODAY, JANUARY 24TH AND MY MILEAGE IS PAST THE WARRANTY BY 1,424 MILES. MY CAR HAS 37,700 MILES ON IT. MY HUSBAND OWNS A 1996 CHEVY S10 PICKUP WITH OVER 200,00 MILES ON IT AND NOTHING THIS MAJOR HAS EVER HAPPENED WITH HIS TRUCK. I CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS AND SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE. HE SAID HE WOULD BUILD A BUSINESS CASE DOCUMENT TO PRESENT TO GM BOARD FOR REVIEW. I THINK GM SHOULD PAY FOR EXPENSES TO HAVE THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. I MADE A PUN COMMENT THAT SINCE THIS COST WAS AROUND $2400 THAT I WANTED GM TO BAIL ME OUT, COMPARED TO THE BILLIONS THEY JUST RECEIVED FROM AMERICAN TAXPAYERS. GM SUCCESS DEPENDS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. AGAIN MY CAR ONLY HAS 37,700 MILES ON IT. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Jan 9, 2009
I HAD MY 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX FOR 2 WEEKS. IT STARTING HAVING STARTING PROBLEMS, WHEN IDLING, SOUNDED LIKE IT WANTED TO SHUT OFF. TOOK IT TO A GM DEALER. TURNS OUT THE EGR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND PCM NEEDED REPROGRAMMED. EXACTLY FITS NHTSA ITEM NUMBER : 10017551 HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE DOESN'T FIT IN THE RANGE THAT GM DECIDED WAS FAULTY. I DO BELIEVE THE RANGE IS LARGER THAN GM HAS ACTUALLY LISTED. *TR
Steering, Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 9, 2008
DOOR LOCKS DO NOT UNLOCK UNLESS MANUALLY OPERATED AND STEERING BOX FAULTY CAUSING LOOSE STEERING. *TR
Visibility, Dec 5, 2008
THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW 'IMPLODED' IN SEPT. '07 ON MY 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE GLASS WAS REPAIRED ( THROUGH CAR INS.) AND THEY MENTIONED (GLASS DOCTOR) THAT THEY'VE HAD A LOT OF GLASS REPAIRS FOR EQUINOX. THE REPAIRMAN MENTIONED THAT THE 'CABLE' FOR THE WINDOW WAS LOOSE & THAT THE WINDOW WOULD NO LONGER GO UP OR DOWN. I HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED A FEW MONTHS PRIOR (DEFECT, ALSO-NO VISIBLE DAMAGE) HAVE BEEN CHECKING ON 'RECALLS' FOR THIS, BUT HAVE NOT FOUND ANY...JUST COMPLAINTS. WON'T DRIVE IT UNLESS I HAVE TO FOR FEAR OF EXPLODING GLASS. MY INSURANCE CO. SUGGESTED I FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE DEALERSHIP, BUT IT WAS PURCHASED IN LA & I AM NOW IN GA. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 19, 2008
I BOUGHT A NEW 2005 EQUINOX BACK IN MARCH OF '05. OVER THIS YEAR-2008- I HAVE PROBLEMS JUST GETTING MY KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE TO WIGGLE IT BACK AND FORTH FOR A FEW MINUTES UNTIL IT CATCHES AND TURNS OVER. I CAN'T GET IN AND JUST START MY CAR. I CAN TURN MY KEY MAYBE AN INCH AND I HAVE TO TURN IT BACK AND KEEP WIGGLING IT UNTIL IT "GIVES" FOR ME TO TURN ALL THE WAY. OF COURSE, MY WARRANTY WAS UP AT 36,000 MILES WHICH I HAVE SURPASSED A FEW THOUSAND MILES AGO. I AM TRYING TO GET SOME $$ TOGETHER (THINGS ARE VERY TIGHT AS EVERYONE KNOWS!) TO GET IT LOOKED OUT. I DON'T KNOW IF THE LOCK IS MISALIGNED OR WHAT? I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS TO BE FIXED BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF FEEDBACK ON INTERNET FROM PEOPLE THAT HAVE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS TYPE OF CAR. I AM NOT TAKING IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO PAY HUNDREDS OR POSSIBLY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. I WILL TAKE IT TO A LOCAL REPUTABLE MECHANIC WHO IS VERY TRUSTWORTHY AND REASONABLE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 11, 2008
I HAVE A 2005 EQUINOX. IT STARTED OVERHEATING AND LOSING COOLANT, THOUGH THERE WAS NO LEAK UNDERNEATH. BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME I HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I EMAILED CHEVY BUT BECAUSE ITS NOT AT A DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO HELP ANY WITH THE PROBLEM. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW SOMETHING SO MAJOR CAN BREAK ON A 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. *TR