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.
Steering, Oct 30, 2007
MY CHEVY EQUINOX HAS A LOUD GROAN, GRINDING NOISE WHEN MAKING LOW SPEED TURNS SUCH AS IN PARKING LOTS OR SHARP TURNS. THERE WAS A RECALL NOTICE FROM 2004 TO JANUARY 2006 BUT CHEVROLET INFORMS ME THAT MY VEHICLE IS 3 NUMBERS OFF SO THEY WILL NOT MAKE REPAIRS. SINCE IT WAS FOR THE CHEVY EQUINOX I DON'T SEE THAT IT MATTERS WHAT THE NUMBERS ARE IF MY VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE LOCAL DEALER AND CHEVROLET WITH NO POSITIVE RESPONSE. I QUESTION WHETHER THIS IS CAUSING MORE PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING AND WHETHER IT IS SAFE. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 22, 2007
OCT 8, WAS IN CLASS FOR 30 MINUTES CAME OUT CAR WAS DEAD, EVERYTHING WORKED BUT STARTED JUST CLICKED. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE.. TOOK TOO LONG; CALLED CAMPUS SECURITY GOT A JUMP START, CAR DROVE FINE DIED AGAIN UNTIL OCT 13. JUMP STARTED AGAIN, OCT 18 DIED AGAIN, CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE HAD IT TOWED TO HERB ADCOX CHEVY. THEY STILL HAVE IT AND SAY IT IS RUNNING FINE...NO DIAGNOSTIC PROBLEMS SHOWING ON COMPUTER. FILED AN ISSUE WITH 800CHEVUSA.... THEY SAY EVEN THOUGH I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY(CAR STILL IN ORIGINAL WARRANTY NOW) THAT THIS ISSUE MAY NOT BE COVERED. THE CAR IS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. CHEVY CANNOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS SO I AM STUCK WONDERING WHEN IT WILL DIE AGAIN. I ALSO REPORTED NOXIOUS FUMES (SMELLS LIKE RANCID BUTTER)MOST LIKELY FROM ANTIFREEZE PROBLEM LIKE OTHER 2005 EQUINOX'S AND A BRAKE SHIMMY PROBLEM AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS(ENTIRE CAR SEEMS UNSTABLE). THIS IS THE LAST CHEVY I WILL EVER BUY. I HATE TO EVEN TRADE IT IN AND GIVE THE ISSUES TO SOMEONE ELSE. THIS IS WRONG. I BELIEVE CHEVY IS AWARE OF THESE ISSUES AND DOING NOTHING TO RECALL OR REPAIR THEM. I WAS TOLD IF THERE IS NO DIAGNOSTIC THERE IS NO PROBLEM. *JB
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Service brakes, Air, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Other or unspecified, Sep 26, 2007
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY 2005 AWD CHEVY EQUINOX, INCLUDING THE HEAD GASKETS BLOWING, LOSING ACCELERATION ON THE 270/HIGHWAY, ONGOING ACCELERATION PROBLEMS, AND OTHER PROBLEMS WHICH STILL CONTINUE. I HAVE BEGGED FOR CHEVY TO HELP GET THE CAR FULLY REPAIRED AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES JUST KEEP TELLING ME TO BRING IT INTO THE DEALER. I'VE TRIED TWO DEALERS AND RETURNED TO THE PURCHASING DEALER WHO WILL ONLY MAKE REPAIRS IF THEY CAN PULL A CODE - THEY REPORT I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY SPARK PLUG WIRES - FIRST THEY REATTACHED IT, AND THEN REPLACED ONE BUT CAR STILL DOESN'T DRIVE AS IT DID BEFORE HEAD GASKETS BLEW. PLEASE, PLEASE HELP ME - I'VE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP 8 TIMES IN 4 MONTHS AND THE DEALER AND CHEVY WILL NOT PROVIDE ME WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY - CAR WARRANTY ENDS IN 6 MONTHS OR HELP REPAIR PROPERLY. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AS THEY DON'T TAKE MY CONCERNS SERIOUSLY AS THE ONLY WAY THEY DIAGNOSE IS BY PULLING CODES. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 9, 2007
AT TIMES OF START UP OF IGNITION, THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO HAVE A PROBLEM CATCHING. IT USED TO ONLY HAPPEN MAYBE EVERY 15TH START UP BUT HAS INCREASINGLY HAPPENED MORE FREQUENTLY. IT IS STILL INTERMITTENT BUT SEEMS TO BE ABOUT EVERY 3RD OR 4TH STARTUP. INCIDENT DATE IS ESTIMATED.*JB
Fuel system, Other, Aug 7, 2007
MY FUEL GAUGE TAKES 2-3 MINUTES TO CHANGE FROM EMPTY TO FULL RIGHT AFTER I FILL UP MY TANK. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Aug 1, 2007
TENSIONER,PULLEY& FAN BELTS FAILURES...DRIVER SIDE WINDOW-DEFECT..WINDOWS FREEZES WILL NOT GO UP,WHEN UP WILL NOT GO DOWN.. *TR
Power train, Jul 23, 2007
VEHICLE(2005 EQUINOX) ALWAYS DOWNSHIFTS FROM OVERDRIVE WHEN GOING DOWNHILL. THIS CAUSES VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY SPEED FORWARD REQUIRING BRAKE TO BE APPLIED. *TR
Power train, Jul 23, 2007
VEHICLE(2005 EQUINOX) ALWAYS DOWNSHIFTS FROM OVERDRIVE WHEN GOING DOWNHILL. THIS CAUSES VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY SPEED FORWARD REQUIRING BRAKE TO BE APPLIED. *TR
Power train, Jul 3, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. HE MUST GO TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND GIVE IT A PUSH IN ORDER FOR THE KEY TO WORK IN THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, IT WORKED PERFECTLY. RECALL # 04V302000 (POWER TRAIN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) DOES NOT APPLY TO HIS VIN. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 36,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Jun 29, 2007
I BOUGHT THE EQINOX IN THE END OF FEBRUARY 2005. I NOTICED A SOUR SMELL, AND HAD THE DEALER CLEAN INTERIOR BECAUSE OF THE ROTTEN SMELL. THE SMELL PERSISTED, AND THE DEALER HAD THE COOLANT SYSTEM FLUSHED AND SAID THAT WOULD CURE THE PROBLEM. THEN , WHEN THE WEATHER WARMED UP AND I TURNED ON THE VENT LIGHT STEAM WOULD COME OUT OF THE VENTS AND MOISTURE ON THE WINDOW INSIDE. I HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP AGAIN FOR 5 DAYS, AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY HAD FLUSHED THE SYSTEM AGAIN AND THE SMELL WAS STILL THERE. TWO WEEKS LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE ORIGINALS DEALER, AND THEY DETERMINED THE HEATER CORE WAS GONE AND THEY REPLACED IT AND SEEMED TO RUN FINE , EXCEPT IT SEEMED TO RUN HOT AND WOULD LEAVE A LARGE PUDDLE. I COMPLAINED, BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NORMAL, AND THAT ALL WAS OKAY. LAST MONTH IN MAY 2007 EVERY TIME I STOPPED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD CLIMB SO THE DEALER REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT. 3 WEEKS LATER THE GAUGE WOULD HIT RED EVERY TIME I WOULD STOP AT A LIGHT. I BROUGHT IT BACK AGAIN THIS TIME THEY SAID THE HEAD GASKETS WERE SHOT. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET, AND THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO GAVE ME THE PARTS, BUT IT STILL COST $918.00 SINCE NOW I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL MECHANICS, AND THEY CLAIMED THE ENGINE HEADS WARPED DUE TO THE HEATER CORE PROBLEMS IN THE BEGINNING, AND THAT IF I HAD A PRIVATE REPAIRMAN REPAIR THE GASKETS THE JOB WOULD HAVE COASTED $1000, AND CHEVROLET DID NOT GIVE ME ANY REAL BREAK.*AK
Electrical system, May 24, 2007
WHERE DO I BEGIN I BOUGHT A CHEVY EQUINOX 2005 BRAND NEW AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS!! THE MAIN PROBLEM IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. IT CONTINUOSLY COMES ON AND WHEN I TAKE IT TO THE DEARLERSHIP THEY NEVER SEEM TO BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY FIX THE CORRECT PROBLEM. I HAVE REPLACED A HEADGASKET, THERMOSTAT, INTERNAL GASKET, FRONT ROTERS AND BRAKES, DEALERSHIP STATES THAT I NEED NEW FRONT ROTERS AND BRAKES AGAIN IT HASN'T EVEN BEEN 1 YEAR SINCE THE FIRST SET. I'VE HAD NEW SHOCK PLUGS AND A COIL PUT IN, ETC. THIS ALL STARTED LAST NOV. WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND STILL IS HAVING PROBLEMS. I AM SO FRUSTRATED WITH THIS CAR. I THOUGHT THAT WITH BUYING A BRAND NEW CAR I WOULDN'T HAVE ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS. I'M AFRAID TO TRAVEL WITH IT BECAUSE IT IS SO UNRELIABLE!!!
Suspension, Tires, May 3, 2007
VEHICLE HAD ALIGNMENT PERFORMED BY DEALER AT APPX 10K MILES. REAR ALIGNMENT WAS EITHER NOT ADDRESSED OR IS DEFECTIVE CAUSING SEVERE TIRE WEAR RESULTING IN TIRE REPLACEMENT AND SECOND ALIGNMENT AT 19K MILES. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 10, 2007, fire
I ALWAYS PARKED CAR IN A GARAGE, BUT THIS DAY NO SPOTS WERE OPEN SO I PARKED ON THE STREET AND WENT TO WORK. ABOUT A 1/2 HOUR LATER I LOOKED THE WINDOW AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR. I RAN OUT TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, AND SAW FIRE ON THE BACK BUMPER AREA ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. SOMEONE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. WHILE I GRABBED A FEW THINGS OUT OF THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT T CAME AND EVENTUALLY PUT OUT THE FIRE. I HAVE NEVER KNOWN A CAR TO SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTION BEFORE, AND IT WAS A VERY TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE. THE CAR WAS DESTROYED BETWEEN THE FIRE, SMOKE AND WATER, AND DECLARED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE APPEARED TO BE IN THE TAIL LIGHT SECTION AND TO BE ELECTRICAL IN NATURE. I DID NOT HAVE ANY PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR, AND IT WAS EQUIPPED AS ORIGINALLY LEASED FROM THE DEALER. IT WAS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD AND STILL UNDER THE WARRANTY. THANKFULLY ,NO ONE WAS HURT/KILLED THIS TIME. I BELIEVE THIS CAR WAS DEFECTIVE AND POSED A VERY REAL DANGER TO MY FAMILY AS WELL AS MY COWORKERS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS EXTREMELY UNCOOPERATIVE IN DISCUSSING THE PROBLEM - WITH NOT EVEN A 'SORRY YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE WITH ONE OF OUR PRODUCTS' LINE AS I WANTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE DEDUCTIBLE THAT I WILL HAVE TO GIVE THE INSURANCE COMPANY.*AK
Suspension, Apr 5, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE VEHICLE PRODUCED A HUMMING NOISE WHEN STARTED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2005 IT PRODUCED THE SAME NOISE. HOWEVER, THE SALES PERSON ASSURED THE CONTACT THAT THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE WAS ONLY THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LONGER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN THE LOUDER THE NOISE BECAME. THE CONTACT BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT VEHICLES WERE SUBJECT TO MALFUNCTION OCCASIONALLY. ALSO, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS THAT WERE NEEDED. THE CONTACT THEN BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE ,AND THAT THE ENTIRE WHEEL AS LIABLE TO DETACH AND CAUSE A CRASH. THE TIRES WERE EXAMINED AND DETERMINED TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. *AK
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Visibility, Equipment, Apr 4, 2007
BOUGHT THE CAR USED WITH 20,000 AND IT WAS HAVING PROBLEMS A WEEK LATER. PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL UP,GRINDING AND CLICKING AT SLOW TURNS. THEY REPLACED ROTORS ,CLUTCH AND SUSPENSION AND THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. THEN CAME THE AIR CONDITION NOT BLOWING COLD AIR AND THE IGNITION STICKING ON START UP. THE FINAL STRAW WAS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND DROPPING INTO LOWER GEARS,THE CAR WILL BE IN THE SHOP IN THE MORNING. LAST CHEVY I WILL EVER BUY BACK TO NISSAN. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Visibility, Apr 2, 2007
MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP OR DOWN, IT JUST FAILED COMPLETELY. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT THE WIRES INSIDE THE DOOR ARE COMPLETELY BROKEN. THE SYSTEM NEEDED TO FIX IT IS BACK ORDERED SO I HAVE TO WAIT TO HAVE IT REPLACED. FOUR DAYS LATER MY BRAKES BECAME THE NEW PROBLEM. ON MY WAY TO SCHOOL, I WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT AND BEGAN APPLYING THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. IT MADE A VIBRATING NOISE AND THRUST ITSELF FORWARD. IT WASN'T A GRINDING SOUND BUT CLICKS AND VIBRATION. LUCKILY THERE WASN'T ANYONE IN FRONT OF ME OR COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. I THOUGHT IT SOMETHING I DID AND CONTINUED DRIVING CAREFULLY. AT THE NEXT STOP I WAS UNABLE TO SLOW DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN. I PASSED THE TURN COMPLETELY BEFORE THE CAR SLOWED ENOUGH TO TURN. THIS SCARED ME SO I PULLED OVER AND CALLED FOR HELP. AFTER TAKING A TEST DRIVE WITH A CAR REPAIR PERSON WHO INFORMED ME IT WASN'T MY BRAKE PADS OR ROTORS. HE SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE MY ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM FAILING AND I SHOULD CALL THE DEALERSHIP. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN. GM ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOWED IT. THAT WAS SATURDAY AND TODAY IS MONDAY, THE DEALERSHIP WORKER TOLD ME SHE DROVE IT AND SHE HAS BEEN DRIVING FOR 12 YEARS AND SHE DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES BUT THEY WILL PUT IT ON THE ELECTRIC DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE TO DOUBLE CHECK IT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE WITH MY CHILDREN. THE FACT THAT THE CAR MAY NOT STOP OR THE BRAKES MAY FAIL AT ANY TIME IS SCARY. I SHOULD HEAR FROM THEM BY THIS EVENING. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 23, 2007
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON AN INCLINE THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY. THE CHECK ENGINE OCCASIONALLY ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE ENGINE STALLED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A CRACKED SPARK PLUG WHICH WAS CAUSED BY RAIN ENTERING THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AND COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE SPARK PLUGS. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED, AND A SHIELD WAS SEALED TO PREVENT WATER FROM COMING INTO CONTACT WITH SPARK PLUGS. THE CONTACT STATED APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS LATER SHE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER REMOVED AND REPLACED THE SPARK PLUG, THE WIRE AND THE COIL. A MONTH LATER THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A CRACKED SPARK PLUG WAS THE REASON FOR THIS OCCURRENCE. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD 33,000 MILES. *AK
Electrical system, Mar 13, 2007
ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE AFTER BEING DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MILES. CLICKING SOUND HAPPENS EACH TIME (APPROX 15) AND ENGINE STRUGGLES TO ENGAGE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *JB
Steering, Feb 26, 2007
ON JANUARY 26 I TOOK MY 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX TO THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHICH I PURCHASED IT (CLASSIC EAST, MADISON OHIO 44057) FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND MENTIONED THAT I HEARD A RATTLE IN MY STEERING COLUMN WHEN I WAS ON ROUGH ROAD. THEY ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE NOISE BY ADJUSTING THE PRELOAD STEERING GEAR, BUT IT DID NOT WORK SO THEY SPECIAL ORDERED A PART. I RETURNED ON FEBRUARY 1 AND THEY ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE NOISE BY INSTALLING A POWER STEERING GEAR, BUT THAT DID NOT WORK. USING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM GENERAL MOTORS, THEY RAN SEVERAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND ULTIMATELY ENDED UP REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN ON FEBRUARY 2. ON FEBRUARY 3 I PHONED THE DEALERSHIP TO LET THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT KNOW THAT THE STEERING DID NOT FEEL RIGHT- IT WAS ALTERNATELY VERY LOOSE OR VERY TIGHT. I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING, SO THAT WAS NORMAL. I STATED THAT IT HAD NEVER BEEN THAT WAY BEFORE, BUT WAS ASSURED THAT IT WAS NORMAL AND I SHOULD DRIVE IT FOR A WHILE TO SEE IF IT GOT BETTER. ON FEBRUARY 24, I WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AND HEARD A SNAP IN MY STEERING COLUMN. AT THAT POINT, I HAD LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND WAS ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL 360 DEGREES WITH NO IMPACT ON THE TIRES OR CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AT THAT TIME. AT THIS TIME, THEY HAVE NOT YET DETERMINED IF THIS WAS DEALER INSTALLATION ERROR OR A FAULTY PART. NM
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Feb 12, 2007
2005 CHEVY EQUINOX AWD, 3 STARTERS, 3 COOLANT TANKS, ALL COOLANT HOSES CHANGED, HEATER CHANGED TWICE, A PILLAR PANELS LEAKED AIR, RADIATOR REPLACED, BATTERY BOLT REPLACED, REAR SHELF BROKE, CONSTANT COOLANT SMELL IN CAR, MADE WIFE SICK, HAD CAR 5 MONTHS APPROX, SPEND AROUND 90 + DAYS IN SHOP, DEALER DID ALL THEY COULD, BUT G.M. REFUSED TO WORK ON CAR UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE, G.M. " FORCED " TO BUY BACK UNDER LEMON LAW, BOUGHT TOYOTA, PERIOD. HAVE ALL RECEIPTS AND PAPER WORK FOR ANYBODY INTERESTED. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 22, 2007
VEHICLE'S ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED TO BRING VEHICLE TO STOP ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS DURING THE PAST 2 WEEKS. ALL OCCURRENCES WERE DURING OR IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING A MEASURABLE SNOWFALL. IN THE FIRST INCIDENT MY VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION AT NOT MORE THAN 15 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED WITH LOAD GRINDING NOISE AND SLID THOUGHT THE STOP LIGHT, FORTUNATELY WITHOUT ACCIDENT. IN THE 2ND AND 3RD OCCURRENCES, MY WIFE WAS UNABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP DUE TO THE SAME TYPE OF BRAKE FAILURE AND NOISE, RESULTING IN HER GOING OF THE SHOULDER INTO A DITCH TO AVOID COLLISION. AND FINALLY THE NEXT DAY WHICH IS A MONDAY, I WAS TAKING THE VEHICLE TO OUR CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED WHEN ONCE AGAIN, WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO APPROACH 5-10 MPH WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, I NEARLY REAR-ENDED A SCHOOL BUS DUE TO ANOTHER OCCURRENCE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO BRAKE. A BRAKE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP TOOK THE CAR FOR A TEST DRIVE ON THE BACK LOT FOR 2 MINUTES AND DECLARED THE BRAKES WORKED FINE. FURTHER PERSISTENCE PROMPTED THE SERVICE MANAGER TO TAKE THE CAR FOR A STREET TEST DRIVE AND UPON HIS RETURN HE STATED THE BRAKES WORKED FINE FOR HIM. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR ALMOST 40 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE FRIGHTENED TO DRIVE A CAR ON ICE OR SNOW AS I AM WITH THIS VEHICLE, WHICH BY THE WAY DOES NOT HANDLE WELL IN WIND EITHER. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THE RESPONSE OF MY DEALERSHIP AND FEEL THESE OCCURRENCES ARE VERY SIMILAR IF NOT EXACTLY THE SAME AS THOSE THAT PROMPTED A SIMILAR RECALL OF GM 1999 -2002 MODEL TRUCKS AND SUV VEHICLES IN 2005. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 11, 2007
THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN FIXED, HOWEVER ONE REMAINS. THERE IS A POPPING NOISE, COMING FROM THE BACK END, RESULTING IN MANY POPS IN A SERIES, AND THEN IT WON'T DO IT AGAIN. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS AFTER A COLD START AND DRIVING IT FOR A COUPLE MINUTES THEN COMING TO A STOP. HOWEVER IT HAS HAPPENED IMMEDIATELY AT START UP AND DURING THE COURSE OF DRIVING FOR THE FIRST COUPLE MINUTES.*JB
Structure, Other or unspecified, Dec 27, 2006
I AM EXPERIENCING AN EXTREMELY STRONG MILDEW SMELL INSIDE MY EQUINOX. IT IS SO STRONG PEOPLE COMMENT OUTSIDE THE CAR. THE SMELL ALSO PENETRATES CLOTHING SO THAT OTHERS NOTICE THE SMELL. PEOPLE WILL NOT RIDE IN MY CAR. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER TWICE. BOTH TIMES THE ODOR IMPROVES SLIGHTLY (THEY DEPDORIZE THE HVAC) BUT STILL OTHERS COMMENT. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING MY 3 YEAR OLD B/C OF THE SMELL. WE HAVE FOUND NO VISIBLE WETNESS OR MOLD. THE RUBBER AROUND TWO WINDOWS WAS LOOSE BUT THE DEALER DID NOT FIND WATER INSIDE THE DOOR. THE SMELL DOES NOT SEEM TO BE COMING FROM THE VENTS BUT MORES SO JUST FROM THE CAR. *NM
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Dec 13, 2006
BRAKE NOISE,THUMPING AND GRINDING. STEERING WHEEL IS VERY TIGHT AND LOOSENS AT ANY TIME. ROTORS ARE FAULTY. WHEN STARTING PERIODICALLY IGNITION SWITCH STICKS IN THE CRANKING POSITION ONCE MANUALLY STARTED UNLESS YOU JIGGLE KEY, CAUSING POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. *NM
Suspension, Dec 11, 2006
2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. IN OCTOBER, 2006, I WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREETS WHEN I LOST STEERING AND MY CAR FELT AS THOUGH A WHEEL WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. AFTER TOWING THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC (I WAS 400 MILES PAST THE 36,000 WARRANTY), I FOUND OUT THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD SNAPPED. *JB