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.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 24, 2005
COOLANT WAS TURNING BROWN AND STARTING TO SMELL. DEFECTIVE HOSES WERE THE PROBLEM. HOSES HAD TO BE REPLACED, ENGINE FLUSHED, NEW COOLANT, ETC. CHEVY KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM, BUT HAS NOT INFORMED ANY OWNERS.
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Mar 21, 2005
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS 3 TIMES, AND I AM WAITING ON A CALL FROM THE DEALER NEXT WEEK FOR UPDATED INFORMATION. THE PROBLEMS ARE: 1) FOUL ODOR, HOSES FOR ANTI-FREEZE SYSTEM REPLACED PER BULLETIN; 2) REAR SQUEAKING, LUBED SAME; 3) TRANSMISSION. I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT BRAKES, BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED, AND THAT IT WOULD CONTINUE TO ADJUST ITSELF ACCORDING TO DRIVING CONDITIONS/ EACH DRIVER'S HABITS, AND 4) POPPING NOISE HEARD WHEN STARTING OR WHEN STOPPED WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. NOISE SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM GAS TANK AREA. ASKED FOR FUEL LINE/EXHAUST SYSTEM TO BE CHECKED. AS OF THIS TIME REPAIR CENTER CANNOT DUPLICATE THIS PROBLEM, AND HAVE NO IDEAS. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES AND A TOTAL OF 6 DAYS. THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IS IN LIMBO AS THEY ARE 'LOOKING INTO IT' AND WILL CALL ME BACK.*AK
Steering, Mar 13, 2005, crash
VERY ERRATIC STEERING WHEN CHANGING LANES AT 50 MPH CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A GRASSY DITCH. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME I NOTICED THE STEERING WAS VERY DIFFERENT THEN I HAVE EVER FELT. AFTER HITTING THE DITCH THE CAR ROLLED. REMARKABLY, I WAS NOT INJURED AND BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND MY SEAT BELT KEPT ME FROM INJURY. THERE WASN'T ANY BROKEN GLASS. THE CAR HELD UP TO THE 5 STAR SAFETY. MY CONCERN IS THE BOBBLE EFFECT WHEN CHANGING LANES AND THE TOO TIGHT STEERING. FORTUNATELY, NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED. MY EQUINOX SUFFERED ABOUT $10500 DAMAGE. $4500 WERE FOR THE AIRBAGS AND RELATED PARTS. MY CAR IS STILL IN GETTING FIXED. MY ONLY COMPLAINT IS THE STEERING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I WILL NO LONGER HAVE CONFIDENCE IN DRIVING THIS ON THE HIGHWAY.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Mar 2, 2005, crash
CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2005, PRESSED ACCELERATOR CAR LUNGED BACKWARD. *BF THE CONSUMER HIT A BACK WALL AND THE VEHICLE HAD CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE POINT IT WAS DECLARED TOTALED.*JB
Visibility, Mar 2, 2005
WINDHIELD PRESENTED A STRESS CRACK - DEALERSHIP REPAIRED. TWO WEEKS LATER, ANOTHER CRACK APPEARED ON NEW WINDSHIELD, DEALER STATED WINDSHIED CRACK WAS NOT A STRESS CRACK, JUST A COINCIDENCE. DEALERSHIP ALSO NOTED WINDSHIELD WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO REPLACE.*AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 11, 2005
VEHICLE IS NOT MEETING MILEAGE CLAIMANT BY MANUFACTURER 19 MPG TO 25 MPG. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT WOULD IMPROVE AFTER 1500 MILES. VEHICLE AT 5000 MILES AND A FEW LONG ROAD TRIPS IS ON AN AVERAGE OF 13 MPG CITY AND 16 MPG HIGHWAY. DEALER HAS NO RESPONSE. *JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 5, 2005
TERRIBLE GAS MILEAGE. STICKER SAID 18CITY/25HWY. WE ARE GETTING 14 CITY AND 20/21 HWY. *JB
Structure, Feb 3, 2005
THE CONSUMER STATED THE CONSOLE AND HOOD PRODUCED EXTREME HEAT. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL CATCH FIRE. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 2, 2005
FOUL ODOR IN CABIN COMING FROM HEATER, ALSO SMELL IS NOTICABLE OUTSIDE THE CAR. CHECKED THE COOLANT AND IT IS DARK BROWN AND HAS A STRONG FOUL ODOR. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT GET ANYWHERE NEAR THE MILEAGE PER GALLON THAT GM STATES IT SHOULD GET OF 19 AND 25. LUCKY IF IT GET 13MPG CITY AND 15 HIGHWAY.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 10, 2005
THE RADIATOR IS LEAKING COOLANT, INCREASING THE CHANCE OF THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE FOR REPAIRS, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 9, 2005
I OWN A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX WITH 8500 MILES, THE ANTIFREEZE IS DARK BROWN IN COLOR AND THERE IS A FILM OF BROWN STUFF ON THE RECOVERY BOTTLE. IT ALSO SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN MEAT.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Air bags, Dec 21, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP BRAKES FAILED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE CRASHED INTO FOUR OTHER VEHICLES. UPON IMPACT,EST DUAL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY TO IT'S FULL CAPACITY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. *AK........THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS ONLY AFTER THE EQUINOX MADE CONTACT WITH OTHER VEHICLES. THE TRANSMISSION DROPPED TO THE STREET AFTER IMPACT, THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STRUCK FROM BEHIND. THE RIGHT WHEEL ON PASSENGER'S SIDE CAME OFF. ALSO, THE SHERIFF ON THE SCENE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE WAS NO BRAKE PEDAL AFTER THERE WAS ACCESS TO THE VEHICLE.*AK
Exterior lighting, Dec 7, 2004
SINCE WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AT NIGHTS ON TWO LANE HIGHWAYS WE ARE CONTINUALLY FLASHED WITH BRIGHTS, INDICATING OUR BRIGHTS ARE TURNED ON BUT THEY WERE NOT. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE LIGHTS ADJUSTED AND WERE TOLD THEY ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE.*AK
Visibility, Nov 29, 2004
ON EACH SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD THE SNOW WAS CLEANED OFF. HOWEVER, THE SNOW FROM THE ROOF FELL OFF ONTO THE WINDSHIELD AND WAS TRAPPED IN THE WINDSHIELD PILLARS. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE HE WAS BLINDED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 28, 2004
2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX - BAD ODOR COMING FROM HVAC AND COOLANT SYSTEM, FIRST NOTICED WITH APPROXIMATELY 1200 MILES ON THE SUV, HAD IN AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD DO NOTHING, AFTER FURTHER COMPLAINING THEY CONTACTED GM AND TOLD ME THEY HAD TO ORDER SOME NEW "STUFF" AND ONCE IN THEY WOULD REPLACE AND FLUSH THE COOLANT. I'VE CALLED TWICE NOW OVER THE PAST MONTH, DEALERSHIP STILL HAS NOT RECEIVED "STUFF". ISSUE NOT RESOLVED.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 27, 2004
COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEMS, FOUL SMELL, FLUID IS A DARK COLOR WHEN IT SHOULD BE LIGHT PINK. PROBLEM WAS FIRST POINTED OUT AT 2ND OIL CHANGE APPOINTMENT. THEY ADVISED THAT THE COOLING SYSTEM WAS MALEFUNCTIONING AND THAT I SHOULD CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS FIXED. THEY ALSO MENTIONED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN 3 OTHER EQUINOX'S ALL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. UPON CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP THEY ADVISED THAT IT WAS NOT A MALEFUNCTION, THEY DID NOT SEEM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. APPOINTMENT IS SCHEDULED IN A COUPLE DAYS. UPON READING MORE ABOUT THIS COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEM I AM EVEN MORE CONCERNED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS YET TO BE A RECALL AND ALL OF THE VEHICLES ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 24, 2004
PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX NEW FROM DEALER. VEHICLE SPENT TWO DAYS AT DEALER, ONLY FOR DEALER TO TELL ME THAT THERE IS NO FIX FOR PROBLEM. MY EQUINOX HAS COOLANT CONTAMINATION WHICH EMITS A BAD ODOR. CHEVY STILL HAS TO TSB OUT ON THIS PROBLEM YET, AND OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS WAS NOTICED @ 1500 MILES. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE HAS 2700. DEALER TOLD ME THAT THERE WOULD BE NO PROBLEM DRIVING UNTIL CHEVY COMES OUT WITH TSB. IF YOU LOOK AT THE COOLANT RESEVOIR, THE COOLANT IS DARK IN COLOR AND SLUDGE IS FORMING IN THE CONTAINER (RESIDUE). *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 22, 2004
THIS IS A CORRECTION TO THE COMPLAINT I SUBMITTED YESTERDAY. THE COMPLAINT NUMBER IS 10100295. ON THAT COMPLAINT PLEASE DELETE THE PART OF THE COMPLAINT THAT SAYS THE ABNORMAL ODOR FROM THE ENGINE COOLANT IS ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. I FOUND THAT THE COOLANT RESERVOIR CAP WAS LOOSE, ALLOWING THE STRONG ODOR OF THE COOLANT TO ESCAPE AND BE DRAWN INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. WHEN I TIGHTENED THE CAP THE ODOR STOPPED ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I AM STILL VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ABNORMAL ODOR AND COLOR OF THE COOLANT. THIS COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTING COMPONENTS OF THE COOLING SYSTEM AND ENGINE. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 21, 2004
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. AFTER ONLY 500 MILES THE ENGINE COOLANT HAS TURNED BROWN AND HAS A VERY BAD ODOR (STINKS). WHEN THE HEATER IS TURNED ON, THE ODOR COMES INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND IS ALMOST INTOLERABLE.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 21, 2004
MY 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX HAS REOCCRUING PROBLEMS WITH 1) THE ENGINE COOLANT TURNING FROM THE NORMAL DEX COOL PINK COLOR TO A DARK BROWN / BLACK COLOR. 2) HORRIBLE SMELL ENTERING THE PASSENGER CABIN WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING THE HEAT IS ON.THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON NOVEMBER 18TH AND ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, GM'S TECHNICAL LINE IS INSTRUCTING ALL SERVICE DEPARTMENTS TO TAKE NO REPAIR ACTIONS AS THEY ARE STILL TRYING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN THEY PERFORMED A COOLANT SYSTEM FLUSH WHICH TOOK CARE OF THE PROBLEM FOR A COUPLE OF HUNDRED MILES, ONLY TO RETURN. *AK THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING ALL ACROSS NORTH AMERICA SO IT CANNOT BE BLAMED ON WEATHER OR TYPE OF FUEL USED. I HAVE MANY CONCERNS WITH THE LONG TERM RELIABILITY OF THIS VEHICLE.
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 21, 2004
SINCE I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE, THERE HAS BEEN A STRONG ODOR IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR. I NOTICED THE COOLANT HAS CHANGED FROM PINK TO BLACK WITH SLUDGE FLOATING IN IT. I AM ALSO GETTING FAR LESS AVERAGE GAS MILEAGE THAN WAS LISTED. I AM AVERAGING LESS THAN 17 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. NOT CLOSE TO THE 25 THAT IS ADVERTISED. WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THAT THE SMELL AND OTHER COOLANT ISSUES IS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE (05 CHEVROLET EQUINOX). WITH THE HEAT ON AND WINDOWS UP, THE CAR IS ALMOST UNDRIVABLE DUE TO THE SMELL. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 19, 2004
VEHICLE HAS A FOUL ODOR INSIDE WHEN ENGINE IS HOT OR HEATER IS ON.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 13, 2004
WE PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX ON MARCH 30, 2004. IN JULY WE STARTED TO NOTICE A STRANGE ODOR IN THE CAR. MY HUSBAND WOULD GET HEADACHES AND EXPERIENCE DIZZINESS WHEN RIDING IN THE CAR. SINCE THEN WE HAVE HAD THE CAR BACK 5 TIMES FOR THE ODOR PROBLEM AND HAVE BOTH HAD MULTIPLE UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS REQUIRING MEDICAL TREATMENT. 2 OF THE 5 TIMES THEY FOUND STANDING WATER IN THE TIRE WELL AND WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE ORIGIN THEY REPLACED REAR GATE SEALS (THE CARGO MAT CARPET IN THE BACK WAS NOT EVEN WET). ANOTHER TIME THEY REPLACED THE CARPET IN THE BACK PASSENGER SEAT BECAUSE THEY SAID IT GOT WET WHEN THERE WAS WATER IN THE TIRE WELL AND WAS CAUSING THE ODOR. THE NEXT TIME THEY FLUSHED THE RADIATOR COOLANT BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY HAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO DO SO. THE LAST TIME THEY CHANGED THE RADIATOR HOSES. THE DEALERSHIP (PORTER CHEVROLET IN NEWARK, DE) STATES THAT THEY CANNOT REPLACE OR REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE AS WE HAVE REQUESTED. THE DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER FOR GM SAID HE RODE IN THE CAR AND DID NOT SMELL ANYTHING SO THERE IS NO BASIS FOR HIM TO REPLACE OR REPURCHASE THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THAT THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY OTHER CUSTOMERS COMPLAIN ABOUT AN ODOR AND THEY SAID THEY CONTACTED GM AND THAT THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY COMPLAINTS EITHER. THERE ARE NUMEROUS POSTINGS ON EDMUNDS.COM FROM EQUINOX OWNERS WHO HAVE COMPLAINED TO DEALERSHIPS AND GM FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. IS THIS PROBLEM KNOWN TO GM? WHAT IS THE PROBLEM AND IS IT HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH THIS ODOR PROBLEM? *JB
Vehicle speed control, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Nov 12, 2004, crash
WHILE BACKING OUT FROM THE CAR PORT VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN REVERSE. VEHICLE WENT DOWN AN INCLINE AND WAS TOTALED. CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER TOLD HIM THAT TRANSMISSION HAD AN ADAPTIVE LEARNING TRANSMISSION.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Nov 12, 2004, crash
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE WHILE BACKING THE VEHICLE INTO THE CAR PORCH. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO RUN INTO THE CAR PORCH WALL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *TC