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.
Other or unspecified, Nov 8, 2004, crash
2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO A VEHICLE MALFUNCTION.*MR CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IF ANYTHING CAN BE DONE THAT CAN FORCE GM TO INSPECT THIS CAR. CONCERNED THAT ANOTHER ACCIDENT WILL OCCUR WITH MORE SERIOUS RESULTS. *BF *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 8, 2004
2005 EQUINOX - I HAD ABOUT 300 MILES ON THE CAR AND IT STARTED SMELLING OF A PROPANE ODOR/DEAD ANIMALS. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY FLUSHED THE COOLANT SYSTEM BUT THE ODOR RETURNED. THEN THE CAR OVERHEATED DUE TO THE COOLANT SYSTEM. THEY PUT A NEW THERMOSTAT AND FLUSHED ONCE AGAIN. STILL A BAD ODOR, THE CAR LEAKS WATER AND IT RUNS HOT. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES AND THEY STILL CAN NOT FIX THE ODOR.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 7, 2004
I HAVE A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. SOON AFTER I RECEIVED THE NEW VEHICLE (WITHIN A FEW HUNDRED MILES) I BEGAN NOTICING A VERY DISTINCT AND HORRIBLE SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE SMELL IS NOTICEABLE FROM 10 FEET AWAY FROM THE CAR AND COMES IN THROUGH THE CABIN VENTS WHEN THE AIR IS ON AND THE CAR IS STANDING STILL AND RUNNING. IT DOES NOT ENTER THE CABIN WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING. GM THINKS THE SMELL IS DUE TO THE DEXCOOL COOLANT REACTING WITH THE HOSES IN THE COOLANT SYSTEM AND HAS FLUSHED MY COOLANT SYSTEM SEVERAL TIMES ALREADY BUT THE SMELL KEEPS COMING BACK. I HAVE BEEN READING OF THIS PROBLEM FROM MANY, MANY OTHERS ACROSS THE US AND CANADA WHO OWN EQUINOX AND SO FAR GM HAS NOT ANNOUNCED A RECALL DESPITE PEOPLE BEING UNABLE TO SPEND MORE THAN 5 MINUTES IN THESE VEHICLES BEFORE GETTING HEADACHES OR JUST BEING UNABLE TO HANDLE THE SMELL. PLEASE URGE GM TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION FAST! *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 5, 2004
IN THE 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX THE COOLANT MAY BE CONTAMINATED AND TURN A DARK BROWN OR BLACK AND SOMEHOW EMIT FUMES INTO THE CABIN THAT CAUSE THE OCCUPANTS TO FEEL LIGHT HEADED. THIS CONDITION CAN START ANYWHERE FROM 400 TO 1800 MILES ANDS WORSENS OVER TIME. IT IS UNKNOWN WHETHER THE FUMES ARE TOXIC SO THE VEHICLE IS UNDRIVABLE AT THAT POINT.*AK
Wheels, Nov 4, 2004
THE FRONT WHEELS SQUEAK AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO WOBBLE WHEN DRIVING. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Air bags, Nov 3, 2004
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYED ON WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE AIR BAG MODULE. WHEN INSTALLED A BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) WAS ALSO NEEDED. WHEN THE BCM WAS INSTALLED DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ABLE TO PROGRAM IT TO BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE AIR BAG MODULE IN ORDER FOR THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT OR IMPACT. DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK
Equipment, Oct 6, 2004
MOLDING POSSIBLE COME LOOSE, NO ASSIST HANDLES ON AUTO. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE IS NO HELP AIDS TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *TC
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Oct 4, 2004
TWICE, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PASS OTHER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS FIRMLY PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. BOTH TIMES I WAS ABLE TO STEER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT COLLIDING WITH ANYTHING. EVIDENTLY, CHEVROLET IS AWARE OF THE POSSIBLILITY OF THIS HAPPENING, BECAUSE THE OWNER'S MANUAL DISCUSSES HOW TO RESET THE SYSTEMS WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 13, 2004
MY EQUINOX WAS PURCHASED IN 4/16/04 AND THE CHECH ENGINE LIGHT HAS CAME ON 2 TIMES, THE 1ST TIME WAS THE FUEL EMISSION GASKET THAT WAS BAD AND THE OTHE TIME WAS THE WAY THAT I DID NOT PUT THE GAS CAP ON RIGHT. AND THE REAREND IN MAKING A REAL LOUD GROUNDING SOUND ANY TIME YOU TURN THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. *AK
Visibility, Sep 10, 2004
RETAINED ACCESSORY POWER MODE - OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ABILITY TO PUT POWER WINDOWS UP WITH A WINDOW OF TIME AFTER KEYS HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION BUT NO DOORS OPENED - WINDOWS WILL NOT OPERATE - BUT RADIO AND INSIDE LIGHT DOES STAY ON....OWNERS MANUAL SAYS IT SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO THIS......BUT NONE OF THE CARS CHECKED AT THE DEALERSHIP WORK LIKE THIS....I ENJOYED THIS FEATURE IN MY 2003 TRAILBLAZER.....AND JUST WISH THIS CAR DID WHAT THE MANUAL SAYS - SO FAR DEALERSHIP SAYS THE MANUAL IS OFTEN GENERIC AND THAT THIS MUST NOT BE A FEATURE OF THE EQUINOX ---I HOPE THEY ARE WRONG AND SOME PROGRAMMING WILL CORRECT THIS MATTER - *AK
Suspension, Sep 8, 2004
WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS OR TURNING WHEEL A POPPING NOISE IS HEARD FROM THE PASSENEGER FRONT WHEEL. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT GM CURRENTLY HAS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STEADLY GETTING WORSE.*AK
Suspension, Aug 30, 2004
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. CONSUMER DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *AK THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER BALANCED THE WHEELS. *NM
Visibility, Aug 11, 2004
WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND THE REAR POWER WINDOWS WERE DOWN THE SOUND OF A FLAT TIRE WAS PRODUCED. DEALER STATED THAT WAS A NORMAL FEATURE OF THE VEHICLE. *AK