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, Wheels, Service brakes, May 3, 2017
I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED IN 2026 I HAVE NOT HAD IT A YEAR YET AND AFTER THE FIRST MONTH IT HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS, THE WHEELS SOUNDS LIKE THEY ARE COMING OFF AT TIMES, IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS DRAGGING UNDERNEATH, BRAKES SCRUBS EVEN WITH MY PLACING NEW ONE ON, SOMETIME IT FEEL LIKE TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT, IT PULLS HARD AT TIME. EVEN THO THIS CAR IS OLD CAN I STILL TAKE IT IN FOR RECALL PROBLEMS. I WAS NOT TOLD ABOUT ANY RECALLS WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR, I PAID $3500 AND I FEEL I HAVE ALMOST PAID THIS MUCH IN REPAIRS,ALL OF THIS HAPPENS WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION. ON HIGHWAY​, STREETS AND IT POPS SOMETIME WHEN MAKING TURNS
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 17, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S SPEED REDUCED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED APPROXIMATELY A MONTH AND HALF AGO. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,713.
Air bags, Seat belts, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 13, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE'S THERMOSTAT HOUSING WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DISCONTINUED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO SECURE THE PASSENGERS DURING HARD BRAKING AND THE AIR BAG AND CHECK ENGINE SENSORS ILLUMINATED WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
Other or unspecified, Mar 26, 2017
IGNITION : KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION. IGNITION SWITCH IS FAULTY.
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Mar 21, 2017
MY CAR CRANKS WITHOUT TURNING THE IGNITION OVER AND I REPLACE THE BATTERY BECAUSE MY CAR KEPT QUITTING BUT IT STILL HAS TROUBLE CRANKING.MY HEATER CORE ALSO WENT OUT AFTER ONLY HAVING IT FOR A FEW MTHS.
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 19, 2017
THE IGNITION KEY WILL LOCK OR ENGINE WILL CONTINUE RUNNING WITHOUT KEY IN PLACE.
Other or unspecified, Dec 26, 2016
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE TODAY. 12/26/16. DROVE HOME. ABOUT 10 MINUTES FROM MY HOUSE. THE TEMP GAUGE GOES TO THE RED. I WAIT ABOUT 45 MIN. I TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY ASKED ME TO LEAVE IT OVERNIGHT. AFTER READING SEVERAL COMPLAINTS. CAN'T YOU ALL DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? SEEMS TO BE THE COMMON THING WITH THE TYPE OF COOLANT THAT IS USED IN THESE VEHICLES.
Service brakes, Dec 20, 2016
THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL, YOU ARE PROBABLY AWARE OF THIS THE BRAKES DON'T WORK OR THE PEDDLE PUSHES BACK AND DOESN'T APPLY THE BRAKES AFTER PRESSING HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE TC AND ABS LIGHTS COME ON AND THE BRAKES WORK. I HAVE HAD THE SPEED WHEEL SENSORS REPLACED ON BOTH FRON SIDES AND AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE NO BRAKES WE HAVE SPENT OVER 2000.00 TO TRY AND FIX THIS AND IT DOESNT SEEM TO WORK THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MECHANICS KEEP LOOKING FOR A FIX. I THINK THIS MODEL SHOULD BE RECALLED OR AT LEAST DIAGNOSED BY GM AND FIXED THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. THANKS
Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 19, 2016, crash
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON 12/15/2016 WHERE I HIT SOMEONE FROM BEHIND. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND DIDN'T NOTICE THE PEOPLE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPING. WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES, IT WAS TOO LATE AND MY CHEST WENT FLYING AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN MY EQUINOX HIT THEM, MY SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK AND MY CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE OF THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT. THE FORCE WAS SO HARD THAT THE AIR BAG DID NOT COME OUT. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS AN AIR BAG INSIDE THE VEHICLE. I COULD NOT CATCH MY BREATH AND I TESTED OUT MY SEAT BELT AND REALIZED IT DOES NOT LOCK WHEN BREAKING. IT IS ACTUALLY LOSE THE WHOLE TIME I AM DRIVING. THIS IS NOT SAFE FOR ME OR A PASSAGE THAT I HAVE IN THE CAR. TESTED OUT THE PASSAGE SIDE AS WELL AND IT IS THE SAME THING. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED OR UNLOCKED WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND THAT A SECURITY WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED AFTER THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 2, 2016
I WAS ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE AUTO IN FRONT OF ME CHANGED LANES AND I ACCELERATED TO GO PAST THE AUTO. THE ACCELERATOR STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD AND WOULD NOT RELEASE EVEN AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO TRY AND GET IT TO RESPOND. I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE THE ENGINE WAS STILL AT FULL ACCELERATION. I WAS ABLE TO CHANGE LANES AND GLIDED TO A STOP IN THE EMERGENCY LANE. WHERE I WAS ABLE TO GET THE ACCELERATOR TO DISENGAGE. I WAS VERY LUCKY THE TRAFFIC PATTERN ALLOWED ME TO TAKE EVASIVE ACTION TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE ACCELERATOR IS AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Oct 26, 2016
ABS PULSATES BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT HARD TO STOP WHEN I NEED TO. WHEN I DO PUSH DOWN ON THE BRAKES IT PUSHES BACK PREVENTING ME FROM STOPPING QUICKLY OR AT ALL. AFTER A WHILE DRIVING LIKE THIS THE ABS TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON UNTIL I TURN IT OFF AND THEN IT HAPPEN ALL OVER AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT FIX BUT THE PROBLEM KEEPS REOCCURRING. IN 2012 THE CAR JUST STOP ON THE ROAD THAT WASN'T BRAKE RELATED CAUSING US TO GET HIT FROM BEHIND AND THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE CAR NOW IS HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHERE IT SEEMS LIKE ONE THING IS FAILING AFTER ANOTHER. FOR EXAMPLE SIDE MIRRORS DON'T WORK, REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER STOP WORKING, AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 14, 2016
WHEN I 1ST BOUGHT THE CAR HAD TO CHANGE THE SUSPENSION, HEAD GASKET, ANTIFREEZE IS DISAPPEARING CAN'T SEE WHERE IT'S GOING KEY COMES OUT THE IGNITION VIN#[XXX] PURCHASED ON 8/19/15. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Other or unspecified, Oct 4, 2016
COOLING-AIR CONDITION, WINDOWS-DRIVERS FRONT WONT ROLE UP R DOWN, IGNITION- KEY WANTS TO LOCK IN IGNITION R WOCAR, SOMETIMES, KEY WILL CRANK,BUT CAR WONT CRAKE!NT TURN TO CRAKE
Engine, Sep 8, 2016
CAR OVERHEATS AND COOLANT LEAKS OUT OF NO WHERE. HEAD GASKET BLOWS HAVE BEEN REPORTED MULTIPLE TIMES ON THIS VEHICLE. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ESPECIALLY WHEN ENGINE LIGHT STARTS BLINKING AND CAR SHAKES LIKE CRAZY DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Aug 25, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE KEY EJECTED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ANY KEY COULD START THE VEHICLE, NOT JUST THE MANUFACTURER'S KEY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WERE CHANGED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SUGGESTED A SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 18, 2016
THE HEAT AND AC BOTH STOPPED WORKING. SINCE THERE IS NO HEAT TO DEFROST IN THE WINDOW, THE WINDOW FREEZES OVER WHILE DRIVING IN THE WINTER.
Steering, Air bags, Aug 7, 2016, crash
DRIVING DOWN STREET WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT HEARD LOUD POP AND THEN WASN'T ABLE TO TURN AND CRASHED INTO TREE LEFT FENDER HOOD HEADLIGHT ALL PUSHED DAMAGE TO TIRE AND ON TOP OF THAT AIRBAG DIDN'T IMPLORE AND HIT HEAD ON THE POST
Electrical system, Visibility, Structure, Jul 18, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOF WAS LEAKING. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS MOISTURE, MOLD, AND WATER ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. IN ADDITION, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL FUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE RADIO AND AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Engine, Jul 6, 2016
I JUST READ THRU SOME OF THESE COMPLAINTS ANS IT SEEM THAT CHEVY IS HAVING THE SANE THING HAPPEN WHEN ITS COMING TO THIS 05 EQUINOX. I JUST GOT CAR ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO AND ITS GOING THRU THE SAME THING. IM BEING TOLD ITS MY GASKETS BUT ITS SHOWING NO SIGNS THAT ITS BLOWN. IM SO FRUSTRATED BECAUSE THE 90 DAYS IS XPIRED AND I CANT RUN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT FROM. AND NOW TO FIND THAT CHEVREOLET IS NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGING THAT FACT THAT THIS IS GOING ON WITH A VEHICLE CREATED BY THEM. THIS IS SO UNFAIR TO CONSUMERS WHO SPEND THE MONEY TO GET THE CAR BUT CANT EVEN GET THE PROPER RESPONSE FROM THE COMPANY FOR THIS ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW JUST HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE FOR CHEVEY TO RESPOND TO THIS, I KNOW I COUNTED AT LEAST A HUNDRED...I KNOW WE TAKE CHANGES WHEN BY A USED CAR BUT AT LEAST DO A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE IT TO MANY PEOPLE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE UNKNOWING WHAT PROBLEMS THEY WILL HAVE AHEAD OF THEM...
Air bags, Engine, May 31, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT RANDOMLY FLASHED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,857.
Power train, May 22, 2016
MY 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE ACCELLERATING AT APPROXIMATELY 20-55 MPH, STARTED MAKING VIBRATION/CLANKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE I ESTATE AROUND7/5/2015 MILEAGE AROUND 245,000. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING . MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CENTER SUPPORT BEARING NEEDED REPLACED. PART WAS PURCHASED AT AUTOZONE AS A KIT PACKAGE TWO WEEKS LATER BY VEHICLES OWNER WITHIN DAYS AFTER REPAIR THE DRIVESHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND STILL IS OWNERS DAILY DRIVER APPROXIMATE MILEAGE TO DATE IS 262,000
Steering, May 22, 2016
WHEN INSERTING KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE KEY HAS TURN BUT NOT COMPLETELY CRANKED BECAUCE IT WOULD JAM. THIS HAS HAPPENED VERY SELDOMLY SINCE 07/04/2015 APPROMIMATE MILAGE AT THE MOMENT OF INITIAL INCIDENT ESTIMATED AT AROUND 230,000 ORIGINAL MILES.HOWEVER THE WHOLE FRONT WHEELS AND STEERING COLUMN LOCK UP SOMETIMES AT THE TURN OF KEY. STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP AND U CANT TURN THE KEY ALMOST LIKEIT DONT FIT BECAUSE ITS THE WRONG KEY. KEYS CAN ALSO BE REMOVED DURING OPERATION. THE VEHICLE CAN DRIVE WITH NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND BE THEN PLACED IN PARK WITH STILL NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION. THE KEY ONCE PLACED OUT PARK, EASILY SLIDES IN AND OUT OF IGNITION.
Air bags, May 22, 2016
AIRBAG LIGHT RANDOMLY CUTS ON DURING USE OF THE VEHICLE. IT CAN RANDOMLY TURN ON AUTOMATICALLY WHEN IGNITION IS TURNED ON DURING INITIAL POWERING UP OF VEHICLE BEFORE DRIVING VEHICLE AS WELL.
Power train, May 13, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A VIBRATION MOTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.