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.
Electrical system, Jul 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON ONE OTHER OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION KEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Power train, Jul 13, 2015
PCN WENT OUT AND SOME OF THE MODELS ARE ON RECALL AND SOME ARE NOT. MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND I DONT KNOW WHY.MY CALL IS DEAD WILL COST 800.00 TO FIX. NO ONE IS ABLE TO TELL ME WHY .
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 7, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V459000 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Electrical system, Jul 3, 2015
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MECHANIC HAD OFF AND ON FOR 3 WEEKS, UNABLE TO FIND CAUSE. DMV ISSUED WAVIER ON 4/9/2015 SO THAT WE COULD GET RENEWAL TAGS. TOOK TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO WAS RECOMMENDED BY FIRST ONE. THEY REPLACED R&R CANISTER PURGE SOLENOID AND THE WIRING HARNESS ON 6/22/2015. THE LIGHT STAYED OFF FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. WE RETURNED TO MECHANIC. PICKED UP ON 6/29/2015, LIGHT STAYED OFF UNTIL 7/2/2015. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO RETURN TO MECHANIC ON MONDAY DUE TO THIS BEING HOLIDAY WEEKEND.
Other or unspecified, Jun 27, 2015
MY FAMILY WITH A NEWBORN AND I WAS GOING TO GET ICE CREAM AT A ESTABLISHMENT. MIND YOU IT WAS A VERY HOT DAY, AND UPON LEAVING WE COULDN'T LEAVE BECAUSE THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN OVER. THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE LOCK POSITION ONLY. I BELIEVE THE IGNITION CYLINDER ISN'T ANY GOOD.
Structure, Jun 23, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Electrical system, Jun 19, 2015
BAD IGNITION SWITCH
Other or unspecified, Jun 15, 2015
ENGINE WAS RUNNING WITH VEHICLE IN PARK, AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE KEY RIGHT OUT OF THE IGNITION WITH NO RESISTANCE. ...UPDATED 07/30/15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED TO DISREGARD THE COMPLAINT. THE ISSUE WAS A WORN KEY, WHICH WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 08/06/15*JB
Electrical system, May 17, 2015
POWER DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING ALONG WITH THE REAR HATCH LOCK. UNABLE TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH. DEALER WANTS $1800 TO REPAIR.
Electrical system, Service brakes, May 16, 2015
THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BRAKE BEGAN TO LOCK UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED TWICE NOW. THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS KEEPS FALLING OFF DO THE METAL CLIP IT HOOKS ONTO RUSTING. THE WIRING HARNESS CLIP ON THE END WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE HUB IS SHOT. THE ABS LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON.I'VE TRIED TO CLEAN IT MANY TIMES TO NO AVAIL. I'M SICK AND TIRED OF THIS PROBLEM. NO MATTER WHAT I DO, IT STILL CAUSES PROBLEM. AND I AM A PA CERTIFIED INSPECTION MECHANIC. I'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH A POOR BRAKE SYSTEM IN MY LIFE. I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKES 4 TIMES NOW, AND PROBABLY WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THEM AGAIN IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR, 2015 WHEN MY STATE INSPECTION WILL BE DUE. THE JOKE OF IT ALL IS THAT THE REAR BRAKES ARE STILL THE ORIGINAL BRAKES AND STAND AT THE LAST INSPECTION AT 8/32. THIS TELLS ME THAT THE BRAKE DISTRIBUTION EQUALIZER IS NOT WORKING. ALL MY STOPPING POWER IS ON THE FRONT BRAKES. MY EQUINOX IS 10 YEARS OLD. SURELY BY NOW THE REAR BRAKES SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED A FEW TIMES. THERE IS ONLY 38,300 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE NOW AND IT LOOKS LIKE NEW. I TAKE EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLES. EVERY 3000 MILES THE OIL AND TIRES ARE ROTATED, AND EVERYTHING ELSE IS INSPECTION BY ME. I WAS GOING TO BUY A 2015 EQUINOX, BUT WAS TORN AWAY BY THE DELAYS OF CHEVROLET ON THESE PROBLEMS. IN THE END, THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED AND THE ENTIRE ABS SYSTEM SHOULD BE COMPLETELY RE-EXAMINED AND REPAIRED. FINALLY AFTER 3 YEARS, I NOW GOT A NEW IGNITION AND 2 NEW KEYS. YA. THANK YOU !!!!! IF I HAVE TOO, I WILL MAKE A VIDEO ON THIS, AS I DID THE IGNITION SWITCH AND SEND IT IN. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME FOR THE BRAKES ITS BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS AND ITS ON GOING. *TR
Other or unspecified, May 13, 2015
CHECK ENGINE LIKE ON. ENGINE TEMPERATURE TOO LOW CAUSING THE HEAT NOT TO WORK. REPLACED THERMOSTAT AND SEALS.
Other or unspecified, May 13, 2015
SEAT BELT LIGHT IS ON WHEN DRIVER IS BUCKLED, ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON, REPLACED BRAKES AND FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL BEARING, BEARING WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED 3/2014. HAVE HAD TO REPLACE WHEEL BEARINGS AND STRUTS IN THE FRONT ABOUT EVERY 6 MONTHS. JUST REPLACED FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IN 3/2015. TODAY SAME NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END, NEED FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BEARING REPLACED AFTER 2 MONTHS.
Other or unspecified, May 13, 2015, crash
HEAD ON ACCIDENT INTO DITCH, AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF
Other or unspecified, May 13, 2015
KEY COMES OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING, CAN TAKE THE KEY IN AND OUT OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE THE CAR IS DRIVING, DOES NOT TURN THE CAR OFF. ALSO SOMETIMES THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT LOCK AND PREVENTS YOU FROM BEING ABLE TO START THE CAR.
Power train, Engine, May 2, 2015
TAKE KEY OUT AND ENGINE DOES NOT SHUT OFF. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Apr 22, 2015
I WENT TO GET MY INSPECTION STICKER AND RECEIVED AN SAFETY/EMISSIONS RECALL SHEET OF PAPER INDICATING THAT I MIGHT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS DEFECT NUMBER: 2529, ENGINE FAMILY:5GMXV02.2025, EMISSION PROBLEM: SOME ENGINE CONTROL MODULES OR POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULES HAVE POTENTIALLY DAMAGED INTEGRATED CIRCUITS. THIS MAY CAUSE THE EGR SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION OR CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO TURN OFF OR THE TURBO SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT A MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME ABOUT THE EGR SYSTEM. IF YOU COULD PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT THIS ISSUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND IF IT IS COVERED OR IF I CAN GET IT REPAIRED AT NO COST TO ME. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 1 YEAR SINCE MARCH 1, 2014. I'M THE SECOND OWNER. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Apr 21, 2015
A LOUD POP OCCURRED DURING OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND THEN A NOTICEABLE CHANGE IN THE SUSPENSION WAS FELT. IN TESTING THE VEHICLES ABILITY TO TRAVEL TO A REPAIR CENTER THE BRAKE PEDDLE WOULD DROP TO THE FLOOR AS IF IT LOST COMPRESSION. THIS OCCURRED AFTER CAREFULLY OBSERVING THE TROUBLESOME BEHAVIOR OF THE TURNING CAPABILITIES AND SUSPENSION OF THE TIRES. IT SEEMED TO MAKE AN AWFUL GRINDING NOISE WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS BUT NOT LEFT TURNS. PREVIOUSLY BEFORE THESE PROBLEMS AROSE, THE APPARENT ISSUE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND ITS FUNCTIONING PARTS(POWER DOORS, WINDOWS ETC.) WERE MALFUNCTIONING, INCLUDING THE RADIO. AT THE INITIAL PURCHASE OF THE CAR THE ONLY SEEMINGLY HARMLESS THING TO MIND WAS THE STICKING OF THE IGNITION SWITCH AT TIMES. TO DATE, THE CAR IS NOT ABLE TO REVERSE FROM PARKING POSITION, AND HAS A NEW ISSUE OF LOCKING UP TOTALLY AND NOT ABLE TO ENGAGE FORWARD. THE CAR IS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WHEN SEARCHING FOR CHEAPER INSURANCE (BYVIN) WE WERE IMMEDIATELY, UNDER NO UNCERTAIN TERMS ALERTED THAT THE CAR WAS UNFIT TO BE INSURED. THIS WAS TOLD AND SENT IN WRITTEN FORM TO US FROM A REPUTABLE INSURANCE AGENCY. *TR
Engine, Apr 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
Electrical system, Apr 14, 2015
I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH CHEVROLET ON THIS. THIS AUTO HAS A BRANDED TITLE AND HAS A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. THE KEY COMES OUT WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING. WE DID NOT OWN THE CAR WHEN IT WAS DAMAGED SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED THAT ACCIDENT. I DO KNOW THAT THERE WAS VERY LITTLE DAMAGE TO IT. THEY ARE TELLING ME THEY WON'T COVER REPLACEMENT OF THE SWITCH BECAUSE IT HAS A BRANDED TITLE. I FEEL THIS SAYS THAT MY LIFE IS NOT AS IMPORTANT AND THE PERSON WITH A NEW VEHICLE. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CHEVROLET PERSON AND HAVE HAD BRAND NEW ONES SO THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING TO ME. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS? *TR
Engine, Mar 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INDICATED THE A COMPUTER IN THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 16, 2015
THE FRONT LIGHTS ON THE CAR COMES ON AT NIGHT WHEN CAR IS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, NOT BEING USED BY PERSONS. THIS CAR MAY NOT START IN THE MORNING BECAUSE THE BATTERY MAYBE DEAD, DUE TO LIGHTS COMING ON BY IT SELF. WE HAD THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH REPLACED IN THE PAST WEEK, AND THAT'S WHEN THE LIGHTS STARTED TO ACT UP. *TR
Engine, Mar 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INDICATED THAT THE COMPUTER IN THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Steering, Power train, Mar 7, 2015
IN THE PAST THE TRANSMISSION HAS QUIT WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, NOW THE STEERING LOCKS UP WHEN DRIVING. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 6, 2015, crash
ON 2/17/15, I, ALONG WITH 3 OF MY CHILDREN, WERE DRIVING ALONG THE ROADWAY AT APPROX. 7AM. AS I WENT AROUND A MINOR BEND IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE PULLED HARD TO THE LEFT SLAMMING THE DRIVER'S SIDE INTO THE SNOWBANK AROUND THE GUARDRAIL. IT CONTINUED MOVING FORWARD AS I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKE AND LIGHTLY MOVE THE WHEEL TO GET US BACK INTO OUR LANE. THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND AS I TRIED TO STRAIGHTEN IT UP, I WAS SENT INTO A SPIN UNTIL THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO THE SNOW ON OUR SIDE OF THE ROAD, BRINGING US TO A STOP. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED & AS I TRIED TO PULL AWAY, I REALIZED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ON. IT HAD SHUT ITSELF DOWN. I HAD MY BROTHER LOOK AT IT & TEST DRIVE, HE FOUND NOTHING, SO I ASSUMED IT WAS A 1 TIME EVENT AND PROCEEDED TO USE THE VEHICLE. ON 2/22/15, MY NEPHEW AND MY DAUGHTER USED THE VEHICLE TO GO TO TOWN. HE GOT LESS THAN 3 MILES FROM HOME, HEADING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN, WHEN HE REALIZED THERE WAS LITTLE TO NO STEERING. HE LOOKED DOWN & SAW THAT ONCE AGAIN, THE VEHICLE HAD SHUT ITSELF OFF. HE TOO ENDED UP CRASHING. LUCKILY HE WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE RD, INTO THE SNOWBANK JUST BEFORE A SEMI WENT SPEEDING BY. AGAIN, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. IT CONCERNS ME WITH THE MASSIVE RECALL THAT I FOUND ONLINE, THAT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE LIST, BUT MANY PPL SEEM TO BE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED IN OUR INCIDENTS. BUT THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT SAFE & SHOULD NOT BE ON THE ROADS IN THIS CONDITION. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT BOTH INCIDENTS WERE DURING A CLEAR SPOT IN TRAFFIC. NOW THE VEHICLE SITE IN MY DRIVE BECAUSE I DO NOT TRUST THAT WHATEVER THEY DO WILL FIX IT & I CANNOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE PASS THIS DEATH TRAP ON TO ANYONE ELSE. I CONTACTED GM HOPING FOR A BIT OF HELP & PERHAPS AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLES, BUT THEY REFUSED. *TR
Engine, Mar 3, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE HEAD GASKETS BLEW ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP HAD BEEN CHANGED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKETS FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.