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, Aug 20, 2014
SOMETIMES IT IS HARD TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH TO THE ON POSITION - ONCE THERE, THE KEY COMES OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 20, 2014
THE IGNITION ON MY VEHICLE LITERALLY EATS MY KEY. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY KEY SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE EVENTUALLY KEY WON'T START VEHICLE. ALSO AFTER WEAR OF NEW KEY, THE KEY COMES OUT OF IGNITION WHILE VEHICLE IS RUNNING. *TR
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Aug 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY STEERED TO THE EXTREME RIGHT. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO DRIVE THROUGH A DITCH, ACROSS TRAFFIC, AND THROUGH ANOTHER DITCH. THE CONTACT HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT DID NOT CRASH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE IN ONE DAY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE IGNITION AND MIDDLE DRIVE SHAFT CARRIER BEARING WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 10/09/14*LJ UPDATED 05/18/2015 *JS
Structure, Aug 17, 2014
IN LATE JUNE I STARTED TO NOTICE A MUSTY SMELL EVERY TIME I ENTERED MY CAR. HOWEVER AFTER SEARCHING FOR THE SOURCE I COULD FIND NOTHING AS THE SMELL CONTINUED TO LINGURE AND BECOME WORSE. THEN WHEN CLEANING OUT THE VEHICLE FOR VACATION I DISCOVERED A BUILDUP OF WATER IN THE SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT, THE PADDING BETWEEN THE BODY AND TIRE WAS COMPLETELY SATURATED WITH WATER. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW THIS OCCURRED BUT QUICKLY TURNED TO THE INTERNET TO SEARCH FOR A RECALL, ONLY TO FIND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH NO ANSWER AS TO HOW TO STOP THE ISSUE. *TR
Power train, Aug 13, 2014
GETTING A VERY LOUD HUMMING/GROWLING SOUND COMING FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE. STARTS WHEN DRIVING OVER 25 MPH AND GETS LOUDER THE FASTER YOU DRIVE. THINKING THE FRONT REAR END IS GOING OUT. NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH THIS VEHICLE. WILL NEVER BUY ONE AGAIN AND DON'T RECOMMEND TO ANYONE. SISTER ALSO HAS AN EQUINOX AND SHE HAS PUT IN OVER $3000 TO GET IT JUST TO RUN. GOING TO FIX IT FAST AND TRADE IT IN. CHEVY SHOULD RECALL THIS PIECE OF CRAP. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 6, 2014
2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THERE WAS AN INTERNAL PROBLEM IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER TUMBLERS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER. THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS, WITH THE IGNITION CYLINDER BINDING UP DUE TO DEBRIS INSIDE THE CYLINDER HOUSING. THE LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. *JB
Service brakes, Aug 4, 2014
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, WE EXPERIENCE SEVERE RESISTANCE IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, PEDAL WOULD PULSATE AND THEN BRAKING SYSTEM WOULD MAKE A NOISE, BUT YOU COULD NOT STOP UNLESS YOU STOOD ON THE PEDAL WITH ALL YOU BODY WEIGHT. THEN THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE STATING THAT THE SYSTEMS WERE DISENGAGED AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM WOULD WORK NORMALLY. UNFORTUNATELY, EVERY TIME YOU START THE CAR YOU EXPERIENCE THE SAME THING, UNTIL THE SYSTEM DISENGAGES YOU CANNOT STOP QUICKLY. THIS HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED. THE DEALERSHIP SEEMS TO HAVE NO SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Engine, Aug 3, 2014
I'VE HAD MY USED 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT UNTIL YESTERDAY. I HAD DRIVEN 32 MILES TO VISIT A RELATIVE AND PARKED THE CAR FOR THE REST OF THE EVENING. THE FOLLOWING DAY, I WENT TO TAKE A RIDE WITH MY FAMILY, AND THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS WENT ON AND THE CAR DIDN'T WANT TO DRIVE NORMAL. I DID A DIAGNOSTIC SCAN AND P0700, P1125, P2125, AND P2138 CODES CAME UP! *TR
Electrical system, Jul 30, 2014
KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION. IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 23, 2014
SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL NOT START UNLESS YOU PUSH IN THE GAS PEDAL. HAVE SEEN ON LINE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM, AND YET NO RECALL? *TR
Structure, Jul 14, 2014
FRONT DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. *TR
Service brakes, Visibility/wiper, Jul 14, 2014
FRONT AND BACK WINDOWS FOG UP AND DEFROST DOES NOTHING. VISIBILITY IS SEVERELY LIMITED AND THIS CREATES VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. NOTHING HELPS TO ALLEVIATE THE ISSUE. I HAVE TRIED WIPING THE WINDSHIELD, CLEANING IT, ALCOHOL, RAIN X, DEFROST, HOT AIR, COLD AIR, WINDOWS DOWN, WINDOWS UP, SUNROOF HALFWAY OPEN, DOING BACK FLIPS AND NOTHING HELPS. BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS. HAD NUMEROUS REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY STARTING 3 MONTHS, 3,500 MILES AFTER I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT IN 2005 AND HAVE SPENT CLOSE TO $8,500 ON REPAIRS AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 50,000. TRANSMISSION DROPPED, A/C REPAIRED 2X, SOLENOIDS & SENSORS REPLACED, WINDSHIELD WIPER LEAK, RADIATOR REPLACED 2X, STRUTS, CALIPERS, NOW, AMONGST ALL THE OTHER ISSUES I'VE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE, THE A/C-HEAT KNOB NO LONGER TURNS, GLOVE BOX LID JUST FELL DOWN ONE DAY B/C THE LATCH SUDDENLY BROKE, HAVE TO GET MY BRAKE CALIPERS & ANOTHER WHEEL HUB REPLACED FOR THE 4TH TIME, WATER STILL LEAKS THROUGH THE MAP LIGHTS, I COULD GO ON. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Traction control system, Service brakes, Jul 11, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN ENGAGED AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NEEDED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE ABS SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,645. UPDATED 9/4/14*CN UPDATED 12/18/2014 *JS
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Jul 10, 2014
I HAD TROUBLE INSERTING THE KEY IN TO THE IGNITION. AFTER INSERTED I DROVE THE CAR TO THE STORE. WHEN I TURNED OFF THE CAR THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. AFTER WIGGLING THE KEY AROUND IT FINALLY CAME OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED. WHEN I TRIED TO PUT THE KEY BACK IN THE IGNITION THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NOT UNLOCK. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE COLUMN UNLOCKED AND THE KEY WAS ABLE TO BE INSERTED AND THE CAR STARTED. THIS HAS OCCURRED REPEATEDLY SINCE THE ABOVE DATE. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 8, 2014
THE KEY BECOMES LOOSE IN THE IGNITION AND CAME OUT WHILE CAR WAS ON OR IN MOTION. SPENT OVER $400 TO REPAIR IT AND NOW GM HAS MADE A MAJOR RECALL IN THE AREA BUT NOT ON THE 2005 EQUINOX. I HAD IT REPAIRED IN OR AROUND NOVEMBER 2013. *JS
Electrical system, Jul 3, 2014
CAN NOT TURN THE IGNITION KEY. I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THE 2005 EQUINOX. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS ME AND MY PROBLEM BY THE DEALER. *TR
Steering, Jul 2, 2014
I WASN'T INVOLVE IN AN ACCIDENT ITS JUST MY IGNITION HAS TROUBLE STARTING FROM TIME TO TIME, IT ACTS AS IF IT WANT TO START THEN ILL SHUT OFF I RESTART IT & IT JUST HAS A HARD TIME STARTING. NEEDING ANSWERS ON WHAT TO DO. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 2, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE KEY WOULD DETACH FROM THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED DAILY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER MADE A NEW IGNITION KEY, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX MONTHS LATER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Structure, Service brakes, Jul 1, 2014
WATER SEEPED IN UNDER SUN ROOF, DOWN FRONT DRIVER SIDE ROOF PILLAR AND THEN INTO CAR BEHIND DASHBOARD THEN DRIPPED DOWN INTO COMPUTER CONTROL DEVICE (WHERE OBDII UNIT HOOKS UP) WHERE IT SHORTED OUT ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I WAS GOING DOWN A HILL INTO TOWN WHERE SPEED IS 45 MPH AND MY SISTER IN LAW WAS IN CAR AND WE WERE HEADING TO AIRPORT HOWEVER ENGINE JUST SHUT DOWN. BRAKES AND STEERING BECAME REALLY MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. WE COASTED TO A STOP AND AFTER 15 MINS CAR STARTED UP BUT WITH SIGNIFICANTLY DIMINISHED POWER SO I DROVE INTO A SERVICE STATION WHERE CAR STAYED FOR NEXT 2-DAYS. I DISCOVERED WHAT SHUT CAR DOWN WHEN I STARTED SQUIRTING WATER ONTO ROOF AT A CAR WASH AND WATER STARTED DRIPPING DOWN ONTO CARPET FLOORING BUT FIRST IT SEEPED INTO COMPUTER CONTROL UNIT. I WAITED OUT DRYING OF UNIT AND THEN DROVE HOME AND APPLIED A LOT CAULK TO SUNROOF WHERE GLASS MEET METAL/RUBBER. CAR EXTERIOR ROOF NOW LOOKS TERRIBLE AS CAULK DRIED SORT OF A BROWN CRUD COLOR (CAR IS WHITE) BUT NO MORE (KNOCK ON WOOD) ENGINE STALLING WHEN IT RAINS OR I GO THROUGH A CAR WASH. MAKES ME VERY NERVOUS WHEN ON ROAD AND IN RAIN. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 1, 2014
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE KEYS CAME OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE CAR REMAINED DRIVABLE. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER, REINSERTED THE KEY AND CONTINUED ON THE TRIP. THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED AT ANY TIME. THE IGNITION HAS BEEN REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE BUT THE CAR IS STILL HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 1, 2014
I HAVE HAD AN IGNITION PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY A YEAR OR MORE. WHEN I PUT KEY IN IGNITION, I HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING IT TO TURN TO START VEHICLE. AND THEN, WHEN I WANT TO TURN CAR OFF, IT IS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION. I TOOK TO CHEVY DEALER IN KENOSHA, WI AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT ON RECALL LIST AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT MYSELF. I JUST WONDER WITH ALL THESE RECALLS GOING ON WITH CHEVY FOR THE SAME ISSUE THAT I AM HAVING WITH MY CHEVY, WHY THEY WON'T FIX IT AND COVER EXPENSES? PLEASE HELP! *TR
Service brakes, Jun 23, 2014
AT APPROXIMATELY 10-30 MPH THE CARS ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES ON ITS OWN, BOTH WHILE STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDDLE AND WHILE JUST DRIVING WITHIN THAT SPEED RANGE. WHILE TRYING TO COME TO A STOP, THE ABS SYSTEM WILL ENGAGE AND WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO STOP SAFELY. IN ONE INSTANCE I HAD TO YANK ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND DROP THE CAR TO A LOWER GET JUST TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE SYSTEM WILL KEEP ENGAGING UNTIL THE SYSTEM TIMES ITSELF OUT. THEN THE ABS AND TC LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATE. I AM APPROXIMATE $1500.00 INTO THIS ISSUE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND STILL NO SOLUTION. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE CARS FL HUB ASSEMBLY, MULTIPLE SPEED SENSORS, AND THE E.B.C.M. THROUGH CHANGING ALL THING PARTS STILL NO SUCCESS. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY THERE NOW FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSING. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Jun 23, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V302000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 9/18/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WOULD SPUTTER TO A STOP NEED TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY FAILED COMPLETELY. UPDATED 02/12/2015 *JS
Electrical system, Jun 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,000.
Power train, Jun 16, 2014
THE CENTER DRIVE SHAFT BEARING HAS FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME. ONCE AT 50,000 MILE AND NOW AT 100,000 MILES. COSTLY TO REPLACE 800 DOLLARS. THIS BEARING COULD CAUSE A SEVERE ACCIDENT AN INJURY IF NOT KNOW WHY THE VEHICLE IS VIBRATING. *TR CHEVY SAYS NOT THEIR PROBLEM FOR PARTS TO WEAR OUT. *TR