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, Apr 10, 2014
KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHEN IGNITION IS NOT OFF . CAN AND DOES FALL OUT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE NO MATTER WHAT GEAR THE SELECTOR SHIFT IS IN ( INCLUDING PARK). *TR
Electrical system, Apr 10, 2014
PROBLEMS WITH POWER WINDOWS AND DOOR SPEAKERS. HAD READ ABOUT ISSUES WITH THE WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE FRAME. I TOOK THE RUBBER BOOT OFF TO FIND 4 BROKEN WIRES. I WOULD IMAGINE THE OTHER DOORS ARE SIMILAR. HAVEN'T CKD THEM AS OF YET. I HAVE PICTURES IF YOU LIKE. *TR
Power train, Apr 10, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION IN ANY DIRECTION. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V302000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
Electrical system, Apr 2, 2014
I CAN PULL THE IGNITION KEY FOR MY 2005 OUT OF THE IGNITION OR IT CAN FALL OUT WHILE THE CAR IS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE KEYS WEAR OUT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE CAR WAS ABOUT 2 YEARS OLD. I BOUGHT IT NEW IN APRIL 2004. I DISCOVERED THIS WHEN I ACCIDENTALLY KNOCKED THE KEY OUT (FORTUNATELY DIRECTLY INTO MY HAND SO I WAS ABLE TO REINSERT IT QUICKLY.) I HAVE TO REPLACE KEYS ABOUT 2 YEARS BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS WEAR OUT. SO FAR NOTHING HAS HAPPENED WHEN THIS OCCURS BUT I AM PETRIFIED THAT THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF WHICH WILL LOCK UP THE STEERING, ETC. I DON'T INTENTIONALLY TAKE THE KEY OUT WHILE DRIVING, BUT WHAT IF IT FALLS OUT? IT'S SO LOOSE IN THE IGNITION THAT IT COULD.I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY EQUINOX OWNER WITH THIS PROBLEM. I CONTACTED GM WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED. THEIR REACTION WAS BASICALLY, "OH WELL, TRY A NEW KEY." I DID, AND THE DEALER RIPPED ME OFF FOR A WHOLE BUNCH OF MONEY TO "PROGRAM" KEYS THAT DON'T NEED TO BE PROGRAMMED (I DIDN'T FIND THIS OUT UNTIL A COUPLE YEARS LATER WHEN I BOUGHT THE NEXT SET OF KEYS ONLINE AND DIDN'T NEED TO PROGRAM THEM.) NOW, I JUST BUY KEYS ON LINE WHEN THE OLD ONES WEAR OUT. GIVEN THE PROBLEMS GM HAD WITH IGNITIONS IN THIS TIME SPAN, I THINK THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED AT CLOSELY. WHO KNOWS WHAT PROBLEMS (DEATHS?) MAY HAVE OR WILL OCCUR BECAUSE IF IT. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A BIT AFRAID OF THIS PROBLEM, AND NOW AM EVEN MORE SO. UPDATED 06/09/14 *BF *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 29, 2014
ON TRIP STOPPED FOR GAS,PULLED KEY OUT ONLY WENT 1/2 WAY. WAS STUCK WOULD NOT GO IN OR OUT. COULD NOT TURN KEY TO START THE VEHICLE.WAS WAITING FOR SERVICE, HEARD THE DOOR LOCKS CYCLE ON THEIR OWN, PANIC BUTTON ON. THEN KEY WOULD TURN AND VEHICLE WOULD START. REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AS PER THE DEALER. COST $587. THIS HAPPENED TWICE BOTH TIMES WHILE TRYING TO FUEL UP THE VEHICLE. SINCE THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS TWICE AGAIN AND DO NOTICE EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE KEY. *TR
Engine, Mar 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
Steering, Air bags, Service brakes, Mar 19, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN AND ROLLED OVER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT AND THE POWER WINDOWS FAILED TO OPEN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
Electrical system, Mar 18, 2014
I CONTACTED CHEVROLET EARLY ON ABOUT THIS PROBLEM TO NO AVAIL, THEY CLAIMED IT IS NOT COVERED. YET, ONLINE I WAS ABLE TO SEE THAT NUMEROUS CONSUMERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. RECENTLY, IT SEEMED THAT GM WAS RECALLING VEHICLES WITH A SIMILAR IGNITION PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THEM AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED SIMPLY BECAUSE IT DOES NOT SHUT OFF. THIS WAS ALL DONE OVER THE PHONE WHICH IS AN AMAZING DIAGNOSTIC TOOL THEY HAVE. I WAS ADVISED TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TO A DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIAN AND HAVE THEM CHECK IT OUT. WHEN ASKED WHAT THE COST WOULD BE, I WAS ADVISED THAT WOULD BE NORMAL SERVICE FEES WHICH IS A WASTE OF MONEY SINCE IT WOULD BE CHEAPER TO REPAIR IT AT MY MECHANIC WITHOUT ANY DEALER DIAGNOSTIC FEES. ITS DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURE DEFECT YET NO ONE WILL ADMIT IT. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 17, 2014
1ST TIME, GOING DOWN STEEP HILL, COULD NOT STOP VEHICLE, THOUGHT BRAKES DIED, HAD TO USE THE HAND BRAKE TO STOP, JUST MISSED A TRUCK BY A FOOT, WOULD OF HIT ME ON DRIVER SIDE. THAT WAS IN 2012 HAD SUV TOWED TO ROBINSON TOWNSHIP, NON GM DEALER, THEY SAID IT WAS THE IGNITION SENSOR, REPLACED IT, RE-TOWED TO GM DEALER IN MOON TOWNSHIP. THEY CHECKED IT OUT IT WAS OK SINCE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. 2ND TIME WAS IN 2013, STOPPED COMING DOWN A HILL AGAIN, NO POWER AGAIN, CALLED AAA THEY TOWED TO GM DEALER IN MOON TOWNSHIP PA. AGAIN IGNITION SENSOR REPLACED AND ALSO SOME OTHER WIRES BURNED WHICH WERE ALL REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS AROUND 33,000 ON IT ONLY. *TR
Power train, Mar 17, 2014
EQUINOX WAS ON A RECALL PREVIOUS OWNER RECEIVED NOTICE ,I NEVER DID, I HAVE BEEN PURSUING THIS MATTER FOR OVER 7 YEARS,GIVEN TO THE RUN-AROUND BY CHEVY CAN AT -1800-222-1020. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 17, 2014
WENT TO START MY CAR AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I JIGGLED IT FOR A LONG TIME AND IT FINALLY TURNED BUT THE HEADLIGHTS WONT WORK NOW. I LOOKED ON LINE AND SAW A FEW OTHER HAVE THIS ISSUE. I CANNOT DRIVE AT NIGHT NOW. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 12, 2014
DRIVING ON SMOOTH ROAD AT ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN THE IGNITION KEY FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH ONTO THE CAR FLOOR. THE SWITCH WAS STILL IN THE RUN POSITION AND I WAS ABLE TO REINSERT THE KEY INTO THE SWITCH. THE ENGINE DID NOT STOP AND THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 73500. I NOTICED I CAN MANUALLY PULL THE KEY FROM THE SWITCH AT ANYTIME. I HAVE NOT TRIED TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE MOVING TO SEE IF IT WILL LOCK WHEN THE KEY IS OUT AND THE SWITCH IS IN THE RUN POSITION. IT DOES NOT LOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND THE SWITCH IS IN THE RUN POSITION WITH THE KEY OUT. I HAD THE CAR INTO THE DEALER FOR A BRAKE ISSUE AND IN A FOLLOW UP PHONE CALL BROUGHT THE KEY ISSUE TO THE SERVICE WRITERS ATTENTION. SHE SAID TO HAVE A NEW KEY MADE BY THE DEALER USING THE VEHICLE VIN. I DID NOT DO THIS YET. I HAVE THREE KEYS MADE BY LOCAL HARDWARE STORES ALL WITH THE SAME RESULT. *TR
Engine, Mar 11, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Engine, Mar 8, 2014
I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 EQUINOX LX WITH MY TWO GRANDCHILDREN WHEN THEY NOTICED A SMELL OF EXHAUST GASES IN THE REAR PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THIS WAS WITH THE HEATING SYSTEM ON AND IN ITS NORMAL CONFIGURATION. AFTER STOPPING I CHECKED THE EXHAUST SYSTEM FOR LEAKS AND COULD NOT IDENTIFY ANY IMMEDIATELY WITH A VISUAL INSPECTION. I OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THE PIPE CONNECTING THE EGR VALVE TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS DISCONNECTED AND EMITTING EXHAUST GAS INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND INTAKE AREA. IT APPEARS THAT THE WELD ON THE PIPE BOSS WAS CRACKED. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE OCCURRED PREMATURELY. AFTER CALLING THE DEALERSHIP FOR A NEW PIPE I WAS TOLD BY THE PARTS DEPARTMENT THE PIPE WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AND I WOULD HAVE TO OBTAIN A KIT WHICH INCLUDED THE PIPE AND A NEW EGR VALVE. MY QUESTION WAS THIS EVER CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL ITEM AS THE KIT IS $360.00. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 6, 2014
THE IGNITION GETS HUNG UP AND WONT ALLOW TO START OR MOVE IGNITION SWITCH TO TURN OFF UNLESS YOU GIGGLE IT AROUND. THIS PROBLEM IS SOMETIMES HELPED BY GOING TO THE DEALER AND GETTING A NEW KEY. THIS WEARS OUT IN A FEW MONTHS AND THE PROBLEM RETURNS. *TR
Other or unspecified, Dec 30, 2013
I BOUGHT THIS EQUINOX IN MARCH 2013. WHENEVER IT RAINS I HAVE STANDING WATER IN THE FLOOR IN THE FRONT AND BACK FLOORS. THERE IS ALSO MOISTURE ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDOWS. I HAVE SEEN ONLINE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS? *TR
Suspension, Dec 25, 2013
WHILE DRIVING I HEAR A WHIRRING SOUND THAT VARIES WITH SPEED I AM DRIVING, THEN TURNS TO GRINDING. TAKE TO INDEPENDENT GARAGE (HARLOW TIRE) THEY REPLACE R FRONT WHEEL BEARING. AT COST OF APROX $379.00. ON MAY 3, 2013 I HEAR A SIMILAR SOUND, THINKING THE LEFT WHEEL BEARING MAYBE GOING I TAKE BACK TO SAME SHOP. IT TURNS OUT IT IS THE SAME ONE THEY REPAIRED R FRONT. THEY REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE. MILEAGE AT 2ND REPAIR 121778. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Dec 2, 2013
CAR WILL NOT START UNLESS I CHANGE THE REAR BRAKE FUSE. WHEN I CHANGE IT, IT CONTINUES TO BLOW OUT.. *TR
Engine, Nov 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE AS 120,000.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Oct 31, 2013
IT BEEN IN CHEVY DEALER FOR REPAIR HUB REPLACE WIND IN DEALER REFUND COST. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Oct 22, 2013
MY CENTER BEARINGS WERE REPLACED ABOUT 3YRS AGO THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE THOUGH I HAD HEARD FROM MANY PEOPLE THAT THIS WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. CLUNKING BEGAN UNDER MY CAR AGAIN SO I KNEW WHAT IT WAS. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND THE CENTER BEARINGS WERE BROKE AGAIN AND THE BEARINGS AND THE BACK OF THE DRIVESHAFT ALSO. THE REAR U JOINT WAS ALSO BROKEN. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AS WELL AS DANGEROUS. I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY CAR NO RUNNING OVER LOGS IN THE WOODS OR THINGS OF THAT NATURE HOW CAN THIS KEEP HAPPENING UNLESS IT IS A DEFECT OR FLAW IN DESIGN.THIS TIME WITH THE CLUNKING MY ANTI LOCK BRAKES WERE GOING OFF EVERY TIME I STOPPED TOO.MECHANIC HAD A HARD TIME GETTING THE PARTS TO REPLACE APPARENTLY EVERYONE NEEDS THEM BUT CHEVY SEES NO PROBLEM WITH THIS. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Oct 22, 2013
NOT SURE OF EXACT FIRST DATE CLUNKING SOUNDS UNDER CAR TOOK IT IN AND THE BEARINGS THAT HOLD THE DRIVE SHAFT WERE BROKEN. MECHANIC SAID NEVER SAW SOMETHING LIKE THAT ON A CAR WITHOUT ANY OTHER DAMAGE AND THAT WHEN HE CHECKED WITH LOCAL DEALER WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS HAPPENING A LOT. I REPORTED TO CHEVY ALSO AND YET THEY SAID THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS. *TR
Service brakes, Oct 18, 2013
I WAS ON THE FREEWAY MERGING INTO THE SLOW LANE WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLOWED SO I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND ALL I HEARD WAS GRINDING CLUNKING NO BRAKES SUDDENLY MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD BRAKES. SINCE THEN I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 5 DIFFERENT PLACES, SPENT 300 + DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE SENSORS, 700+ DOLLARS TO REPLACE ALL OF THE BRAKES AND SYSTEMS (THE GUY FELT BAD BECAUSE THE COMPUTER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG BUT HE HIMSELF ALMOST HIT THE WALL BECAUSE NO BRAKES) CLEARLY SOMETHING IS WRONG OVER 2 YEARS I HAVE SPENT OVER 2 THOUSAND DOLLARS BUT STILL THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON HERE AND THE DEALERS RESPONSE TO ME "BRING IT IN AND FOR $105 WE WILL HOOK IT UP AND SEE WHAT'S WRONG" SO WHAT I SPEND ANOTHER THOUSAND WITH THE DEALER AND NO SOLUTION. IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING THE MODELS ON HERE HAVE IN COMMON. WHY HASN'T ANYBODY LOOKED INTO THIS. IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE BEING KILLED AND CHANNEL 7 LOOKING INTO THIS BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE? LAST NIGHT MY HUSBAND ALMOST WENT INTO AN INTERSECTION BECAUSE HE COULDN'T STOP. I CAN'T AFFORD A NEW CAR IF I COULD I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN RID OF IT IN 2011. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 8, 2013
KEY KEEPS GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHEN TRYING TO REMOVE THE KEY, AFTER MONTHS OF THIS AND COMPLAINING BOUT IT TO CARMAX AND THEM NOT FINDING A "PROBLEM" THE KEY WOULD NO LONGER WORK, TURN IN THE IGNITION. NOW THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIR. THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH MANY CHEVY EQUIONXES FROM 2005-2010. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Engine, Oct 7, 2013
THIS VEHICLE IS A JOKE, I ALREADY PUT MONEY DOWN ON IT AND HAVE ONLY HAD IT A LITTLE OVER 2 WEEKS. 5 DAYS IT WAS ACTUALLY IN MY POSSESSION BUT NOT ABLE TO DRIVE IT MUCH. THE REST OF THE TIME IT WAS AT THE CAR LOTS MECHANIC, IT DIES DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, IT IS HARD TO START AND SOMETIMES WON'T START AFTER 10 TRIES, IT IS SHIFTING HARD AND NOT WHEN IT IS NECESSARY( DOWN SHIFTING WHEN SPEEDING UP) AND IT HAS A HORRIBLE NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHICH THE MECHANIC CAN'T FIGURE OUT. NOT TO MENTION THAT THE FUEL PUMP WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED THANKS TO THE FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING PROPERLY... I FEEL LIKE I JUST MADE A VERY COSTLY MISTAKE( I STILL OWE 6900 ON THIS VEHICLE... ) CHEVY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THIS VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE FIXING THESE PROBLEMS. *TR