← New search

2005 Chevrolet Equinox

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 382.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

507 reports with mileage · 131 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 159 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 114 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 111 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

56 crash reports13 fire reports32 injury reports

Engine complaints

55 reports
Clear category filter
119,000 miles · Dec 11, 2015
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CNCEREND FOR THEIR SAFETY. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE SMOKE W…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CNCEREND FOR THEIR SAFETY. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE SMOKE WHERE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT REQUIRED CLOSING THE ROAD DUE TO IT BEING UNSAFE FOR OTHER DRIVERS TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD GASKET AND CRACK CYLINDERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

NHTSA ODI #10809698

Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

WHEN I AM DRIVING MY EQUINOX AND HAVE TO STOP FOR A LIGHT, IT WILL RUN HOT AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER UNTILL IT COOLS OFF AND THE TEMPERATURE NEEDLE GOES BACK DOWN. THEN WHEN I TURN IT OFF, THE FAN CONTINUES TO RUN FOR ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES UNTIL IT COOLS OFF.

NHTSA ODI #10758995

70,000 miles · Aug 10, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY HESITATE AND JERK WHEN SLOWING DOWN. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FLUIDS IN TH…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY HESITATE AND JERK WHEN SLOWING DOWN. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FLUIDS IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURES WERE REMEDIED BUT EVENTUALLY RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE KEY COULD NOT IMMEDIATELY BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10747490

94,000 miles · Jul 29, 2015
Engine

THE FIRST TIME MY 05 EQUINOX OVERHEATED ON ME WAS WHEN I WAS GETTING READY TO PARTY ON A HILL AND IT OVERHEATED ON ME THEN WE REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND THE WIRES IN MY VEHICLE THEN TOOK IT TO NISSAN AND THEY SAID THAT PITTS BROKE MY PURGE VALVE AND TRIED GLUING IT BACK SO THEY FIXED THAT AND TOLD ME MY VEHICLE WAS FIXED AND THAT…

Read full complaint

THE FIRST TIME MY 05 EQUINOX OVERHEATED ON ME WAS WHEN I WAS GETTING READY TO PARTY ON A HILL AND IT OVERHEATED ON ME THEN WE REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND THE WIRES IN MY VEHICLE THEN TOOK IT TO NISSAN AND THEY SAID THAT PITTS BROKE MY PURGE VALVE AND TRIED GLUING IT BACK SO THEY FIXED THAT AND TOLD ME MY VEHICLE WAS FIXED AND THAT IT WONT OVERHEAT ON ME AGAIN WELL ON MY WAY HOME, I WASNT EVEN 10 MINUTES AWAY FROM BEING HOME AND IT OVERHEATED ON ME AND ANTI FREEZE WAS ALL OVER THE GROUND NISSAN TOLD ME IT COULD BE MY HEAD GASKET BUT THEY WEREN'T FOR SURE BUT THEY SAID SINCE I LET SOMEONE ELSE FIX MY CAR THEY WEREN'T GOING TO PAY FOR MY VEHICLE TO GET FIXED BUT I CALLED THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT FIXED MY VEHICLE SAID THEY NEVER TOUCHED MY PURGE VALVE AND IF THEY DID THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED IT

NHTSA ODI #10744815

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2015
EnginePower Train

TAKE KEY OUT AND ENGINE DOES NOT SHUT OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10714199

97,000 miles · Apr 20, 2015
Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI #10706589

100,000 miles · Mar 20, 2015
Engine

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 MANUFACTU…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #10700629

130,000 miles · Mar 13, 2015
Engine

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 130,0…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #10694136

115,000 miles · Mar 3, 2015
Engine

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 A…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #10691759

100,000 miles · Feb 10, 2015
Engine

I PURCHASED THE EQUINOX ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO AND IT HAD 1 PRIOR OWNER. SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES.. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH START UP. AND RECENTLY I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE CAR IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK LAST WEEK IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS JUST NOT RUNNING PROPER…

Read full complaint

I PURCHASED THE EQUINOX ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO AND IT HAD 1 PRIOR OWNER. SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES.. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH START UP. AND RECENTLY I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE CAR IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK LAST WEEK IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS JUST NOT RUNNING PROPERLY, I ENDED UP STALLING ON THE HIGHWAY AT A VERY DANGEROUS INTERSECTION.. WHEN I FINALLY IT HOME IT STALLED AGAIN IN THE DRIVEWAY.. I'M REALLY HAVING A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING HOW THIS VEHICLE HAS SO MANY ISSUES AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS! I WORK HARD TO PAY THE BILLS I ALREADY HAVE AND REALLY CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP FIXING THING OR PAY FOR A NEW VEHICLE.. PLEASE TELL CHEVY TO PULL THEIR HEADS OUT OF THEIR BUTTS AND TRY HELPING SOME HARD WORKING FOLKS INSTEAD OF TRYING TO KILL THEM! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10682617

Official recalls

1

04V302000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Jun 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Chevrolet Equinox problems