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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.

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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
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60,000 miles · Dec 29, 2014
Engine

CAR OVERHEATED GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE (ABOUT 65 MPH). BLEW A HEAD GASKET, FIXED THAT. THEN OVERHEATED A WEEK LATER WHILE IN TOWN DRIVING (ABOUT 45 MPH) BLEW A HEAD GASKET AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668690

115,000 miles · Nov 6, 2014
EngineVisibility/wiper

WATER NOISE IN DASH FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW. LOOSING ANTIFREEZE BUT CAN'T FIND WHERE. NOW THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK, ONLY BLOWS COLD AIR. CAN BECOME AN ISSUE WHEN DRIVING SINCE WINDSHIELD CAN FOG UP AND YOU CAN'T GET RID OF IT WITH YOUR DEFROSTER... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10653216

91,000 miles · Sep 25, 2014
Engine

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEEDS THIS VEHICAL BOGGS WAY WAY DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 250 RPMS AND THEN JUMPS BACK UP. NOT SAFE FOR DRIVERS THAT ARE DRIVING BEHIND ME WHEN IT BOGGS DOWN. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND HAVE GOTTEN THE RUN AROUND NOW FOR 2 YEARS AND HAVE REPLACED A LOT OF PARTS TO TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEM ALL BECAUSE GM SAID THEY C…

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WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEEDS THIS VEHICAL BOGGS WAY WAY DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 250 RPMS AND THEN JUMPS BACK UP. NOT SAFE FOR DRIVERS THAT ARE DRIVING BEHIND ME WHEN IT BOGGS DOWN. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND HAVE GOTTEN THE RUN AROUND NOW FOR 2 YEARS AND HAVE REPLACED A LOT OF PARTS TO TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEM ALL BECAUSE GM SAID THEY CAN'T DO A RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS A MODEL MADE DURING THE GOVERNMENT BAIL OUT PROGRAM. WHY IS THIS. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF PEOPLE ASKING ABOUT THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS I'M HAVING AND LIKE ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS GM IS HAVING THEY ARE STRIVING TO COVER THIS ON UP AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639074

97,357 miles · Aug 3, 2014
Engine

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #10618470

81,159 miles · Mar 29, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

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 HAPPE…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10575551

190,000 miles · Mar 28, 2014
Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI #10575361

Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2014
Engine

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10568617

75,000 miles · Mar 8, 2014
EngineFuel System, GasolinePower Train

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 O…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10567953

115,000 miles · Nov 5, 2013
Engine

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10551005

132,645 miles · Oct 7, 2013
EnginePower TrainSuspension

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 SHIFTIN…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10546955

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.

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