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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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

17 reports
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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

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2012
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

CAR DOESN'T START ON FIRST ATTEMPT. IT TRIES, THEN EVEN AFTER I RELEASE THE KEY IT CONTINUES TO START, LIKE ITS STUCK, I HAVE TO PUMP THE GAS TO GET IT TO START, AND IT ACTS FLOODED. I HAVE SPENT CLOSE TO $5000.00 DOLLARS, BRAKES, WHEEL BEARINGS, EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE FRONT END BEGAN TO FEEL VERY LOOSE. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE S…

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CAR DOESN'T START ON FIRST ATTEMPT. IT TRIES, THEN EVEN AFTER I RELEASE THE KEY IT CONTINUES TO START, LIKE ITS STUCK, I HAVE TO PUMP THE GAS TO GET IT TO START, AND IT ACTS FLOODED. I HAVE SPENT CLOSE TO $5000.00 DOLLARS, BRAKES, WHEEL BEARINGS, EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE FRONT END BEGAN TO FEEL VERY LOOSE. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE STRUTS PREMATURELY FAILED AND CREATED A VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION. REPLACED MOUNTS STRUTS ETC ETC THIS CAR HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW OUT OF THE DEALER. 2005 NEW PROBLEM STEERING WHEEL IS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE DEALER IS SAYING $1300.00 TO REPAIR IT WHEN DOES IT STOP GM / CHEVY NEEDS TO FIX THIS CARS AT NO COST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454856

50,000 miles · Mar 20, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

EGR TUBE CRACKED AND LEAKS EXHAUST INTO CAR. DEALER REFUSES TO FIX AND STATED INSTEAD OF THE PART TO FIX THIS OURSELVES, (LESS THAN $100) WE WOULD NEED THE 'UPDATED' KIT WHICH WAS NEARLY $400 PLUS THE LABOR TO INSTALL PLUS AND ADDITIONAL FEE TO 'CALIBRATE' THE NEW PART. LOOKING AT OVER $750+ TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. …

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EGR TUBE CRACKED AND LEAKS EXHAUST INTO CAR. DEALER REFUSES TO FIX AND STATED INSTEAD OF THE PART TO FIX THIS OURSELVES, (LESS THAN $100) WE WOULD NEED THE 'UPDATED' KIT WHICH WAS NEARLY $400 PLUS THE LABOR TO INSTALL PLUS AND ADDITIONAL FEE TO 'CALIBRATE' THE NEW PART. LOOKING AT OVER $750+ TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. NICE WAY TO SCAM MONEY FOR YOUR DEALERS! CHEVY NEEDS TO RECALL THIS! *KB

NHTSA ODI #10452338

124,000 miles · Oct 31, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN AN OVERPOWERING FUEL ODOR WAS EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT A SQUIRREL HAD CHEWED THROUGH THE FUEL LINE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE CONTA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN AN OVERPOWERING FUEL ODOR WAS EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT A SQUIRREL HAD CHEWED THROUGH THE FUEL LINE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

NHTSA ODI #10433703

51,000 miles · May 9, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE WAS READING INACCURATELY AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH FUEL WAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE WAS READING INACCURATELY AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH FUEL WAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

NHTSA ODI #10399658

60,000 miles · Mar 30, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

HAD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM EXHAUST AND HAVE EXHAUST FUMES COMING THRU THE VENTS, AND FOUND THAT IT WAS THE ERG VALVE (BROKE IN TWO). WENT TO DEALERSHIP TO GET REPLACEMENT PART AND WAS TOLD BY THE PARTS GUY THAT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE EQUINOX AND THAT THEY NOW HAVE CHANGED THE ENTIRE PART SO YOU CAN NO LONGER JUST REP…

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HAD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM EXHAUST AND HAVE EXHAUST FUMES COMING THRU THE VENTS, AND FOUND THAT IT WAS THE ERG VALVE (BROKE IN TWO). WENT TO DEALERSHIP TO GET REPLACEMENT PART AND WAS TOLD BY THE PARTS GUY THAT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE EQUINOX AND THAT THEY NOW HAVE CHANGED THE ENTIRE PART SO YOU CAN NO LONGER JUST REPLACE THE $20 TUBE, YOU HAVE TO GET THE $300 PART, PLUS LABOR AND THEN HAVE THE SHOP 'RESET' THE COMPUTER TO MATCH THE NEW PART..........ANOTHER $200 SERVICE. THIS APPARENTLY IS A HUGE PROBLEM DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SHOULD BE RECALLED!!! NICE SCAM CHEVY! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10393696

45,000 miles · Mar 4, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX FAILS TO START SOMETIMES. IT TURNS OVER LIKE IT WANTS TO START BUT NOTHING. I'VE HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND THEY CAN'T SEEM TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. STEPPING ON THE GAS WILL USUALLY GET THE CAR TO FINALLY START BUT NOT ALWAYS. IT IS HAPPENING MORE AND MORE OFTEN. THE BATTERY, STARTER, ETC HAS BEEN CHECKED AND T…

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MY 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX FAILS TO START SOMETIMES. IT TURNS OVER LIKE IT WANTS TO START BUT NOTHING. I'VE HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND THEY CAN'T SEEM TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. STEPPING ON THE GAS WILL USUALLY GET THE CAR TO FINALLY START BUT NOT ALWAYS. IT IS HAPPENING MORE AND MORE OFTEN. THE BATTERY, STARTER, ETC HAS BEEN CHECKED AND THEY'RE FINE. NEXT STEP IS CHANGING FUEL PUMP (VERY EXPENSIVE) BUT NONE OF THE LOCAL GARAGES SEEM TO THINK THAT IS REALLY THE PROBLEM AS THEY SEE THIS A LOT ON THE EQUINOX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10386413

50,000 miles · Feb 23, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW WITH 4 MILES ON IT. I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER. SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED IN 2007 ($1400). MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR COSTLY REPAIRS. MY KEY COMES OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE DRIVING, AND IT IS HARD TO START. I HAVE TO WIGGLE THE KEY EVERY O…

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I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW WITH 4 MILES ON IT. I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER. SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED IN 2007 ($1400). MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR COSTLY REPAIRS. MY KEY COMES OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE DRIVING, AND IT IS HARD TO START. I HAVE TO WIGGLE THE KEY EVERY OTHER TIME I TRY TO START MY CAR. I'VE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR STARTING. WHEN I GO TO CRANK IT UP IT SOUNDS LIKES IT TRIES TO START THEN DIES. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN. MY CAR IS NOT IN THE SHOP DUE TO WATER LEAKAGE. THERE A LARGE COLLECTION OF WATER WITH MY SPARE TIRE, AND THE FLOOR IN THE BACK SEAT IS SOAKED. I WAS TOLD FROM THE GM SERVICE DEPARTMENT THEY SEE THIS OFTEN IN MY MODEL VEHICLE BUT NO RECALL FOR IT AT THIS TIME SO IT'S OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. ALSO I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR MY STEERING WHEEL. IT MAKES A LOUD SOUND EVERY TIME THE WHEEL IS TURNED AND THEY CANNOT SEEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS VERY OFTEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313082

42,456 miles · Aug 1, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

JUST THIS WEEK, WITHOUT ANY WARNING MY 2005 EQUINOX DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET AND WOULD NOT START....WHEN THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP GOT IT (NOT UNDER WARRANTY) THEY FOUND THAT THE FUEL PUMP BLEW A FUSE AND WHILE REPLACING THE FUSE IT CONTINUED TO BE A PROBLEM. SO I HAD TO FORK OVER A SMALL FORTUNE TO HAVE THE FUEL FILTER R…

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JUST THIS WEEK, WITHOUT ANY WARNING MY 2005 EQUINOX DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET AND WOULD NOT START....WHEN THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP GOT IT (NOT UNDER WARRANTY) THEY FOUND THAT THE FUEL PUMP BLEW A FUSE AND WHILE REPLACING THE FUSE IT CONTINUED TO BE A PROBLEM. SO I HAD TO FORK OVER A SMALL FORTUNE TO HAVE THE FUEL FILTER REPLACED. SHOULDN'T SOMETHING LIKE THE FUEL FILTER, OF WHICH IS INSIDE THE FUEL TANK, BE UNDER A LIFE TIME WARRANTY FROM THE ORIGINAL? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10236633

Mileage unknown · May 30, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TOOK IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND LUBE TECH AT DEALER SUGGESTED TAKE IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO DISCOLORATION OF ANTIFREEZE, TOLD BY SERVICE ADVISOR THIS WAS OKAY AND NOT TO WORRY. SECOND OIL CHANGE SAME ISSUES, FINALLY HAVE APPOINTMENT TO HOPEFULLY CORRECT,POOR GAS MILEAGE, ERRATIC SHIFTING, GAS CAP THAT WILL NOT STAY ON,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT…

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TOOK IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND LUBE TECH AT DEALER SUGGESTED TAKE IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO DISCOLORATION OF ANTIFREEZE, TOLD BY SERVICE ADVISOR THIS WAS OKAY AND NOT TO WORRY. SECOND OIL CHANGE SAME ISSUES, FINALLY HAVE APPOINTMENT TO HOPEFULLY CORRECT,POOR GAS MILEAGE, ERRATIC SHIFTING, GAS CAP THAT WILL NOT STAY ON,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK, AND ONLY 8300 HUNDRED MILES ON VEHICLE. WILL HAVE HARD TIME BUYING ANOTHER CHEVORLET AGAIN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10158557

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