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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

Service Brakes, Electric complaints

8 reports
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55,500 miles · Aug 12, 2011
Service Brakes, Electric

I HAVE BEEN HAVING SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS IN MY 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX. THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT SEEN, BUT IN THE MEANTIME, THE WARNING LIGHT WENT OUT AND THE BRAKES STARTED TO BUZZ. THE DAY BEFORE MY APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT FIXED, THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS STANDING ON THE…

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I HAVE BEEN HAVING SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS IN MY 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX. THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT SEEN, BUT IN THE MEANTIME, THE WARNING LIGHT WENT OUT AND THE BRAKES STARTED TO BUZZ. THE DAY BEFORE MY APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT FIXED, THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS STANDING ON THE PEDAL, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT SLOW. A FEW SECONDS LATER, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. THE MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH FRONT SPEED SENSORS (THAT'S WHAT THE CODES SAID WAS WRONG). I TOOK IT HOME, AND THAT NIGHT, THE BRAKES VERY BRIEFLY BUZZED AGAIN. THE NEXT DAY, THEY BUZZED AGAIN. THE 3RD DAY, THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON BUT ONLY AFTER I LOST MY BRAKES AGAIN FOR A BRIEF MOMENT. THE MECHANIC TRACED THE ENTIRE WIRING SYSTEM LOOKING FOR ANY PROBLEM AND FOUND NOTHING. HE FINALLY REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY ON THE SECOND ROUND OF MAINTENANCE BECAUSE THAT WAS WHAT THE CODE WAS TELLING HIM THAT TIME. I PICKED UP THE CAR AND WHEN I WENT OUT FOR LUNCH (ABOUT 3 HOURS LATER), THE BRAKES BUZZED AGAIN (NO WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THIS TIME). THAT WAS YESTERDAY. I NOW HAVE IT AT THE CHEVY DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSIS. SO FAR, THEY'VE GOTTEN ANOTHER CODE SAYING THAT THE SAME HUB ASSEMBLY THAT WAS REPLACED THIS WEEK IS THE PROBLEM. SOMEHOW, I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE ISSUE. I'M WAITING TO HEAR WHAT ELSE HAD TO BE FIXED AND WHETHER IT WILL REALLY AMELIORATE THE PROBLEM I'M HAVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10419188

82,000 miles · Jun 13, 2011
Service Brakes, ElectricSuspensionTraction Control System

MY 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX'S BRAKES STARTED VIBRATING WHEN I WOULD TRY TO STOP AND THEN THE ABS AND TC LIGHTS WOULD COME ON. REPLACED FRONT BRAKES, WAS TOLD BACK BRAKES WERE OKAY. STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND AFTER AWHILE THE BRAKES WOULD VIBRATE EVEN WHEN NOT BREAKING AND SOMETIMES HAVE TROUBLE STOPPING UNTIL THE ABS AND TC LIGH…

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MY 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX'S BRAKES STARTED VIBRATING WHEN I WOULD TRY TO STOP AND THEN THE ABS AND TC LIGHTS WOULD COME ON. REPLACED FRONT BRAKES, WAS TOLD BACK BRAKES WERE OKAY. STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND AFTER AWHILE THE BRAKES WOULD VIBRATE EVEN WHEN NOT BREAKING AND SOMETIMES HAVE TROUBLE STOPPING UNTIL THE ABS AND TC LIGHT COMES ON. 1ST DIAGNOSTIC DETERMINED I NEEDED A RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. REPLACED IT AND 2 DAYS LATER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. NEXT I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED THE LEFT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. REPLACED IT. 2 DAYS LATER STARTING HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THEN I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING. REPLACED BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. STILL HAVE A PROBLEM ONLY NOW THE BRAKES ONLY VIBRATE AND LIGHTS COME ON HILLS, WHEN TURNING OR GOING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10406208

74,000 miles · Apr 26, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Electric

I HAVE A 2005 EQUINOX AND HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES NOW IN 3 WEEKS! THE THERMOSTAT WENT OUT, THEN THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND NOW THEY SAY THE HEAD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. BUBBLING SOUND CAN BE HEARD WHEN YOU TAKE OFF FROM A STOP. I'M ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES MAKING ACTING STRANGELY.. THE…

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I HAVE A 2005 EQUINOX AND HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES NOW IN 3 WEEKS! THE THERMOSTAT WENT OUT, THEN THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND NOW THEY SAY THE HEAD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. BUBBLING SOUND CAN BE HEARD WHEN YOU TAKE OFF FROM A STOP. I'M ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES MAKING ACTING STRANGELY.. THE FRONT SHAKES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10397450

43,000 miles · Oct 13, 2010
Power TrainService Brakes, ElectricTires

2005 EQUINOX BOUGHT USED IN 2007AT 35000 MILES-I WAS CONFUSED WHY SOMEONE WOULD TRADE SUCH A NEW CAR IN-BRAKES CONTINUE TO WEAR DOWN-IGNITION HAD TO BE REPLACED,CAR WOULD JUST DIE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY-CAR ALMOST FEELS LIKE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE GAS-TIRES THAT I BOUGHT 1 YEAR AGO ARE WEARING …

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2005 EQUINOX BOUGHT USED IN 2007AT 35000 MILES-I WAS CONFUSED WHY SOMEONE WOULD TRADE SUCH A NEW CAR IN-BRAKES CONTINUE TO WEAR DOWN-IGNITION HAD TO BE REPLACED,CAR WOULD JUST DIE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY-CAR ALMOST FEELS LIKE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE GAS-TIRES THAT I BOUGHT 1 YEAR AGO ARE WEARING OUT- *TR

NHTSA ODI #10360246

74,000 miles · Sep 17, 2010
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes, Electric

SINCE 2008, I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES GRINDING & SQUEAKING EVEN AFTER GETTING THEM REPAIRED (FRONT AND REAR BRAKES / ROTORS REPLACED). A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER REAR BRAKES REPLACED THE ABS & TC LIGHTS WERE ON. I HAD TO HAVE SENSORS REPLACED. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED CAR NOT STARTING AND SOUNDING L…

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SINCE 2008, I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES GRINDING & SQUEAKING EVEN AFTER GETTING THEM REPAIRED (FRONT AND REAR BRAKES / ROTORS REPLACED). A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER REAR BRAKES REPLACED THE ABS & TC LIGHTS WERE ON. I HAD TO HAVE SENSORS REPLACED. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED CAR NOT STARTING AND SOUNDING LIKE IT IS FLOODING, AFTER LETTING CAR SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES IT THEN STARTS. THERE IS ALSO A POPPING NOISE THAT COMES FROM THE BACK OF CAR AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE. WHEN CHANGING SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE CAR OCCASIONALLY JERKS & SHOOTS FORWARD. WHEN PRESSING THE GAS, THE CAR TAKES A FEW MOMENTS THEN JERKS FORWARD. NOW I'M BEING TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING BAD & I HAVE TO PAY $350 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO DETERMINE IF THEY CAN REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION OR HAVE TO REPLACE IT, WHICH WILL COST BETWEEN $1800 TO $3000. THERE IS A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE RECALL BUT MY CAR IS NOT COVERED. NOTE: VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY ACCORDING TO THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE TIMETABLE PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10356219

101,000 miles · Sep 17, 2010
Service Brakes, ElectricCrashInjury

WHEN I FIRST HIT THE BRAKES, THE CAR DID NOT BRAKE. THERE WAS A GRINDING SOUND FOR ABOUT 4 SECONDS AND THEN THE BRAKES GRABBED HARD AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THEN THE LIGHTS CAME ON STATING THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES AND TRACTION CONTROL DO NOT WORK. THE NEXT TIME I STARTED THE CAR, THE LIGHTS FOR THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES AND TRACTION …

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WHEN I FIRST HIT THE BRAKES, THE CAR DID NOT BRAKE. THERE WAS A GRINDING SOUND FOR ABOUT 4 SECONDS AND THEN THE BRAKES GRABBED HARD AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THEN THE LIGHTS CAME ON STATING THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES AND TRACTION CONTROL DO NOT WORK. THE NEXT TIME I STARTED THE CAR, THE LIGHTS FOR THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES AND TRACTION CONTROL WERE NOT ON. I WAS DRIVING 50 MPH. TRAFFIC STOPPED FAST. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES, BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THERE WAS THE GRINDING SOUND AS BEFORE, AND THEN I CRASHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10356198

245,641 miles · Feb 21, 2010
Service Brakes, Electric

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX AND I AM PROBLEMS WITH THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. CHEVY SAYS IT NOT SOMETHING THAT CAN GO BAD. I HAVE READ ALOT OF REPORTS THAT MANY PEOPLE IS HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. ALSO THAT TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ALSO DISABLES ITSELF WHEN THIS OCCURS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10312449

36,800 miles · Feb 18, 2009
Service Brakes, Electric

37000 MILES THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING AND CAR SHIMMIED WHEN THE WERE APPLIED. TOOK CAR TO DEALER STATED NEEDED NEW PADS, PUT ON NEW PADS. WORKED FINE FOR 800 MILES, STARTED GRINDING AGAIN DEALER STATED NEEDED NEW ROTORS AND CALIPERS NOW. TOOK CAR TO DIFFERENT DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CARS FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS DEFECTIVE…

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37000 MILES THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING AND CAR SHIMMIED WHEN THE WERE APPLIED. TOOK CAR TO DEALER STATED NEEDED NEW PADS, PUT ON NEW PADS. WORKED FINE FOR 800 MILES, STARTED GRINDING AGAIN DEALER STATED NEEDED NEW ROTORS AND CALIPERS NOW. TOOK CAR TO DIFFERENT DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CARS FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS DEFECTIVE AND WAS WARPING THE ROTORS AND CALIPERS. THE PARTS ARE NOT UNDER WARRANTY OVER 36000 MILES. THIS IS A MAJOR DEFECT IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLES!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10259201

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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