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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, Hydraulic complaints

52 reports
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34,000 miles · Jul 17, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

PROBLEM WITH SWAY BAR LINKS, REPLACED TWICE. STILL PROBLEM WITH FRONT END AS CHEWED UP TIRES...REPLACED STRUTS,STEERING SHAFT,BRAKES FRONT& BACK. FRONT END AND BRAKE PROBLEMS... COST ME OVER $3500 TO THIS POINT,PLUS HEAD& REAR SEAL GASKETS... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10525294

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

3,000 miles · Mar 15, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE FOLLOWED BY A SEVER RESISTANCE IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A SQUEAKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE FOLLOWED BY A SEVER RESISTANCE IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A SQUEAKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE ALL FOUR BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WA 87,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

NHTSA ODI #10451795

126,000 miles · Mar 7, 2012
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ABS AND TRACTION LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE BRAKES AND A HU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ABS AND TRACTION LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE BRAKES AND A HUB BEARING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE HUB BEARINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS LATER CONTACTED AND THEY ALSO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10450602

33,000 miles · Mar 4, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

VIOLENT SHAKING DURING BRAKING. HUBS REPLACED AND ROTORS TURNED. TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT THIS HAPPENS TO EVERY EQUINOX HE HAS SEEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10450190

89,000 miles · Feb 28, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION TUBE RUSTED AND CAME APART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449646

104,000 miles · Jan 6, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I FEEL VERY STRONG VIBRATIONS AND GRINDING IN THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES BECOME VERY STIFF AND PUSH UP AGAINST ME WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE. IT WILL CONTINUE TO DO THIS UNTIL THE ABS AND TC LIGHTS TURN ON THEN IT RUNS OK. THE MECHANICS FOUND A SPEED SENSOR ERROR WHEN RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS AND REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING. A D…

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I FEEL VERY STRONG VIBRATIONS AND GRINDING IN THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES BECOME VERY STIFF AND PUSH UP AGAINST ME WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE. IT WILL CONTINUE TO DO THIS UNTIL THE ABS AND TC LIGHTS TURN ON THEN IT RUNS OK. THE MECHANICS FOUND A SPEED SENSOR ERROR WHEN RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS AND REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING. A DAY OR SO LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THEY DID THE ENTIRE REPAIR AGAIN JUST IN CASE THEY HAD DEFECTIVE PARTS WITH THE SAME RESULT. THEY TRIED BLEEDING THE LINES AND SEARCHING FOR BAD WIRES, ETC UNTIL THEY RAN OUT OF IDEAS. I SPENT THE BETTER PART OF A MONTH WITH MY 05 EQUINOX IN THE SHOP AND SIGNIFICANT FUNDS ON REPAIRS AND THE ISSUE IS STILL NOT RESOLVED. IT HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT I AM NOW FORCED TO GET RID OF THE VEHICLE. MY KEYS ALSO BEGAN GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION UNTIL THE ENTIRE THING HAD TO BE DISASSEMBLED AND IGNITION SWITCH SYSTEM REPLACED. I HAVE SINCE BEEN RESEARCHING THESE PROBLEMS, ESPECIALLY THE ABS ISSUE AND HAVE LEARNED THAT I AM SURPRISINGLY ONE OF MANY WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW CHEVROLET CAN GET AWAY WITH SUCH A DEFECT WITHOUT ISSUING A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10442719

126,000 miles · Dec 27, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, SHE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE THEN REMOVED SOME OF THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING FUSES HERSELF AND THE FAILURE HAD NOT RECURRED. THE VEHICLE W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, SHE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE THEN REMOVED SOME OF THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING FUSES HERSELF AND THE FAILURE HAD NOT RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

NHTSA ODI #10441383

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

ALL PROBLEMS AROSE WHEN THE BRAKE FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE WOULD SHAKE WHEN BRAKING. WE HAD THE SHOES AND THE PADS CHANGED AND THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE SOLVED FOR ABOUT A YEAR. THEN THE PROBLEM BEGAN AGAIN BUT THIS TIME THE BRAKES WOULD SQUEAK WHEN BRAKING AND THEN THEY BEGAN TO TIGHTEN AND THE BRAKE WOULD LOCK ITSELF AND BEGAN …

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ALL PROBLEMS AROSE WHEN THE BRAKE FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE WOULD SHAKE WHEN BRAKING. WE HAD THE SHOES AND THE PADS CHANGED AND THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE SOLVED FOR ABOUT A YEAR. THEN THE PROBLEM BEGAN AGAIN BUT THIS TIME THE BRAKES WOULD SQUEAK WHEN BRAKING AND THEN THEY BEGAN TO TIGHTEN AND THE BRAKE WOULD LOCK ITSELF AND BEGAN TO SMOKE BECAUSE OF THE FRICTION THE PAD AND THE BRAKE DISC WERE CREATING SINCE THE BRAKE WOULD REMAIN LOCKED. THIS WAS ONLY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE FRICTION MADE THE WHOLE WHEEL RIM GET HOT AND BEGAN PRODUCING A BURNING SMELL FROM THE BRAKE PAD. THE CALIBER, SHOES, PAD AND DISC HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR BOTH FRONT BRAKES. THE BRAKES CONTINUE TO SQUEAK WHEN BREAKING. NOW, THE MOTOR HEATS UP TO THE RED ZONE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON EVEN IF THEIR IS ANTI-FREEZE IN THE ENGINE. WHEN ACCELERATING THE MOTOR COOLS DOWN, BUT IF THE SPEED IS LESS THAN 35MPH THE MOTOR HEATS UP MORE. BASED ON OTHER COMMENTS FROM DRIVERS WITH THE SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR THEY NOTICED THAT THE PROBLEM HAS COME UP TO BE THE HEAD GASKETS. THIS PROBLEM HAS CREATED MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE AND IS BECOMING A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN THEIR IS STILL A POSSIBILITY THAT THE BREAKS WILL LOCK UP AGAIN AND POSSIBLY SPARK FIRE IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED. WE HAVE NOT USED OUR VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THESE ISSUES WE FEAR THAT NOT FIXING THE COSTLY PROBLEM MAY DAMAGE OTHER PARTS OF THE VEHICLE. WE KNOW WE ARE NOT ALONE AND THAT OTHER DRIVERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVY EQUINOX 2005. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440097

30,000 miles · Nov 14, 2011
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

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. ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ON. WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKES IT FEELS STUCK AT THE TOP AND GRINDS AND PULSATES EVEN THOUGH MY BRAKES ARE GOOD.…

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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. ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ON. WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKES IT FEELS STUCK AT THE TOP AND GRINDS AND PULSATES EVEN THOUGH MY BRAKES ARE GOOD. I'VE HAD MY SPEED SENSORS REPLACED TWICE , PROBLEM STILL ONGOING. I HAVE TO PUSH WITH ALL MY WEIGHT FOR THE BRAKES TO "BREAK THROUGH" WHAT EVER ITS STUCK ON AND WORK, THEN THEY LOCK UP. THAT'S WHEN THE ABS/TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON, THEN I KNOW THE ABS IS NOT TRYING TO WORK AND MY BRAKES WILL STOP ME. I'VE ALMOST CRASHED INTO THINGS TOO MANY TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10435594

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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