← 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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

52 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MY 2005 EQUINOX SHIMMIES WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT ABOUT 40-50 MPH ROTORS WERE RESURFACED 1 TIME AND BRAKES WERE REPLACED WHEN VEHICLE HAD 30,000 MILES TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS DUST BUILD UP THEY TOOK APART AND CLEANED VEHICLE NOW HAS 40000 MILES AND THE SAME PROBLEM IS BACK AGAIN SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAIN…

Read full complaint

MY 2005 EQUINOX SHIMMIES WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT ABOUT 40-50 MPH ROTORS WERE RESURFACED 1 TIME AND BRAKES WERE REPLACED WHEN VEHICLE HAD 30,000 MILES TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS DUST BUILD UP THEY TOOK APART AND CLEANED VEHICLE NOW HAS 40000 MILES AND THE SAME PROBLEM IS BACK AGAIN SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS I THINK DEALERSHIP SHOULD FIX AT NO COST TO OWNER OF VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10174624

64,000 miles · Nov 13, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE, THE VEHICLE SHIMMIED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ROTORS IN MARCH 2005. THEN IN APRIL 2006, THE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED, AND THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED AGAIN SIX MONTHS LATER.

NHTSA ODI #10173351

Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering

WE PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX IN SEPTEMBER OF 2005. THROUGH OUR RESEARCH, THIS WAS ONE OF THE ONLY VEHICLES THAT WOULD ACCOMMODATE 2 REAR FACING CHILD SEATS WITH SAFE OPERATION. THE EQUINOX NOW HAS APPROXIMATELY 16, 000 MILES ON IT. ON 11 NOVEMBER 2006, MY WIFE AND OUR 14 MONTH OLD TWIN DAUGHTERS WERE ON THEIR WAY TO VI…

Read full complaint

WE PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX IN SEPTEMBER OF 2005. THROUGH OUR RESEARCH, THIS WAS ONE OF THE ONLY VEHICLES THAT WOULD ACCOMMODATE 2 REAR FACING CHILD SEATS WITH SAFE OPERATION. THE EQUINOX NOW HAS APPROXIMATELY 16, 000 MILES ON IT. ON 11 NOVEMBER 2006, MY WIFE AND OUR 14 MONTH OLD TWIN DAUGHTERS WERE ON THEIR WAY TO VISIT HER FRIEND. I RECEIVE A PHONE CALL FROM MY WIFE. SHE IS FRANTICALLY SCREAMING TO ME THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE EQUINOX. SHE EXPLAINS THAT WHEN SHE APPLIES THE BRAKES AT SPEEDS ABOVE 45 -50 MPH, SHE IS EXPERIENCING A VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE VEHICLE'S FRONT END AND THE STEERING WHEEL, AND FEELS THAT SHE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. I ADVISE HER TO DECREASE HER SPEED AND CONTINUE TO HER FRIENDS HOUSE AND THAT I WILL RETURN HOME AND TAKE OUR SUBARU TO MEET HER. WE SWITCH VEHICLES. ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY, I ACCELERATE TO APPROXIMATELY 65-70 MPH AND NOTICE TRAFFIC BACKING UP DUE TO POLICE ACTIVITY DOWN THE ROAD. I APPLY THE BRAKES SLIGHTLY AND THE EQUINOX BEGINS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY TO THE POINT THAT IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE FRONT WHEELS ARE PULLING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS, AND I AM HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME KEEPING THE VEHICLE BETWEEN THE MARKED LANES. THE STEERING WHEEL IS ALSO SHAKING AND I HAVE TO GRIP IT TIGHTLY TO HOLD ON. I DON'T RECALL HAVING EXPERIENCED A STEERING WHEEL SHAKE THIS VIOLENTLY. AFTER DECREASING TO ABOUT 50 MPH, THE SHAKING SUBSIDED TO THE POINT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CONTROLLABLE WITHIN THE LANES. THIS OCCURRED SEVERAL MORE TIMES DURING THE RIDE HOME, SO I SUSTAINED A SPEED THAT WAS SAFE FOR MYSELF AND THE OTHER MOTORISTS. A TRIP THAT WOULD TAKE A LITTLE OVER AN HOUR TOOK ABOUT 2 HOURS TO COMPLETE WITH MINIMAL TRAFFIC. BEING THAT THIS OCCURRED OVER A WEEKEND, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE CHEVY TO THE DEALERSHIP OR A REPAIR STATION TO HAVE IT CHECKED. AFTER HAVING THE CHEVY CHECKED I WILL NOTIFY YOUR ADMINISTRATION OF THE OUTCOME. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10173221

20,000 miles · Aug 30, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT THIS 2005 EQUINOX IN MARCH OF 2005. IT HAD 9K MILES ON IT. A FEW TIMES AFTER THAT IT DID NOT SOUND LIKE IT WAS GOING TO START. WHEN IT DID THE WHOLE VEHICLE SHOOK, IT WAS LIKE STARTING A MANUAL IN GEAR. AT AROUND 12K MILES THE FRONT END STARTED SHAKING WHEN THE WERE BRAKES APPLIED. TOOK IT IN TO BE SERVICED …

Read full complaint

MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT THIS 2005 EQUINOX IN MARCH OF 2005. IT HAD 9K MILES ON IT. A FEW TIMES AFTER THAT IT DID NOT SOUND LIKE IT WAS GOING TO START. WHEN IT DID THE WHOLE VEHICLE SHOOK, IT WAS LIKE STARTING A MANUAL IN GEAR. AT AROUND 12K MILES THE FRONT END STARTED SHAKING WHEN THE WERE BRAKES APPLIED. TOOK IT IN TO BE SERVICED IN FEBRUARY 2006 AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK BRAKES. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. THEY DID NOT FEEL ANYTHING. CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLD ME TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE THEM CHECK THE BRAKES AGAIN. WHEN WE DID THEY TOLD US THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING ALREADY. STILL HAS HALF THE LIFE ON THE BRAKES. TODAY WE TOOK IT IN TO HAVE THE SHOCKS AND STRUTS REPLACED. THIS WAS DUE TO A LOUD NOISE WE KEPT HEARING. HOPEFULLY THAT FIXED THAT PROBLEM. AS FAR AS THE BRAKES AND ROTORS, THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US NOT TO WORRY ABOUT HAVING NEW ROTORS PUT ON UNTIL THE BRAKES WERE WORN. IT IS REALLY DANGEROUS ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN SOMEONE SLOWS DOWN IN FRONT OF YOU WHEN YOU'RE DOING 50 TO 65 MPH AND IT DON'T FEEL LIKE YOUR GOING TO STOP. WE WERE TOLD THIS WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS. I AM DONE WITH CHEVROLET. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10167017

12,000 miles · Apr 7, 2006
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

MAP LIGHT LEAKS, FILLED WITH WATER ROTORS REPLACED AT 12,000 MILES ELECTRICAL FAILURE IN HOT WEATHER POPPING AND RATTLING NOISE FRONT END STEREO SPEAKER INTERMITTENT BUZZING NOISE WHEN RADIO NOT ON TIME DISPLAY DOESN'T ALWAYS LIGHT UP NOT NOTIFIED OF PRODUCT EMISSION RECALL BY MANUFACTURER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10154844

15,962 miles · Mar 29, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. FIRST, THE ENGINE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY NOT CRANK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. SECOND, WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY DID NOT SLOW DOWN. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUMPED SEVERAL TIMES T…

Read full complaint

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. FIRST, THE ENGINE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY NOT CRANK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. SECOND, WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY DID NOT SLOW DOWN. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUMPED SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE BRAKES TO ACTIVATE CORRECTLY. THIRD, THE TRANSMISSION REVVED HIGH AND INTERMITTENTLY DID NOT CHANGE GEARS CORRECTLY WHILE DRIVING. FOURTH, THE ABS LAMP ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE ABS LAMP WAS RESET. LASTLY, THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW WAS ROLLED DOWN AND WOULD NOT RISE BACK UP. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WINDOW REGULATOR AND THE WINDOW WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPEATEDLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND ADDRESSED THE PROBLEMS THAT COULD BE DUPLICATED AND MADE APPROPRIATE REPAIRS. HARD START/HESITATION AND ALMOST STALLING. ALSO, DETERMINED SPEED SENSOR WAS CAUSING REDUCED POWER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10153969

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

THERE IS A BAD SMELL COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS. FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS MOLD IN THE COOLING SYSTEM. THERE ARE MANY MANY OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN WRONG WITH MY CAR. THEY HAVE HAD 3 ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND HAVE NOT. I HAVE A DR. STATEMENT THAT THE CAR IS NOT SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF MY ASTHMA AND OTHER MEDICAL P…

Read full complaint

THERE IS A BAD SMELL COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS. FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS MOLD IN THE COOLING SYSTEM. THERE ARE MANY MANY OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN WRONG WITH MY CAR. THEY HAVE HAD 3 ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND HAVE NOT. I HAVE A DR. STATEMENT THAT THE CAR IS NOT SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF MY ASTHMA AND OTHER MEDICAL PROBLEMS. THE CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 8 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN APRIL FOR MANY THINGS. BUT 3 TIMES FOR THE SMELL AND 3 TIMES FOR THE BRAKES AND NETHER HAVE BEEN FIXED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10138905

Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS COING ON. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY CLAIM THAT IT WAS A COMPUTER CODE THAT NEEDED UPDATING. THE LIGHT CAMET ON AGAIN, THEY CLAIM THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. LIGHT ON AGAIN (3RD TIME) TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT CHEVY DEALERSHIP, APPARENTLY THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON BECAUSE IT WAS READING THAT T…

Read full complaint

THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS COING ON. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY CLAIM THAT IT WAS A COMPUTER CODE THAT NEEDED UPDATING. THE LIGHT CAMET ON AGAIN, THEY CLAIM THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. LIGHT ON AGAIN (3RD TIME) TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT CHEVY DEALERSHIP, APPARENTLY THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON BECAUSE IT WAS READING THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS RUNNING LOW. ONCE REPLACED, IT HAS NOT GONE ON AGAIN. IT TOOK 3 TIMES & 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10130667

20,000 miles · Jul 22, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DT: CALLER SAID IN WET WEATHER THE BRAKES MADE A RATTLING NOISE AND THEN FAILED. IN DRY WEATHER WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND HITTING THE BRAKE THE FRONT END SHOOK. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. CALLER WILL HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER TODAY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10129695

700 miles · May 25, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

CONTACT STATES: BOUGHT A BRAND NEW VEHICLE IN AUGUST 2004. THE ANTI-FREEZE WAS CHANGED. THE ANTI-FREEZE WAS BROWN AND THE SMELL WAS SEVERE AND NAUSEOUS. THE CAR HAS BEEN THE SHOP 9 TIMES WITH SO MANY DIFFERENT REASONS. THE ANTIFREEZE LINE WASN'T BLED RIGHT AND THE ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING IN THE GROUND. THERE WAS A LEAK I…

Read full complaint

CONTACT STATES: BOUGHT A BRAND NEW VEHICLE IN AUGUST 2004. THE ANTI-FREEZE WAS CHANGED. THE ANTI-FREEZE WAS BROWN AND THE SMELL WAS SEVERE AND NAUSEOUS. THE CAR HAS BEEN THE SHOP 9 TIMES WITH SO MANY DIFFERENT REASONS. THE ANTIFREEZE LINE WASN'T BLED RIGHT AND THE ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING IN THE GROUND. THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE DOME LIGHT AND SUNROOF, THE SUSPENSION AND ENGINE WOULD TICK, THE HORN DID NOT WORK, THERE WERE FRONT END PROBLEM, THE SHIFTER WOULD STICK, THERE IGNITION PROBLEM, NOISE WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE, GAS MILEAGE PROBLEM AND THERE WAS A TOXIC SMELL FROM THE ANTI-FREEZE, THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED, THE BRAKES MADE NOISES, THE CONSUMER HAD DRIVEN THROUGH A CAR WASH, THE DOME LIGHT HAD FILLED WITH WATER, THE LOWER DASH WAS DRIPPING WATER AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN BRAKING,THERE WAS POOR GAS MILEAGE DURING CITY DRIVING, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISES WHEN MAKING TURNS ON THE FRONT STRUTS, THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE OUT OF ROUND, THE SHIFTER WOULD STICK, THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS BINDING, THERE WAS POPPING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED FROM COLD, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10119597

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