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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

Steering complaints

50 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSteering

THE FRONT LIGHTS ON THE CAR COMES ON AT NIGHT WHEN CAR IS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, NOT BEING USED BY PERSONS. THIS CAR MAY NOT START IN THE MORNING BECAUSE THE BATTERY MAYBE DEAD, DUE TO LIGHTS COMING ON BY IT SELF. WE HAD THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH REPLACED IN THE PAST WEEK, AND THAT'S WHEN THE LIGHTS STARTED TO ACT UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10694736

85,000 miles · Mar 7, 2015
Power TrainSteering

IN THE PAST THE TRANSMISSION HAS QUIT WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, NOW THE STEERING LOCKS UP WHEN DRIVING. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10692714

150,000 miles · Mar 6, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteeringCrash

ON 2/17/15, I, ALONG WITH 3 OF MY CHILDREN, WERE DRIVING ALONG THE ROADWAY AT APPROX. 7AM. AS I WENT AROUND A MINOR BEND IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE PULLED HARD TO THE LEFT SLAMMING THE DRIVER'S SIDE INTO THE SNOWBANK AROUND THE GUARDRAIL. IT CONTINUED MOVING FORWARD AS I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKE AND LIGHTLY MOVE THE WHEEL TO G…

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ON 2/17/15, I, ALONG WITH 3 OF MY CHILDREN, WERE DRIVING ALONG THE ROADWAY AT APPROX. 7AM. AS I WENT AROUND A MINOR BEND IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE PULLED HARD TO THE LEFT SLAMMING THE DRIVER'S SIDE INTO THE SNOWBANK AROUND THE GUARDRAIL. IT CONTINUED MOVING FORWARD AS I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKE AND LIGHTLY MOVE THE WHEEL TO GET US BACK INTO OUR LANE. THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND AS I TRIED TO STRAIGHTEN IT UP, I WAS SENT INTO A SPIN UNTIL THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO THE SNOW ON OUR SIDE OF THE ROAD, BRINGING US TO A STOP. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED & AS I TRIED TO PULL AWAY, I REALIZED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ON. IT HAD SHUT ITSELF DOWN. I HAD MY BROTHER LOOK AT IT & TEST DRIVE, HE FOUND NOTHING, SO I ASSUMED IT WAS A 1 TIME EVENT AND PROCEEDED TO USE THE VEHICLE. ON 2/22/15, MY NEPHEW AND MY DAUGHTER USED THE VEHICLE TO GO TO TOWN. HE GOT LESS THAN 3 MILES FROM HOME, HEADING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN, WHEN HE REALIZED THERE WAS LITTLE TO NO STEERING. HE LOOKED DOWN & SAW THAT ONCE AGAIN, THE VEHICLE HAD SHUT ITSELF OFF. HE TOO ENDED UP CRASHING. LUCKILY HE WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE RD, INTO THE SNOWBANK JUST BEFORE A SEMI WENT SPEEDING BY. AGAIN, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. IT CONCERNS ME WITH THE MASSIVE RECALL THAT I FOUND ONLINE, THAT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE LIST, BUT MANY PPL SEEM TO BE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED IN OUR INCIDENTS. BUT THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT SAFE & SHOULD NOT BE ON THE ROADS IN THIS CONDITION. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT BOTH INCIDENTS WERE DURING A CLEAR SPOT IN TRAFFIC. NOW THE VEHICLE SITE IN MY DRIVE BECAUSE I DO NOT TRUST THAT WHATEVER THEY DO WILL FIX IT & I CANNOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE PASS THIS DEATH TRAP ON TO ANYONE ELSE. I CONTACTED GM HOPING FOR A BIT OF HELP & PERHAPS AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLES, BUT THEY REFUSED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10692420

88,000 miles · Sep 15, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringSuspensionCrash

PLEASE NOTE IN ORDER TO TRY TO AVID AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH NARDONE ELECTRIC TRUCK,BROADSIDED MY DRIVER SIDE ON A COMPLETE SCREPEDOWN ON MY VEHICLE, AND AFTERWARD AFTER I LEFT THE EXPRESSWAY 93 N IN BOSTON ,15 MINUTES LATER AFTER I STOPPED AT A CONVENIENCE STORE,MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN LEFT OR RIGHT ONLY STRAIGHT... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10633273

85,000 miles · Sep 4, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BEARINGS IN THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BEARINGS IN THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED AN ADDITIONAL THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10630737

40,000 miles · Aug 20, 2014
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY STEERED TO THE EXTREME RIGHT. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO DRIVE THROUGH A DITCH, ACROSS TRAFFIC, AND THROUGH ANOTHER DITCH. THE CONTACT HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT DID NOT CRASH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE IN O…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY STEERED TO THE EXTREME RIGHT. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO DRIVE THROUGH A DITCH, ACROSS TRAFFIC, AND THROUGH ANOTHER DITCH. THE CONTACT HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT DID NOT CRASH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE IN ONE DAY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE IGNITION AND MIDDLE DRIVE SHAFT CARRIER BEARING WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 10/09/14*LJ UPDATED 05/18/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10626601

54,269 miles · Jul 10, 2014
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

I HAD TROUBLE INSERTING THE KEY IN TO THE IGNITION. AFTER INSERTED I DROVE THE CAR TO THE STORE. WHEN I TURNED OFF THE CAR THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. AFTER WIGGLING THE KEY AROUND IT FINALLY CAME OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED. WHEN I TRIED TO PUT THE KEY BACK IN THE IGNITION THE STEERIN…

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I HAD TROUBLE INSERTING THE KEY IN TO THE IGNITION. AFTER INSERTED I DROVE THE CAR TO THE STORE. WHEN I TURNED OFF THE CAR THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. AFTER WIGGLING THE KEY AROUND IT FINALLY CAME OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED. WHEN I TRIED TO PUT THE KEY BACK IN THE IGNITION THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NOT UNLOCK. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE COLUMN UNLOCKED AND THE KEY WAS ABLE TO BE INSERTED AND THE CAR STARTED. THIS HAS OCCURRED REPEATEDLY SINCE THE ABOVE DATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10609563

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2014
Steering

I WASN'T INVOLVE IN AN ACCIDENT ITS JUST MY IGNITION HAS TROUBLE STARTING FROM TIME TO TIME, IT ACTS AS IF IT WANT TO START THEN ILL SHUT OFF I RESTART IT & IT JUST HAS A HARD TIME STARTING. NEEDING ANSWERS ON WHAT TO DO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607787

65,000 miles · Jul 1, 2014
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

WATER SEEPED IN UNDER SUN ROOF, DOWN FRONT DRIVER SIDE ROOF PILLAR AND THEN INTO CAR BEHIND DASHBOARD THEN DRIPPED DOWN INTO COMPUTER CONTROL DEVICE (WHERE OBDII UNIT HOOKS UP) WHERE IT SHORTED OUT ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I WAS GOING DOWN A HILL INTO TOWN WHERE SPEED IS 45 MPH AND MY SISTER IN LAW WAS IN CAR AND WE WERE HEADI…

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WATER SEEPED IN UNDER SUN ROOF, DOWN FRONT DRIVER SIDE ROOF PILLAR AND THEN INTO CAR BEHIND DASHBOARD THEN DRIPPED DOWN INTO COMPUTER CONTROL DEVICE (WHERE OBDII UNIT HOOKS UP) WHERE IT SHORTED OUT ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I WAS GOING DOWN A HILL INTO TOWN WHERE SPEED IS 45 MPH AND MY SISTER IN LAW WAS IN CAR AND WE WERE HEADING TO AIRPORT HOWEVER ENGINE JUST SHUT DOWN. BRAKES AND STEERING BECAME REALLY MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. WE COASTED TO A STOP AND AFTER 15 MINS CAR STARTED UP BUT WITH SIGNIFICANTLY DIMINISHED POWER SO I DROVE INTO A SERVICE STATION WHERE CAR STAYED FOR NEXT 2-DAYS. I DISCOVERED WHAT SHUT CAR DOWN WHEN I STARTED SQUIRTING WATER ONTO ROOF AT A CAR WASH AND WATER STARTED DRIPPING DOWN ONTO CARPET FLOORING BUT FIRST IT SEEPED INTO COMPUTER CONTROL UNIT. I WAITED OUT DRYING OF UNIT AND THEN DROVE HOME AND APPLIED A LOT CAULK TO SUNROOF WHERE GLASS MEET METAL/RUBBER. CAR EXTERIOR ROOF NOW LOOKS TERRIBLE AS CAULK DRIED SORT OF A BROWN CRUD COLOR (CAR IS WHITE) BUT NO MORE (KNOCK ON WOOD) ENGINE STALLING WHEN IT RAINS OR I GO THROUGH A CAR WASH. MAKES ME VERY NERVOUS WHEN ON ROAD AND IN RAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607550

89,000 miles · Jun 9, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 2 IGNITION SWITCHES WHICH RESULTED IN CAR BEING TOWED EACH TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597273

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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