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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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130,056 miles · May 23, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

I TODAY JUST BOUGHT A USED 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX LS FROM A DEALERSHIP IN ROCHESTER,NH - ( OWED CAR FOR ONLY 3 HR ) ONCE I PULLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY I REALIZED THAT MY CAR MIGHT BE PART OF THE 2014 RECALL ON (KEYS) AND I HAD WATCHED THE CNN BROADCAST WHERE THEIR SHOWED DRIVER WHO THINK THEIR CAR MIGHT BE PART OF THE ISSUE HOW IT MI…

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I TODAY JUST BOUGHT A USED 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX LS FROM A DEALERSHIP IN ROCHESTER,NH - ( OWED CAR FOR ONLY 3 HR ) ONCE I PULLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY I REALIZED THAT MY CAR MIGHT BE PART OF THE 2014 RECALL ON (KEYS) AND I HAD WATCHED THE CNN BROADCAST WHERE THEIR SHOWED DRIVER WHO THINK THEIR CAR MIGHT BE PART OF THE ISSUE HOW IT MIGHT HAPPEN IN A CONTROLLED TEAT WELL I DID THE SAME THING WHILE THE CAR WAS IN THE BREAKDOWN LANE JUST OUTSIDE OF THE DEALERSHIP HEADING HOME AND I TRIED IT WITH 3 LIGHT TUG THE CAR STALLED I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AS I WAS NOT GOING VERY FAST ( ONLY 5 MPH) WHEN I GOT HOME IN MY OWN GARAGE I TRIED IT AGING WHILE IN A PARKED AND IT HAPPENED AGING I REPEATED THIS 3 MORE TIME TO ENSURE IT WAS NOT A ERROR ON MY PART - I THEN CALLED THE DEALERSHIP LEFT A MESSAGE ABOUT THIS AS IF IT CAN GETREPIRED - UNDER MY WARRENTY I LIKE TO DO SO AS I HAVE ON MY KEYT CLIMBING CARBINE I USE FOR WORK AS A FOOD DELIVERY GUY I THEN CALLED GM RECALL HOTLINE AND WAS BOUNCE AROUND TO 3 DIFFERENT WOMEN WHO TOOK MY INFOR AND TOLD ME MY CAR NOT PART OF THE RECALL SO I CANT GET IT FIXED . . .AS OF RIGHT NOW BUT I CAN LEAVE A MESSAGE FOR NHTSA TO GET A RECALL ON MY CAR STARTED *** 3 LITTLE TUGS ON THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX LS (AUTO) AND THE CAR STALLED OUT - WHILE IN PARK - AND GOING 5 MPH IN A BREAKDOWN LANE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593784

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

KEY DOES NOT STAY IN THE IGNITION WHILE THE SUV IS IN DRIVE OR BEING DRIVEN AND ALSO WHILE IT IS IN PARK, THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, IN WHICH I'VE COMPLAINED TO GM. UPON CONTACTING GM CUSTOMER SERVICE TO DETERMINE IF MY VEHICLE WAS APART OF THE RECALL FOR FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES, I WAS INFORMED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO COVER T…

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KEY DOES NOT STAY IN THE IGNITION WHILE THE SUV IS IN DRIVE OR BEING DRIVEN AND ALSO WHILE IT IS IN PARK, THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, IN WHICH I'VE COMPLAINED TO GM. UPON CONTACTING GM CUSTOMER SERVICE TO DETERMINE IF MY VEHICLE WAS APART OF THE RECALL FOR FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES, I WAS INFORMED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO COVER THE COST TO HAVE REPAIRED SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10592733

32,000 miles · Mar 19, 2014
Air BagsService BrakesSteeringCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN AND ROLLED OVER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT AND THE POWER WINDOWS FAILED TO OPEN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN AND ROLLED OVER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT AND THE POWER WINDOWS FAILED TO OPEN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

NHTSA ODI #10573394

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

130,000 miles · Mar 14, 2013
Air BagsSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A LOUD BANG HEARD FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A LOUD BANG HEARD FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE RACK AND PINION AND STEERING SHAFT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE AIR BAG FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10502783

56,000 miles · Sep 4, 2012
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A REALLY LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE CARRIER BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX MON…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A REALLY LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE CARRIER BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS AWAITING REPAIR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FRONT STRUTS WERE DEFECTIVE, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW FAILED, AND WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED IT HESITATED AND FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,300.

NHTSA ODI #10473710

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

35,000 miles · Jan 27, 2012
SteeringFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING. THE HAD BEEN SCHEDULED TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS HAD TO HAVE THE DRIVE SHAFT REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE THE BEARINGS FAILED. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING. THE HAD BEEN SCHEDULED TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS HAD TO HAVE THE DRIVE SHAFT REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE THE BEARINGS FAILED. THE CONTACT FEELS THESE ISSUES ARE MANUFACTURER DEFECTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA ODI #10445580

74,126 miles · Aug 3, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSteering

I RECEIVED MY VEHICLE BACK ON 8.2.11 IT HAD BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP SINCE 5.14.11. THE REPAIR MAN REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED THE TRANSMISSION MODULATOR. HE NOTED THAT IT DID "ACT UP" FOR HIM, HOWEVER IT HAD NOT ACTED UP SINCE HIS LAST ATTEMPT AT FIXING IT. IT WAS RAINING WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR. IN THE FIRST 10 MILES I NOTICED TH…

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I RECEIVED MY VEHICLE BACK ON 8.2.11 IT HAD BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP SINCE 5.14.11. THE REPAIR MAN REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED THE TRANSMISSION MODULATOR. HE NOTED THAT IT DID "ACT UP" FOR HIM, HOWEVER IT HAD NOT ACTED UP SINCE HIS LAST ATTEMPT AT FIXING IT. IT WAS RAINING WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR. IN THE FIRST 10 MILES I NOTICED THE STEERING PULLED TO THE LEFT A COUPLE OF TIMES. AFTER I HIT DRY ROAD THIS DID NOT OCCUR. AFTER ABOUT 30-60 MILES OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE SINCE GETTING IT BACK, THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED FAILING AND THE VEHICLE WHILE GOING 55MPH STARTS TO FEEL LIKE IT IS GOING TO CEASE TO OPERATE AND STUTTERS. IT IS ALSO NOTED THAT IT FEELS LIKE IT IS NOT GOING TO AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT TO THE APPROPRIATE GEAR. THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP ON FRIDAY 8.5.11. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10416938

81,000 miles · May 11, 2011
Steering

ON MAY 6TH 2011 I WAS TRAVELING TO WORK ON THE 17W EXPRESSWAY. AFTER EXITING THE EXPRESSWAY AND MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ON TO GRANT AVENUE WHERE I AM EMPLOYED MY STEERING WHEEL FELT FUNNY. UPON MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN IN TO THE PARKING LOT MY STEERING COMPLETELY WENT LEAVING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SPIN COMPLETELY AROUND WITH NO…

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ON MAY 6TH 2011 I WAS TRAVELING TO WORK ON THE 17W EXPRESSWAY. AFTER EXITING THE EXPRESSWAY AND MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ON TO GRANT AVENUE WHERE I AM EMPLOYED MY STEERING WHEEL FELT FUNNY. UPON MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN IN TO THE PARKING LOT MY STEERING COMPLETELY WENT LEAVING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SPIN COMPLETELY AROUND WITH NO CONTROL OF THE TIRES WHAT SO EVER. THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE COMPARTMENT THAT HOLDS THE RACK AND PINION. IF THE STEERING WHEEL HAD BECAME DEFECTIVE WHILE TRAVELING ON THE EXPRESS WAY AT SIXTY FIVE MILES AN HOUR THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NOTHING I COULD DO BUT BRAKE AND GOD KNOWS WHAT WAY THE WHEELS WOULD HAVE TURNED AND HOW MANY INCIDENT PEOPLE I WOULD HAVE WIPED OUT BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP PROBABLY FLIPPING BECAUSE OF LACK OF CONTROL. THIS IS A SERIOUS SITUATION AND I SEE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON CHEVY PRODUCTS FOR THIS EXACT DEFECT. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE KILLED AND PROBABLY HAVE BEEN PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THIS HAS TO BE RECTIFIED IMMEDIATELY. I BELIEVE CHEVY SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES IMMEDIATELY. MY VIN# IS AS FOLLOWS: [XXX]. THIS REPAIR IS COSTING ME $670.00 WITH COST OF REPAIR AND TOWING. I BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR CHEVY'S NEGLIGENCE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399991

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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