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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

Suspension complaints

57 reports
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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

50,000 miles · Nov 18, 2011
Power TrainSuspension

THE CARRIER BEARING IS FAULTY ON 2005 EQUINOXES. OUR MECHANIC TOLD US THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO FLIP OVER. THE MAJOR ISSUE IS THAT TO REPAIR THE CARRIER BEARING, THEY HAVE TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE DRIVE SHAFT. THIS HAS TO BE SENT TO CHEVROLET, AND SINCE IT CAN ONLY BE DONE BY THEM, THEY HAVE A STR…

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THE CARRIER BEARING IS FAULTY ON 2005 EQUINOXES. OUR MECHANIC TOLD US THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO FLIP OVER. THE MAJOR ISSUE IS THAT TO REPAIR THE CARRIER BEARING, THEY HAVE TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE DRIVE SHAFT. THIS HAS TO BE SENT TO CHEVROLET, AND SINCE IT CAN ONLY BE DONE BY THEM, THEY HAVE A STRONG ARM ON THE PRICE. ($1200) IT IS EVIDENT THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT BECAUSE WHEN I BEGAN TO GOOGLE 'DRIVE SHAFT CHEVY', IT GAVE ME 2005 EQUINOX AS A SUGGESTION. THE YEAR WAS SPECIFIC IN THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436380

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

80,000 miles · Jun 30, 2011
Electrical SystemSuspension

THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO THE 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED IN AUGUST 2009 WITH ROUGHLY 42000 MILES FROM CARMAX IN DULLES, VA. SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE SPENT NEARLY 3000 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS AS IT SEEMS THAT PARTS ARE WEARING OUT OR MALFUNCTIONING FAR EARLIER THAN TYPICAL. AT …

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THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO THE 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED IN AUGUST 2009 WITH ROUGHLY 42000 MILES FROM CARMAX IN DULLES, VA. SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE SPENT NEARLY 3000 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS AS IT SEEMS THAT PARTS ARE WEARING OUT OR MALFUNCTIONING FAR EARLIER THAN TYPICAL. AT ABOUT THE 60000 MILE MARK, ALL FOUR ROTORS AND BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE ROTORS BEING WARPED. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THIS IS NOT COMMON AND SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED AT THIS TYPE OF MILEAGE. COST FOR THIS REPAIR WAS ABOUT $500. TIRES HAVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TWICE SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE; ONCE AROUND 60000 MILES DUE TO "UNEVEN WEAR" WHICH WAS LIKELY A RESULT OF THE BAD ROTORS, AND AGAIN AROUND THE 100000 MARK ALSO FOR "UNEVEN WEAR". THIS COST $400 ON EACH OCCASION. AT THE 80000 MILE MARK A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT END, AND PROCEEDED TO GET WORSE UP TO THE 100000 MILE MARK. BETWEEN THOSE MILEAGE MARKS, THE FRONT END BEGAN TO FEEL VERY LOOSE. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE STRUTS PREMATURELY FAILED AND CREATED A VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION. THE COST FOR THIS REPAIR WAS OVER $1300 AND WAS REPAIRED ON JUNE 27, 2011. AFTER DOING A BIT OF RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A VERY PROMINENT AND COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. ON TOP OF THESE ISSUES, THERE IS ALSO APPARENTLY A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR END AS WELL THAT IS ALSO CREATING A KNOCKING. ALSO, THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS HAVE BEGUN TO FLASH REPEATEDLY AND VERY QUICKLY AT RANDOM TIMES AS WELL AS TURNING THEMSELVES ON AND OFF. THE CD PLAYER ALSO BROKE. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE AND UNRELIABLE VEHICLE THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED TO DETERMINE WHETHER THIS IS TRULY DUE TO "WEAR AND TEAR", OR IF THIS IS A FACTORY FAULT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10410137

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

63,000 miles · Jan 15, 2011
Suspension

2005 CHEVEROLET EQUINOX MAKES A POPPING NOISE AFTER DRIVING AND COMING TO A STOP WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10376753

51,000 miles · Nov 10, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringSuspension

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX LS. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE JANUARY 2009 SEEMED TO BE DRIVING PRETTY GOOD. I TOOK IT OUT OF TOWN AND AS I BEGAN TO STOP AT THE STOP LIGHT THE STEERING FELT LOOSE AND THE WHEELS MOVED SIDE TO SIDE ON ITS OWN. I THOUGHT IT STRANGE BUT KEPT ON DRIVING. STARTED UP THE ON RAMP AND THE STEERING WHEEL HAD A …

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I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX LS. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE JANUARY 2009 SEEMED TO BE DRIVING PRETTY GOOD. I TOOK IT OUT OF TOWN AND AS I BEGAN TO STOP AT THE STOP LIGHT THE STEERING FELT LOOSE AND THE WHEELS MOVED SIDE TO SIDE ON ITS OWN. I THOUGHT IT STRANGE BUT KEPT ON DRIVING. STARTED UP THE ON RAMP AND THE STEERING WHEEL HAD A LOOSE LIKE PLAY IN IT. DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT. STARTED TO EXCEL ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND AS I BEGAN TO REACH 60 MILES PER HR THE FRONT END STARTED MOVING LOOSELY LEFT TO RIGHT. THEN I STARTED REACHING 65 MILES PER HR AND THE FRONT BOUNCED AND WOBBLED AS IF IT WERE GOING TO DROP. I HAD TO GO 75 MILES PER HR BEFORE THE JIGGLING OF THE FRONT END OF THE VAN STOPPED. THE VAN DROVE GREAT AT 60 OR LESS. WHENEVER PUTTING ON THE BRAKES THERE WOULD BE A CRUNCHING NOISE AS IF A POLE WAS IN THE WAY KEEPING THE FOOT BRAKE FROM PUSHING DOWN TO THE FLOOR. I WOULD HAVE TO LIGHTLY LIFT MY FOOT THEN PUSH IT DOWN QUICKLY TO STOP THE VAN SAFELY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE SELLING THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10365204

44,635 miles · Sep 30, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSuspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, SHE HEARD LOUD WHINING GRINDING NOISES OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON THE OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME FAILURE AND THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED EACH TIME. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. RECENTLY, THE DEA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, SHE HEARD LOUD WHINING GRINDING NOISES OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON THE OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME FAILURE AND THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED EACH TIME. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. RECENTLY, THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVE SHAFT BEARING AND THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT UPPER STRUT MOUNT ALONG WITH THE LOWER STRUT INSULATOR, SWAY BAR LINK AND COIL SPRING WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE AIR BAG AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AS 44,635. UPDATED 01/19/11 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED EMISSION DUE TO A FAULTY GAS CAP. UPDATED 02/22/11

NHTSA ODI #10358478

90,000 miles · Sep 17, 2010
Suspension

2005 EQUINOX STRUTS WENT BAD, MAKING TERRIBLE THUMPING NOISE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10356152

52,000 miles · Apr 11, 2010
Power TrainSuspension

GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY CAR STARTED TO VIBRATE HAD IT CHECKED AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CENTER SUPPORT BEARING . IT FELT LIKE I HAD A TIRE OUT OF BALANCE BUT IT WAS THE BEARING. TALKED WITH ALOT OF PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET AND THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10324939

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