The ABS and traction control light came on and the vehicle sometimes doesn’t want to stop. The ABS kicks in and it takes a while for it to stop. It’s been twice where the vehicle ends up stopping in the middle of the intersection. Luckily no one was in front of us or coming the other direction.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Equinox years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Unknown Or Other complaints
40 reportsThe front sub frame where it bolts to the frame was completely rusted loose on the right side. The left side was barely holding on. This is what holds the motor up and control arms. My mechanics are telling me this is a common problem with Chevy Equinoxes. If it's common why aren't there recalls. My car only has 80,000 miles on …
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The front sub frame where it bolts to the frame was completely rusted loose on the right side. The left side was barely holding on. This is what holds the motor up and control arms. My mechanics are telling me this is a common problem with Chevy Equinoxes. If it's common why aren't there recalls. My car only has 80,000 miles on it and my mechanic told me to scrap it. I'm a fabricator and welder. I welded a new frame under it but others can't do that and mechanics say it's a no fix.
I was at the car wash, when the vehicle was near the end, suddenly the engine light and powertrain light came on then shut off automatically. I tried to restart, put the truck in the drive, but it wouldn't go like the gas wasn't reaching. So, I turned it off and restarted to see if the lights would go off, but it didn't. I was a…
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I was at the car wash, when the vehicle was near the end, suddenly the engine light and powertrain light came on then shut off automatically. I tried to restart, put the truck in the drive, but it wouldn't go like the gas wasn't reaching. So, I turned it off and restarted to see if the lights would go off, but it didn't. I was able to get it home safely. It doesn't take off right away when you gas the pedal. When I stop at the stop sign, it takes a minute before it starts moving again. This is not safe to drive, especially when making a turn, pulling off to traffic. If it doesn't take off in time, it could be an accident due this problem. I hope there's a solution this problem. Thank you in advance.
unknown replaced complete ac system/starter/new battery/ key inserted no response at all ingigtion seems to be a problem turn on key let go it was starting now nothing
It was recently brought to my attention that the keys can fall out of the ignition with the vehicle running. Which creates an extreme likelihood that the vehicle can move forward or backward without assistance. My keys fall right out of the ignition you should not be able to take the keys out of an ignition with it running or no…
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It was recently brought to my attention that the keys can fall out of the ignition with the vehicle running. Which creates an extreme likelihood that the vehicle can move forward or backward without assistance. My keys fall right out of the ignition you should not be able to take the keys out of an ignition with it running or not in park. Has not been confirmed by the dealership yet that’s my next step. And yes it can be reproduced at any time. Sometimes the key will not even start the vehicle. Hi had never reached over and just tried to take the keys out of the ignition to see if they would come out but I recently rented a room where the owner has the exact same car and the same thing happened to him and he had the ignition replaced. This is how I know that it happens because he reached over and was able to pull my keys right out with the vehicle running. I was shocked. Also at one point it says there is automatic transmission recall and mine is making weird movements and jerking motions sometimes not just on my car but on my landlord’s car as well. Maybe that needs to be looked at.
VEHICLE IS ABLE TO DRIVE WHILE KEY IS OUT OF IGNITION WHEN ENGINE IS ALREADY RUNNING. SEAT BELT DISCONNECTS RANDOMLY. VEHICLE CAN BE OPEN WITH A NICKEL COIN. ECU TRIGGERS WARNING LIGHTS RANDOMLY
WELL I BOUGHT IT FROM A INDIVIDUAL 3 MONTHS AGO N THE SECOND DAY OF GETTING IT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IT FEELS LIKE IT JERKS THE CRAP OUT OF U WHEN TRYING TO TO GAIN SPEED FROM 40-55 RANGE N WHEN COMING TO A STOP SIGN IT FEELS LIKE IT DON'T WANT TO STOP NOW THE ABS N TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS ON DASH . I HAVE NO WHERE ON …
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WELL I BOUGHT IT FROM A INDIVIDUAL 3 MONTHS AGO N THE SECOND DAY OF GETTING IT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IT FEELS LIKE IT JERKS THE CRAP OUT OF U WHEN TRYING TO TO GAIN SPEED FROM 40-55 RANGE N WHEN COMING TO A STOP SIGN IT FEELS LIKE IT DON'T WANT TO STOP NOW THE ABS N TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS ON DASH . I HAVE NO WHERE ON MY DASH OR ANYWHERE IN THE VEHICLE TO TURN TRACTION CONTROL ON OR OFF . THE PAST TWO WEEKS IT DRINKS GAS LIKE CRAZY IT DON'T WANT TO WARM UP LIKE IT SHOULD FOR HEATER .. IS THIS TO DO WITH A RECALL OR SERVICED ISSUES BC I'M READY TO TRADE IT OFF BEFORE I GET KILLED OR KILL SOMEONE OR MY KIDS GET HURT IN ACCIDENT BC OF THE ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE
THERE ARE TWO ISSUES WITH THIS EQUINOX. THE FIRST, IS THE KEY SOMETIMES LOCKS ON THE IGNITION AND I CANNOT TURN THE VEHICLE ON NOR TURN THE KEY - IT COMPLETELY LOCKS LEADING TO ANXIETY AND FRUSTRATION BECAUSE IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT TRYING TO PUT THE KEY IN OR EVEN TRYING TO PULL IT OUT OF THE IGNITION. THIS HAS BEEN …
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THERE ARE TWO ISSUES WITH THIS EQUINOX. THE FIRST, IS THE KEY SOMETIMES LOCKS ON THE IGNITION AND I CANNOT TURN THE VEHICLE ON NOR TURN THE KEY - IT COMPLETELY LOCKS LEADING TO ANXIETY AND FRUSTRATION BECAUSE IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT TRYING TO PUT THE KEY IN OR EVEN TRYING TO PULL IT OUT OF THE IGNITION. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE WE FIRST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE. THE SECOND ISSUE IS THE BACK DOOR/HATCH OF THE 2005 EQUINOX DOES NOT OPEN/UNLOCK. THE ONLY WAY TO ACCESS BACK AREA IS TO LOWER BACK SEAT AND CLIMB TO BACK AREA. VEHICLE WASWAS STATIONARY WHEN WE FIRST NOTICED PROBLEM. LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. WHY WASN'T THIS ISSUE MADE INTO A RECALL ISSUE? WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY $150-$200 (ACCORDING TO SOME COMPLAINTS ONLINE) OR MORE OUT OF MY OWN POCKET TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED? I CAN'T EVEN SELL THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I DISCLOSE THESE ISSUES TO POTENTIAL BUYERS AND RIGHT AWAY THEY GET DISCOURAGED AND WALK AWAY. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THIS CAR NOW?
OUR CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2005 IS SHIFTING HARD DOWN SHIFT AND UPSHIFT BUT DOESN'T SHOW ANY RECALLS ON THEM WHICH THERE SHOULD SINCE THERE IS PROBLEMS AND ANOTHER VEHICLE SOMEONE ELSE OWNS IS A CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2008 MODEL IS ALSO SHIFTING HARD IT'S A SERIUSE PROBLEM IT COULD CAUSE A WRECK DUE POSSIBILITY SOMETHING LOCKING UP ON IT …
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OUR CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2005 IS SHIFTING HARD DOWN SHIFT AND UPSHIFT BUT DOESN'T SHOW ANY RECALLS ON THEM WHICH THERE SHOULD SINCE THERE IS PROBLEMS AND ANOTHER VEHICLE SOMEONE ELSE OWNS IS A CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2008 MODEL IS ALSO SHIFTING HARD IT'S A SERIUSE PROBLEM IT COULD CAUSE A WRECK DUE POSSIBILITY SOMETHING LOCKING UP ON IT ALSO AT TIMES WHEN YOU TRY AND START IT THE STARTER TRYS TO STAY ENGAGED HAVE TO TRY SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT STARTS RIGHT PLEASE CHECK INTO THE ISSUES BEFORE SOME GETS SERIOUSLY HURT PLEASE!! ALSO THERES BEEN ELECTRICAL ISSUES ON WINDOWS AND ALSO THERES LEAKS FROM OIL NOT FOR SURE IF IT'S A ENGINE ISSUE OR NOT BUT IT COULD GET CHECK TO PLEASE CHECK ALL ON THE CHEVROLET EQUINOXS PLEASE BEFORE SOMETHING SERIOUSLY HAPPENS TO SOMEONE OR US IT HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING IT ANYWHERE
VEHICLE WILL STALL DURING OPERATION OR AT IDLE. TSB 05539 COVERS THIS ISSUE FOR EARLIER VIN NUMBERS. THIS NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL VIN NUMBERS FOR LATER PRODUCTION EFFECTED BY THE SAME PROBLEM.VEHICLE WILL RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, BUT MAY FAIL AGAIN IN AS FEW AS FIVE MINUTES OR RUN AS LONG AS AN HOUR.
Official recalls
104V302000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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