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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

22 reports
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78,000 miles · May 7, 2012
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY AND THE CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE SLIGHTLY AS THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT WAS FINALLY ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT FENDER OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY AND THE CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE SLIGHTLY AS THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT WAS FINALLY ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT FENDER OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND THE RADIATOR WAS BUSTED AND LEAKING. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING EXTREMELY ROUGH. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE AND CONTACT HIM AT A LATER DATE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. ....UPDATED 06/18/12 *BF UPDATED 06/21/12

NHTSA ODI #10457631

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2008
Electrical SystemSteeringVehicle Speed Control

2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE STEERING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY. DEALER BLAMED THE FAILURE ON ICE IN THE WHEEL WELL. THEN THE TROUBLE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ISSUE HAS NOT YET BEEN FIXED PROPERLY. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T START. THE DEA…

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2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE STEERING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY. DEALER BLAMED THE FAILURE ON ICE IN THE WHEEL WELL. THEN THE TROUBLE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ISSUE HAS NOT YET BEEN FIXED PROPERLY. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T START. THE DEALER CLEANED THE CONNECTOR, HOWEVER THE COMPUTER DID NOT PICK UP ANY DIAGNOSTIC HISTORY, EVEN THOUGH THE TROUBLE LIGHT HAD BEEN COMING ON QUITE CONSISTENTLY. ON FEB 25, 2006 THE CONSUMER ONCE AGAIN LOST STEERING, BUT REGAINED IT AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE. AT THAT TIME THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE TROUBLE LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON AND ONCE AGAIN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT BY PUSHING ON THE FUSE BOX, THE VEHICLE WOULD START AND STEER. ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE CONSUMER BECAME STRANDED, THE DOORS WOULDN'T UNLOCK AND THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START, BUT THE HORN WORKED. THE CONSUMER LET THE VEHICLE SIT OVERNIGHT AND WHEN SHE CAME BACK, THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK, SHE OPENED THE DOOR MANUALLY AND POUNDED ON THE FUSE BOX, AND THE VEHICLE STARTED UP. THE SECOND TIME THE CONSUMER BECAME STUCK, POUNDING ON THE FUSE BOX DID NOT WORK AND THE VEHICLE DIDN'T START, EVEN THOUGH THE BATTERY WAS FINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND FOR THE SECOND TIME, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. AS SOON AS THE CONSUMER LEFT THE DEALER THE TROUBLE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING CONTINUES TO GO OUT A COUPLE OF TIMES. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE RESUME BUTTON FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK PROPERLY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10215013

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…

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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

24,000 miles · Mar 29, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DID NOT RETURN TO THE NORMAL RAISED POSITION BUT REMAINED DEPRESSED. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES INTERMITTENTLY AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS "STUCK" TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DID NOT RETURN TO THE NORMAL RAISED POSITION BUT REMAINED DEPRESSED. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES INTERMITTENTLY AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS "STUCK" TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. UPDATED 4/17/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ODI #10153965

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

VARIOUS DATES RANGING FROM APRIL OF 2004 UNTIL SEPT OF 2005. LACK OF POWER/ NO FORWARD ACCELERATION. HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY - BUT ALWAYS WHEN IT IS WET OR RAINING. OFTEN HAPPENS WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION. JUST RECENTLY I WAS TRAVELING 50+ MILES AN HOUR ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO A HIGH WAY & THEN THERE WAS COMPLETE LACK OF ACCELER…

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VARIOUS DATES RANGING FROM APRIL OF 2004 UNTIL SEPT OF 2005. LACK OF POWER/ NO FORWARD ACCELERATION. HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY - BUT ALWAYS WHEN IT IS WET OR RAINING. OFTEN HAPPENS WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION. JUST RECENTLY I WAS TRAVELING 50+ MILES AN HOUR ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO A HIGH WAY & THEN THERE WAS COMPLETE LACK OF ACCELERATION. THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS UP BUT THE CAR DOES NOT STALL. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR BACK TO GMAC FOR SERVICE 7 TIMES FOR THE SAME SYMPTOMS. THIS IS A VERY LARGE SAFETY ISSUE & I THINK IT SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10137128

850 miles · Jul 8, 2005
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

THE CONSUMER PULLED INTO THE PARKING SPACE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND HIT A POLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RACING AND WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH GMC. THEY HAVE DENIED ANY LIABILITY. *AK *BF *NM *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10119505

7,000 miles · Jun 21, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

DT: UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION, WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. IN ORDER TO STOP THE ACCELERATOR VEHICLE HAD TO BE SHUT DOWN. OWNER WAS DRIVING AT 50 MPH, AND WAS TRYING TO GET TO 65 MPH IN ORDER PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT 75 MPH OWNER HAD TO STOP VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN UNDESIRED SPE…

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DT: UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION, WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. IN ORDER TO STOP THE ACCELERATOR VEHICLE HAD TO BE SHUT DOWN. OWNER WAS DRIVING AT 50 MPH, AND WAS TRYING TO GET TO 65 MPH IN ORDER PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT 75 MPH OWNER HAD TO STOP VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN UNDESIRED SPEED IN THE LEFT LANE. THE OWNER STILL HAD CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT THIS POINT. OWNER CALLED CHEVEROLET TO HAVE VEHICLE CHECKED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10126068

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2005
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

SUSPECTED DEFECTIVE THROTTLE LINKAGE ON 2005 CHEVROLET EQUANOX.*MR WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY WHICH CAUSED IT TO CRASH INTO A SIGN. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10119156

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2005
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2005, PRESSED ACCELERATOR CAR LUNGED BACKWARD. *BF THE CONSUMER HIT A BACK WALL AND THE VEHICLE HAD CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE POINT IT WAS DECLARED TOTALED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10113466

939 miles · Nov 12, 2004
Equipment Adaptive/mobilityVehicle Speed ControlCrash

WHILE BACKING OUT FROM THE CAR PORT VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN REVERSE. VEHICLE WENT DOWN AN INCLINE AND WAS TOTALED. CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER TOLD HIM THAT TRANSMISSION HAD AN ADAPTIVE LEARNING TRANSMISSION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10099890

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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