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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

What owners actually said

638 reports
120,000 miles · Oct 22, 2013
Power TrainSuspension

MY CENTER BEARINGS WERE REPLACED ABOUT 3YRS AGO THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE THOUGH I HAD HEARD FROM MANY PEOPLE THAT THIS WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. CLUNKING BEGAN UNDER MY CAR AGAIN SO I KNEW WHAT IT WAS. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND THE CENTER BEARINGS WERE BROKE AGAIN AND THE BEARINGS AND THE BACK OF THE DRIVESHAFT ALSO. THE REAR U JO…

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MY CENTER BEARINGS WERE REPLACED ABOUT 3YRS AGO THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE THOUGH I HAD HEARD FROM MANY PEOPLE THAT THIS WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. CLUNKING BEGAN UNDER MY CAR AGAIN SO I KNEW WHAT IT WAS. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND THE CENTER BEARINGS WERE BROKE AGAIN AND THE BEARINGS AND THE BACK OF THE DRIVESHAFT ALSO. THE REAR U JOINT WAS ALSO BROKEN. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AS WELL AS DANGEROUS. I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY CAR NO RUNNING OVER LOGS IN THE WOODS OR THINGS OF THAT NATURE HOW CAN THIS KEEP HAPPENING UNLESS IT IS A DEFECT OR FLAW IN DESIGN.THIS TIME WITH THE CLUNKING MY ANTI LOCK BRAKES WERE GOING OFF EVERY TIME I STOPPED TOO.MECHANIC HAD A HARD TIME GETTING THE PARTS TO REPLACE APPARENTLY EVERYONE NEEDS THEM BUT CHEVY SEES NO PROBLEM WITH THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10548845

85,000 miles · Oct 22, 2013
Power TrainSuspension

NOT SURE OF EXACT FIRST DATE CLUNKING SOUNDS UNDER CAR TOOK IT IN AND THE BEARINGS THAT HOLD THE DRIVE SHAFT WERE BROKEN. MECHANIC SAID NEVER SAW SOMETHING LIKE THAT ON A CAR WITHOUT ANY OTHER DAMAGE AND THAT WHEN HE CHECKED WITH LOCAL DEALER WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS HAPPENING A LOT. I REPORTED TO CHEVY ALSO AND YET THEY SAID THERE …

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NOT SURE OF EXACT FIRST DATE CLUNKING SOUNDS UNDER CAR TOOK IT IN AND THE BEARINGS THAT HOLD THE DRIVE SHAFT WERE BROKEN. MECHANIC SAID NEVER SAW SOMETHING LIKE THAT ON A CAR WITHOUT ANY OTHER DAMAGE AND THAT WHEN HE CHECKED WITH LOCAL DEALER WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS HAPPENING A LOT. I REPORTED TO CHEVY ALSO AND YET THEY SAID THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10548844

109,000 miles · Oct 18, 2013
Service Brakes

I WAS ON THE FREEWAY MERGING INTO THE SLOW LANE WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLOWED SO I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND ALL I HEARD WAS GRINDING CLUNKING NO BRAKES SUDDENLY MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD BRAKES. SINCE THEN I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 5 DIFFERENT PLACES, SPENT 300 + DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE SENSORS, 700+ DOLLARS TO REPLACE ALL…

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I WAS ON THE FREEWAY MERGING INTO THE SLOW LANE WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLOWED SO I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND ALL I HEARD WAS GRINDING CLUNKING NO BRAKES SUDDENLY MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD BRAKES. SINCE THEN I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 5 DIFFERENT PLACES, SPENT 300 + DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE SENSORS, 700+ DOLLARS TO REPLACE ALL OF THE BRAKES AND SYSTEMS (THE GUY FELT BAD BECAUSE THE COMPUTER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG BUT HE HIMSELF ALMOST HIT THE WALL BECAUSE NO BRAKES) CLEARLY SOMETHING IS WRONG OVER 2 YEARS I HAVE SPENT OVER 2 THOUSAND DOLLARS BUT STILL THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON HERE AND THE DEALERS RESPONSE TO ME "BRING IT IN AND FOR $105 WE WILL HOOK IT UP AND SEE WHAT'S WRONG" SO WHAT I SPEND ANOTHER THOUSAND WITH THE DEALER AND NO SOLUTION. IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING THE MODELS ON HERE HAVE IN COMMON. WHY HASN'T ANYBODY LOOKED INTO THIS. IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE BEING KILLED AND CHANNEL 7 LOOKING INTO THIS BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE? LAST NIGHT MY HUSBAND ALMOST WENT INTO AN INTERSECTION BECAUSE HE COULDN'T STOP. I CAN'T AFFORD A NEW CAR IF I COULD I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN RID OF IT IN 2011. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10548489

96,500 miles · Oct 8, 2013
Electrical System

KEY KEEPS GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHEN TRYING TO REMOVE THE KEY, AFTER MONTHS OF THIS AND COMPLAINING BOUT IT TO CARMAX AND THEM NOT FINDING A "PROBLEM" THE KEY WOULD NO LONGER WORK, TURN IN THE IGNITION. NOW THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIR. THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH MANY CHEVY EQUION…

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KEY KEEPS GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHEN TRYING TO REMOVE THE KEY, AFTER MONTHS OF THIS AND COMPLAINING BOUT IT TO CARMAX AND THEM NOT FINDING A "PROBLEM" THE KEY WOULD NO LONGER WORK, TURN IN THE IGNITION. NOW THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIR. THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH MANY CHEVY EQUIONXES FROM 2005-2010. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547212

132,645 miles · Oct 7, 2013
EnginePower TrainSuspension

THIS VEHICLE IS A JOKE, I ALREADY PUT MONEY DOWN ON IT AND HAVE ONLY HAD IT A LITTLE OVER 2 WEEKS. 5 DAYS IT WAS ACTUALLY IN MY POSSESSION BUT NOT ABLE TO DRIVE IT MUCH. THE REST OF THE TIME IT WAS AT THE CAR LOTS MECHANIC, IT DIES DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, IT IS HARD TO START AND SOMETIMES WON'T START AFTER 10 TRIES, IT IS SHIFTIN…

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THIS VEHICLE IS A JOKE, I ALREADY PUT MONEY DOWN ON IT AND HAVE ONLY HAD IT A LITTLE OVER 2 WEEKS. 5 DAYS IT WAS ACTUALLY IN MY POSSESSION BUT NOT ABLE TO DRIVE IT MUCH. THE REST OF THE TIME IT WAS AT THE CAR LOTS MECHANIC, IT DIES DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, IT IS HARD TO START AND SOMETIMES WON'T START AFTER 10 TRIES, IT IS SHIFTING HARD AND NOT WHEN IT IS NECESSARY( DOWN SHIFTING WHEN SPEEDING UP) AND IT HAS A HORRIBLE NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHICH THE MECHANIC CAN'T FIGURE OUT. NOT TO MENTION THAT THE FUEL PUMP WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED THANKS TO THE FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING PROPERLY... I FEEL LIKE I JUST MADE A VERY COSTLY MISTAKE( I STILL OWE 6900 ON THIS VEHICLE... ) CHEVY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THIS VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE FIXING THESE PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10546955

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT HAD NO ISSUES AFTER THE FUE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT HAD NO ISSUES AFTER THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10542333

112,000 miles · Aug 16, 2013
Engine

MY CHEVY HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AFTER ONLY 112K. FROM WHAT CHEVY MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME IT'S BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY EGR VALVE ON THE VEHICLES BECAUSE GM FAILED TO NOTIFY THE OWNERS OF SAID VEHICLES TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FROM THE START. WINDOW MOTORS HAVE GONE BAD AFTER ONLY 45K MILES,…

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MY CHEVY HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AFTER ONLY 112K. FROM WHAT CHEVY MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME IT'S BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY EGR VALVE ON THE VEHICLES BECAUSE GM FAILED TO NOTIFY THE OWNERS OF SAID VEHICLES TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FROM THE START. WINDOW MOTORS HAVE GONE BAD AFTER ONLY 45K MILES, BLOWN GASKET, THE NON STARTING, NO AC UNLESS I'M TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, HAVING TO PULLOVER AND STOP TURN CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON TO GET THE HEAT TO KICK ON IN THE WINTER. I'VE CONTACTED GM BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT IT. THE CHEAPEST I COULD FIND FOR MY CAR WAS 3000 TO REPLACE THE GASKETS. I MIGHT AS WELL DROP A NEW ENGINE IN THE CAR FOR THAT BUT WHY PAY THE 3000 TO REPLACE ENGINE FOR IT TO CRAP OUT ONCE AGAIN! WANDER IF I COULD PUT AN 08 ENGINE IN IT?? NEVER WILL I BUY AN EQUINOX AGAIN NOT IN A MILLION YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10535812

94,000 miles · Aug 13, 2013
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S BRAKE CALIPER SEIZED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE A PINCH IN THE BRAKE HOSE CAUSED THE CALIPER TO LOCK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CALIPER A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S BRAKE CALIPER SEIZED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE A PINCH IN THE BRAKE HOSE CAUSED THE CALIPER TO LOCK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CALIPER AND THE ABS SYSTEM. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE CALIPER SEIZED. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER NOR CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

NHTSA ODI #10535136

92,000 miles · Aug 9, 2013
Electrical SystemService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BRAKES BEGAN TO PULSATE WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AFTER REPEATEDLY APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BRAKES BEGAN TO PULSATE WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AFTER REPEATEDLY APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMALLY AND HAD BEEN TAKEN TO FOUR INDEPENDENT MECHANICS FOR DIAGNOSIS, ALL OF WHICH WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FRONT BRAKES, ABS SENSORS AND ABS MODULE WERE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. MOST RECENTLY, A TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT PROBLEM COULD POSSIBLY BE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ODI #10534530

115,000 miles · Aug 8, 2013
EngineVisibility

BOUGHT A NEW 2005. 2 MONTHS AFTER WARRANTY WENT OUT THE IGNITION MESSED. HAVE TO WIGGLE THE KEY TO GET IT TO TURN. TWO MONTHS LATER THE HEAT/AC BLOWER CONTROL SWITCH WENT OUT. AT 120,000 MILES LEAKING LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, FIXED THAT. 3 MONTHS LATER BLOWN HEAD GASKET, FOUND BAD FUEL INJECTOR WHILE FIXING THAT. 6 DAYS …

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

NHTSA ODI #10534242

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