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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
100,000 miles · Aug 18, 2018
Service BrakesCrash

ABS KICKS ON RANDOMLY, DRIVING OR BRAKING AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. I HAVE HAD ONE ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE, HAVE SINCE PULLED THE FUSE AND SPENT OVER $1,000 AT THE SHOP TO FIX THIS ISSUE WITH NO RESULTS. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE DECEMBER OF 2017 UNTIL PRESENT.

NHTSA ODI #11120770

132,000 miles · May 29, 2018
Unknown Or Other

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.

NHTSA ODI #11098613

167,000 miles · May 20, 2018
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

TAKATA RECALL: I BOUGHT MY CHEVY EQUINOX IN AUGUST OF 2017, SINCE TAKING IT HOME IT HAS HAD A LURCHING PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING OR WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. IT LURCHES FORWARD AND BACKWARDS LIKE A BULL TRYING TO THROW YOU OFF. I PUT NEW BRAKES ON EVERY 3 MONTHS BECAUSE MY BRAKES DO NOT WORK EVEN WHEN BRAND NEW, AND WHEN I PRESS …

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TAKATA RECALL: I BOUGHT MY CHEVY EQUINOX IN AUGUST OF 2017, SINCE TAKING IT HOME IT HAS HAD A LURCHING PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING OR WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. IT LURCHES FORWARD AND BACKWARDS LIKE A BULL TRYING TO THROW YOU OFF. I PUT NEW BRAKES ON EVERY 3 MONTHS BECAUSE MY BRAKES DO NOT WORK EVEN WHEN BRAND NEW, AND WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE THE CAR WON'T STOP, OR THE BRAKE PULSES AND VIBRATES. THE CARS GEAR SHIFT SOMETIMES GETS STUCK IN DRIVE WHEN TRYING TO PUT IT IN PARK. WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE AND THE GAS IS PRESSED YOU HEAR A GRINDING, AND THE GAS VIBRATES. I'VE HAD TO ABS SENSOR REPLACED 4X, O2 SENSOR 3X NEW BRAKES EVERY 3 MONTHS, NEW TIRES EVERY 6 MONTHS, REGULAR OIL CHANGES, IT'S HAD IT'S VALVES REPLACED, IT'S HAD NEW BRAKE LINES, NEW SHOCKS, REGULAR ALIGNMENTS, IT'S HAD A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER PUT IN. THE CARS RPM SPIKES TO 8000 WHEN DOING 30 MILES AN HOUR THROUGH A SMALL TOWN. THE WHEEL VIBRATES WHEN ON A HIGHWAY ABS LIGHT NEVER COMES OFF. T/C TURNS OFF ANYTIME I MAKE A TURN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS I SWEAR PERMANTLY ON. . I'VE BEEN TOLD THIS CAN BE A TRANSMISSION AND GEAR SHIFT PROBLEM, BUT THAT ALL 3 OF MY REGULAR MECHANICS CALL THIS PROBLEM THE GHOST PROBLEM, BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT AND ALWAYS TELL ME TO NOT DRIVE IT THAT IT'S NOT SAFE TO DRIVE BUT IT'S MY ONLY VEHICLE AND I AM 5 MONTHS PREGNANT AND CANNOT AFFORD A NEW CAR RIGHT NOW. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE AND NEEDS TO BE EVALUATED.

NHTSA ODI #11096897

91,000 miles · May 19, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

RIGHT WHEN I LEFT THE DEALERS LOT, IT NEEDED A NEW HEAD GASKET, INTAKE GASKET COIL PACK, AND A THERMOSTAT. LUCKILY THE DEALER PAID FOR THAT. SINCE THEN, I NOTICED WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP SIGN, IF THERE'S A SLIGHT BUMP IN THE ROAD, IT FEELS LIKE I'M RUNNING OVER A BOULDER. WHILE SLOWING DOWN MOST TIMES, THE FRONT END OF TH…

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RIGHT WHEN I LEFT THE DEALERS LOT, IT NEEDED A NEW HEAD GASKET, INTAKE GASKET COIL PACK, AND A THERMOSTAT. LUCKILY THE DEALER PAID FOR THAT. SINCE THEN, I NOTICED WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP SIGN, IF THERE'S A SLIGHT BUMP IN THE ROAD, IT FEELS LIKE I'M RUNNING OVER A BOULDER. WHILE SLOWING DOWN MOST TIMES, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO BOG DOWN ABOUT AN INCH, WAS TOLD MAYBE A MOTOR MOUNT? RPMS ALWAYS BOG UP AND DOWN FOR NO REASON LIKE IT'S TRYING TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. A FEW WEEKS AGO MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING MY AIR BAGS WON'T DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED. A COUPLE WEEKS LATER THE RPMS BOGGING AND FRONT END BOGGING DOWNWARD BECAME MORE CONSTANT, THEN MY SPEEDOMETER RANDOMLY WILL GO TO 0 WHILE IN MOTION, THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER WILL WORK FINE. RPMS SEEM TO BE WORKING NORMAL WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER IS WORKING NORMAL. THE OTHER DAY, WHILE BRAKING, OF COURSE.... THE BOULDER FEELING WHILE BRAKING, FRONT END BOGGED DOWNWARD, RPMS WENT RIDICULOUSLY HIGH BETWEEN 3-4 BACK AND FORTH ERRATICALLY, AND THE SPEEDOMETER WENT TO 0.. ALL THAT HAPPENED AT ONCE, MADE ME OFFICIALLY REALIZE, IT HAS TO ALL BE A CONNECTED PROBLEM. THEN I FOUND THIS SITE, WITH SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THESE SAME ISSUES, FOR SO LONG.. HOW IN GOD'S NAME IS THIS POS NOT RECALLED?? I CAN'T EVEN IN GOOD CONSCIENCE CHOOSE SOMEONE TO DIE BY SELLING THIS THING TO THEM, I STILL OWE SO MUCH MONEY ON IT. THERE'S SO MANY STORIES OF PEOPLE RANDOMLY STEERING, AND ACCELERATING FULL THROTTLE IN VARIOUS DIRECTIONS AND ANY GIVEN TIME. WHAT DEMONIZED TRANSFORMER OF A VEHICLE DID I BUY? HOW ARE THESE THINGS STILL ON THE ROAD? HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE CHEVY OWNS UP TO THIS DEADLY HUNK OF METAL THEY SOLD TO US? PLEASE RECALL ASAP. I LITERALLY CAN'T SELL IT TO ANYONE. IT'S GOING TO KILL SOMEONE! AT THIS YEAR, THERE CAN'T BE MANY MORE ON THE ROAD SINCE THEY KEEP CRASHING. RECALL THE ONES THAT ARE LEFT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11096853

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2018
Power TrainService BrakesSuspension

100000K MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION LOCKS UP HUGE PROBLEMS WITH WHEEL BEARINGS AND PROBLEMS WITH ABS SYSTEM

NHTSA ODI #11090847

171,000 miles · Apr 23, 2018
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND LATER TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A RADIATOR FLUSH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND LATER TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A RADIATOR FLUSH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.

NHTSA ODI #11089648

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2018
Unknown Or Other

OVER HEATING. HEAT BLOWING HOT AND COLD AND IGNITION SWITCH ISSUES

NHTSA ODI #11084297

118,140 miles · Mar 22, 2018
Electrical System

MY KEY COMES OUT OF THE IGNITION NO MATTER WHAT GEAR IT IS IN. THE VEHICLE JUST SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING AS I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN ON A CITY STREET. I AM NOW UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE KEY IS ALSO TOUGH TO PULL OUT SOMETIMES.

NHTSA ODI #11080874

133,000 miles · Mar 15, 2018
Engine

HAVE HAD MAJOR ENGINE TROUBLE. HEAD GASKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT PURCHASE TWO YEARS AGO. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY TWO DAYS AGO AND MY LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND MY ENGINE BEGAN FAILING. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO A MECHANIC. THE CODES RAN INDICATED A THERMOSTAT PROBLEM CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BURN OIL. THE PISTONS INSIDE T…

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HAVE HAD MAJOR ENGINE TROUBLE. HEAD GASKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT PURCHASE TWO YEARS AGO. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY TWO DAYS AGO AND MY LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND MY ENGINE BEGAN FAILING. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO A MECHANIC. THE CODES RAN INDICATED A THERMOSTAT PROBLEM CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BURN OIL. THE PISTONS INSIDE THE ENGINE BROKE. HE INDICATED IT COULD HAVE BEEN FROM THE HEAD GASKET ISSUES. I HAVE READ CONSUMER COMPLAINTS THAT OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES. IN ADDITION, I PERSONALLY KNOW TWO PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR MODELS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIP WHO I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM TOLD ME TO CALL GENERAL MOTORS BECAUSE THEY ARE AWARE OTHER CONSUMERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS ME. A MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT IF I WERE TO CONTINUE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, MY ENGINE WILL LOCK UP WHILE I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #11079691

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fire

DROVE VEHICLE TO A STORE, WHILE INSIDE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED UNDERNEATH FUSE BOX WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. FIRE MEN STATED VEHICLE WAS ATTEMPTING TO START ITSELF WITHOUT KEYS AND WITHOUT BEING ON. HEADLIGHTS N DASH REMAINED ON AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE VERY BADLY, WOULDN'T QUIT UNTIL BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED AND NEED…

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DROVE VEHICLE TO A STORE, WHILE INSIDE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED UNDERNEATH FUSE BOX WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. FIRE MEN STATED VEHICLE WAS ATTEMPTING TO START ITSELF WITHOUT KEYS AND WITHOUT BEING ON. HEADLIGHTS N DASH REMAINED ON AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE VERY BADLY, WOULDN'T QUIT UNTIL BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED AND NEEDED TO BE EXTINGUISHED. ELECTRICAL FIRE PROGRESSED TO DASH AND MELTED WIPER SHIFTER OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11057376

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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