NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
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
CONTINUAL HEADLIGHT BURNING OUT. WITHIN 30 DAYS OF HAVING NEW BULB INSTALLED. DEALER REPLACED BULB EACH TIME AT A COST OF APPROX $150 EVENTUALLY DEALER REVEALS IT IS A CONNECTOR CAUSING SHORTAGE AND WILL REPLACE AT A COST OF APPROX $275. *TR
THE DRIVELINE WAS REPLACED ON MY 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AT 36,00 MILES UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BEARING THAT HELD THE JOINT TOGETHER HAD CORRODED AND THE DRIVELINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED THIS WAS AT A GM CERTIFIED SERVICE CENTER. *TR
PLEASE NOTE, JUST SPENT $847.00 ON THIS VEHICLE, BRAKES, SERPENTINE BELT ,ROTORS,THERMOSTAT. THIS VEHCILE HAS BEEN A LEMON SINCE IT WAS EXPORTED FROM CANADA AS THAT WHERE IT WAS BUILT!!! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT BEARINGS FAILED AND THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR WERE ON A NATIONAL BACK ORDER AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD ARRIVE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT HEADLIGHT BULBS CONSTANTLY FAILED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SEALANT WAS LOOSE, WHICH ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER AND BLOW OUT THE BULB. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR REPAIR WAS $500. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. HE HAS TO EXERT GREAT FORCE DURING BRAKE APPLICATION TO STOP THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE HUB ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE THEN ADDED THAT AN OIL LEAK WAS PRESENT. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,953.
ON TRIP STOPPED FOR GAS,PULLED KEY OUT ONLY WENT 1/2 WAY. WAS STUCK WOULD NOT GO IN OR OUT. COULD NOT TURN KEY TO START THE VEHICLE.WAS WAITING FOR SERVICE, HEARD THE DOOR LOCKS CYCLE ON THEIR OWN, PANIC BUTTON ON. THEN KEY WOULD TURN AND VEHICLE WOULD START. REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AS PER THE DEALER. COST $587. THIS HAPPENED TWICE BOTH TIMES WHILE TRYING TO FUEL UP THE VEHICLE. SINCE THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS TWICE AGAIN AND DO NOTICE EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE KEY. *TR
CAR OVERHEATED GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE (ABOUT 65 MPH). BLEW A HEAD GASKET, FIXED THAT. THEN OVERHEATED A WEEK LATER WHILE IN TOWN DRIVING (ABOUT 45 MPH) BLEW A HEAD GASKET AGAIN. *TR
I HAVE HAD MY 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX, BEEN THE FIRST AND ONLY OWNER, SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED IT, IF I RAN THROUGH EVEN THE SMALLEST MUDPUDDLE I WOULD HEAR NOISES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. NOW 4 YEARS LATER THE NOISES ARE NONE STOP. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THE WHEEL BEARING ON BOTH SIDES WERE BAD, JUST TO FIND OUT AFTER SPENDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIR BILLS, THE CARRIER BEARING THAT IS ON THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT IS MISSING. IT HAS FALLEN OUT COMPLETELY AND ALL THAT REMAINS IS THE RUBBER FLANGES. I HAVE CONTACTED EVERY DEALER I CAN THINK OF AND RECEIVED A PART # 25775162 FOR THE BEARING AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE PART IS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER AND GM IS SAYING THEY WILL NOT RELEASE IT TO NON VIP UNTIL NOVEMBER, DECEMBER TIME FRAME. HAD I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR WITH THE VIBRATION OF THE DRIVESHAFT I COULD HAVE SERIOUSLY HURT MYSELF OR OTHERS. NOW I AM PAYING FOR A VEHICLE, NO ONE HAS THE PART THAT I NEED TO FIX IT, AND I AM OUT OF ANSWERS. IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN WHICH EVERY DEALER I HAVE SPOKEN TO SAYS IT IS WITH THE EQUINOX, WHY IS NOTHING BEING DONE? INSTEAD EVERYONE WITH THAT MODEL YEAR SATURN AND EQUINOX WITH THE SAME CARRIER BEARING ON THE REAR DRIVESHAFT IS EITHER WRECKED THE VEHICLE, HURT THEMSELVES OR OTHERS, OR ALLOWING THERE VEHICLE TO SIT AT A GARAGE, SHOP OR HOUSE WITH NO HOPE OF GETTING IT FIXED. I HAVE EVEN CALLED GM CORPORATE, AND ALL THEY GIVE ME IS WE WILL LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 EQUINOX THE FIRST MODEL YEAR FOR THIS VEHICLE. I ORDERED THE CAR NEW FROM THE FACTORY. AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN I TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY START. AT OTHER TIMES THE CAR WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED OFF. ON MAY 3, 2009 THE VEHICLE JUST "DIED" IT WOULD NOT TURN ON. I HAVE JUST OVER 40000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE ELECTRICAL GOES IN AND OUT SINCE THE ENGINE WILL NOT START. THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY THING THAT WORKS, AS IT KEEPS RESETTING ITSELF AFTER THE DOOR IS OPEN AND CLOSED. I DO HEAR SOUNDS OF SOME TYPE SIMILAR TO A COMPUTER TRYING TO RESET OR KICK IN. I TRIED TO JUMPSTART THE VEHICLE BUT THAT DID NOTHING. THE ENGINE WILL JUST NOT TURN OVER. TOWING IT TO THE DEALER TOMORROW. OF COURSE THIS IS A MAJOR HAZARD SINCE IT WAS SO RANDOM, WITHOUT ANY REAL WARNING TODAY, AS I HAD DRIVEN IT ONLY 10-15-MINUTES BEFORE AND HAD JUST RETURNED HOME AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO MOVE CAR SO THAT I COULD CUT THE LAWN AND IT WAS INOPERABLE. *TR
AT APROX 140K MILES, THE SWAY BAR LINKS FAILED. LOUD CREAKING NOISE WHEN TURNING, AND GOING OVER BUMPS. UNABLE TO GREASE AND THEREFORE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COST TO REPAIR $200. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 EQUINOX. IT STARTED LOSING POWER, OVERHEATED THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC WITHIN ONE MILE OF INCIDENT HE TOLD ME I HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET OR CRACKED BLOCK. CODE P1258-ENGINE OVERHEATING. LOST COOLANT, THOUGH THERE WAS NO LEAK UNDERNEATH. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, ANOTHER DRIVER PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR NECK INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY HER INSURANCE AGENCY AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS DESTROYED. THE ADJUSTER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT SHE WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK REGARDING THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY STEERED TO THE EXTREME RIGHT. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO DRIVE THROUGH A DITCH, ACROSS TRAFFIC, AND THROUGH ANOTHER DITCH. THE CONTACT HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT DID NOT CRASH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE IN ONE DAY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE IGNITION AND MIDDLE DRIVE SHAFT CARRIER BEARING WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 10/09/14*LJ UPDATED 05/18/2015 *JS
TURN SIGNAL LIGHT SWITCH WENT OUT AND CAUSES THE BRIGHT LIGHTS TO STAY ON. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO AVOID A CRASH AND THE BRAKES FAILED. SHE CRASHED INTO A CEMENT OVERPASS AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE CONTACT NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. SHE FEELS THAT THE ABS FAILED AND CAUSED THE BRAKE SYSTEM TO FAIL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISED RIBS AND LACERATIONS TO THE FOREHEAD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE LOT FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, BUT THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 05/05/09 *BF UPDATED 05/06/09.*JB
MY 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX WANT START SOMETIMES AFTER SHORT TRIPS. IT WILL TURN OVER BUT WANT CRANK (IT ALMOST ACTS LIKE IT IS FLOODED). THEN AFTER ABOUT 10 OR 20 MINUTES IT WILL CRANK LIKE NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. THIS IS STARTING TO HAPPEN ALL THE TIME NOW. IT IS VERY ANNOYING WHEN THIS HAPPENS. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE EQUINOX WITH LESS THAN 23000 MILES THIS VEHICLE SHIFTS IN GEAR EXTREMELY HARD WHICH AT TIMES PROPELS YOU FORWARD. IT ALSO HITS HIGH RPM BEFORE IT SHIFTS INTO GEAR. ONE TIME IT HIT ALMOST 6000 RPMS WHILE DRIVING UP HILL BEFORE IT KICKED INTO GEAR. THIS SAME VEHICLE HAS ALSO FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR WHEN TRYING TO PUT IT INTO REVERSE FROM PARK. I RECEIVED A GM BULLETIN FROM MY LOCAL DEALER AND TOLD THIS IS A PROBLEM GM IS AWARE OF BUT WILL NOT COVER TO BE FITTED DUE TO THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT REQUIRING IT. DOES SOMEONE HAS TO BE KILLED FROM THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. *TR
AT APPROX 130K MILES THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS CRACKED. $1,800 TO REPAIR. *TR
THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT OPERATE UP OR DOWN. SOMETIMES THE WIDOW WOULD GO UP OR DOWN ON ITS OWN, WITHOUT OPERATING THE SWITCH. THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE DOOR WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. THE WIRES WERE BROKEN AND EXPOSED AT THE HINGE JOINT. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS SHORTING OUT. *TR
MY 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX STARTING MAKING A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN I HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF OF THE INTERSTATE AND WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES AND TURNING. IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS LOCKED FROM THE MIDDLE OF MY CAR TO THE BACK OF MY CAR. I WAS TOTALLY CAUGHT OFF GUARD AND WAS VERY SHAKEN. I STOPPED AND LOOKED AT MY TIRES AND TO SEE IF ANYTHING WAS HANGING DOWN FROM THE CAR. I COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING THAT WAS OBVIOUS. IT WAS 9:00AM. I WAS APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES FROM A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP SO I DROVE THERE. I WAS SCARED AND SHAKEN AND DIDN'T KNOW IF THIS PROBLEM WAS GOING TO CAUSE ME TO HAVE A WRECK OR POSSIBLY BE STRANDED. WHEN I GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP, A GENTLEMAN IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WENT FOR A DRIVE WITH ME. MY CAR DIDN'T MAKE THE LOUD GRINDING, BUT ONLY A LITTLE. HE SAID THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WOULD TAKE OFF ALL 4 WHEELS AND CHECK THE BRAKES. MY HUSBAND LEFT WORK TO PICK ME UP AS THIS WAS NOT GOING TO BE DONE BEFORE LUNCH. THE DEALERSHIP CONTACTED ME AT WORK AND SAID IT WAS NOT THE BRAKES, BUT IT WAS PROBABLY THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, BUT HE WANTED TO MAKE SURE AND HE WOULD CALL ME AFTER LUNCH. HE ASKED IF I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE CAR, I SAID NO, BUT THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE THAT WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW. HE AGREED. MY WARRANTY EXPIRED 5 MONTHS TODAY, JANUARY 24TH AND MY MILEAGE IS PAST THE WARRANTY BY 1,424 MILES. MY CAR HAS 37,700 MILES ON IT. MY HUSBAND OWNS A 1996 CHEVY S10 PICKUP WITH OVER 200,00 MILES ON IT AND NOTHING THIS MAJOR HAS EVER HAPPENED WITH HIS TRUCK. I CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS AND SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE. HE SAID HE WOULD BUILD A BUSINESS CASE DOCUMENT TO PRESENT TO GM BOARD FOR REVIEW. I THINK GM SHOULD PAY FOR EXPENSES TO HAVE THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. I MADE A PUN COMMENT THAT SINCE THIS COST WAS AROUND $2400 THAT I WANTED GM TO BAIL ME OUT, COMPARED TO THE BILLIONS THEY JUST RECEIVED FROM AMERICAN TAXPAYERS. GM SUCCESS DEPENDS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. AGAIN MY CAR ONLY HAS 37,700 MILES ON IT. *TR
EGR TUBE CRACKED AND LEAKS EXHAUST INTO CAR. DEALER REFUSES TO FIX AND STATED INSTEAD OF THE PART TO FIX THIS OURSELVES, (LESS THAN $100) WE WOULD NEED THE 'UPDATED' KIT WHICH WAS NEARLY $400 PLUS THE LABOR TO INSTALL PLUS AND ADDITIONAL FEE TO 'CALIBRATE' THE NEW PART. LOOKING AT OVER $750+ TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. NICE WAY TO SCAM MONEY FOR YOUR DEALERS! CHEVY NEEDS TO RECALL THIS! *KB
I BOUGHT A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX WITH 32K MILES ON IT, SOON AFTER MY PURCHASE WE STARTED HAVING TROUBLE GETTING THE KEY TO TURN THE IGNITION OVER, YOU COULD NOT PHYSICALLY TURN THE KEY OVER, IT WOULD GET STUCK AND THEN IT WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. WE HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WHERE EVER WE GO, NOT VERY SAFE FOR MY DAUGHTER WHO DRIVES THIS CAR AWAY AT COLLEGE BUT THAT HAS BEEN OUR ONLY SOLUTION SO FAR. *TR
I HAD MY 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX FOR 2 WEEKS. IT STARTING HAVING STARTING PROBLEMS, WHEN IDLING, SOUNDED LIKE IT WANTED TO SHUT OFF. TOOK IT TO A GM DEALER. TURNS OUT THE EGR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND PCM NEEDED REPROGRAMMED. EXACTLY FITS NHTSA ITEM NUMBER : 10017551 HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE DOESN'T FIT IN THE RANGE THAT GM DECIDED WAS FAULTY. I DO BELIEVE THE RANGE IS LARGER THAN GM HAS ACTUALLY LISTED. *TR
2005 CHEVY EQUINOX, REPLACED HEAD GASKET 2 TIMES, BLOWN AGAIN. THE EXHAUST AND FUMES THAT COME OUT BECAUSE OF THIS ARE HORRIBLE. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED, GM IS VERY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING. *TR
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
THE CHEVY EQUINOX IS OVER-ALL A PIECE OF GARBAGE. EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN 2004 IT HAS GIVEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW, BUT I DOESN'T PERFORM LIKE A BRAND NEW VEHICLE. SINCE I'VE HAD THIS VEHICLE IT HAS OVER HEATED ON ME, THE AC SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPAIRED, THE GAGE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON AS IF SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, WHEN I DRIVE ON THE EXPRESS WAY AND HIT 60 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL START SHAKING WHEN AS I'M BRAKING, THE ONE BELT THAT THE EQUINOX HAS SNAPPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING, AND THREE WEEKS AFTER I GOT THE BELT FIXED AS I WAS DRIVING AND I TURNED ON THE AC THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING. KEEP IN MIND THAT MY WARRANTY EXPIRED EARLIER THIS YEAR SO MAJORITY OF THESE EXPENSES ARE COMING OUT OF MY POCKET, AND GUESS WHAT, YESTERDAY ON 9NOV2008 THE EQUINOX DIED ON ME. I CAN'T EVEN GET IT TO START. WHEN I TURN THE KEY ALL THE VEHICLE IS DOING IS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE BUT IT'S NOT TURNING OVER. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE BATTERY BECAUSE THE HORN WORKS, THE GAGE LIGHTS COME ON, THE RADIO WORKS, BUT IT'S JUST NOT TURNING OVER. IT'S BACK IN THE SHOP AGAIN, AND THERE'S NO TELLING HOW MUCH THIS IS GOING TO SET ME BACK. THIS VEHICLE HAS GIVEN ME AND MY WIFE SO MUCH HEART ACHE, AND WHAT I JUST LISTED WERE SOME OF THE HIGH LIGHTS OF PROBLEMS THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS GIVEN US. TIMES ARE TOUGH RIGHT NOW AND THIS EQUINOX IS NOT MAKING THINGS ANY EASIER. THE GM COMPANY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR MAKING SUCH A CRAPPY PRODUCT SUCH AS THIS VEHICLE. NEVER AGAIN WILL I EVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVY OR ANY OTHER GM PRODUCT. I REGRET EVER BUYING THIS VEHICLE. *TR
AT APPROX 130K MILES THE DRIVESHAFT FAILED. COST TO REPAIR $800. *TR
A FEW MONTHS AGO MY HUSBANDS MOTHER DROVE HIS 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX TO THE STORE AND THE BATTERY DIED. THEY JUMPED THE CAR AND EVERYTHING HAS BEEN FINE UNTIL A FEW DAYS AGO. WE HAD TO JUMP START MY HUSBANDS CAR A FEW DAYS AGO AND THAT IS WHEN HE SAID SOMETHING ABOUT THE CD PLAYER STAYING ON AFTER THE CAR WAS OFF. WHEN YOU LISTEN TO THE CD PLAYER IT SOUNDS LIKE PLAYER IS TRYING TO EJECT A CD BUT IT WONT AND EVENTUALLY IT SAYS ON THE SCREEN "CD CHANGER ERROR." IT EVEN DOES THIS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF SO IT ENDS UP KILLING THE BATTERY. MY HUSBAND HAS TO UNPLUG THE FUSE FOR THE CD PLAYER OR IT DRAINS HIS BATTERY. AND STILL HAVING IT UNPLUGGED THE VEHICLE HAS A HARD TIME STARTING BECAUSE IT IS LIKE IT CAN NO LONGER HOLD A CHARGE. WHEN WE MENTIONED THIS TO MY HUSBAND'S MOTHER SHE SAID WHEN IT DIED THE TIME SHE DROVE IT HAD SAID THE SAME THING. I HAVE SEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. ONE PERSON SAID THAT THEY EVEN REPLACED THE CD PLAYER MULTIPLE TIMES AND EVERY FEW MONTHS IT DOES THE SAME THING. WE ARE GOING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP HERE AND SEE WHAT THEY SAY, BUT I REALLY FEEL THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY CD PLAYERS AND BATTERIES EVERY FEW MONTHS. THE EQUINOX CAME OUT IN '05 AND IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THIS IS AN ERROR THAT THEY DID NOT FIX BEFORE PRODUCTION. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 EQUINOX. IT STARTED OVERHEATING AND LOSING COOLANT, THOUGH THERE WAS NO LEAK UNDERNEATH. BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME I HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I EMAILED CHEVY BUT BECAUSE ITS NOT AT A DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO HELP ANY WITH THE PROBLEM. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW SOMETHING SO MAJOR CAN BREAK ON A 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. *TR
BOUGHT 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX BRAND NEW. CHEMICAL SMELL IN CAB AT ABOUT 1200 MILES AND AT 19,000 A/C LEAK DETECTED AND COMPRESSOR AND PARTS REPLACED. *TR
AT APPROX 125K MILES THE THERMOSTAT FAILED. *TR
I AM EXPERIENCING SERIOUS WATER LEAKS IN MY 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AWD LT. WHENEVER IT RAINS, WATER ACCUMULATES IN THE SPARE TIRE WELL AND OVERFLOWS ONTO THE FLOOR UNDER THE REAR SEATS. IT ALSO CREATES A DISTURBING SHORT OUT OF THE SPEAKER SYSTEM. THE CARPET SMELLS AND I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MOLD, AS WELL AS FIRE FROM THE ELECTRICAL SHORTING OUT. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THAT IT CAUSES THE WINDOWS TO FOG UP, ESPECIALLY WHEN I RUN THE HEATER TO TRY TO DRY IT OUT. *TR
2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, MILEAGE 68,800. "GROWLING" HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. DIAGNOSED BY REPAIR SHOP AS REAR HUB BEARINGS GOING BAD AND THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE TOTAL FAILURE WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED SEIZING OR LOSE OF WHEELS. NO RECALL HAS APPARENTLY BEEN ISSUED AND IT ISN'T A "KNOWN" PROBLEM BUT LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY HAD 16 REPLACEMENTS IN STOCK. *TR
VIOLENT SHAKING DURING BRAKING. HUBS REPLACED AND ROTORS TURNED. TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT THIS HAPPENS TO EVERY EQUINOX HE HAS SEEN. *TR
THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY AND IT CHOOSES WHEN TO GO UP AND DOWN AND ALSO I WOULD HAVE TO OPEN THE DOOR IN ORDER TO WORK THE WINDOW. ALSO THE STALLS ON NUMEROUS OCCASION TO START. THE BRAKES ARE BRAND NEW AND A PROBLEMS STILL OCCURS WHEN TRYING TO STOP IT SHAKES EVEN WHEN GOING A LOW SPEED. *TR
2005 CHEVY EQUINOX - THE HEATER/FRONT DEFOGGER STOPPED WORKING DUE TO GM BLEND DOOR OR HEATER ACTUATOR VALVE FAILURE ISSUE. DUE TO THIS FAILURE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE THE CAR ON COLD MORNINGS OR EVENING, DUE TO THE POOR VISIBILITY CREATED BY THE INABILITY TO DEFOG THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. FORTUNATELY WE LIVE IN HOUSTON, TX, SO THE CAR IS ONLY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THREE MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR. IN THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE ON THE WEB, THERE ARE HUNDREDS, LIKELY THOUSANDS OF THESE CARS WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. ALSO, I NOTICED THAT GM HAS RECALLED THE 2010 VERSION OF THE SAME CAR FOR AN ISSUE WITH THE SAME RESULT, POOR VISIBILITY DUE TO THE FAILING DEFOGGER. *TR
SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL NOT START UNLESS YOU PUSH IN THE GAS PEDAL. HAVE SEEN ON LINE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM, AND YET NO RECALL? *TR
1. NORMAL DRIVING 2. LOUD WHINE WAS HEARD, TOOK INTO DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BAD SUPPORT BEARING 3. SUPPORT BEARING IS ON A NATIONAL BACK ORDER AND PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *TR
DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS I'VE EXPERIENCED TWO FAILED FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ON DRIVER SIDE CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE, CHEVY GARAGE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY NOW UPON GETTING VEHICLE INSPECTED IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT CARRIER BUSHING THAT CONNECTS FRONT DRIVESHAFT TO REAR DRIVESHAFT HAS FAILED WHICH COULD CAUSE DRIVESHAFTS TO FALL OFF. CAR IS A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX WITH 35,000 MILES ON IT, I FEEL GM SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND CHECK THESE PROBLEMS OUT BEFORE DRIVERS HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. PEOPLE ARE NOT REPORTING THESE FAILED COMPONENTS BECAUSE GARAGES ARE FIXING UNDER WARRANTY SO IT DOESN'T GET REPORTED TO YOU. I FEEL THESE COMPONENTS ARE DEFECTIVE RIGHT FROM FACTORY SO THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL, THANK YOU *TR
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES CARS SHAKES. *TR
CONDENSATION IN HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY, BAD SEAL AROUND HEADLAMP. CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY DEALER AND MANUFACTURER NO LONGER REQUIRED TO FIX. A CAR THAT IS 3 YEARS OLD SHOULD NOT HAVE A SEAL GO BAD LEADING TO A BUILDUP OF WATER INSIDE THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. I FELT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART AND GM SHOULD FIX IT, THEY FEEL OTHERWISE SITTING NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, I DISAGREE, HENCE THE COMPLAINT. *TR
SEVERAL TIMES I GO TO START MY EQUINOX, AND IT WON'T START. IT SEEMS AS IF IT OVER STARTS THEN SHUTS BACK OFF, THEN I HAVE TO PUSH ONTO THE GAS FOR THE VEHICLE TO START MOST OF THE TIME BUT SOMETIMES IT HAS TO SIT FOR A MINUTE FOR IT TO EVEN BE TRIED AGAIN. I HAVE CALLED AROUND AND HAS THIS ISSUE LOOKED AT BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS, CHEVROLET SAYS WHEN IT SHUTS OFF IT'S SO THAT THE STARTER DOESN'T BURN UP OVER TIME, AND THAT'S AS FAR AS IT'S GONE. *TT
37000 MILES THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING AND CAR SHIMMIED WHEN THE WERE APPLIED. TOOK CAR TO DEALER STATED NEEDED NEW PADS, PUT ON NEW PADS. WORKED FINE FOR 800 MILES, STARTED GRINDING AGAIN DEALER STATED NEEDED NEW ROTORS AND CALIPERS NOW. TOOK CAR TO DIFFERENT DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CARS FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS DEFECTIVE AND WAS WARPING THE ROTORS AND CALIPERS. THE PARTS ARE NOT UNDER WARRANTY OVER 36000 MILES. THIS IS A MAJOR DEFECT IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLES!!! *TR
JUST THIS WEEK, WITHOUT ANY WARNING MY 2005 EQUINOX DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET AND WOULD NOT START....WHEN THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP GOT IT (NOT UNDER WARRANTY) THEY FOUND THAT THE FUEL PUMP BLEW A FUSE AND WHILE REPLACING THE FUSE IT CONTINUED TO BE A PROBLEM. SO I HAD TO FORK OVER A SMALL FORTUNE TO HAVE THE FUEL FILTER REPLACED. SHOULDN'T SOMETHING LIKE THE FUEL FILTER, OF WHICH IS INSIDE THE FUEL TANK, BE UNDER A LIFE TIME WARRANTY FROM THE ORIGINAL? *TR
OUR 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX BEGAN TO BLOW WARMER AIR THAN USUAL WHEN IN THE COLDEST AIR CONDITIONING SETTING. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS AN INTERNAL VALVE IN THE COMPRESSOR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. $1,050.00 TO REPLACE. OUR VEHICLE IS 9 MONTHS AND 4,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HE SAID WITHOUT HAVING TO LOOK ANYTHING UP. IT'S A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH THE 2005 MODEL YEAR EQUINOX AND THE PART IS BACK ORDERED FOR 2 MONTHS BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
THE BRAKE PEDAL IN MY 2005 EQUINOX WENT TO THE FLOOR. I USED MY FOOT TO BRING IT BACK UP AND THEN HAD THE HYDRAULICS OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. EXAMINATION BY MY CAR X REPAIR SERVICE SHOWED AND E CLIP IS USED TO HOLD THE MEDAL BAKE ROD TO THE PLUNGER HAD COME OUT CAUSING IT SOMETIMES TO BE DISCONNECTED FROM THE OTHER PART. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY AS YOU NEVER KNEW WHEN YOU WOULD HAVE BRAKES. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX THAT HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. FIRST I HAD IGNITION PROBLEMS, AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEMS, BATTERY BEING DRAINED WITHOUT CAUSE, WINDOW CONTROL AND SO FORTH. EACH TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS AND EACH TIME A REPAIR WAS MADE. ONLY AFTER THE WARRANTY WAS OUT DID I DISCOVER BY ACCIDENT THAT THE PROBLEMS WERE CAUSED BY A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS. THE MAIN DASH WIRING HARNESS LOCATED IN THE LEFT FLOOR PANEL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAS SIGNS OF MELTING, AND SHORTS WITH THE SLIGHTEST MOVEMENT. THE SHORTAGE CAUSES THE AIR CONDITIONER TO STOP BLOWING AND WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE TO COMPLETELY DIE OUT. I HAVE HAD THE CAR EVALUATED BY TWO MECHANICS WHO BOTH STATED, WITHOUT KNOWING SOMEONE ELSE HAD LOOKED AT IT, THAT THE CAR IS A FIRE HAZARD AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY. I ALSO SPOKE WITH A LOCAL BODY SHOP THAT HAS REPAIRED AT LEAST ONE EQUINOX THAT BURNED DUE TO THIS SAME WIRING HARNESS. THE REPAIRS ARE CURRENTLY BEING MADE AT A COST OF $4,000.00. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A MORE WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM THAN HAS BEEN REPORTED AND HOPE THAT OTHERS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS WILL SPEAK OUT AS GENERAL MOTORS IS UNWILLING TO INVESTIGATE THIS. I ENCOURAGE NEW CAR BUYERS TO BEWARE OF THIS COMPANY, AS I HAVE BEEN SORELY DISAPPOINTED WITH THEIR PRODUCT AND SERVICE. *TR THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS A ROARING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. SHE LATER FOUND OUT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH DIFFERENTIAL AFTER BEING TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE REAR TO CAUSE A NOISE. UPDATED 12/04/08. *JB
AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ANY ATTEMPT AT BRAKING RESULTED IN RAPID POUNDING. THIS WAS NOT THE ABS ACTIVATING. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER (O'KEEFE CHEVROLET, IPSWICH, MA) FOR INSPECTION. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, THE INSPECTION SHOWED THAT THE FRONT DISC BRAKES WERE SERIOUSLY WORN DOWN AND BOTH THE BRAKE PADS AND THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR HAD SLIGHTLY LESS THAT 18,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS OUT OF THE 36 MONTH WARRANTY DUE TO THE ELAPSED TIME. THE DEALER REFUSED ANY WARRANTY CONSIDERATION FOR THE CAR. MY CONCERN WAS THAT THE BRAKE PADS WORE OUT IN A SHORT PERIOD OF MILEAGE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT O'KEEFE STATED THAT THIS WAS DUE TO "LACK OF USE". NEEDLESS TO SAY, I FOUND THIS TO BE UNBELIEVABLE. I ASKED HOW THE BRAKES COULD BE WORN DOWN BY LACK OF USE. DO THEY DETERIORATE STANDING STILL IN MY DRIVEWAY? I CONTACTED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE TO FURTHER EXPLORE THIS FAILURE. CHEVROLET'S ONLY RESPONSE WAS THAT THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND NOTHING WOULD BE DONE. MY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BRAKES FAILING AT LOW MILEAGE WAS IGNORED BY THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AS SHE "WAS NOT TECHNICALLY TRAINED". MY CONCERN IN THE MATTER IS THAT THE BRAKES USED FOR THE 2005 EQUINOX WERE OF SUBSTANDARD QUALITY. THIS PLACE BOTH ME AND MY FAMILY IN A HAZARDOUS POSITION USING THE CAR. AT 18,000 MILES, YOU DON'T EXPECT A PROBLEM TO BE THE BRAKES. CHEVROLET HAS IGNORED MY CONCERNS. *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026