2005 Chevrolet EQUINOX: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
638 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
69,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 507 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 123 of 638 complaints (19.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 141 | 22.1% |
| Steering behavior | 56 | 8.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 55 | 8.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 46 | 7.2% |
| Engine operation | 30 | 4.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 12 | 1.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 123 |
| Power Train | 57 |
| Engine | 55 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 45 |
| Service Brakes | 45 |
| Steering | 45 |
| Unknown Or Other | 40 |
| Suspension | 38 |
Electrical System: 123; Power Train: 57; Engine: 55; Engine And Engine Cooling: 45; Service Brakes: 45; Steering: 45; Unknown Or Other: 40; Suspension: 38
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 91 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 77 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 104 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 97 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 104 |
| 150,000 and above | 34 |
Under 25,000: 91; 25,000 to 49,999: 77; 50,000 to 74,999: 104; 75,000 to 99,999: 97; 100,000 to 149,999: 104; 150,000 and above: 34
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (104). 131 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 27 |
| 2005 | 44 |
| 2006 | 20 |
| 2007 | 31 |
| 2008 | 45 |
| 2009 | 62 |
| 2010 | 63 |
| 2011 | 54 |
| 2012 | 38 |
| 2013 | 39 |
| 2014 | 85 |
| 2015 | 46 |
| 2016 | 28 |
| 2017 | 17 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 2 |
2004: 27; 2005: 44; 2006: 20; 2007: 31; 2008: 45; 2009: 62; 2010: 63; 2011: 54; 2012: 38; 2013: 39; 2014: 85; 2015: 46; 2016: 28; 2017: 17; 2018: 11; 2019: 4; 2020: 8; 2021: 9; 2022: 5; 2023: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 141 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 56 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 55 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10083699 · 2004-08-30 (August 30, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. CONSUMER DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *AK THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER BALANCED THE WHEELS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 1,130 miles reported. Look up ODI 10083699 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10087648 · 2004-08-11 (August 11, 2004)
WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND THE REAR POWER WINDOWS WERE DOWN THE SOUND OF A FLAT TIRE WAS PRODUCED. DEALER STATED THAT WAS A NORMAL FEATURE OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10087648 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10090630 · 2004-09-08 (September 8, 2004)
WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS OR TURNING WHEEL A POPPING NOISE IS HEARD FROM THE PASSENEGER FRONT WHEEL. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT GM CURRENTLY HAS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STEADLY GETTING WORSE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10090630 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10090802 · 2004-09-10 (September 10, 2004)
RETAINED ACCESSORY POWER MODE - OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ABILITY TO PUT POWER WINDOWS UP WITH A WINDOW OF TIME AFTER KEYS HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION BUT NO DOORS OPENED - WINDOWS WILL NOT OPERATE - BUT RADIO AND INSIDE LIGHT DOES STAY ON....OWNERS MANUAL SAYS IT SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO THIS......BUT NONE OF THE CARS CHECKED AT THE DEALERSHIP WORK LIKE THIS....I ENJOYED THIS FEATURE IN MY 2003 TRAILBLAZER.....AND JUST WISH THIS CAR DID WHAT THE MANUAL SAYS - SO FAR DEALERSHIP SAYS THE MANUAL IS OFTEN GENERIC AND THAT THIS MUST NOT BE A FEATU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10090802 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10090927 · 2004-09-13 (September 13, 2004)
MY EQUINOX WAS PURCHASED IN 4/16/04 AND THE CHECH ENGINE LIGHT HAS CAME ON 2 TIMES, THE 1ST TIME WAS THE FUEL EMISSION GASKET THAT WAS BAD AND THE OTHE TIME WAS THE WAY THAT I DID NOT PUT THE GAS CAP ON RIGHT. AND THE REAREND IN MAKING A REAL LOUD GROUNDING SOUND ANY TIME YOU TURN THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10090927 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10093549 · 2004-10-04 (October 4, 2004)
TWICE, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PASS OTHER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS FIRMLY PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. BOTH TIMES I WAS ABLE TO STEER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT COLLIDING WITH ANYTHING. EVIDENTLY, CHEVROLET IS AWARE OF THE POSSIBLILITY OF THIS HAPPENING, BECAUSE THE OWNER'S MANUAL DISCUSSES HOW TO RESET THE SYSTEMS WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 4,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10093549 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10094964 · 2004-11-12 (November 12, 2004)
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE WHILE BACKING THE VEHICLE INTO THE CAR PORCH. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO RUN INTO THE CAR PORCH WALL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *TC
Owner-reported narrative. 977 miles reported. Look up ODI 10094964 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10095465 · 2004-10-06 (October 6, 2004)
MOLDING POSSIBLE COME LOOSE, NO ASSIST HANDLES ON AUTO. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE IS NO HELP AIDS TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *TC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10095465 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V302000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 2004-06-30 (June 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗