NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 Chevrolet Equinox Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2005 Chevrolet Equinox has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 638 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Chevrolet dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2005 Chevrolet Equinox owner complaints

Owners have filed 638 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox, describing incidents dated March 1, 2004 to February 20, 2023.

Most-cited components

Engine 165 complaints
Electrical System 159 complaints
Power Train 114 complaints
Service Brakes 105 complaints
Suspension 57 complaints
Steering 50 complaints

Of the 638 complaints on file, 56 report a crash and 13 a fire; across all 638 complaints, owners report 40 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11510082 · Filed March 3, 2023
The ABS and traction control light came on and the vehicle sometimes doesn’t want to stop. The ABS kicks in and it takes a while for it to stop. It’s been twice where the vehicle ends up stopping in the middle of the intersection. Luckily no one was in front of us or coming the other direction.
ODI #11503701 · Filed January 25, 2023
The front Uni body to front engine/ transmission subframe mount area on left front and right front has rusted away the front 2 subframe mounting points are not connected to the uni body structure anymore due to corrosion damage causing a clunking noise while driving
ODI #11489278 · Filed October 14, 2022
Upon purchasing the vehicle from a buy here pay here they did not enclose any possible or current failures or problems with the vehicle. It started with the battery and within 2 months of purchase the check engine light came on. I had previously taken the vehicle to the dealership 3 times to assess…

Read all 638 complaints

Owner-reported

2005 Chevrolet Equinox mileage at failure

503 of the 638 complaints on file for the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Engine	Median 70,000 miles	Middle half 35,000–100,000 miles	Based on 128 complaints
Electrical System	Median 65,000 miles	Middle half 35,000–100,000 miles	Based on 125 complaints
Power Train	Median 60,000 miles	Middle half 35,000–90,000 miles	Based on 94 complaints
Service Brakes	Median 55,000 miles	Middle half 35,000–100,000 miles	Based on 88 complaints
Suspension	Median 50,000 miles	Middle half 20,000–90,000 miles	Based on 42 complaints
Steering	Median 65,000 miles	Middle half 35,000–90,000 miles	Based on 37 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

GM/FMVSS 114/IGNITION KEY PARK LOCK CABLE

NHTSA #04V302000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission · NHTSA notice

Reported June 30, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 132 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 04044 · Owners notified August 17, 2004 · Vehicles built April 1, 2004 – April 30, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 04044.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2005 Chevrolet Equinox 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

19% rollover risk

Safety Technology

638 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox.

Vehicle Speed Control; Unknown or Other; Service Brakes

ODI #11510082

Incident: February 20, 2023 · Filed: March 3, 2023

The ABS and traction control light came on and the vehicle sometimes doesn’t want to stop. The ABS kicks in and it takes a while for it to stop. It’s been twice where the vehicle ends up stopping in the middle of the intersection. Luckily no one was in front of us or coming the other direction.

Structure

ODI #11503701

Incident: January 25, 2023 · Filed: January 25, 2023

The front Uni body to front engine/ transmission subframe mount area on left front and right front has rusted away the front 2 subframe mounting points are not connected to the uni body structure anymore due to corrosion damage causing a clunking noise while driving

Electrical System

ODI #11489278

Incident: January 10, 2022 · Filed: October 14, 2022

Upon purchasing the vehicle from a buy here pay here they did not enclose any possible or current failures or problems with the vehicle. It started with the battery and within 2 months of purchase the check engine light came on. I had previously taken the vehicle to the dealership 3 times to assess the issue in which they repeatedly informed me nothing was wrong even though my check engine light was still on. A month later my CV axel went out and my alignment begin to come out of place. I took the vehicle to an auto shop in which they gave me an estimate of all the issues wrong with the car. I have since done repairs for what was necessary. I then began to look for a recall on the vehicle in which I found that there was a manufacturer recall that was I repaired regarding the Safety lock theft prevention. My ignition switch does not register properly when it is in “off mode”. The engine still runs and numerous attempts to stop it have failed. I contacted the dealership and they have not been willing to work with me in any way. I called the manufacturer number and was directed to a Chevrolet dealership near me in which they told me there are no recalls even though the NHTSA.gov website states there is as well as numerous others but that they have not been repaired. When I place my vehicle in the park position and remove the key from the ignition I am still able to move the gear shift into any selected gear, both with and without the normal brake and the emergency brake. I cannot afford to take it to a shop for repair but did take it to be inspected and was informed that this was an issue along with others and that it could be the reason my battery is not holding the power it needs and why I cannot remove my key sometimes as well as why the engine remains running after switching to the off position and removing my key.

Power Train

ODI #11474154

Incident: July 15, 2010 · Filed: July 15, 2022

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that upon inserting the key into the ignition switch, it failed to function properly. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V302000 (POWER TRAIN). However, the failure reoccurred and the vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Countryside Chevrolet (71 Cat Creek Rd, Franklin, NC 28734), where the ignition switch was replaced for a second time under the recall. However, the failure persisted. The contact's daughter was unable to start the vehicle after several attempts. The contact contacted AAA who assisted her daughter to start the vehicle. The contact's daughter was able to continue driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

Suspension; Unknown or Other

ODI #11462993

Incident: April 29, 2022 · Filed: May 2, 2022

The front sub frame where it bolts to the frame was completely rusted loose on the right side. The left side was barely holding on. This is what holds the motor up and control arms. My mechanics are telling me this is a common problem with Chevy Equinoxes. If it's common why aren't there recalls. My car only has 80,000 miles on it and my mechanic told me to scrap it. I'm a fabricator and welder. I welded a new frame under it but others can't do that and mechanics say it's a no fix.

Engine

ODI #11448353

Incident: August 1, 2021 · Filed: January 21, 2022

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle remained in LIMP mode. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer but they are all unable to identify the issue. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000. My 2005 Chevrolet Equinox has been going into limp mode after it's rained for the past 6 to 8 months, with flooding to the floor boards.

Power Train; Unknown or Other; Engine

ODI #11447759

Incident: January 17, 2022 · Filed: January 17, 2022

I was at the car wash, when the vehicle was near the end, suddenly the engine light and powertrain light came on then shut off automatically. I tried to restart, put the truck in the drive, but it wouldn't go like the gas wasn't reaching. So, I turned it off and restarted to see if the lights would go off, but it didn't. I was able to get it home safely. It doesn't take off right away when you gas the pedal. When I stop at the stop sign, it takes a minute before it starts moving again. This is not safe to drive, especially when making a turn, pulling off to traffic. If it doesn't take off in time, it could be an accident due this problem. I hope there's a solution this problem. Thank you in advance.

Electrical System; Unknown or Other; Engine

ODI #11437047

Incident: October 11, 2021 · Filed: October 17, 2021

unknown replaced complete ac system/starter/new battery/ key inserted no response at all ingigtion seems to be a problem turn on key let go it was starting now nothing

Power Train; Unknown or Other

ODI #11421434

Incident: June 17, 2021 · Filed: June 18, 2021

It was recently brought to my attention that the keys can fall out of the ignition with the vehicle running. Which creates an extreme likelihood that the vehicle can move forward or backward without assistance. My keys fall right out of the ignition you should not be able to take the keys out of an ignition with it running or not in park. Has not been confirmed by the dealership yet that’s my next step. And yes it can be reproduced at any time. Sometimes the key will not even start the vehicle. Hi had never reached over and just tried to take the keys out of the ignition to see if they would come out but I recently rented a room where the owner has the exact same car and the same thing happened to him and he had the ignition replaced. This is how I know that it happens because he reached over and was able to pull my keys right out with the vehicle running. I was shocked. Also at one point it says there is automatic transmission recall and mine is making weird movements and jerking motions sometimes not just on my car but on my landlord’s car as well. Maybe that needs to be looked at.

Service Brakes

ODI #11416588

Incident: May 1, 2021 · Filed: May 14, 2021

WHILE DRIVING I CAN HEAR CLINKING NOISE IN REAR OF CAR. AND IT SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE IT'S DRAGGING MY SPEED DOWN. TO THE POINT WE'RE I CAN GO THREW $20 IN GAS IN 2 DAYS BARELY DRIVING IT. WHEN GOING TO STOP WHEN BREAKING IT PULSATE UNDER FOOT I HAVE BRAND NEW BREAKS ALL AROUND CAN STILL HEAR GRINDING HAS A HARD TIME STOPPING CAN SMELL BREAKS. TOOK IT HAD IT PUT ON MACHINE THEY SAID ABS SENSOR REPLACED THAT PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. BREAKS ARE GETTING WORSE I DON'T FEEL SAFE.

Other Chevrolet Equinox model years

Check your 2005 Chevrolet Equinox VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Chevrolet Equinox at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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