2005 Chevrolet Equinox Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox most often write about ignition key problems — the key sticking, refusing to turn, or coming out while the engine runs — along with anti-lock brake and traction-control issues that show up as warning lights, buzzing, or a brake pedal that will not slow the vehicle as expected. Cooling-system complaints are also common: overheating, a heater that stops working, coolant loss with no visible leak, and head gasket failures reported from well under 100,000 miles. Many of these come in between roughly 50,000 and 120,000 miles.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Ignition key sticks, will not turn, or pulls out while

   • 128 complaints (20%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 8.9 yrs old (97 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,450 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2004–2022

   Complaints describe the key becoming difficult or impossible to turn in the ignition, sometimes needing repeated wiggling before the vehicle starts, and in other cases the key can be pulled out while the engine is still running or the starter keeps cranking after the key is released. Some owners link the symptom to the vehicle shutting off or failing to restart, and a few mention repairs done under the ignition park-lock recall. Dealers and mechanics reportedly replaced ignition components or diagnosed the switch, and in some cases the symptom returned afterward. Reported across a wide mileage range, from under 30,000 miles to well over 150,000 miles.

   Recall 04V302000

   What to check: With the engine running, check that the key cannot be removed and that the starter stops when the key is released; also try turning the key from lock with the wheel at different positions. Ask whether the park-lock recall work was completed and whether the ignition switch has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Key falls out of the ignition since I got it a year ago I have replaced 02 sensor AC compressor and a water tank. It was acting like it wasn't getting fuel like losing power and then I killed it went to start it the next day and it won't crank it will turn over and act like it wants to run but it dies”

   NHTSA complaint #11317722, filed 2020-03, 156,000 miles

   “First while driving at approx 25 MPH I hit my key ring and the keys fell out. The car continue to run I just put the keys back in to the ignition when I came to a stop. I have since found that you can start the car and then remove the key and all continue to run and work. Also found that when I went to start the car the other day, once I turned the key to start it would kept running the starter. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10584060, filed 2014-04, 76,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Overheating, coolant loss and head gasket failure

   • 111 complaints (17%)
   • median 74,500 mi at 5.8 yrs old (88 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,600 (median of 22 quotes)
   • filed 2004–2021

   Complaints describe overheating, coolant disappearing with no puddle underneath, bubbling or water sounds behind the dash, a heater that blows cold, and a sweet coolant smell. Several owners were told the head gasket had failed and had it replaced, sometimes more than once, while others had the thermostat, radiator, or coolant lines swapped first. Some report oil in the coolant or the engine running poorly after the overheating. Typically reported between about 55,000 and 115,000 miles, with some failures noted earlier.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the coolant reservoir for a dark or oily appearance and sniff for a sweet exhaust-like smell; look for coolant residue around the engine and ask whether the head gasket or cooling parts have been replaced. Confirm the heater blows hot.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2005 Equinox and had to put the car in the shop 3 times now in 3 weeks! The thermostat went out, then the radiator had to be replaced, and now they say the head gasket needs to be replaced. Bubbling sound can be heard when you take off from a stop. I'm also having problems with the brakes making acting strangely.. The front shakes when brakes are applied.”

   NHTSA complaint #10397450, filed 2011-04, 74,000 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10267547, filed 2009-05, 91,543 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   ABS and traction-control lights, buzzing, poor braking

   • 139 complaints (22%)
   • median 62,567 mi at 6.5 yrs old (117 state mileage)
   • 18 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 18 quotes)
   • filed 2004–2023

   Owners describe the ABS and traction-control lights coming on, a buzzing or grinding from the brakes, and the ABS engaging when it should not — during gentle low-speed stops or on dry pavement — which they say lengthens stopping distance. Some report the pedal feeling firm but the vehicle not slowing as expected, and shops replaced wheel speed sensors, pads, rotors, or calipers with mixed results. Complaints also mention a front-end shake under braking. Mostly reported between roughly 10,000 and 125,000 miles, sometimes after wet or snowy conditions.

   What to check: Watch for ABS or traction-control lights on the test drive and brake gently at low speed to see whether the pedal pulses or the brakes grab unexpectedly. Ask for service records on wheel speed sensors, hubs, and brake work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Well I bought it from a individual 3 months ago n the second day of getting it my check engine light came on it feels like it jerks the crap out of u when trying to to gain speed from 40-55 range n when coming to a stop sign it feels like it don't want to stop now the ABS n traction control light is on dash . I have no where on my dash or anywhere in the vehicle to turn traction control on or off . The past two weeks it drinks gas like crazy it don't want to warm up like it should for heater .. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11375486, filed 2020-11, 181,000 miles

   “Overall problem: the ABS system kept kicking in at low speed stops and the ABS/tc light came on it started out as an occasional ABS sensation in the brake pedal, which got worse over a matter of a couple weeks. The times when this occurred, the braking was gentle` and gradual, so it was completely inappropriate for the ABS to come on and my braking distance was increased. After the first week the ABS/tc light came on and the problem occurred more frequently (example: at least twice on my 15 minute commute). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10484855, filed 2012-11, 10,800 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Startup trouble, stalling and no-start electrical faults

   • 211 complaints (33%)
   • median 72,000 mi at 6.6 yrs old (170 state mileage)
   • 14 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,450 (median of 22 quotes)
   • filed 2004–2022

   Complaints describe intermittent no-crank or hard-starting conditions, the engine shutting off while driving, and electrical oddities such as a burning smell from the fuse box or warning lights flickering. Some owners say dealers replaced batteries or cleaned and reseated components without resolving the problem, and others were unable to get a definite diagnosis. Reported from very low mileage up to about 150,000 miles, with many under 60,000.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Start the vehicle several times cold and warm and watch for a slow or failed crank; ask about battery, ground, and harness repairs. Check for a burnt smell near the underhood fuse box.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving down the highway at about 55-60mph when the car dies. Started running again a few seconds later but then died again. Pulled over could not get it started, but started to smell something burning. Popped the hood to find the main fuse box bellowing smoke, thankfully it was raining so I let the rain cool it down. I figured this was better than it eventually catching the entire vehicle on fire as my wife and 3 kids were in the car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10462490, filed 2012-06, 67,000 miles

   “I have a 2005 chevy Equinox that I purchased used in march 2009 from johnny londoff Chevrolet. I have been taking it to the dealer for regular maintenance and they would say everything is working properly. I've been experiencing alot of problems with this car since I've purchased it. The air didn't work & I paid to get it fixed only for it to go out again. When I start it sometimes it doesn't want to start, I hear noises like it's misfiring when it does start. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10360742, filed 2010-10, 62,567 miles
5. 5
   Suspension

   Driveshaft center bearing noise and vibration

   • 42 complaints (7%)
   • median 65,000 mi at 5.2 yrs old (38 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $800 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2008–2020

   Owners report a rattle or clunk underneath the vehicle, often at highway speed, traced to the driveshaft center or carrier bearing. Complaints describe the bearing being replaced and, in some cases, failing again shortly afterward, and one owner reported the driveshaft coming loose. Mechanics reportedly told owners the part was known to fail and sometimes back-ordered. Mostly reported between about 55,000 and 90,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Listen for a rhythmic rattle or clunk from underneath at highway speeds and ask whether the driveshaft center bearing has been replaced and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At 60 MPH my 2005 Chevrolet Equinox was rattling. We brought this to our mechanic and he informed us that the carrier bearing at the u-joint was failing. I find this unacceptable in a vehicle that has only 56,000 miles on it. Cost to repair was $550.00.”

   NHTSA complaint #10382754, filed 2011-02, 56,000 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10548844, filed 2013-10, 85,000 miles

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.