The 2005 Chevrolet Equinox has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 132 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 950 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
POWER TRAIN04V3020002004-06-30132 affected
Defect
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.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
123
2crashes5fires2injuries
POWER TRAIN
57
2crashes3injuries
ENGINE
55
3fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
45
SERVICE BRAKES
45
9crashes2injuries
STEERING
45
6crashes1fires4injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
40
2crashes
SUSPENSION
38
4crashes
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
32
1crashes1injuries
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
30
4crashes4injuries
Total complaints950
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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”
“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.…”
“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.…”
“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…”
“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…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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