FaultScore

2005 Chevrolet Equinox stability control problems

16 of the 950 complaints about the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox are about the stability control — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 74,000 miles.

D

16

Complaints

2

Crashes

1

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Traction Control System 9 56.3%
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 7 43.8%

Stability & Traction Control across every Chevrolet Equinox year

2005 16 4.5%
2006 18 5.0%
2007 73 20.4%
2008 55 15.4%
2009 13 3.6%
2010 50 14.0%
2011 56 15.7%
2012 26 7.3%
2013 20 5.6%
2014 15 4.2%
2015 15 4.2%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 91,000 miles Northampton, PA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

RIGHT WHEN I LEFT THE DEALERS LOT, IT NEEDED A NEW HEAD GASKET, INTAKE GASKET COIL PACK, AND A THERMOSTAT. LUCKILY THE DEALER PAID FOR THAT. SINCE THEN, I NOTICED WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP SIGN, IF THERE'S A SLIGHT BUMP IN THE ROAD, IT FEELS LIKE I'M RUNNING OVER A BOULDER. WHILE SLOWING DOWN MOST TIMES, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO BOG DOWN ABOUT AN INCH, WAS TOLD MAYBE A MOTOR MOUNT? RPMS ALWAYS BOG UP AND DOWN FOR NO REASON LIKE IT'S TRYING TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. A FEW WEEKS AGO MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING MY AIR BAGS WON'T DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED. A COUPLE WEEKS LATER THE RPMS BOGGING AND FRONT END BOGGING DOWNWARD BECAME MORE CONSTANT, THEN MY SPEEDOMETER RANDOMLY WILL GO TO 0 WHILE IN MOTION, THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER WILL WORK FINE. RPMS SEEM TO BE WORKING NORMAL WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER IS WORKING NORMAL. THE OTHER DAY, WHILE BRAKING, OF COURSE.... THE BOULDER FEELING WHILE BRAKING, FRONT END BOGGED DOWNWARD, RPMS WENT RIDICULOUSLY HIGH BETWEEN 3-4 BACK AND FORTH ERRATICALLY, AND THE SPEEDOMETER WENT TO 0.. ALL THAT HAPPENED AT ONCE, MADE ME OFFICIALLY REALIZE, IT HAS TO ALL BE A CONNECTED PROBLEM. THEN I FOUND THIS SITE, WITH SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THESE SAME ISSUES, FOR SO LONG.. HOW IN GOD'S NAME IS THIS POS NOT RECALLED?? I CAN'T EVEN IN GOOD CONSCIENCE CHOOSE SOMEONE TO DIE BY SELLING THIS THING TO THEM, I STILL OWE SO MUCH MONEY ON IT. THERE'S SO MANY STORIES OF PEOPLE RANDOMLY STEERING, AND ACCELERATING FULL THROTTLE IN VARIOUS DIRECTIONS AND ANY GIVEN TIME. WHAT DEMONIZED TRANSFORMER OF A VEHICLE DID I BUY? HOW ARE THESE THINGS STILL ON THE ROAD? HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE CHEVY OWNS UP TO THIS DEADLY HUNK OF METAL THEY SOLD TO US? PLEASE RECALL ASAP. I LITERALLY CAN'T SELL IT TO ANYONE. IT'S GOING TO KILL SOMEONE! AT THIS YEAR, THERE CAN'T BE MANY MORE ON THE ROAD SINCE THEY KEEP CRASHING. RECALL THE ONES THAT ARE LEFT.

NHTSA complaint #11096853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fargo, ND Fire

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

DROVE VEHICLE TO A STORE, WHILE INSIDE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED UNDERNEATH FUSE BOX WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. FIRE MEN STATED VEHICLE WAS ATTEMPTING TO START ITSELF WITHOUT KEYS AND WITHOUT BEING ON. HEADLIGHTS N DASH REMAINED ON AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE VERY BADLY, WOULDN'T QUIT UNTIL BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED AND NEEDED TO BE EXTINGUISHED. ELECTRICAL FIRE PROGRESSED TO DASH AND MELTED WIPER SHIFTER OFF.

NHTSA complaint #11057376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 64,397 miles Jersey City, NJ

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

ABS PULSATES BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT HARD TO STOP WHEN I NEED TO. WHEN I DO PUSH DOWN ON THE BRAKES IT PUSHES BACK PREVENTING ME FROM STOPPING QUICKLY OR AT ALL. AFTER A WHILE DRIVING LIKE THIS THE ABS TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON UNTIL I TURN IT OFF AND THEN IT HAPPEN ALL OVER AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT FIX BUT THE PROBLEM KEEPS REOCCURRING. IN 2012 THE CAR JUST STOP ON THE ROAD THAT WASN'T BRAKE RELATED CAUSING US TO GET HIT FROM BEHIND AND THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE CAR NOW IS HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHERE IT SEEMS LIKE ONE THING IS FAILING AFTER ANOTHER. FOR EXAMPLE SIDE MIRRORS DON'T WORK, REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER STOP WORKING, AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED.

NHTSA complaint #10919023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,000 miles Dorchester, MA Crash

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

PLEASE NOTE IN ORDER TO TRY TO AVID AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH NARDONE ELECTRIC TRUCK,BROADSIDED MY DRIVER SIDE ON A COMPLETE SCREPEDOWN ON MY VEHICLE, AND AFTERWARD AFTER I LEFT THE EXPRESSWAY 93 N IN BOSTON ,15 MINUTES LATER AFTER I STOPPED AT A CONVENIENCE STORE,MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN LEFT OR RIGHT ONLY STRAIGHT...

NHTSA complaint #10633273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 146,645 miles Colorado Springs, CO

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN ENGAGED AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NEEDED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE ABS SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,645. UPDATED 9/4/14*CN UPDATED 12/18/2014

NHTSA complaint #10609861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 34,000 miles Dorchester, MA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

PROBLEM WITH SWAY BAR LINKS, REPLACED TWICE. STILL PROBLEM WITH FRONT END AS CHEWED UP TIRES...REPLACED STRUTS,STEERING SHAFT,BRAKES FRONT& BACK. FRONT END AND BRAKE PROBLEMS... COST ME OVER $3500 TO THIS POINT,PLUS HEAD& REAR SEAL GASKETS...

NHTSA complaint #10525294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 64,000 miles Philadelphia, PA

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. FEELS LIKE BRAKES ARE STICKING OR NOT RESPONDING. I'LL BE PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AND AS SOON AS I TAKE MY FOOT OFF IT IMMEDIATELY SLOWS DOWN. WHEN I GOT OUT, IT SMELLED LIKE BURNED RUBBER AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE BRAKE AREA. I'VE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE TO GET IT REPAIRED AND NOTHING HAS WORKED SO FAR. I GOT NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS PUT ON 3 MONTHS AGO AND THEY'RE ALREADY WORN OUT. I'VE ONLY PUT ON ABOUT 1200 MILES ON THEM.

NHTSA complaint #10469242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,012 miles LA Honda, CA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

10-14-11 PROBLEMS WITH ABS LIGHT, FOLLOWED BY TC LIGHT COMING ON, FOLLOWED BY THE CAR SLOWING OR JUMPING FORWARD WHEN BRAKES APPLIED, DIFFICULTY STOPPING. LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. SLOWED TO MAKE A TURN ON A 2 WAY ROAD, CAR TRAVELED OVER DOUBLE YELLOWS, OFF ROAD, INTO A PULL OUT AREA BEFORE STOPPING. LUCKILY I WAS TRAVELING AT A VERY SLOW SPEED & THERE WERE NO ON COMING VEHICLES. BY STOPPING AND TURNING OFF ENGINE, LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT BUT COME BACK ON AFTER ABOUT A MILE. CAR WOULD STALL OR JUMP FORWARD, BRAKING DIFFICULT. NEW BRAKES INSTALLED, PROBLEMS CONTINUED. 10-26-11 TOOK CAR BACK & HAD BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS & SENSORS REPLACED. PROBLEMS CONTINUE. 11-18-2011 CAR TAKEN TO CHEVY MECH. & TESTED. THEY DECIDED I NEEDED THE LF JUMPER HARNESS & SPEED SENSOR REPLACED. 4 WEEKS AGO: SLIGHT GRINDING SOUND FROM FRONT WHEELS WHILE TURNING. CHECK ENGINE & TC LIGHTS CAME ON, STALLING & BRAKING PROBLEMS. TOOK CAR IN FOR 100,000 SERVICE, DROVE 30 MILES TO MY HOME. CAR RAN PERFECTLY. LATER THE SAME DAY CAR RAN FINE FOR 2 MILES, THEN ABS & TC LIGHTS CAME ON, BEGAN TO LUG DOWN & STALL, SURGE FORWARD, STALL. CAR STALLING CONTINUALLY. TOWED CAR. MECHANIC IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT IS WRONG. TOMORROW HE WILL TOW THE CAR TO THE CHEVY DEALER FOR EVALUATION. QUESTION FOR CHEVROLET AND NHTSA~~MY CAR IS A 2005. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM & REALIZE THAT THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THE EQUINOX, A SAFETY PROBLEM TO MYSELF, MY FAMILY & OTHER CHEVY OWNERS & MOTORISTS. WHY HAVEN'T THESE VEHICLES BEEN RECALLED, WHY HAS CHEVROLET BEEN ALLOWED TO CONTINUE SELLING THE EQUINOX WITH THIS LIFE THREATENING BRAKE AND T/C PROBLEM? SCARY. NOT ONLY AM I OUT MONEY FOR TRYING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BUT NOW I FIND OUT THAT APPARENTLY THERE IS NO FIX TO THE PROBLEM! I OWN A VEHICLE I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING, I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE CAR WILL DECIDE TO SHIFT, STALL, BRAKE OR NOT BRAKE.

NHTSA complaint #10460096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Arecibo, PR

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

THE VEHICLE ABS SYSTEM START TO FAIL AT 50,000 MILES. WHEN YOU START DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT MAKES THE ABS DIAGNOSTIC AND FAIL THE DIAGNOSTIC. IT'S CONTINUE TO MAKE THE DIAG. WHILE YOUR ARE DRIVING UNTIL IT FAIL. THEN THE VEHICLE CONTINUE OPERATING NORMALLY BUT WITHOUT ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL. THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS IS ON. IF YOU BRAKE IN BAD WHETHER THE WHEELS LOCK AND ABS DON'T PROTECT. 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS TRY TO FIND THE FAULT UNSUCCESSFUL. THEY REPLACED, ABS MODULES, SOME BRAKE PARTS AND OTHER PARTS BUT THE FAIL CONTINUE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

NHTSA complaint #10419330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 27,057 miles Danbury, CT

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHENEVER A TURN WAS MADE OR THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN OVER UNEVEN SURFACES. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKES WOULD ENGAGE AND EXHIBIT A GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS WHERE THE BRAKES, ROTORS AND HUBS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,057. UPDATED 8/29/11

NHTSA complaint #10412303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 82,000 miles Fenton, MO

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

MY 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX'S BRAKES STARTED VIBRATING WHEN I WOULD TRY TO STOP AND THEN THE ABS AND TC LIGHTS WOULD COME ON. REPLACED FRONT BRAKES, WAS TOLD BACK BRAKES WERE OKAY. STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND AFTER AWHILE THE BRAKES WOULD VIBRATE EVEN WHEN NOT BREAKING AND SOMETIMES HAVE TROUBLE STOPPING UNTIL THE ABS AND TC LIGHT COMES ON. 1ST DIAGNOSTIC DETERMINED I NEEDED A RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. REPLACED IT AND 2 DAYS LATER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. NEXT I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED THE LEFT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. REPLACED IT. 2 DAYS LATER STARTING HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THEN I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING. REPLACED BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. STILL HAVE A PROBLEM ONLY NOW THE BRAKES ONLY VIBRATE AND LIGHTS COME ON HILLS, WHEN TURNING OR GOING AT HIGHER SPEEDS.

NHTSA complaint #10406208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 53,000 miles SAN Jose, CA

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

THE T/C LIGHT STAYS ON AND ACCELERATION IS VERY SLOW. CAR SHOOTS FORWARD WITH LOUD NOISE WITH ACCELERATION. NOV 4TH STARTED...I TOOK IT TO A CAR SHOP AND THEY SAID I NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM...

NHTSA complaint #10365384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,000 miles Brooklyn, NY

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

SINCE 2008, I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES GRINDING & SQUEAKING EVEN AFTER GETTING THEM REPAIRED (FRONT AND REAR BRAKES / ROTORS REPLACED). A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER REAR BRAKES REPLACED THE ABS & TC LIGHTS WERE ON. I HAD TO HAVE SENSORS REPLACED. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED CAR NOT STARTING AND SOUNDING LIKE IT IS FLOODING, AFTER LETTING CAR SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES IT THEN STARTS. THERE IS ALSO A POPPING NOISE THAT COMES FROM THE BACK OF CAR AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE. WHEN CHANGING SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE CAR OCCASIONALLY JERKS & SHOOTS FORWARD. WHEN PRESSING THE GAS, THE CAR TAKES A FEW MOMENTS THEN JERKS FORWARD. NOW I'M BEING TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING BAD & I HAVE TO PAY $350 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO DETERMINE IF THEY CAN REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION OR HAVE TO REPLACE IT, WHICH WILL COST BETWEEN $1800 TO $3000. THERE IS A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE RECALL BUT MY CAR IS NOT COVERED. NOTE: VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY ACCORDING TO THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE TIMETABLE PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #10356219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Fontana, CA

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

2005 CHEVY EQUINOX. CURRENT MILES APPROX 85,000. WAS REAR ENDED IN MAY 2010. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED AND RETURNED IN JUNE 2010. WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS, FOUND NOTICEABLE GRINDING NOISES FROM BRAKES, LOW TO NULL BRAKING ABILITY. ABS AND TRACKING LIGHTS ARE ON. IN JUNE, DEALER FOUND ABS SENSOR AND STEERING COLUMN WERE BROKEN. DEALER SAID IT WAS A RESULT OF RECENT CAR ACCIDENT BUT SEVERAL INSURANCE ADJUSTERS HAVE SAID THE ACCIDENT WAS TOO MINOR TO CAUSE SUCH DAMAGE AND BELIEVE IT IS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. NO INSURANCE COMPANY WILL TOUCH THIS CLAIM. THEY BELIEVE IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN GMC PARTS.

NHTSA complaint #10347885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 134,000 miles Southaven, MS

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILING. ABS AND TRACTION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING CAUSING ABS SYSTEM TO ACTIVATE IN NORMAL BRAKING SITUATIONS. DEALER SHIP SAID IT WAS A SENSOR, HAD IT REPAIRED AT THE TUNE OF $110 SYSTEM CHECK, $170 HUB/SENSOR ASSEMBLY PURCHASE. FIRESTONE AUTO CARE SAID IT WAS A FAULTY WIRE HARNESS THAT I AM HAVE REPLACE TO DAY TO THE TUNE OF $250. PER THE TECH AT FIRE STONE THIS IS HIS THIRD REPAIR OF THIS TYPE, SAME MAKE AND MODEL CARE. 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX.

NHTSA complaint #10325613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 31,000 miles Ridgewood, NJ Crash 2 injured

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

PROBLEMS WITH CAR BEGAN IMMEDIATELY (TRANSMISSION, AIR CONDITIONER, ODOMETER, WINDOW MOTOR, CAR SHIFTING ABRUPTLY, AND SKIDDING ON ANY WET SERVICE.) FINALLY WENT INTO 20 FT SKID, WHEELS LOCKED, NO RESPONSE TO STEERING. CAR HIT POLE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK. CAR TOTALED.

NHTSA complaint #10231230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2005 Chevrolet Equinox problems

← Full 2005 Chevrolet Equinox report