Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗GM/FMVSS 114/IGNITION KEY PARK LOCK CABLE
- Summary
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (638)
638 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 638 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 159 | 24.9% |
| Power train | 114 | 17.9% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 111 | 17.4% |
| Service brakes | 105 | 16.5% |
| Suspension | 57 | 8.9% |
| Engine | 55 | 8.6% |
| Steering | 50 | 7.8% |
| Unknown or other | 40 | 6.3% |
| Air bags | 38 | 6% |
| Structure | 34 | 5.3% |
How 2005 compares with other Equinox years
Best and worst Equinox years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 638 | 1 |
| 2006 | 695 | 0 |
| 2007 | 685 | 4 |
| 2008 | 370 | 0 |
| 2009 | 94 | 0 |
| 2010 | 784 | 3 |
| 2011 | 782 | 3 |
| 2012 | 685 | 3 |
| 2013 | 751 | 2 |
| 2014 | 548 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 19 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,550
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 468 g/mi
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle -
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 19 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 3.4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Looking at a 2005 Equinox for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2005 Chevrolet Equinox FAQ
How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 04V302000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2005 Chevrolet Equinox problems?
Owners filed 638 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (159), Power train (114), Engine and engine cooling (111) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox get?
EPA rates the 3.4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic version at 17 city, 23 highway and 19 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2005 Equinox compare with other years?
Among the 2005–2014 Chevrolet Equinox model years at least five years old, the 2009 drew the fewest complaints (94) and the 2010 the most (784). The 2005 drew 638. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.