Problems · by component
2005 Chevrolet Equinox electrical system problems
159 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox cite electrical system, 25% of all 638 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
159
25% of all complaints
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
6
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
Reported by owners
What owners say about the electrical system
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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…”
“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”
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT AS NEEDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO EXCEED 20 MPH. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SURGE THAT WENT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING AN INJURY TO THE CONTACT. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH TO THE OFF POSITION, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE BATTERY TERMINALS WERE DISCONNECTED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT-OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICK HENDRICK CHEVROLET NORFOLK (6252 E. VIRGINIA BEACH BLVD, NORFOLK, VA 23502, (757) 266-5804) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED A CASE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,900.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE OWNER WAS DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. THE OWNER HAD ALSO EXPERIENCED SEVERAL SAFETY RELATED FAILURES WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE INVOLVING THE BRAKING SYSTEM THE TRANSMISSION, THE POWER TRAIN AND THE HEATING SYSTEM. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER(UNKNOWN) AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.”
“VEHICLE IS ABLE TO DRIVE WHILE KEY IS OUT OF IGNITION WHEN ENGINE IS ALREADY RUNNING. SEAT BELT DISCONNECTS RANDOMLY. VEHICLE CAN BE OPEN WITH A NICKEL COIN. ECU TRIGGERS WARNING LIGHTS RANDOMLY”
“WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN 2015 TO THE PADDOCK CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP IN KENMORE NY, MY BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THIS CAUSED THE CD CHANGER TO NO LONGER WORK. IT IS STILL NOT FUNCTIONING, CDS WONT EJECT AND ALL IT DOES IS MAKE A CLICKING SOUND.”
Showing 6 of 159 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.