Problems · by component

2005 Chevrolet Equinox power train problems

114 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox cite power train, 18% of all 638 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
114
18% of all complaints
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that upon inserting the key into the ignition switch, it failed to function properly. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V302000 (POWER TRAIN). However, the failure reoccurred and the vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Countryside Chevrolet (71 Cat Creek Rd, Franklin, NC 28734), where the ignition switch was replaced for a second time under the recall. However, the failure persisted. The contact's daughter was unable to start the vehicle after several attempts. The contact contacted AAA who assisted her daughter to start the vehicle. The contact's daughter was able to continue driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 15, 2022Power trainODI 11474154
“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 would go off, but it didn't. I was able to get it home safely. It doesn't take off right away when you gas the pedal. When I stop at the stop sign, it takes a minute before it starts moving again. This is not safe to drive, especially when making a turn, pulling off to traffic. If it doesn't take off in time, it could be an accident due this problem. I hope there's a solution this problem. Thank you in advance.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 17, 2022Power train, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11447759
“It was recently brought to my attention that the keys can fall out of the ignition with the vehicle running. Which creates an extreme likelihood that the vehicle can move forward or backward without assistance. My keys fall right out of the ignition you should not be able to take the keys out of an ignition with it running or not in park. Has not been confirmed by the dealership yet that’s my next step. And yes it can be reproduced at any time. Sometimes the key will not even start the vehicle. Hi had never reached over and just tried to take the keys out of the ignition to see if they would come out but I recently rented a room where the owner has the exact same car and the same thing happened to him and he had the ignition replaced. This is how I know that it happens because he reached over and was able to pull my keys right out with the vehicle running. I was shocked. Also at one point it says there is automatic transmission recall and mine is making weird movements and jerking motions sometimes not just on my car but on my landlord’s car as well. Maybe that needs to be looked at.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 18, 2021Power train, Unknown or otherODI 11421434
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 13, 2021Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11416474
“TAKATA RECALL: I BOUGHT MY CHEVY EQUINOX IN AUGUST OF 2017, SINCE TAKING IT HOME IT HAS HAD A LURCHING PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING OR WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. IT LURCHES FORWARD AND BACKWARDS LIKE A BULL TRYING TO THROW YOU OFF. I PUT NEW BRAKES ON EVERY 3 MONTHS BECAUSE MY BRAKES DO NOT WORK EVEN WHEN BRAND NEW, AND WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE THE CAR WON'T STOP, OR THE BRAKE PULSES AND VIBRATES. THE CARS GEAR SHIFT SOMETIMES GETS STUCK IN DRIVE WHEN TRYING TO PUT IT IN PARK. WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE AND THE GAS IS PRESSED YOU HEAR A GRINDING, AND THE GAS VIBRATES. I'VE HAD TO ABS SENSOR REPLACED 4X, O2 SENSOR 3X NEW BRAKES EVERY 3 MONTHS, NEW TIRES EVERY 6 MONTHS, REGULAR OIL CHANGES, IT'S HAD IT'S VALVES REPLACED, IT'S HAD NEW BRAKE LINES, NEW SHOCKS, REGULAR ALIGNMENTS, IT'S HAD A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER PUT IN. THE CARS RPM SPIKES TO 8000 WHEN DOING 30 MILES AN HOUR THROUGH A SMALL TOWN. THE WHEEL VIBRATES WHEN ON A HIGHWAY ABS LIGHT NEVER COMES OFF. T/C TURNS OFF ANYTIME I MAKE A TURN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS I SWEAR PERMANTLY ON. . I'VE BEEN TOLD THIS CAN BE A TRANSMISSION AND GEAR SHIFT PROBLEM, BUT THAT ALL 3 OF MY REGULAR MECHANICS CALL THIS PROBLEM THE GHOST…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 20, 2018Power train, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11096897
“VEHICLE STALLS AT RANDOM TIMES, WHILE IN MOTION AT 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY OR AT A STOP SIGN IT JUST STALLS. WILL START BACK UP BUT ONLY TO STALL AGAIN. VERY DANGEROUS! MULTIPLE ISSUES ON THE INTERNET ON THIS YEAR EQUINOX AND SOME CLAIM THERE IS A RECALL; "# TSB #05539 -- PRODUCT EMISSION RECALL TO REPLACE THE POWERTRAIN/ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (PCM/ECM). THE POWERTRAIN/ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (PCM/ECM) MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH DAMAGED INTERNAL IC CHIPS, WHICH MAY AFFECT THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL AND EGR OUT (NHTSA ID #10017551, APRIL 01 2005)"”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 11, 2017Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11014675

Showing 6 of 114 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Jun 30, 2004NHTSA 04V302000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.