20th Jul 2010, 21:10

I bought my 2005 Equinox new, and have had brake problems for the entire 5 years. I've had it in for that incessant rattle in the front end. If I lightly touch the brakes, the rattle stops.

The dealer claims it's loose calipers; cleans them up and the rattle goes away for a couple of weeks and then returns. I don't have the time or money to have them cleaned twice a month.

Why do the calipers come loose? I have always driven GM products and have never had problems with loose calipers.

One other thing, the brakes, whether new or old, seem to need a lot of pressure on the brake pedal to get the brakes to work. It's almost like I don't have power brakes.

31st Jul 2010, 10:54

Okay okay okay, you all have hit this HUGE nail right on the head. The Equinox styling is great, the wheels are nice, the color choices are good, but it is ALL so very very cheap.

I have the slow water leak, the clicking 3x underneath, the door chime won't shut up, when I open the driver door it clicks, steering wheel shakes when braking (even with new breaks and rotors), I get water in my spare tire storage area, you can't sweat on a hot summer day without the seats staining, the air conditioner doesn't function properly 75% of the time... but, the thing that bugs me the most, is the clunking noise in the front end when going through a rough parking lot, or over railroad tracks etc... any little bump, and the front end clunks on both the driver and passenger sides.

I thought it might be the struts, so I had them replaced (still did it), so then I had the sway bar links replaced, and it still does it... I am at a TOTAL loss. The car drives and rides smoothly, it just clunks like crazy over the smallest bump. WHAT DO I DO???

No mechanic seems to have a darn clue what it might be. Please help, I can't afford to keep putting money into a mechanic's guessing game!

20th Aug 2010, 23:59

Look up Equinox recalls. There is one for the 2005 concerning the key getting stuck in the ignition.

Head gasket problem: when I first bought this car, a dealership mechanic I know, told me that the second the warranty was up to flush and replace the coolant. He said that GM used a corrosive coolant in this vehicle that would get my head gaskets at about 50k. If you change to a different type of coolant before the warranty is up, it is void. (notice your orange coolant)

22nd Sep 2010, 12:05

I own a 2005 Chevy Equinox. It was bought new in 2004, and now has 135,000 miles on it.

I have since had to replaced the struts (replaced twice), sway bar links and bushings (replaced once front and Rear), tie-rods and ends (replaced once), rotors (replaced 6 times) and pads (replaced with the rotors), rear brake drums (replaced 3 times) and shoes (replaced with drums, with new spring kits), tires balanced and rotated (every 3000 miles), four wheel alignment (checked and done almost every 3000 miles). No matter what they do, the car shakes like a scared dog every time I drive it down the road.

I think it's time for Government Motors to issue a recall before it becomes a safety issue! I fear that I may lose a wheel while driving down the road, and no one can fix this issue. It is like the old cartoon with the ghost living in the thing...

HELP!

10th Oct 2010, 22:42

Thanks for the site! Lovely!

I own a 05' Equinox since 05'. Love the car, perfect size for 2 kids, football gear, beach bags, etc. Very dependable...

I have had minor problems as stated in this site. Can't get the key out, (thanks for suggesting the site Equinox recalls), there is a recall. Engine delayed in starting, I will try one of the items suggested here - turn the key to the on position for a few seconds prior to starting.

The problem I am facing now is the check engine light just came on (has 72k). I am hoping it will be a quick fix by purchasing a new gas cap! My gas cap hasn't worked properly for weeks now, it won't click to close tight. I hate the interior. It stains way too easily and with the kids, it just looks filthy all the time. Lame. The paint does chip...

Other than that - good to go.

I have actually purchased my share of tires over the past five years however. Either bad alignment on these cars or bad driver! :)

Overall - satisfied, sorry to hear all the negative.

My baby gets me from A to Z all the time.

10th Dec 2010, 20:10

I have owned my 2005 Equinox for about 3 months. I really like the vehicle, but I have been having problems with it starting like everyone is talking about. When I try to start it, it turns over like it's going to start, and when you let off the key, it keeps turning over for a couple of seconds, but never starts. The Chevrolet place replaced the computer, but it is still doing it. If anyone knows what I can do to fix this, please email me at slarrants@gmail.com. Thank you.

21st Feb 2011, 16:07

Today (2/21/2011) was my first issue with my 2005 Equinox.

I bought it brand new in September 2005 and really never had any issues with it at all. This is a head gasket issue for me. Gonna run me about $1800 - $2000! No more warranty for me at all either!

But besides some very little things, I really haven't had all that many issues with it at all. The seats do stain some (as I have a 3 yr old), but not that bad, I changed the tires at about 70,000 miles on them, but went with snow tires for the winter and going to use other tires for the spring/summer and should have no problems with that.

Other than the Head Gasket, which is getting done this week now, I love my 05 Equinox and I am going to keep it till it dies on me!

9th Mar 2011, 11:04

Hmm just finished reading most of the comments on the Equinox, and am surprised at how many "problems" I've read in here that I haven't run across.

I've run into the usual faded paint, fragile cloth seats, horn not working in the cold weather, occasional key getting stuck in the ignition, but nothing compared to some of these people.

Did take the car in for service where they told me the warranty was "up" at 52,00 miles. To me a "5 year warranty "... or 50,000 miles are a little FAR APART. It USED to be about 12,000 miles a year was normal driving... then they changed it to 15,000... A YEAR. Seems like it changes when it's convenient for the dealer/manufacturer!!!

Overall... I like the car... but fix WHAT you should fix. If you are wrong, admit it, fix the problem and keep a good reputation. Stop forcing people to buy "foreign".

Not sure of where my next car will come from, for now I like the "no car payments" time I'm having! WAKE UP DETROIT! BUILD IT HERE... SELL IT HERE... FIX IT HERE!!! Otherwise we've got a tough road ahead of us... all of us! Thanks.