Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-47
I bought my 2005 Chevy Equinox in May of 2005. I am the sole driver of the vehicle. After it was purchased brand new, the first week I noticed strange shifting in the transmission at about 40 mph. I was told to bring it in and they would reset the computer. This did not help. Then there was a recall on this matter and I was told they would fix it. It still does the same thing to this day.
That was one problem, on top of that, the paint wears off on the number keys on the radio (that's been replaced twice), the drivers side and passengers side windows shutter when going down (after it rains), it has been lubricated, then window replaced and as of yesterday, lubricated again!
The brakes make a very bad noise when backing up. They've replaced the brake pads, rotors, etc. It still does it.
When trying to start the vehicle, it will continuously cut off. It took me 4 tries the other day, and then it finally started.
The driver and passenger side vanity mirror tops have both broke. I took it in at the beginning of the week for many of the same issues, and was told that it wasn't doing it while they had it.
They even had the service manager drive it home, and I knew for sure he would experience the same problems I have, but he didn't.
I have 35,300 miles on it and only have 700 miles left on my warranty.
I've been told that they will not drop me after the warranty, if it still has the same issues.
My whole thing is, FIX the problems it's having and I wouldn't have to bring it in!!!
I'm a very unhappy owner of the 2005 Chevy Equinox!
I have a 2006 Equinox AWD. My husband and I are very disappointed in the vehicle, the dealership, and Chevrolet--in general. I drive about 55 miles (round trip) to work each day. The gas mileage is terrible on this vehicle. So much so, that we just purchased a smaller, more practical car for me to drive to work in order to save on gas money. (We traded in a '99 Ford Escort in very good condition to purchase the Equinox in 2006--now, we're kicking ourselves for doing so!)
At 12,000 miles (May 2006), I was having a shimmy in the steering when I would brake at over 40mph. We took it to the dealership to have the rotors cut. Almost one year later to the day, we were back at the dealership for the same problem with rotors. However, this time, the dealership said that it was Chevrolet's policy to only cover the rotors once under warranty and that we would have to pay to have them fixed. After a week and a half of arguing with Chevrolet's customer service people, they finally agreed to cover it "once more" under the warranty. But the dealership advised them that "we live in a hilly terrain" (near Pittsburgh, PA) which causes the rotors to go bad and it is a maintenence issue. I disagreed and claimed that the part is defective because at 33,000 miles, rotors should not be going bad already. Our dealership offered a 100,000 mile warranty, but was not standing behind it.
As far as roominess goes, I agree that this car is quite spacious. I have ridden in the backseat and it is comfortable and roomy in both the front and back seats.
Also, I do think it handles well in the snow. So, for our bad winter days, I will be driving the Equinox to work.
Overall, I would not purchase another GM vehicle after our bad experience with Chevrolet and their customer service. It's back to being a "Ford girl" for me!
Please note, I purchased a used 2005 Chevy Equinox in October 2006. This vehicle has been back at the dealer or dealers with brake problems, pulley & tensioner & belts. It had only 33,315 miles on this vehicle.
Is Chevy rolling back this the odometer? This should be investigated, as this vehicle has broken down on me 3 times, and just recently, my drivers side window will not go up.
I called Chevy and gave them my VIN#; they could not tell me as this vehicle was on recall, and they could not tell me whether it was fixed or no; the only thing they could do was to call me back at a scheduled time on Friday 08/03/07.
I have been lied to from several people from Chevy since this problem begin in mid October-2006. I want Chevy top give me a free rental, and fix the door and other problems, which I have given them since this purchase.
These problems started while my vehicle was still under factory warranty!!! This is the main reason US auto dealers are losing market share to the competitors, the foreign car community, as their product is just not dependable.
You may forward this to the GM-Chevy Headquarters in Michigan as a wakeup call, as I will never buy another GM product as long as I live, and many of my co-workers will not after hearing and experiencing part of my horror story with this 2005 Chevy Equinox!!!!!!
Ours has never given us problems. Always keep in mind that the few people that got the lemons are the majority of people motivated to go on the internet and write a review.
We have a 06 Equinox, with so many problems. Bought it brand new and the problems started 2 weeks after purchase.
The doors started locking automatically. Within in the past 6 months we have had it to the shop 17 times for one particular problem.
The whole front suspension, steering column, and brakes have been replaced. Had it home less than 24 hours and the noise started all over again and 100 times worse. It makes a horrible wrenching noise, sounding like the tires are about to fall off.
About a month ago, the anti-theft light came on and my car stalled in the middle of the road, thank god it was a quiet road. It took over 20 min. to get started. They replaced the battery, but cannot guarantee it will not happen again.
Our service department has been wonderful, but I get tired of taking it back every week for at least 2-3 days. GM has been no help. I fear for the safety of my family at this point, and am looking into legal options.
Forgot, I have had the same clunking noise coming from the rear end of the car. It only does it periodically, so there it no reason to take it to the shop. This is the least of our problems. Our serviceman told us these cars are made in an hour and a half; my husband thinks ours was made in half our on a Friday on payday. We have a 10 year old Suzuki with absolutely no problems or any major work done it. We will never buy a Chevy again.
I have owned 2 2005 Equinox's. First one was totaled in a rear-end collision by a Trailblazer going 85MPH. On both of them, I have had the thumping noise in the rear. Front brake problems on both. My current one has had the rotors replaced 3 times and pads twice (had the vehicle for 2.5 years so far). Also, the running lights no longer work. It was 'fixed' by the dealer once before, but of course it is no longer under warranty. The rear bearings are shot (55,000 miles on it). Having starting troubles too. Also getting a loud, deep, 'growling' sound whenever I'm around 2k RPMs. I can't wait to get rid of this vehicle and buy a Ford.
Mine boke down 126 times in 45 days!!! Man what a POS!
My wife and I purchased a 2005 Equinox 3 years ago. Within the first year the keyless entry stopped working and it was replaced by the dealership. At this time we were very happy with the vehicle and the customer service that we received.
Lately it is a different story and we are very upset with GM. Within the last year we have experienced the same front brake problems that everybody else is describing. The front of the vehicle feels like it is about to fall off when we apply the brakes. We took it to the dealership the first time and they turned the rotors with no questions asked. About two weeks later the same problem arouse and we took it to the dealership a second time. They replaced the rotors, but said that we were responsible for replacing the front brake pads. They wanted to charge us over $200.00 for brake pads. I went out and purchased brake pads for $60.00 and replaced them myself.
To make a long story short the vehicle has been back to the dealership several times now with the same problem. Our warranty was about to run out and we took the vehicle back in for shaking in the front end when the brakes are applied. The dealership stated that the problem was that the tires needed balanced and that front end needed aligned. Again they wanted to charge us over $200.00 to perform the maintenance. I took it somewhere else and they charged me under $100.00. We took the word of the dealership that this was the problem and traveled to Pittsburgh. Halfway on our trip the problem with the brakes came back with force. I applied the brakes at approx. 75 miles an hours and thought that the vehicle was going to fall apart. I swear that we suffered from shaken baby syndrome.
We returned from out trip and took the vehicle to the dealership AGAIN!!! The dealership argued with us and stated that they would not replace the rotors unless we installed GM brake pads on the vehicle. Again they wanted to charge us over $250.00 to fix the problem. At this time the vehicle was 200 miles over the the warranty. The dealership refused to put on the new rotors with the brake pads that were on the vehicle due to the fact they were severely cracked and had major hot spots on the pads. They also argued with us and stated that the vehicle was over warranty and we would be responsible for footing the bill. This was the last straw and we contacted GM. GM contacted the dealership and advised them to cover the rotors under warranty. They would not budge on the brake pads though so I purchased the GM pads myself and installed them on the vehicle. Imagine to my surprise that the pads that I took off the vehicle were in great condition. There were not cracks or hot spots on the pads what so ever!!!
It's been 25 days and we have the same problems again with the brakes. GM extended our warranty on the brakes and offered to cover routine maintenance for 1 year. We are happy about that, but we really just want our brake problem fixed once and for all. I think that they know that they made a bad product, but just don't want to admit it. I think everyone on this website should get together and file a class action law suit. I will never buy another GM product again nor will anyone that I have told this story to. Our vehicle is about to go back to the shop for the 8th time. Please pray for us!!!
It's absolutely amazing as well as refreshing to hear that I am not the only one experiencing these problems with this vehicle. I'm NOT crazy!
I just purchased my 05 Equinox 3 months ago and have put an absurd amount of money into it already. I'm so ready to get rid of it even more now after reading these reviews.
I too have the rattling noise in the rear of the vehicle and have assumed that it is the hard plastic in the back not being connected appropriately. Its starts rattling when I reach 40mph and stops around 50mph. I have not had it checked out b/c I didn't want to appear nit-picky. If anyone has experienced this problem and knows the reason, PLEASE let all of us know so we can attend to this annoying problem!
I have also had the starting problem. I took it to the dealership and they found that the throttle body and the fuel injectors were completely filthy and covered in gunk, residue, etc. So they said that what it needed was a thorough cleaning. That was $150. I did not have a starting problem problem for about 2 weeks and one day it decided to act up again. I called the dealership back and the representative suggested that I use fuel injector cleaner, the kind you put into your gas tank. I have not have a problem yet.
But in the midst of getting that taken care of, my check engine light came on a week after getting the fuel injectors cleaned. It's been on since because I do not have the money to have them diagnose the issue. I have gone to Auto Zone to get the check engine light read, and apparently my coolant temperature is always reading low. Has anyone experienced this problem? If so, please let me know how to fix it in a cost effective manner!
If I had the money I would get rid of this car and get the nissan murano I've been wanting, but I cannot afford the GOOD cars. Looks like I'm SOL!
I have a 2005 Equinox and have had some problems with it. Mainly a light kept coming on, had it at the dealership more times then I care to admit. FINALLY seems to be fixed. Now my problem is with the brakes. You step on the brakes and they make a funny noise and the pedal comes back up, you start to stop, but then it keeps going for a little bit. Of course my warranty just ran out. Have had a friend look at the brakes and they are fine. Thinks it is ABS, just wondered if anyone else has had this problem.
Equinox is junk.
1. Starting issues-starter does not disengage after car is running
2. Loud thumping noise under car after starting
3. Terrible gas mileage
4. Blown head gasket
5. All the paint has worn off the radio and window control knobs
6. Sounds like transmission is going to fall out.
Run away from this car.
What is that loud thumping noise when starting the car??
I bought my Equinox in April of 05. The rotors were turned and brakes replaced at 31 K. The tires were worn at the same time and replaced. The CD player no longer accepts a disc, many of the numbers have worn off the radio, both vanity mirror covers have broken off the sun visors. February 26th of 08 I have been informed the the front rotors and brakes need to be replaced at 50 K, and on top of all this the head gaskets have to be replaced. This will be the last GM vehicle that I will purchase. I have bought GM for 20 years... no more!
The "rattling" sound in the rear of the vehicle that everyone is referring to has plagued me too. If you look in the spare tire well, the bracket that the spare is attached to has probably broken a weld and the weight of the tire is causing it to rattle when going over bumps. I have a 2005 LS AWD in the dealers shop right now because I went out to start it last week and the starter does not disengage after starting this cheap, plastic hunk of crap. This is my first, AND LAST Chevy purchase. They should be paying me for driving it.