The Lemon Index2005 Chevrolet Equinox.
The 2005 Chevrolet Equinox is about average by owner complaints: 167 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 113, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 1 recall, and it gets 19 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Equinox year is 2017.
About average. 1.1× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2017
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 638 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Equinox year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 35K to 100K miles on the car (507 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 31K–100K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 34K–91K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 15K–75K miles
Recalls 1
- transmission & drivetrain 2004
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 T…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 625 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- No crank with loss of communication to body control module (bcm), instrument panel cluster…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.4L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Bought 2005 chevy Equinox brand new. Chemical smell in cab at about 1200 miles and at 19,000 a/c leak detected and compressor and parts replaced.
2005 Chevrolet Equinox owner · NHTSA complaint 10245871
More owner reports
Tensioner,pulley& fan belts failures...driver side window-defect..windows freezes will not go up,when up will not go down..
NHTSA complaint 10198132
Attempted to start vehicle after being driven approximately 2-3 miles. Clicking sound happens each time (approx 15) and engine struggles to engage. Dealer has inspected and could not duplicate problem.
NHTSA complaint 10184958
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew 1.1× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 113; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Equinox year by this measure is 2017.
What are the most common 2005 Chevrolet Equinox problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (32%), electrical (20%) and brakes (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox have?
1 safety recall (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox get?
19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Equinox problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 35,000 and 100,000 miles. The middle report was at 69,500 miles, from 507 complaints.
Does the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox cost in fuel a year?
About $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox have?
3.4L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet Equinox year is better than the 2005?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2017, 2021 and 2014.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works