MyCarTSB

2005 Chevrolet Equinox Engine Problems

127 owner-reported engine complaints from NHTSA data

127
Complaints
4
Fires
Jan 2013Dec 2007
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (127)

criticalENGINE
FireFiled: Apr 2021

When you tried to start your 2005 Chevrolet Equinox, fire emerged from underneath the vehicle. Your car continued trying to start even after you removed the keys from the ignition. The fire department extinguished the fire, but the vehicle was destroyed and never diagnosed or repaired. This issue likely involves a severe electrical or fuel system malfunction that caused the fire.

NHTSA #: 11408238
highENGINE
Filed: Jan 2022

Your 2005 Chevrolet Equinox enters limp mode (reduced power) after it rains, and your check engine light stays on. This has been happening for 6-8 months, and you've noticed water flooding the floorboards. The dealer has been unable to diagnose the problem. The issue likely involves water damage to engine sensors or electrical connections that need to be inspected and dried out or replaced.

NHTSA #: 11448353
highENGINE
Filed: Jan 2021

Your engine is overheating, and you've noticed oil mixed into your antifreeze, which suggests a possible head gasket failure. Your car is running poorly and you're concerned about a known issue with 2005 Equinox models. The fix would likely require replacing the head gasket and flushing the cooling system to remove the oil contamination.

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NHTSA #: 11386306
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE
Filed: Apr 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND LATER TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A RADIATOR FLUSH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.

NHTSA #: 11089648
mediumENGINE
Filed: Mar 2018

HAVE HAD MAJOR ENGINE TROUBLE. HEAD GASKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT PURCHASE TWO YEARS AGO. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY TWO DAYS AGO AND MY LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND MY ENGINE BEGAN FAILING. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO A MECHANIC. THE CODES RAN INDICATED A THERMOSTAT PROBLEM CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BURN OIL. THE PISTONS INSIDE THE ENGINE BROKE. HE INDICATED IT COULD HAVE BEEN FROM THE HEAD GASKET ISSUES. I HAVE READ CONSUMER COMPLAINTS THAT OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES. IN ADDITION, I PERSONALLY KNOW TWO PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR MODELS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIP WHO I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM TOLD ME TO CALL GENERAL MOTORS BECAUSE THEY ARE AWARE OTHER CONSUMERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS ME. A MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT IF I WERE TO CONTINUE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, MY ENGINE WILL LOCK UP WHILE I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD.

NHTSA #: 11079691
mediumENGINE
Filed: Sep 2017

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD LIKE A DO THREE DAYS A WEEK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTING FLASHING AND ANOTHER LIGHT CAME ON ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND CALLED AAA TO TOW MY VEHICLE. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH IT. I HAVE KEPT IT SERVICED AND IT IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I HAD A MECHANIC HOOK MY VEHICLE UP TO A COMPUTER TO DIAGNOSE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT AND THE CODE THAT CAME BACK WAS THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED REPLACING. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THE CHEVY ENGINE THAT I HAVE IN MY EQUINOX IS KNOWN TO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE HEAD GASKET WHERE IT GOES OUT WITH NO WARNING AND FOR NO REASON. CHEVY KNEW ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT FAILED TO RECALL THE VEHICLES WITH THESE ENGINES AND DID NOT MAKE CONSUMERS LIKE ME AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THIS PROBLEM SO I HAD THE OPTION TO EITHER PURCHASE A DIFFERENT VEHICLE OR TRADE MY VEHICLE FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT BUT I WAS NOT GIVEN THAT CHOICE BECAUSE CHEVY FAILED TO MAKE ME AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH MY ENGINE AND ALL THE OTHER CONSUMERS THAT HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA #: 11029985
mediumENGINE
Filed: Sep 2017

BEEN HAVING PROBLEM WITH HEAD GASKET THESE 2005 EQUINOX HEAD GASKETS BEEN BLOWING BECAUSE OF THE 3.4L ENGINE CANT KEEP IT FROM OVER HEATING REPLACED HEAD GASKET AND IT WENT AGAIN CHEVY NEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ITS IN THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP BULLETIN THIS IS BAD FOR THE CONSUMER THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO SELL A TRUCK WITH BAD HEAD GASKETS ITS JUST A LEMON. BEEN HAVING OVER HEATING PROBLEMS SINCE I HAD THIS CAR ITS JUST REDICULOUS. IT OVER HEATS WHILE IDLING. CHANGED 2 HEAD GASKETS WATER PUMP THERMOSTAT ALL HOSES ETC TEMPERATURE SENSOR FLUSHED THE VEHICLE 5 TIMES STILL NO HELP . THIS VEHICLE IS ALSO KNOWN FOR HAVING TRAPPED AIR IN THE LINES AS WELL. PLEASE STOP LETTING CHEVY SELL THESE EQUINOX THERE JUST A LEMON.

NHTSA #: 11021066
mediumENGINE
Filed: Sep 2016

CAR OVERHEATS AND COOLANT LEAKS OUT OF NO WHERE. HEAD GASKET BLOWS HAVE BEEN REPORTED MULTIPLE TIMES ON THIS VEHICLE. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ESPECIALLY WHEN ENGINE LIGHT STARTS BLINKING AND CAR SHAKES LIKE CRAZY DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA #: 10904746
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jul 2016

I JUST READ THRU SOME OF THESE COMPLAINTS ANS IT SEEM THAT CHEVY IS HAVING THE SANE THING HAPPEN WHEN ITS COMING TO THIS 05 EQUINOX. I JUST GOT CAR ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO AND ITS GOING THRU THE SAME THING. IM BEING TOLD ITS MY GASKETS BUT ITS SHOWING NO SIGNS THAT ITS BLOWN. IM SO FRUSTRATED BECAUSE THE 90 DAYS IS XPIRED AND I CANT RUN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT FROM. AND NOW TO FIND THAT CHEVREOLET IS NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGING THAT FACT THAT THIS IS GOING ON WITH A VEHICLE CREATED BY THEM. THIS IS SO UNFAIR TO CONSUMERS WHO SPEND THE MONEY TO GET THE CAR BUT CANT EVEN GET THE PROPER RESPONSE FROM THE COMPANY FOR THIS ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW JUST HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE FOR CHEVEY TO RESPOND TO THIS, I KNOW I COUNTED AT LEAST A HUNDRED...I KNOW WE TAKE CHANGES WHEN BY A USED CAR BUT AT LEAST DO A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE IT TO MANY PEOPLE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE UNKNOWING WHAT PROBLEMS THEY WILL HAVE AHEAD OF THEM...

NHTSA #: 10882958
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2016

I PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX IN MAY 2015, I HAVE HAD MY NORMAL OR CHANGES, EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS I HAVE TO PUT 5 QUARTS OF OIL IS IN, THE LOW OIL INDICATOR NEVER CAME ON. SO NOW MY ENGINE HAS LOCKED UP AND I HAVE TO GET A NEW ENGINE. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THEY HAD SO MANY ISSUES WITH THE OIL CONSUMPTION WITH THE USED CHEVY VEHICLES.

NHTSA #: 10864009
mediumENGINE
Filed: Feb 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE HEAD GASKET ON THE ENGINE FRACTURED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND WATER FLOODED ON THE ENGINE COMPARTMENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED BUT THE DETAILS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. UPDATED 04/14/16*LJ CONSUMER STATED THERE HAS BEEN 29 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND MANUFACTURER SHOULD STAND BY THIS PROBLEM. UPDATED 05/31/18*JB

NHTSA #: 10837586
mediumENGINE
FireFiled: Dec 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CNCEREND FOR THEIR SAFETY. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE SMOKE WHERE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT REQUIRED CLOSING THE ROAD DUE TO IT BEING UNSAFE FOR OTHER DRIVERS TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD GASKET AND CRACK CYLINDERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

NHTSA #: 10809698
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jul 2015

THE FIRST TIME MY 05 EQUINOX OVERHEATED ON ME WAS WHEN I WAS GETTING READY TO PARTY ON A HILL AND IT OVERHEATED ON ME THEN WE REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND THE WIRES IN MY VEHICLE THEN TOOK IT TO NISSAN AND THEY SAID THAT PITTS BROKE MY PURGE VALVE AND TRIED GLUING IT BACK SO THEY FIXED THAT AND TOLD ME MY VEHICLE WAS FIXED AND THAT IT WONT OVERHEAT ON ME AGAIN WELL ON MY WAY HOME, I WASNT EVEN 10 MINUTES AWAY FROM BEING HOME AND IT OVERHEATED ON ME AND ANTI FREEZE WAS ALL OVER THE GROUND NISSAN TOLD ME IT COULD BE MY HEAD GASKET BUT THEY WEREN'T FOR SURE BUT THEY SAID SINCE I LET SOMEONE ELSE FIX MY CAR THEY WEREN'T GOING TO PAY FOR MY VEHICLE TO GET FIXED BUT I CALLED THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT FIXED MY VEHICLE SAID THEY NEVER TOUCHED MY PURGE VALVE AND IF THEY DID THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED IT

NHTSA #: 10744815
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Apr 2015

I WENT TO GET MY INSPECTION STICKER AND RECEIVED AN SAFETY/EMISSIONS RECALL SHEET OF PAPER INDICATING THAT I MIGHT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS DEFECT NUMBER: 2529, ENGINE FAMILY:5GMXV02.2025, EMISSION PROBLEM: SOME ENGINE CONTROL MODULES OR POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULES HAVE POTENTIALLY DAMAGED INTEGRATED CIRCUITS. THIS MAY CAUSE THE EGR SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION OR CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO TURN OFF OR THE TURBO SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT A MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME ABOUT THE EGR SYSTEM. IF YOU COULD PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT THIS ISSUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND IF IT IS COVERED OR IF I CAN GET IT REPAIRED AT NO COST TO ME. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 1 YEAR SINCE MARCH 1, 2014. I'M THE SECOND OWNER. *TR

NHTSA #: 10712167
mediumENGINE
Filed: Apr 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA #: 10706589
mediumENGINE
Filed: Mar 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INDICATED THE A COMPUTER IN THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA #: 10700629
mediumENGINE
Filed: Mar 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INDICATED THAT THE COMPUTER IN THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA #: 10694136
mediumENGINE
Filed: Mar 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE HEAD GASKETS BLEW ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP HAD BEEN CHANGED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKETS FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA #: 10691759
mediumENGINE
Filed: Feb 2015

I PURCHASED THE EQUINOX ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO AND IT HAD 1 PRIOR OWNER. SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES.. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH START UP. AND RECENTLY I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE CAR IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK LAST WEEK IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS JUST NOT RUNNING PROPERLY, I ENDED UP STALLING ON THE HIGHWAY AT A VERY DANGEROUS INTERSECTION.. WHEN I FINALLY IT HOME IT STALLED AGAIN IN THE DRIVEWAY.. I'M REALLY HAVING A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING HOW THIS VEHICLE HAS SO MANY ISSUES AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS! I WORK HARD TO PAY THE BILLS I ALREADY HAVE AND REALLY CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP FIXING THING OR PAY FOR A NEW VEHICLE.. PLEASE TELL CHEVY TO PULL THEIR HEADS OUT OF THEIR BUTTS AND TRY HELPING SOME HARD WORKING FOLKS INSTEAD OF TRYING TO KILL THEM! *TR

NHTSA #: 10682617
mediumENGINE
Filed: Dec 2014

CAR OVERHEATED GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE (ABOUT 65 MPH). BLEW A HEAD GASKET, FIXED THAT. THEN OVERHEATED A WEEK LATER WHILE IN TOWN DRIVING (ABOUT 45 MPH) BLEW A HEAD GASKET AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA #: 10668690
mediumENGINE,VISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Nov 2014

WATER NOISE IN DASH FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW. LOOSING ANTIFREEZE BUT CAN'T FIND WHERE. NOW THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK, ONLY BLOWS COLD AIR. CAN BECOME AN ISSUE WHEN DRIVING SINCE WINDSHIELD CAN FOG UP AND YOU CAN'T GET RID OF IT WITH YOUR DEFROSTER... *TR

NHTSA #: 10653216
mediumENGINE
Filed: Sep 2014

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEEDS THIS VEHICAL BOGGS WAY WAY DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 250 RPMS AND THEN JUMPS BACK UP. NOT SAFE FOR DRIVERS THAT ARE DRIVING BEHIND ME WHEN IT BOGGS DOWN. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND HAVE GOTTEN THE RUN AROUND NOW FOR 2 YEARS AND HAVE REPLACED A LOT OF PARTS TO TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEM ALL BECAUSE GM SAID THEY CAN'T DO A RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS A MODEL MADE DURING THE GOVERNMENT BAIL OUT PROGRAM. WHY IS THIS. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF PEOPLE ASKING ABOUT THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS I'M HAVING AND LIKE ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS GM IS HAVING THEY ARE STRIVING TO COVER THIS ON UP AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA #: 10639074
mediumENGINE
Filed: Aug 2014

I'VE HAD MY USED 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT UNTIL YESTERDAY. I HAD DRIVEN 32 MILES TO VISIT A RELATIVE AND PARKED THE CAR FOR THE REST OF THE EVENING. THE FOLLOWING DAY, I WENT TO TAKE A RIDE WITH MY FAMILY, AND THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS WENT ON AND THE CAR DIDN'T WANT TO DRIVE NORMAL. I DID A DIAGNOSTIC SCAN AND P0700, P1125, P2125, AND P2138 CODES CAME UP! *TR

NHTSA #: 10618470
mediumENGINE
Filed: Mar 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

NHTSA #: 10575361
mediumENGINE
Filed: Mar 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10568617
mediumENGINE
Filed: Nov 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE AS 120,000.

NHTSA #: 10551005
mediumENGINE
Filed: Aug 2013

MY CHEVY HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AFTER ONLY 112K. FROM WHAT CHEVY MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME IT'S BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY EGR VALVE ON THE VEHICLES BECAUSE GM FAILED TO NOTIFY THE OWNERS OF SAID VEHICLES TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FROM THE START. WINDOW MOTORS HAVE GONE BAD AFTER ONLY 45K MILES, BLOWN GASKET, THE NON STARTING, NO AC UNLESS I'M TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, HAVING TO PULLOVER AND STOP TURN CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON TO GET THE HEAT TO KICK ON IN THE WINTER. I'VE CONTACTED GM BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT IT. THE CHEAPEST I COULD FIND FOR MY CAR WAS 3000 TO REPLACE THE GASKETS. I MIGHT AS WELL DROP A NEW ENGINE IN THE CAR FOR THAT BUT WHY PAY THE 3000 TO REPLACE ENGINE FOR IT TO CRAP OUT ONCE AGAIN! WANDER IF I COULD PUT AN 08 ENGINE IN IT?? NEVER WILL I BUY AN EQUINOX AGAIN NOT IN A MILLION YEARS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10535812
mediumENGINE
Filed: Aug 2013

CAR STARTED OVERHEATING AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BAD HEAD GASKET AND REPAIRED. AFTER THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPAIRED THE EQUINOX STARTED OVERHEATING AGAIN AND THIS TIME IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD. THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT MOTOR LASTED 3 WEEKS BEFORE IT FAILED AS WELL WITH THE SAME DIAGNOSIS AS BEFORE, A BAD HEAD GASKET. I CONTACTED GM. THEY OFFERED NO SOLUTIONS, OFFERED NO HELP IN REPAIRING OR REPLACING THE ENGINE. THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND THEY KNOW THE ENGINES IN THE 2005 AND 2006 (VIN F) ARE BAD ENGINES SUFFERING FROM A POOR DESIGN. THEY DIDN'T MAKE THE ENGINES ONLY FOR 2 YEARS BECAUSE THEY WORKED SO WELL. NUMEROUS REPORTS ABOUT THE BAD ENGINES WITH GM'S RESPONSE SIMPLY TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON A CAR THAT WON'T LAST PAST 100K MILES. *TR

NHTSA #: 10533995
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jun 2013

THIS VEHICLE TAKE 4QT OF OIL ,BUT THE BOOK SAID 4.5 QT THAT WILL OVER FILL DIP STICK SHOW OVER A QT FULL CHECK WITH PART DEPT AT CHEVROLET AND WAS TOLD THAT IT ONLY TAKE 4QT WITH FILTER INCLUDED OTHER SERVICE MANUAL ALSO SAY 4QT WITH FILTER 'BECAUSE OF THIS DIFFERENT IN MANUAL CAPACITY THIS HAS CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE OVER THE YEARS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10515807
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jun 2013

SEEMS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEMS A LOT OF EQUINOX OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING. BLOWN HEADGASKET W/ A PRICE TAG OF 1800.00 TO FIX. *TR

NHTSA #: 10514862
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2013

BLOWN HEAD GASKET AT 101,000 MILES. I NOTICED THAT COOLANT WAS DISAPPEARING AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS SLIGHTLY ABOVE NORMAL. I MENTIONED THIS TO THE TECHNICIAN WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE COOLANT WAS MIXING WITH THE OIL AND I SHOULD HAVE IT CHECKED OUT BY A MECHANIC IMMEDIATELY. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED IT AS BLOWN HEAD GASKET. *TR

NHTSA #: 10513366
mediumENGINE
Filed: Feb 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY DEPRESS THE ACCELERATED PEDAL TO START THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FLOOD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA #: 10497943
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jan 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKETS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT ANTI-FREEZE LEAKED INTO THE MOTOR AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000. UPDATED 02/20/13*LJ UPDATED 02/21/2013 *JS

NHTSA #: 10490778
mediumENGINE
Filed: Nov 2012

WITH ONLY 36,212 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE, THERE IS NOW A REAR HEAD GASKET LEAKING. NOW, AS A SENIOR CITIZEN WITH A FIXED INCOME, I NEED TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. IT SEEMS TO ME WITH THIS LOW MILEAGE AN ENGINE SHOULD LAST LONGER!! POOR WORKMANSHIP!!!! I SINCERELY HOPE THIS INFORMATION IS SHARED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA #: 10484991
mediumENGINE
Filed: Oct 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EGR VALVE THAT WAS OFFERED BY THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT FIT SECURELY ON THE VEHICLE. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS CONTACTED IN REGARD TO THE ISSUE AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO PURCHASE THE PART ELSEWHERE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THE PART WAS PREVIOUSLY RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA #: 10481468
mediumENGINE
Filed: Oct 2012

WE PURCHASED A 2005 EQUINOX A FEW MONTHS AGO AND HAVE ONLY PUT ABOUT 1600 MILES ON IT. WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE GETTING HOT, AND THE COOLANT BEING A STRANGE ORANGE-BROWN COLOR AND DISAPPEARING FROM THE OVERFLOW TANK. TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP ON OCT. 2, 2012 AND FOUND OUT IT HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. ESTIMATE FOR GETTING IT FIXED IS A LITTLE OVER $1400, AND MORE IF THE HEAD IS CRACKED. THE REPAIR SHOP INFORMED US THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS A GOOD ENGINE AND THEY ARE VERY SURPRISED THAT IT HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET WITH ONLY 85,700 MILES. WE'RE VERY DISAPPOINTED SEEING ALL THE COMPLAINTS OF OTHER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT GM IS NOT DOING ANYTHING. WE WILL BE CONTACTING THEM NEXT, EVEN THOUGH IT WON'T MATTER. *TR

NHTSA #: 10478871
mediumENGINE
Filed: Aug 2012

WHILE STOPPED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE ON I-80, CAR STARTED TO RUN VERY HOT, FAN KICKED ON AND IT FINALLY COOLED OFF. UPON ARRIVAL HOME, COOLANT WAS LOW, MY HUSBAND REFILLED COOLANT. CALLED JOHNSON MOTORS AND SCHEDULED A CHECK AND OIL CHANGE. JOHNSON MOTORS SERVICE PERFORMED A COMPRESSION CHECK AND INFORMED MY HUSBAND THAT ENGINE WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACED FOR PRICE OF APPROXIMATELY $6,000 DOLLARS (WOW). OF NOTE, IN DECEMBER 2010 HEADER GASKETS WERE REPLACED TO A PRICE OF $1,200 DOLLARS, I WENT ON LINE TO FIND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FROM MANY EQUINOX OWNERS CONCERNING THE SAME ISSUES OF HEADER GASKETS GOING BAD AND CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN ON A REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE CARE SCHEDULE WITH ONLY GMC SERVICE TECHNICIANS. I AM SHOCKED THAT WITH REGULAR OIL CHANGES ETC THAT THIS HAPPENED. THIS SITUATION IS DANGEROUS AND REALLY NEEDS A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION. APPARENTLY THE V6 ENGINE USED IN THE EQUINOX VEHICLES IS A PROBLEM ENGINE THAT GMC IS WELL AWARE OF, TIME FOR SOMEONE TO MAKE A CHANGE. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA #: 10469515
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2012

VEHICLE HAS AN ENGINE MISS, COOLANT IS DISAPPEARING AND WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP. DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING HEAD GASKETS. REPAIRS TO COST APPROXIMATELY $1700.00. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER OWNERS OF 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX'S. *TR

NHTSA #: 10454738
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2012

THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT MY EQUINOX, MY AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR, IS BAD ALSO I HAVE HEARD A NOISE SENT THE DAY I PURCHASED THE TRUCK AND THE DEALERSHIP CAN NOT TELL ME WHAT IT IS. I PURCHASED MY CHEVY EQUINOX 2005 (NEW) FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THE TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 55,000 MILES, THE MECHANIC TOLD ME I COULD NOT DRIVE IT ......BECAUSE IT WOULD LOCK UP- THE ENGINE.........IT'S COSTING ME OVER A $1000.00 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED........(CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO LET THEM KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM....REFUSED TO LISTEN........ I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM IN THESE VEHICLES AND COSTING CONSUMERS LOTS OF MONEY THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PUT OUT.....PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM.......MAKE THE CONSUMERS HAPPY CHECK OUT THIS WEBSITE FOR MORE COMPLAINTS ON THE 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2005/CHEVROLET/EQUINOX/COOLING+SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA #: 10446818
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2012

I PURCHASED THIS 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX IN MAY 2006 WITH 26K MILES ON IT. IN MAY OF 2008 WITH LESS THAN 60K MILES ON IT THE HEAD GASKETS BLEW! GM REFUSED TO REPAIR OR DO ANYTHING TO ASSIST FINANCIALLY IN THE REPAIR. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC (I CANNOT AFFORD GM LABOR RATES) WHO DID IN FACT REPAIR THE HEAD GASKETS AND THE VEHICLE RAN AGAIN. IN NOVEMBER 2009 THE HEAD GASKETS BLEW AGAIN. I AGAIN CALLED GM WITH AN ANSWER OF NO, I FILED A COMPLAINT BUT HEARD NOTHING ABOUT IT. I AGAIN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER NON GM DEALER AND HAD IT REPAIRED. YESTERDAY 1/4/2011 WITH 130,000 MILES AND A MOTOR THAT HAS BEEN OVERHAULED TWICE, THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AGAIN. I AM QUITE SURE THE NHTSA IS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING TO ASSIST IN THIS; HOWEVER, ONE QUICK SEARCH OF "2005 EQUINOX AND HEAD GASKET" AND YOU WILL FIND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN, AND GM QUITE SIMPLY REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I HAVE SPOKEN TO A PERSON AT GM IN THE PAST AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT NOT ENOUGH HAD BEEN REPORTED TO WARRANT A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA #: 10442515
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED TO START WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,400 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,743.

NHTSA #: 10440474
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2011

TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEVER USED TO GO OVER 50% MARK, AND WAS ALWAYS WELL UNDER AND NEVER MOVED. ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO, THE VEHICLE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STARTED TO CLIMB AFTER HIGHWAY DRIVING, THEN IDLING. RECENTLY, THE TEMPERATURE LIGHT CAME ON. I EXPERIENCED A COOLANT ODOR AND THE VEHICLE HAD A ROUGH IDLE ON COLD START. DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS BAD HEAD GASKETS. DEALER MACHINED HEADS, REPLACED GASKETS, REPLACED PLUGS AND FLUSHED/FILLED COOLANT SYSTEM, ALL FOR $2450. READING SOME OF THE WEBSITES, IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A VERY HIGH AMOUNT COMPARED TO WHAT SOME OTHER PEOPLE ARE PAYING AT THEIR DEALERSHIPS. READING INFORMATION PROVIDED ON MYCARSTATS.COM AND MANY OTHER FORUMS/NEWS GROUPS, THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME HEAD GASKET ISSUE WITH THE '05 EQUINOX. IT SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE RED DEXCOOL COOLANT THAT EATS AWAY AT THE HOSES AND HEAD GASKETS, CAUSING GASKET FAILURE, AS WELL AS HEATER CORE FAILURE. THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME RECOURSE TO RECUPERATE MONEY FOR THIS PROBLEM. HEAD GASKETS DON'T TYPICALLY FAIL IN MOST CARS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10430510
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2011

DURING NORMAL DRIVING OPERATIONS THE VEHICLE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES. AUTO REPAIR SHOP STATES IT IS A COMBINATION OF BROKEN HEAD GASKET AND CRACKED EGR VALVE. CHEVY UPGRADED THE EGR VALVE AND THE NEW PART DOES NOT FIT ON THE EXISTING EGR COMPONENT. NOW HAVE TO PAY $280 FOR A NEW EGR ASSEMBLY AS WELL. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR FROM OVERHEATING IS $1900. *TR

NHTSA #: 10420107
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED EVERY TIME HE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IN ORDER TO TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON HE HAD TO DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,500.

NHTSA #: 10416296
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FireFiled: Jul 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT ANYTIME AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000. SM.

NHTSA #: 10415249
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2011

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX LT- AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF DRIVING IT WITH NO PROBLEMS THE HEAD CRACKED. GM IS TAKING NO ACTION TO TRY AND REMEDY THIS SITUATION. *KB

NHTSA #: 10413509
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2011

TOOK MY EQUINOX IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THEN COMES THE BAD NEWS. LOWER INTAKE VALVE GASKETS LEAKING. WHAT!! ONLY 50000 MILES ON VEHICLE THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. $725.00 LATER IT IS FIXED. I HAVE READY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT GM KNOWING THESE WERE DEFECTIVE GASKETS AND SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS.

NHTSA #: 10403272
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
Filed: Apr 2011

I HAVE A 2005 EQUINOX AND HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES NOW IN 3 WEEKS! THE THERMOSTAT WENT OUT, THEN THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND NOW THEY SAY THE HEAD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. BUBBLING SOUND CAN BE HEARD WHEN YOU TAKE OFF FROM A STOP. I'M ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES MAKING ACTING STRANGELY.. THE FRONT SHAKES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10397450
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Mar 2011

HAD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM EXHAUST AND HAVE EXHAUST FUMES COMING THRU THE VENTS, AND FOUND THAT IT WAS THE ERG VALVE (BROKE IN TWO). WENT TO DEALERSHIP TO GET REPLACEMENT PART AND WAS TOLD BY THE PARTS GUY THAT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE EQUINOX AND THAT THEY NOW HAVE CHANGED THE ENTIRE PART SO YOU CAN NO LONGER JUST REPLACE THE $20 TUBE, YOU HAVE TO GET THE $300 PART, PLUS LABOR AND THEN HAVE THE SHOP 'RESET' THE COMPUTER TO MATCH THE NEW PART..........ANOTHER $200 SERVICE. THIS APPARENTLY IS A HUGE PROBLEM DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SHOULD BE RECALLED!!! NICE SCAM CHEVY! *TR

NHTSA #: 10393696
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2011

01/21/2011 THE EQUINOX WOULD NOT TURN OVER AND WAS HAULED TO THE DEALER. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, THERE APPEARED TO BE A SLOW LOSS OF COOLANT, REQUIRING A GALLON OF COOLANT TO BE ADDED OVER THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTH PERIOD. THERE WERE NO LEAKS ON THE GARAGE FLOOR, NOR ANY INTERIOR CABIN LEAKS APPARENT, BUT THERE HAD BEEN A "SYRUPY" SMELL IN THE PASSENGER CABIN. THE DEALER PUT IN A NEW BATTERY AND ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE HEATER CORE WAS LEAKING. THE NEW BATTERY AND HEATER CORE REPLACEMENT TOTALED $1090.11. APPARENTLY, WHEN THE BATTERY DIED, THE DIAGNOSTICS CODES RELATING TO THIS INCIDENT WERE LOST. 03/16/2011 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED FREQUENTLY IN THE PAST BUT HAD ALWAYS BEEN RELATED TO A LOOSE GAS CAP AND WAS EASILY REMEDIED BY TIGHTENING THE CAP. WHEN THAT SOLUTION DID NOT WORK, THE EQUINOX WAS TAKEN INTO THE LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP. IT WAS THEN DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT, WHERE IT IS NOW BEING REPAIRED. THE REPAIR TOTAL IS EXPECTED TO BE ABOUT $1400. IN LESS THAN TWO MONTHS, THIS VEHICLE (WITH ONLY 68K MILES ON IT) HAS REQUIRED AT LEAST $2400 DOLLARS IN HEATER CORE AND ENGINE HEAD GASKET REPAIR COSTS. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE HEATER CORE LEAKS WERE LIKELY TO HAVE HAD THE SUBSEQUENT EFFECT OF COMPROMISING THE INTEGRITY OF THE HEAD GASKET. I HAVE FOUND MANY DOCUMENTED REFERENCES TO SIMILAR PROBLEMS OCCURRING IN THIS ENGINE MAKE, THE 3.4L GM V6. THERE ALSO SEEMS TO BE A RELATED LINK TO PROBLEMS WITH THE TYPE OF COOLANT USED IN THIS ENGINE (DEX COOL). AT THIS POINT, I AM NOT AWARE THAT GM HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS PROBLEM. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT SO THAT IT CAN BE ADDED TO THE MOUNTING EVIDENCE OF PRODUCT DEFECTS IN THIS ENGINE TYPE.

NHTSA #: 10391389
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2011

DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. ENGINE; BLOWN HEAD GASKET; ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED.

NHTSA #: 10382428
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY
Filed: Jan 2011

2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX PASSENGER WINDOW WILL NOT COME DOWN AND DRIVERS WINDOW SOMETIMES WILL NOT COME DOWN. HAVE TO PULL UP OR DOWN WITH HAND.. THE IGNITION DOES NOT LOCK AND THE VEHICLE WILL RUN WITHOUT THE KEY IN IT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10379365
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2011

2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX---WITH A BLOWN HEAD GASKET @ 63,000 MILES. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A PRETTY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE! IT IS A SHAME THAT GM/CHEVROLET WILL NOT STEP UP TO THE PLATE TO HELP OUT ALL OF US POOR UNSUSPECTING OWNERS WHO BOUGHT THIS SHODDY MADE CAR. IF ANYTHING, IT LOOKS AS IF THE NHTSA WOULD INTERVENE ON OUR BEHALF. *TR

NHTSA #: 10377920
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2011

THIS VEHICLE IN TO A GM SHOP MULTIPLE TIMES FOR HEATING ISSUES. THE FIRST TIME THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED. A YEAR LATER IN THE FALL, THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN NOT BLOWING HOT AIR. TOOK IT BACK TO GM AND THEY FLUSHED THE SYSTEM. ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER, IT WAS BROUGHT BACK IN BECAUSE THE HEAT WAS NOT BLOWING AGAIN. FOR THE 2ND TIME THEY REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT. FOLLOWING YEAR, WOULDN'T BLOW HOT AIR AGAIN, THEY FLUSHED THE SYSTEM 3 TIMES AND FINALLY GOT THE HEAT WORKING AGAIN. FAST FORWARD TO FALL 2010. SAME PROBLEM, NOT BLOWING HEAT ONLY THIS TIME THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. GM DIAGNOSED A CRACKED HEAD GASKET AND A LEAKY WATER PUMP AND WOULDN'T COVER ANY OF THE SO CALLED PROBLEMS. THE FIRST 3-4 TIMES THAT THE CAR WAS IN TO BE WORKED ON IT HAD THE SAME "SYMPTOMS" 1. WHEN THE HEAT WAS WORKING AND I SLOWED TO STOP - IT WOULD START BLOWING COOL AIR, BUT AS SOON AS I ACCELERATED, THE WARM AIR RETURNED. 2. IF I TURNED THE FAN KNOB PAST THE 2ND TICK, IT WOULD START BLOWING COLD AIR. IN 2010, STARTED WITH THE ABOVE SYMPTOMS AND ONLY TO HAVE THE HEAT GO OUT COMPLETELY. GM WON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT.THIS GO AROUND DIAGNOSED A CRACKED HEAD GASKET AND A LEAKY WATER PUMP AND WOULDN'T HELP PAY TO FIX BECAUSE IT WAS A "NEW" DIAGNOSIS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. FUNNY HOW EACH TIME IT WAS IN PREVIOUSLY, THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS ARE DOCUMENT IN THEIR SYSTEM AND NO CRACKED HEAD GASKET OR LEAKY WATER PUMP WAS THE CAUSE. THEY'RE SKIRTING BY ON AN UNDERLYING ISSUE AND AREN'T WARRANTING THEIR PRODUCT! WE'VE SINCE TAKEN IT TO TWO SEPARATE MECHANICS AND THEY'VE BOTH TOLD US THE ISSUE ISN'T CAUSED BY A CRACKED HEAD GASKET OR LEAKY WATER PUMP. WE'VE AGAIN REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT ONLY TO HAVE THE HEAT GO OUT ON OUR 3 HOUR CAR RIDE HOME FROM THE HOLIDAY WITH A BABY IN THE CAR-NICE GM YOU ARE A JOKE. I'VE ALWAYS OWNED A GM PRODUCT BUT AFTER BEING SWEPT UNDER THE RUG, I WILL NEVER BUY ONE AGAIN!

NHTSA #: 10375753
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2011

2005 CHEVY EQUINOX. INCIDENT STARTED IN SUMMER STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. IN SHOP TODAY AS WE SPEAK! 1/3/2011. *TR

NHTSA #: 10373882
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATING SYSTEM WAS INOPERABLE AND THAT THE ENGINE WOULD OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO FLUSHED THE HEATER CORE, PERFORMED A PRESSURE TEST, REPLACED THE CYLINDERS, INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET SET, OIL FILTER, HEAD GASKET, EXHAUST MANIFOLD, DISTRIBUTOR O-RINGS, HEAD VOLT SET, AND THE ANTIFREEZE. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,075. UPDATED 02/23/11*LJ UPDATED 05/20/11

NHTSA #: 10371750
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2010

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER OVER HEATING OCCURRED. REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP AND THEN FOUND OUT THEIR WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. NOW I NEED TO PLACE A NEW MOTOR IN A 2005 EQUINOX WITH ONLY 113000 MILES! *TR

NHTSA #: 10371007
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2010

89,000 MILES NEEDED TO REPLACE HEAD GASKET. FAILURE AT CYLINDER #1. LOOKING AT OTHER COMPLAINTS IT APPEARS THAT CYLINDER 1 HEAD GASKET FAILURE IS COMMON. *TR

NHTSA #: 10370381
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2010

2005 CHEVY EQUINOX HEAD GASKETS WENT AFTER 76,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA #: 10370000
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2010

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 59,900 MILES. TOOK IT IN TO FIRESTONE THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC ON IT AND SAID THAT THE SPARK PLUGS / WITING WERE BAD. HAD THEM REPLACED FOR AT A COST OF $400. A WEEK LATER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND CAR OVERHEATED. TOOK IT IN TO FIRESTONE AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY SAID THE HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN AND THE #1 CYLINDER WAS LEAKING. REPAIR ESTIMATE $1500 TO REPLACE THE GASKETS, PLUS AN ADDITIONAL $1000 IF THE HEAD IS CRACKED. HAVE DONE MUCH RESEARCH AND FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG GM VEHICLES THAT REQUIRE THE DEX-COOL COOLANT. FOUND A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN CA AND MO BUT THAT ONLY COVERED UP TO 2003 MODELS. OBVIOUSLY GM KNOWS THIS TO BE AN ISSUE, SO I HAVE TO WONDER WHY ARE THEY ALLOWED TO CONTINUE SELLING DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS? *TR

NHTSA #: 10366992
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH GASOLINE FUMES WERE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRACKED EGR VALVE AND THE PCV VALVE SEVEN DAYS AGO FOR $600 AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A CLAIM WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. UPDATED 01/14/11*LJ UPDTATED 2/17/11 *CN UPDATED 04/29/11

NHTSA #: 10366883
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2010

BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX WITH 60,000 MILES. INTERNET RESEARCH REVEALED THIS AS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL CHEVY VEHICLES WITH 3.4L ENGINES. SOME WITH MILEAGE BELOW 30,000 MILES. GM IS IGNORING ISSUE AND UP TO $3000 REPAIR BILLS. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10361276
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2010

IN APRIL OF 09 THE TRUCK WAS LEAKING OIL, HAD HEAD GASKET REPLACED. IN JUNE 2010 THE ENGINE OVERHEATED HEAD GASKETS WAS REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. WHEN RECEIVED TRUCK BACK FROM DEALER TRUCK DIED ON FREEWAY AND NOW IT NEEDS NEW FUSE BLOCK AND MAIN COMPUTER. JUST PAID 2500 IN REPAIRS AND DEALER WANTS 1500 AND CANNOT TELL ME IF THAT WILL FIX THE CURRENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. TRUCK IS NOW WORTH 3,000. THIS WAS A 24,000 TRUCK. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10358082
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,SEATS
FireFiled: Sep 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE WIRES UNDER THE SEAT WERE GETTING HOT AND MELTING, BUT THE SEAT WAS NOT GETTING HOT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,750. UPDATED 01/04/11*LJ ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE SEAT WERE AFTER MARKET AND THERE WAS NO WIRING CHART. ALSO, THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS WORN. UPDATED 01/07/11

NHTSA #: 10356974
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2010

THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO THE CAR ITSELF, AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND WINDOW SWITCHES. I PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX FROM CHRIS NICKEL DEALERSHIP (USED). FOR $10,000 ON JUNE 12, 2010 ;NOT EVEN 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL UP......IT HAD THE MOTOR IN THE WINDOW GO OUT......HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED..... AT 8 WEEKS OF OWNING IT....THE BRAKES WERE SQUEALING........TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP......THEY SAID IT IS NORMAL FOR THESE CARS AND BRAKES TO DO THAT........THEY SAID THEY TURNED THE ROTORS AND GRAVITATED THEM AND SAID IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM......ON MY WAY HOME....THE CAR AIR CONDITIONER WAS BLOWING OUT HOT AIR......I ONCE AGAIN CALLED THE DEALERSHIP......THEY SAID IT WAS MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY LOW FREON........HOWEVER 2 WEEKS LATER IT STARTED MAKING A FUNNY NOISE........TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT.......TOLD IT I WAS TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT......IT WOULD LOCK UP THE ENGINE.........IT COST 918.00 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED.......(CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO LET THEM KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM....REFUSED TO LISTEN AND MAKE CUSTOMERS HAPPY........ IN MY PURCHASE......THEY HAD A CERTIFIED MECHANIC INSPECTORS SIGNED AND DATED FORM SHOWING THAT ALL ITEMS HAD BEEN CHECKED AND THEY WERE IN TIP TOP SHAPE........NOW I AM WONDERING DO THEY JUST GO THROUGH AND PLACE A CHECK MARK IN ALL THE BOXES BECAUSE SOME OF THE BOXES WERE CHECKED AND THEY ARE NOT INCLUDED IN MY CAR.......... I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM IN THESE VEHICLES AND COSTING CONSUMERS LOTS OF MONEY THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PUT OUT.....PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM.......MAKE THE CONSUMERS HAPPY CHECK OUT THIS WEBSITE FOR MORE COMPLAINTS ON THE 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2005/CHEVROLET/EQUINOX/COOLING+SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA #: 10352504
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2010

VEHICLE BEGAN IDLING ROUGH AFTER SITTING ALL NIGHT AND THEN BACKING OUT OF GARAGE. ONCE IN DRIVE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD FLASH FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS. EVENTUALLY, AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE DEALER WHO TOLD ME IT WAS THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON AGAIN. NOW IT NEEDS A NEW REAR HEAD GASKET AND THE #1 CYLINDER IS LEAKING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10344168
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2010

MY 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART IN TRAFFIC FOR APPROXIMATELY THE 5TH TIME IN THE PAST THREE YEARS. THE FIRST FOUR TIMES WERE FINALLY DIAGNOSED BY GM AS A FAULTY COMPUTER THAT WAS GETTING WET DUE TO A BAD SEAL FROM THE SUNROOF. BECAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS, I LEASED ANOTHER CAR FOR MY WIFE WHILE I WAS DEPLOYED TO IRAQ SO I WOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HER SAFETY. THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FINE FOR THE PAST YEAR THAT I HAVE BEEN HOME. I HAVE ROUTINELY CHANGED MY OIL AND INSPECTED FLUIDS AND AIR PRESSURES ETC. ON VEHICLES. THE LATEST OCCURRENCE HAPPENED ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK. IT STALLED WAS DUE TO WHAT THE DEALER IS CALLING INTERNAL DAMAGE. SPEAKING TO A CLAIMS AGENT FOR GM I WAS INITIALLY TOLD TO HAVE DEALER CALL FOR AN AUTHORIZATION. THEY REFUSED TO HONOR MY EXTENDED GM WARRANTY AND ARE DEMANDING $1700 JUST TO TEAR IT DOWN TO SEE WHAT THE FAULT OR PROBLEM IS. I HAVE CONTACTED GM EXT WARRANTY AND THEY HAVE FINALLY AGREED TO SEND A INSPECTOR. NOW THEY ARE DEMANDING PROOF OF OIL CHANGES. I CONTACTED MY OIL CHANGE SERVICE CENTER AND THEY JUST SOLD TO A NEW OWNER AND CANNOT ACCESS OLD DATABASE PAST 1 APR 2010...THIS VEHICLE HAS BROKE DOWN (STALLED WITH NO POWER) ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS IN VERY DANGEROUS AREAS WITH LIMITED ROOM TO PULL OVER DUE TO MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND NUMEROUS BIG RIGS TRAVELING THE ROUTE. NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES HAVE OCCURRED YET, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. AFTER THIS LATEST INCIDENT, I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS EXAMPLES OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING SIMILAR INCIDENTS WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE/MOTOR. I AM GENUINELY CONCERNED FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY, AND FURTHERMORE, DEEPLY DISTURBED THAT I HAVE BEEN PAYING FOR A GM EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT THEY DO NOT WISH TO CHOOSE TO HONOR. WHAT KIND OF PRESSURE OR RECOURSE CAN YOUR OFFICE APPLY TO GM BEFORE THEY ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR A PRODUCT THAT IS DEFECTIVE AND A SAFETY HAZARD. I ACTUALLY LIKE THIS CAR, BUT IT HAS TURNED INTO NOTHING BUT A LEMON. *TR

NHTSA #: 10331387
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2010

DEFECTIVE HEAD AND REAR SEAL GASKET,AND TENSIONER... *TR

NHTSA #: 10329536
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2010

I HAD TO HAVE MY 2005 EQUINOX'S HEAD GASKETS REPAIRED. I BOUGHT IT CERTIFIED USED AND GM IS NOT COVERING THE COST. IT HAS 80,000 MILES AND I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL SITESON THE INTERNET REPORTING THIS AS AN ISSUE WITH THE 3.4 LITER ENGINE. MY COUSIN AND HER HUSBAND HAD A PONTIAC MONTANA MINI VAN THAT HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND GM DID NOTHING ABOUT IT. I FOUND ONE SITE LISTING COURT CASES IN CA AND MO BECAUSE OF THE DEXCOOL DESTROYING GASKETS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10329702
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2010

MY 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX STARTED OVERHEATING THIS WINTER. IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED A BROKEN WATER PUMP. A FEW MONTHS PASSED WITH NO ISSUE THEN IT STARTED OVERHEATING AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I'VE GONE ON MULTIPLE SITES THAT REPORT THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR CHEVY EQUINOX. ALTHOUGH, NO ONE WAS HURT IN MY SITUATION, THE REPEATED OCCURRENCE OF THIS HAPPENING WITH OTHER EQUINOX OWNERS IS PUZZLING AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AT THE LEAST. IN MY SITUATION I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR SLOWED DOWN FROM 60 MPH TO UNDER 40 MPH. LUCKILY THERE WEREN'T A LOT OF DRIVERS ON THE ROAD AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL ALL THE WAY OVER ACROSS TRAFFIC. . THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE AND CHEVY HAS EVEN LOGGED THIS FAULTY HEAD GASKET ISSUE IN THEIR SERVICE BULLETINS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10325689
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2010

2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX LT AWD - NEW ENGINE NEEDED AT 93,000 MILES. THIS CAR HAD ALL SUGGESTED SERVICE AND OIL CHANGES. UPDATED IVOQ. 07/13/10.*JB

NHTSA #: 10323458
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2010

I HAVE A LOW MILE 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX WITH A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I'VE DONE MY REASEARCH NOT TO FIND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 05-09 MODELS. CHEVY KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE, THAT IS A EXREAMLY COSTLY REPAIR AND BY THE TIME IT HAPPENS MOST OF US ARE OUT OF OUT WARENTY.

NHTSA #: 10322865
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD BEGIN TO RUN HOT AND THE COOLANT LEVEL WOULD CONTINUALLY DECREASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HIS LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75000.

NHTSA #: 10316248
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2010

I OWN A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR-BEFORE AND AFTER WARRANTY. MOST RECENTLY, I HAD TO PAY OVER 1600.00 TO HAVE MY HEAD GASKETS REPLACED/REPAIRED. I AM STILL WAITING TO SEE IF DIFFERENT GASKETS ARE CRACKED AND WILL NEED REPAIR. I HAVE HEARD FROM NUMEROUS REPAIRS SHOPS AND ONLINE SOURCES, THAT THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS WITH THE CHEVY EQUINOX WERE KNOWN BEFORE BEING PUT OUT FOR SALE. MY CAR OVERHEATED ON THE HIGHWAY AND LOCKED UP. I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. I WAS THANKFULLY ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD. THESE ISSUES COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF CHEVY WOULD HAVE FIXED THIS PROBLEM PRIOR TO SELLING. THERE IS NO REASON WHY A FOUR YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD REQUIRE THIS MUCH WORK. *TR

NHTSA #: 10299603
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE IDLING THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AS IT WOULD STALL. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 50-60 MPH THE TEMPERATURE AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND THEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL GAS STATION. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE THERMOSTAT FAILED, BECAUSE IT WAS LOCATED NEAR THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

NHTSA #: 10293706
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2009

2005 CHEVY EQUINOX, REPLACED HEAD GASKET 2 TIMES, BLOWN AGAIN. THE EXHAUST AND FUMES THAT COME OUT BECAUSE OF THIS ARE HORRIBLE. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED, GM IS VERY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10293257
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2009

I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE MY 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX PURCHASED IN FEBRUARY 2005 WHICH HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED BY CRANE CHEVROLET IN CLIFTON NJ HAS NOW HAVE A BLOWN HAD GASKET AND INTAKE PROBLEM - I CALLED THE DEALER FOR A ONE TIME GOODWILL ADJUSTMENT AND ASKED FOR THE DEDUCTIBLE- AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO HAVE THIS CAR TOWED TO THEM - BUT THEY CANNOT MAKE PROMISES TO FIX OR REPAIR OR EVEN PAY PART OF THE COSTS- I HAVE DONE RESEARCH VIA GOGGLE AND THIS APPEARS TO BE A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM - PLS HELP ME- POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION- THE REPAIR IS 1650.00 - I INITIALLY LEASED THIS CAR THEN DECIDED TO PURCHASE IT- I COULD NOT AFFORD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10287107
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2009

2005 EQUINOX, 70,000 MILES, STARTED OVER HEATING, TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE STATED IT WAS A BLOW HEAD GASKET, COST MIN OF $2000.00. I CALLED GM AND NOTIFIED THEM OF THE PROBLEM, THEY ASKED ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO A GM DEALER AND THEY WOULD DIAGNOSE AND SEE IF GM COULD HELP. THE CAR SAT AT THE GM DEALER FOR 3WEEKS AND THEN GM STATED THEY DON'T HELP WITH ANY REPAIR COSTS. THE DEALER WOULD NOT RELEASE MY BROKEN CAR TO ME UNTIL I PAID $100.00 FOR THE DIAGNOSIS, WHICH I ALREADY KNEW, AND GM CORP. WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS WHEN THEY ARE THE ONES THAT SENT ME THERE! GM KNEW ABOUT THE DEFECT IN THE HEAD GASKETS ON THE 2005 EQUINOX, THEY KNEW THE HEAD GASKET WOULD ONLY LAST FOR 3-5YEARS. THEY ARE NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT OR HELPING IN ANYWAY THEIR LOYAL CUSTOMERS. I HAVE A BROKEN CAR I CANNOT PAY TO FIX AND I STILL OWE A YEAR AND A HALF LEFT ON MY NOTE. I AM PAYING $507.00 PER MONTH ON MY NOTE FOR A BROKEN CAR! *TR

NHTSA #: 10286762
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2009

WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, ENGINE WOULD CONTINUALLY ROLL OVER UNTIL STARTING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY MANY TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY TRIED TO TELL ME THAT I WAS HOLDING THE KEY TOO LONG IN THE START POSITION. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES AND HAVE BEEN LICENSED FOR OVER 15 YEARS, NEVER HAPPENED WITH ANY OTHER CAR. NOW 5 YEARS LATER, WITH ONLY 65K MILES, IT STILL ROLLS OVER BUT DOESN'T START. I HAVE TO TRY AGAIN AND PUMP THE GAS A FEW TIMES TO GET IT TO START. *TR

NHTSA #: 10280125
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2009

I AM ALSO HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH MY EQUINOX. IT SOMETIMES DOESN'T WANT TO START & I WILL HAVE TO GIVE IT GAS TO START IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 DIFFERENT CHEVY DEALERS THAT SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT AFTER CHECKING IT OUT ON THE MACHINE ($99 EACH TIME). *TR

NHTSA #: 10277087
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2009

AT APPROX 130K MILES THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS CRACKED. $1,800 TO REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA #: 10269042
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2009

AT APPROX 125K MILES THE THERMOSTAT FAILED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10269050
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2009

AT INTERMITTENT TIMES, FOR NO REASON, THE VEHICLE WON'T START. IT TURNS OVER LIKE IT WANTS TO BUT THEN DOESN'T. IT DOESN'T DO THIS ALL THE TIME AND THERE'S NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY IT CHOOSES TO DO THIS WHENEVER. I USUALLY HAVE TO GIVE IT GAS IN ORDER FOR THE ENGINE TO FIRE UP. *TR

NHTSA #: 10269049
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2009

I HAVE A 2005 EQUINOX. IT STARTED LOSING POWER, OVERHEATED THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC WITHIN ONE MILE OF INCIDENT HE TOLD ME I HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET OR CRACKED BLOCK. CODE P1258-ENGINE OVERHEATING. LOST COOLANT, THOUGH THERE WAS NO LEAK UNDERNEATH. *TR

NHTSA #: 10267547
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2009

MY 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX WANT START SOMETIMES AFTER SHORT TRIPS. IT WILL TURN OVER BUT WANT CRANK (IT ALMOST ACTS LIKE IT IS FLOODED). THEN AFTER ABOUT 10 OR 20 MINUTES IT WILL CRANK LIKE NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. THIS IS STARTING TO HAPPEN ALL THE TIME NOW. IT IS VERY ANNOYING WHEN THIS HAPPENS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10263327
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2009

IN JANUARY, 2008, I STARTED TO NOTICE AN ANTIFREEZE ODOR WHENEVER THE WEATHER WARMED A LITTLE. ON FEBRUARY 2, I STOPPED TO GET THE CARE WASHED AND WHILE I WAS DRYING IT OFF NOTICED STEAM COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR, WITH A STRONG ANTIFREEZE ODOR. I DROVE THE CAR DIRECTLY TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC, ONE THAT I USE EXCLUSIVELY FOR AFTER-WARRANTY REPAIRS IN MY TOWN. I WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE HAD WHAT SEEMED TO BE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON INITIAL EXAMINATION, BUT THEY WOULD LET ME KNOW FOR SURE AFTER THEY WERE ABLE TO CHECK IT FURTHER. INDEED IT WAS WHAT THEY THOUGHT, AND IT COST ME $970 TO REPAIR. I ASKED THEM WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED SUCH A THING IN A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX THAT WASN'T EVEN 4 YEARS OLD. I WAS TOLD THAT CHEVROLET USES DEX-COOL ORANGE COOLANT IN THIS VEHICLE AND IT HAS BEEN KNOWN TO CAUSE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. IT HAS ONLY BEEN NOW,MONTHS LATER, THAT I HAVE LEARNED GM AGREED TO SETTLE A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT TIED TO THE ENGINE COOLANT IN VEHICLES BEGINNING IN 1995. I HAVE OBTAINED A COPY OF THE PAPERWORK FOR THE CLASS-ACTION SUIT AND AM AWARE THAT THE YEARS INVOLVED ARE 1995 TO 2003 FOR THE GROUP A VEHICLES WITH 3.1 LITER OR 3.4 LITER V6 ENGINES MANUFACTURED BEFORE 4/10/2003. I WAS NOT FORTUNATE TO BELONG WITHIN THIS GROUP OF CARS WHO COULD BE COMPENSATED, AND MISSED THE FILING DEADLINE OF OCTOBER 27, 2008. HOWEVER, I AM EXTREMELY UPSET THAT GM CONTINUED TO USE THIS COOLANT IN A BRAND NEW MODEL IN 2005 KNOWING THERE HAD BEEN SERIOUS PROBLEMS FOR THE SAME TYPE ENGINE FOR YEARS OF USING IT. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY WAY I CAN RECOUP THE COST OT REPAIRING MY CAR DURING A TIME WHEN I STILL OWED ALMOST 1 1/2 YEARS PAYMENTS BEFORE IT WAS PAID OFF. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SALESMAN TOLD ME IF I HAD OWNED A 2007 MODEL IT WOULD STILL HAVE BEEN UNDER WARRANTY. THAT WAS A HEARTWARMING THING TO HEAR. *TR

NHTSA #: 10259590
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2008

I HAVE A 2005 EQUINOX. IT STARTED OVERHEATING AND LOSING COOLANT, THOUGH THERE WAS NO LEAK UNDERNEATH. BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME I HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I EMAILED CHEVY BUT BECAUSE ITS NOT AT A DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO HELP ANY WITH THE PROBLEM. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW SOMETHING SO MAJOR CAN BREAK ON A 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10248434
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2008

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. *TR

NHTSA #: 10245871
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2008

I BOUGHT A 2005 EQUINOX 4 MONTHS AGO, PAID $4000.00 DOWN ON THIS CAR AND THEN 2 MONTH LATER I HAD TO PUT OUT $ 956.00 ON THE COOLING SYSTEM. THE AIR COMPRESSOR HAD WENT OUT. NOW 2 MONTHS LATER THE CAR HAD STARTED GETTING A LITTLE OVER HEATED. I PUT ENGINE COOLANT IN IT AND IT SEEMED TO BE DOING BETTER. 2 WEEKS AFTER PUTTING THE ENGINE COOLANT IN IT RUNS HOT AGAIN WORSE THAN BEFORE AND I AM BEING TOLD THAT IT HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I TOOK IT TO A PLACE THAT I TRUST WITH MY VEHICLE REPAIRS FIRST BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT DUE TO BEING AFRAID IT WOULD MESS IT UP EVEN MORE. THEY CALLED AND TOLD ME WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND THAT'S WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAY THEY ARE GOING TO COME AND TOW THE VEHICLE TO THEIR SHOP AND CHECK IT OUT AND SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE. OR EITHER SEE ABOUT GIVING ME ANOTHER CAR. I'M NOT GOING TO KEEP PUTTING MONEY OUT TO GET THIS CAR FIXED AND NOTHING IS UNDER WARRANTY ANY MORE. THERE ARE A FEW OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. A COUPLE OF TIMES IT'S ACTED LIKE IT DIDN'T WANT TO START, AND I CAN GET OUT OF IT AND LOCK IT AND BEFORE I WALK AWAY IT WILL UNLOCK BY IT SELF. ALSO I HAVE GOTTEN OUT OF IT AND THE BELL WILL KEEP DINGING LIKE THE KEY IS STILL IN IT. I'VE NOTICED THAT WHEN I'M MAKING A SHARP TURN THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE NOISE WITH THE FRONT TIRE OR SOMETHING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I CAN'T AFFORD TO BE FIXING THIS CAR EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS. IT'S CRAZY... *TR

NHTSA #: 10245201
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2008

OUR 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX BEGAN TO BLOW WARMER AIR THAN USUAL WHEN IN THE COLDEST AIR CONDITIONING SETTING. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS AN INTERNAL VALVE IN THE COMPRESSOR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. $1,050.00 TO REPLACE. OUR VEHICLE IS 9 MONTHS AND 4,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HE SAID WITHOUT HAVING TO LOOK ANYTHING UP. IT'S A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH THE 2005 MODEL YEAR EQUINOX AND THE PART IS BACK ORDERED FOR 2 MONTHS BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA #: 10236554
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2008

TOOK DELIVERY O '05 EQUINOX IN JUNE OF '04. WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR I BEGAN HAVING AN ODOR OF COOLANT IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. HAD COOLANT SYSTEM FLUSHED AND TANK CLEANED OUT IN APRIL OF '05. THIS WAS APPARENTLY BEFORE A TSB WAS ISSUED FOR THE PROBLEM. IN MARCH OF '06 I HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND THIS TIME THEY HAD A TSB FOR IT AND CHANGED THE HOSES AND COOLANT UNDER WARRANTY. AGAIN IN JULY OF '06 DEALER REPLACED THE TANK AND COOLANT DUE TO COOLANT GELLING IN TANK. IN AUGUST OF '06 WITH 35,557 MILES ON THE CAR (JUST UNDER THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY THERE WAS AGAIN THE SMELL ACCOMPANIED BY OVERHEATING. DEALER FOUND LEAKS IN THE FRONT AND REAR HEAD GASKET. JUST BARELY GOT THIS JOB IN UNDER WARRANTY! WITHIN WEEKS I WAS BACK AT THE DEALER FOR A HEATER CORE REPLACEMENT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS SOMETIMES HAPPENS WITH THE PROBLEM OF THE HEAD GASKET. (WHY DIDN'T THEY CHECK THIS WHEN THEY WERE DOING THE HEAD GASKET IF THAT WAS THE CASE?) ANYWAY I WAS BACK TO THE DEALER BY DECEMBER DUE TO THE SOUND OF AIR IN THE SYSTEM AFTER THE HEATER CORE REPLACEMENT. THEY FOUND A LEAK BETWEEN THE TRANNY AND THE BACK OF THE BLOCK. THEY REPLACED THE METAL HEATER O-RING THAT WAS LEAKING. I NEVER ASKED FOR ANY OF THE OLD PARTS FROM THE DEALER. I RECENTLY HAD THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC (NOT THE DEALER) BECAUSE OF THE SMELL OF COOLANT IN THE CABIN AND THE SOUND OF WATER RUSHING/AIR IN THE SYSTEM. HE TOLD ME THERE IS A TSB FOR HTH PROBLEM AND I WOULD HAVE TO FLUSH THE SYSTEM AND CHANGE ALL THE HOSES. THAT WAS THE END OF MARCH AND I WAS SAVING $ FOR THE JOB. THIS WEEK MY CAR OVERHEATED ALL THE WAY TO THE RED AND WHEN I CHECKED THE RESERVOIR IT WAS EMPTY. I CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE OR FLUSH THE COOLANT SYSTEM EVERY FEW MONTHS OR YEAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS SUPPOSED TO LAST MUCH LONGER. IF YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE ON A REMEDY FOR THE SITUATION I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE WHICH I HAVE NOT LISTED HERE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10231225
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2008

BEGINNING IN 2007, THE CAR WOULD STALL A LITTLE WHEN I TRIED TO START IT. IT WOULD CATCH AND START, BUT THE NOISE WAS OF SOME CONCERN. EARLY THIS YEAR, THE CAR WOULD FAIL TO START AT ALL WHEN I WENT TO CRANK IT. I'VE HAD IT IN THE SERVICE SHOPS AT TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS, AND THEY'VE BOTH TOLD ME THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I WAS STRANDED AGAIN TODAY, BUT THE CAR FINALLY STARTED AFTER I WAITED FOR THE TOW TRUCK FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR. BOTH TIMES THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP, THE FOLKS WORKING ON IT RAN EVERY TEST THEY NEW OF AND TRIED TO REPEAT THE PROBLEM BUT COULDN'T. *TR

NHTSA #: 10231014
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2008

77K MILES ON VEHICLE, LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD, HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, ALSO IGNITION CYLINDER FAILURE, DEXCOOL COOLANT SUPPOSEDLY IS DEGRADING THE NYLON MATERIAL IN COOLANT LINES, THE ENTIRE HEAD GASKET UNIT HAS TO BE REPLACED ($1500), I HAVE ALL SERVICE RECORDS FOR VEHICLE AND HAVE NOT MISSED A SCHEDULE PREVENTABLE MAINTENANCE/OIL CHANGE/ETC...FOR VEHICLE AND I BOUGHT VEHICLE BRAND NEW OFF OF LOT WITH 83 MILES. *TR

NHTSA #: 10227849
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2008

I JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE A 205 CHEVY EQUINOX AND THE 2ND DAY I TOOK MY WIFE FOR A DRIVE & WE BOTH NOTICED A BAD ODOR COMING FROM THE VENTILATION. IT CAUSED HER TO GET SICK. I TOLD THE DEALER AND THEY DID AN IONIZER CLEANING THING, BUT THAT DIDN'T WORK, BECAUSE AFTER 2 DAYS, FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS I'VE BEEN SICK WITH UPSET STOMACH, NAUSEA, HEADACHE, SINUS PROBLEMS, EARACHE. HAD TO TAKE OFF WORK BECAUSE I WAS FEELING BAD. I'VE READ SOME OTHER REPORTS ON THIS TYPE VEHICLE AND NOTICED PEOPLE COMPLAINED ABOUT SAME THING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10221573
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2008

SINCE I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE IN 2005, I'VE HAD NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHERE THERE'S BEEN TROUBLE WITH THE ENGINE CRANKING EXCESSIVELY. AFTER TOO MANY TIMES OF THIS HAPPENING OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, I FINALLY TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER WHEN IT STARTED GETTING WORSE. THIS WAS ON 8/31/07. MY RESPONSE FROM THE DEALER WAS THAT THIS IS "NORMAL" DUE TO SERVICE BULLETIN #03-06-03-001C. I'VE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE PROBLEM, AND IT GETS WORSE AND WORSE. THIS IS NOT A "NORMAL" PROBLEM. CHEVROLET NEEDS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL FOR ALL OF ITS CUSTOMERS OUT THERE THAT HAVE THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10216195
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2007

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON FILL UP WITH GAS TO RESET AS BOOK STATED NO LUCK TOOK TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS STATED THE 02 SENSOR NEEDED REPAIRING PICKED UP AFTER THE REPAIR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER DRIVING LESS THAN 10 MILES TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALER. *TR

NHTSA #: 10213269
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE
Filed: Dec 2007

I WAS TRAVELING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY (RTE 495 S). I SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND FELT A JOLT. I THOUGHT THAT I HAD GOTTEN A FLAT TIRE, SO I PROCEEDED TO PULL INTO THE BREAK DOWN LANE. THE CAR WAS IDLING FINE BUT MADE A HORRIBLE SCRAPING NOISE WHEN MOVING. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THE BOLTS SUPPORTING MY ENGINE BLOCK HAD SNAPPED AND THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE ENGINE WAS MY AXLE ' HENCE THE AWFUL SCRAPING NOISE. MY CAR IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD AND HAS APPROXIMATELY 30K MILES - I WOULD THINK A PART AS IMPORTANT AS THE BOLTS SUPPORTING MY ENGINE BLOCK SHOULD LAST LONGER. I HAVE ALL PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10211812
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2007

AUTO WAS AT REST AT A STOP LIGHT JUST AFTER EXITING EXPRESSWAY. AUTO SEEMED TO LOSE POWER WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TEMP GAUGE WAS READING HOT. I SLOWLY DROVE ABOUT A MILE HOME. AT THIS TIME I TURN OFF THE AUTO AND OPENED THE HOOD. I LET IT SIT TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, AT THAT TIME I TRIED TO START THE AUTO AND IT WOULDN'T TURN OVER. I LET IT SIT OVERNIGHT AND TRIED TO START NEXT MORNING, IT TURNED OVER HARD AND STARTED. I TURNED IT OFF, CHECKED THE COOLANT IT WAS VERY LOW. I ADDED COOLANT, LET IT RUN ABOUT 10MIN, LOTS OF STEAM COME FROM TAIL PIPE AND NO HEAT FROM VENTS. I THEN CHECKED ENGINE OIL, IT SEEMED WATERED DOWN. A FRIEND WHO KNOWS CARS TOLD ME HEAD GASKET. MY 3YEAR OLD CHEVY NOW NEEDS AT LEAST $1500 TO $2000 WORTH OF REPAIRS THAT MAY NOT BE UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10211237
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2007

CURRENTLY MY VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP FOR A HEAD GASKET REPAIR. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR A TSB ON THE COOLING SYSTEM TO HAVE THE SYSTEM FLUSHED AND NEW HOSES AND COOLANT REPLACED. A FOUL ODOR WAS BEING RELEASED FROM THE VEHICLE AND A SLUDGE AND DISCOLORATION WAS BUILDING UP IN THE RESERVE TANK. I RECENTLY STARTED TO NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING HOT (NEAR RED LINE AT STOP LIGHTS). UPON CHECKING MY COOLANT LEVEL IT WAS VERY LOW. IT IS A CLOSED COOLING SYSTEM AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP. UPON A SERVICE WRITER OPENING THE HOOD THE VEHICLE WAS SIZZLING AND BOILING. HE QUICKLY POINTED OUT THE SLUDGE AND DISCOLORATION AGAIN IN MY RESERVE TANK AND HE TOLD ME THIS WAS INDICATIVE OF A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT I HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I HAVE RESEARCHED ON LINE AND SEEN THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED WITH NUMEROUS OTHER 2005 EQUINOX OWNERS RESULTING IN MAJOR ENGINE PROBLEMS AND FAILURES. EVERYTHING FROM GASKETS AND HEADS TO WATER PUMPS AND ENTIRE ENGINES HAVING TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED IS ON RECORD. IS THERE ANY RECOURSE AVAILABLE TO THE CONSUMER IN THE EVENT THAT PROBLEMS SHOULD CONTINUE AFTER THIS MAJOR REPAIR? MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND I STILL OWE A VERY SUBSTANTIAL BALANCE. I CANNOT AFFORD CONTINUING MAJOR REPAIR COSTS IN ADDITION TO MY MONTHLY PAYMENTS WHEN IT APPEARS THIS WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT/PROBLEM. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RESPONSE. DONNA HUFF-BOLEK SHADY SIDE, MARYLAND *TR

NHTSA #: 10209764
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY
Filed: Aug 2007

TENSIONER,PULLEY& FAN BELTS FAILURES...DRIVER SIDE WINDOW-DEFECT..WINDOWS FREEZES WILL NOT GO UP,WHEN UP WILL NOT GO DOWN.. *TR

NHTSA #: 10198132
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY
Filed: Jun 2007

I BOUGHT THE EQINOX IN THE END OF FEBRUARY 2005. I NOTICED A SOUR SMELL, AND HAD THE DEALER CLEAN INTERIOR BECAUSE OF THE ROTTEN SMELL. THE SMELL PERSISTED, AND THE DEALER HAD THE COOLANT SYSTEM FLUSHED AND SAID THAT WOULD CURE THE PROBLEM. THEN , WHEN THE WEATHER WARMED UP AND I TURNED ON THE VENT LIGHT STEAM WOULD COME OUT OF THE VENTS AND MOISTURE ON THE WINDOW INSIDE. I HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP AGAIN FOR 5 DAYS, AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY HAD FLUSHED THE SYSTEM AGAIN AND THE SMELL WAS STILL THERE. TWO WEEKS LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE ORIGINALS DEALER, AND THEY DETERMINED THE HEATER CORE WAS GONE AND THEY REPLACED IT AND SEEMED TO RUN FINE , EXCEPT IT SEEMED TO RUN HOT AND WOULD LEAVE A LARGE PUDDLE. I COMPLAINED, BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NORMAL, AND THAT ALL WAS OKAY. LAST MONTH IN MAY 2007 EVERY TIME I STOPPED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD CLIMB SO THE DEALER REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT. 3 WEEKS LATER THE GAUGE WOULD HIT RED EVERY TIME I WOULD STOP AT A LIGHT. I BROUGHT IT BACK AGAIN THIS TIME THEY SAID THE HEAD GASKETS WERE SHOT. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET, AND THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO GAVE ME THE PARTS, BUT IT STILL COST $918.00 SINCE NOW I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL MECHANICS, AND THEY CLAIMED THE ENGINE HEADS WARPED DUE TO THE HEATER CORE PROBLEMS IN THE BEGINNING, AND THAT IF I HAD A PRIVATE REPAIRMAN REPAIR THE GASKETS THE JOB WOULD HAVE COASTED $1000, AND CHEVROLET DID NOT GIVE ME ANY REAL BREAK.*AK

NHTSA #: 10194991
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2007

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON AN INCLINE THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY. THE CHECK ENGINE OCCASIONALLY ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE ENGINE STALLED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A CRACKED SPARK PLUG WHICH WAS CAUSED BY RAIN ENTERING THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AND COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE SPARK PLUGS. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED, AND A SHIELD WAS SEALED TO PREVENT WATER FROM COMING INTO CONTACT WITH SPARK PLUGS. THE CONTACT STATED APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS LATER SHE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER REMOVED AND REPLACED THE SPARK PLUG, THE WIRE AND THE COIL. A MONTH LATER THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A CRACKED SPARK PLUG WAS THE REASON FOR THIS OCCURRENCE. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD 33,000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA #: 10186029
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2007

2005 CHEVY EQUINOX AWD, 3 STARTERS, 3 COOLANT TANKS, ALL COOLANT HOSES CHANGED, HEATER CHANGED TWICE, A PILLAR PANELS LEAKED AIR, RADIATOR REPLACED, BATTERY BOLT REPLACED, REAR SHELF BROKE, CONSTANT COOLANT SMELL IN CAR, MADE WIFE SICK, HAD CAR 5 MONTHS APPROX, SPEND AROUND 90 + DAYS IN SHOP, DEALER DID ALL THEY COULD, BUT G.M. REFUSED TO WORK ON CAR UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE, G.M. " FORCED " TO BUY BACK UNDER LEMON LAW, BOUGHT TOYOTA, PERIOD. HAVE ALL RECEIPTS AND PAPER WORK FOR ANYBODY INTERESTED. *JB

NHTSA #: 10182415
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2007

THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN FIXED, HOWEVER ONE REMAINS. THERE IS A POPPING NOISE, COMING FROM THE BACK END, RESULTING IN MANY POPS IN A SERIES, AND THEN IT WON'T DO IT AGAIN. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS AFTER A COLD START AND DRIVING IT FOR A COUPLE MINUTES THEN COMING TO A STOP. HOWEVER IT HAS HAPPENED IMMEDIATELY AT START UP AND DURING THE COURSE OF DRIVING FOR THE FIRST COUPLE MINUTES.*JB

NHTSA #: 10178401
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: May 2006

TOOK IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND LUBE TECH AT DEALER SUGGESTED TAKE IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO DISCOLORATION OF ANTIFREEZE, TOLD BY SERVICE ADVISOR THIS WAS OKAY AND NOT TO WORRY. SECOND OIL CHANGE SAME ISSUES, FINALLY HAVE APPOINTMENT TO HOPEFULLY CORRECT,POOR GAS MILEAGE, ERRATIC SHIFTING, GAS CAP THAT WILL NOT STAY ON,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK, AND ONLY 8300 HUNDRED MILES ON VEHICLE. WILL HAVE HARD TIME BUYING ANOTHER CHEVORLET AGAIN. *JB

NHTSA #: 10158557
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2005

I PURCHASED MY 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX ON AUG. 22, 2005 AND INSTANTLY FELL IN LOVE. SOON AFTER IT BEGAN TO SMELL AS IF MY VEHICLE WAS GOING TO OVER HEAT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECK OUT AND NOTHING WAS FOUND. ALTHOUGH THEY DID ADD MORE ANTIFREEZE. THINGS WERE GOING FINE UNTIL IT GOT COLD OUTSIDE. WHEN STARTING MY BRAND NEW 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX A POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS THE EXHAUST. THEY REPLACED THE EXHAUSTED AND NOTHING WAS HEARD, AT LEAST FOR TWO WEEKS. NEEDLESS THE SAY THE NOISE HAS COME BACK AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT'S WRONG. TO TOP IT OFF A FOUL SMELL COMES FROM THE VENTS WENT THE HEAT IS ON. I NOW HAVE TO RIDE WITH THE WINDOW SLIGHTLY OPEN BECAUSE THE SMELL IS NOW CAUSE HEADACHES FOR ME AND MY PASSENGERS. I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONDITION OF MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I HAVE A SMALL CHILD THAT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT WHILE TRAVELING IN THIS CAR. *NM

NHTSA #: 10146071
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2005

BOUGHT BRAND NEW 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX. BAD ODOR COMING FROM VENTS. DEX COOL IS CORRODING COOLING SYSTEM, AND ENGINE. 17,000 MILES HAVE HAD IT IN 3 TIMES FOR ENTIRE COOLANT SYSTEM FLUSH... STILL IS UN BEARABLE. BE AWARE THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE. CONSEQUENCE- AFTER EXTENDED DRIVE (GREATER THAN 30 MINUTES) RESULTS IN LIGHT-HEADEDNESS, HEADACHE, OR WATERY BURNING EYES. IT LEAVES A FILM OF ANTIFREEZE VAPOR ON THE WINDSHIELD, ON THE INSIDE. GM DOES NOT CONSIDER THIS VEHICLE INOPERABLE. GO FIGURE. GM HAS DONE LITTLE TO SATISFY OUR NEEDS, THEY PAY FOR NEW HOSES AND FLUSH- WHICH OBVIOUSLY DOESN'T WORK. 900 DOLLARS A POP, FOR THE SAME RESULT. PARTS REPAIRED: 5 HOSES (ALL OF THEM) 3X, DEX-COOL 3X. SAFETY IS SOMETHING THEY STRIVE FOR AT GM, WHAT HAPPENED? *NM

NHTSA #: 10145606
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2005

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND THEY'VE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO ASCERTAIN ANYTHING A COUPLE OF TIMES. THE CODE IS LOST IN THE COMPUTER WITH MULTIPLE STARTS AND SHUT OFFS OF THE ENGINE. THE COMPUTER IS RESET AT DIFFERENT INTERVALS--NO ONE CAN TELL ME HOW LONG I HAVE TO GET TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THE ERROR LIGHT IS LIT. *NM

NHTSA #: 10137694
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2005

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX THE MUFFLER SYSTEM IS VERY LOUD AND NEEDS REPLACED. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. EVEN THE GARAGE MANAGER AGREES THAT IT IS TO LOUD.

NHTSA #: 10126976
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2005

COOLANT WAS TURNING BROWN AND STARTING TO SMELL. DEFECTIVE HOSES WERE THE PROBLEM. HOSES HAD TO BE REPLACED, ENGINE FLUSHED, NEW COOLANT, ETC. CHEVY KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM, BUT HAS NOT INFORMED ANY OWNERS.

NHTSA #: 10114653
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Feb 2005

FOUL ODOR IN CABIN COMING FROM HEATER, ALSO SMELL IS NOTICABLE OUTSIDE THE CAR. CHECKED THE COOLANT AND IT IS DARK BROWN AND HAS A STRONG FOUL ODOR. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT GET ANYWHERE NEAR THE MILEAGE PER GALLON THAT GM STATES IT SHOULD GET OF 19 AND 25. LUCKY IF IT GET 13MPG CITY AND 15 HIGHWAY.*AK

NHTSA #: 10108421
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2005

THE RADIATOR IS LEAKING COOLANT, INCREASING THE CHANCE OF THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE FOR REPAIRS, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK

NHTSA #: 10107084
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2005

I OWN A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX WITH 8500 MILES, THE ANTIFREEZE IS DARK BROWN IN COLOR AND THERE IS A FILM OF BROWN STUFF ON THE RECOVERY BOTTLE. IT ALSO SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN MEAT.

NHTSA #: 10106024
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2004

2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX - BAD ODOR COMING FROM HVAC AND COOLANT SYSTEM, FIRST NOTICED WITH APPROXIMATELY 1200 MILES ON THE SUV, HAD IN AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD DO NOTHING, AFTER FURTHER COMPLAINING THEY CONTACTED GM AND TOLD ME THEY HAD TO ORDER SOME NEW "STUFF" AND ONCE IN THEY WOULD REPLACE AND FLUSH THE COOLANT. I'VE CALLED TWICE NOW OVER THE PAST MONTH, DEALERSHIP STILL HAS NOT RECEIVED "STUFF". ISSUE NOT RESOLVED.*AK

NHTSA #: 10100640
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2004

COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEMS, FOUL SMELL, FLUID IS A DARK COLOR WHEN IT SHOULD BE LIGHT PINK. PROBLEM WAS FIRST POINTED OUT AT 2ND OIL CHANGE APPOINTMENT. THEY ADVISED THAT THE COOLING SYSTEM WAS MALEFUNCTIONING AND THAT I SHOULD CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS FIXED. THEY ALSO MENTIONED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN 3 OTHER EQUINOX'S ALL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. UPON CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP THEY ADVISED THAT IT WAS NOT A MALEFUNCTION, THEY DID NOT SEEM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. APPOINTMENT IS SCHEDULED IN A COUPLE DAYS. UPON READING MORE ABOUT THIS COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEM I AM EVEN MORE CONCERNED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS YET TO BE A RECALL AND ALL OF THE VEHICLES ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA #: 10100621
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2004

PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX NEW FROM DEALER. VEHICLE SPENT TWO DAYS AT DEALER, ONLY FOR DEALER TO TELL ME THAT THERE IS NO FIX FOR PROBLEM. MY EQUINOX HAS COOLANT CONTAMINATION WHICH EMITS A BAD ODOR. CHEVY STILL HAS TO TSB OUT ON THIS PROBLEM YET, AND OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS WAS NOTICED @ 1500 MILES. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE HAS 2700. DEALER TOLD ME THAT THERE WOULD BE NO PROBLEM DRIVING UNTIL CHEVY COMES OUT WITH TSB. IF YOU LOOK AT THE COOLANT RESEVOIR, THE COOLANT IS DARK IN COLOR AND SLUDGE IS FORMING IN THE CONTAINER (RESIDUE). *NM

NHTSA #: 10100462
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2004

THIS IS A CORRECTION TO THE COMPLAINT I SUBMITTED YESTERDAY. THE COMPLAINT NUMBER IS 10100295. ON THAT COMPLAINT PLEASE DELETE THE PART OF THE COMPLAINT THAT SAYS THE ABNORMAL ODOR FROM THE ENGINE COOLANT IS ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. I FOUND THAT THE COOLANT RESERVOIR CAP WAS LOOSE, ALLOWING THE STRONG ODOR OF THE COOLANT TO ESCAPE AND BE DRAWN INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. WHEN I TIGHTENED THE CAP THE ODOR STOPPED ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I AM STILL VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ABNORMAL ODOR AND COLOR OF THE COOLANT. THIS COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTING COMPONENTS OF THE COOLING SYSTEM AND ENGINE. *JB

NHTSA #: 10100319
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2004

SINCE I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE, THERE HAS BEEN A STRONG ODOR IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR. I NOTICED THE COOLANT HAS CHANGED FROM PINK TO BLACK WITH SLUDGE FLOATING IN IT. I AM ALSO GETTING FAR LESS AVERAGE GAS MILEAGE THAN WAS LISTED. I AM AVERAGING LESS THAN 17 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. NOT CLOSE TO THE 25 THAT IS ADVERTISED. WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THAT THE SMELL AND OTHER COOLANT ISSUES IS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE (05 CHEVROLET EQUINOX). WITH THE HEAT ON AND WINDOWS UP, THE CAR IS ALMOST UNDRIVABLE DUE TO THE SMELL. *AK

NHTSA #: 10100274
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2004

MY 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX HAS REOCCRUING PROBLEMS WITH 1) THE ENGINE COOLANT TURNING FROM THE NORMAL DEX COOL PINK COLOR TO A DARK BROWN / BLACK COLOR. 2) HORRIBLE SMELL ENTERING THE PASSENGER CABIN WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING THE HEAT IS ON.THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON NOVEMBER 18TH AND ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, GM'S TECHNICAL LINE IS INSTRUCTING ALL SERVICE DEPARTMENTS TO TAKE NO REPAIR ACTIONS AS THEY ARE STILL TRYING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN THEY PERFORMED A COOLANT SYSTEM FLUSH WHICH TOOK CARE OF THE PROBLEM FOR A COUPLE OF HUNDRED MILES, ONLY TO RETURN. *AK THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING ALL ACROSS NORTH AMERICA SO IT CANNOT BE BLAMED ON WEATHER OR TYPE OF FUEL USED. I HAVE MANY CONCERNS WITH THE LONG TERM RELIABILITY OF THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA #: 10100289
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2004

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. AFTER ONLY 500 MILES THE ENGINE COOLANT HAS TURNED BROWN AND HAS A VERY BAD ODOR (STINKS). WHEN THE HEATER IS TURNED ON, THE ODOR COMES INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND IS ALMOST INTOLERABLE.*AK

NHTSA #: 10100295
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2004

VEHICLE HAS A FOUL ODOR INSIDE WHEN ENGINE IS HOT OR HEATER IS ON.*AK

NHTSA #: 10101329
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2004

WE PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX ON MARCH 30, 2004. IN JULY WE STARTED TO NOTICE A STRANGE ODOR IN THE CAR. MY HUSBAND WOULD GET HEADACHES AND EXPERIENCE DIZZINESS WHEN RIDING IN THE CAR. SINCE THEN WE HAVE HAD THE CAR BACK 5 TIMES FOR THE ODOR PROBLEM AND HAVE BOTH HAD MULTIPLE UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS REQUIRING MEDICAL TREATMENT. 2 OF THE 5 TIMES THEY FOUND STANDING WATER IN THE TIRE WELL AND WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE ORIGIN THEY REPLACED REAR GATE SEALS (THE CARGO MAT CARPET IN THE BACK WAS NOT EVEN WET). ANOTHER TIME THEY REPLACED THE CARPET IN THE BACK PASSENGER SEAT BECAUSE THEY SAID IT GOT WET WHEN THERE WAS WATER IN THE TIRE WELL AND WAS CAUSING THE ODOR. THE NEXT TIME THEY FLUSHED THE RADIATOR COOLANT BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY HAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO DO SO. THE LAST TIME THEY CHANGED THE RADIATOR HOSES. THE DEALERSHIP (PORTER CHEVROLET IN NEWARK, DE) STATES THAT THEY CANNOT REPLACE OR REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE AS WE HAVE REQUESTED. THE DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER FOR GM SAID HE RODE IN THE CAR AND DID NOT SMELL ANYTHING SO THERE IS NO BASIS FOR HIM TO REPLACE OR REPURCHASE THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THAT THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY OTHER CUSTOMERS COMPLAIN ABOUT AN ODOR AND THEY SAID THEY CONTACTED GM AND THAT THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY COMPLAINTS EITHER. THERE ARE NUMEROUS POSTINGS ON EDMUNDS.COM FROM EQUINOX OWNERS WHO HAVE COMPLAINED TO DEALERSHIPS AND GM FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. IS THIS PROBLEM KNOWN TO GM? WHAT IS THE PROBLEM AND IS IT HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH THIS ODOR PROBLEM? *JB

NHTSA #: 10098777
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2004

2005 EQUINOX - I HAD ABOUT 300 MILES ON THE CAR AND IT STARTED SMELLING OF A PROPANE ODOR/DEAD ANIMALS. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY FLUSHED THE COOLANT SYSTEM BUT THE ODOR RETURNED. THEN THE CAR OVERHEATED DUE TO THE COOLANT SYSTEM. THEY PUT A NEW THERMOSTAT AND FLUSHED ONCE AGAIN. STILL A BAD ODOR, THE CAR LEAKS WATER AND IT RUNS HOT. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES AND THEY STILL CAN NOT FIX THE ODOR.*AK

NHTSA #: 10098430
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2004

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. SOON AFTER I RECEIVED THE NEW VEHICLE (WITHIN A FEW HUNDRED MILES) I BEGAN NOTICING A VERY DISTINCT AND HORRIBLE SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE SMELL IS NOTICEABLE FROM 10 FEET AWAY FROM THE CAR AND COMES IN THROUGH THE CABIN VENTS WHEN THE AIR IS ON AND THE CAR IS STANDING STILL AND RUNNING. IT DOES NOT ENTER THE CABIN WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING. GM THINKS THE SMELL IS DUE TO THE DEXCOOL COOLANT REACTING WITH THE HOSES IN THE COOLANT SYSTEM AND HAS FLUSHED MY COOLANT SYSTEM SEVERAL TIMES ALREADY BUT THE SMELL KEEPS COMING BACK. I HAVE BEEN READING OF THIS PROBLEM FROM MANY, MANY OTHERS ACROSS THE US AND CANADA WHO OWN EQUINOX AND SO FAR GM HAS NOT ANNOUNCED A RECALL DESPITE PEOPLE BEING UNABLE TO SPEND MORE THAN 5 MINUTES IN THESE VEHICLES BEFORE GETTING HEADACHES OR JUST BEING UNABLE TO HANDLE THE SMELL. PLEASE URGE GM TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION FAST! *JB

NHTSA #: 10098421
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2004

IN THE 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX THE COOLANT MAY BE CONTAMINATED AND TURN A DARK BROWN OR BLACK AND SOMEHOW EMIT FUMES INTO THE CABIN THAT CAUSE THE OCCUPANTS TO FEEL LIGHT HEADED. THIS CONDITION CAN START ANYWHERE FROM 400 TO 1800 MILES ANDS WORSENS OVER TIME. IT IS UNKNOWN WHETHER THE FUMES ARE TOXIC SO THE VEHICLE IS UNDRIVABLE AT THAT POINT.*AK

NHTSA #: 10098303
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Oct 2004

TWICE, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PASS OTHER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS FIRMLY PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. BOTH TIMES I WAS ABLE TO STEER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT COLLIDING WITH ANYTHING. EVIDENTLY, CHEVROLET IS AWARE OF THE POSSIBLILITY OF THIS HAPPENING, BECAUSE THE OWNER'S MANUAL DISCUSSES HOW TO RESET THE SYSTEMS WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM.*AK

NHTSA #: 10093549
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2004

MY EQUINOX WAS PURCHASED IN 4/16/04 AND THE CHECH ENGINE LIGHT HAS CAME ON 2 TIMES, THE 1ST TIME WAS THE FUEL EMISSION GASKET THAT WAS BAD AND THE OTHE TIME WAS THE WAY THAT I DID NOT PUT THE GAS CAP ON RIGHT. AND THE REAREND IN MAKING A REAL LOUD GROUNDING SOUND ANY TIME YOU TURN THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. *AK

NHTSA #: 10090927

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