Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Chevrolet Equinox owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Driving down street while attempting to turn left heard loud pop and then wasn't able to turn and crashed into tree left fender hood headlight all pushed damage to tire and on top of that airbag didn't implore and hit head on the post
Brake won't releases after puting on brake pedal key falls out of ignition while drive ing steering seems like going to fall apart when turnings cat hardly put gas in it code 0445 large EVAP leak detector
On 2/17/15, I, along with 3 of my children, were driving along the roadway at approx. 7 am. As I went around a minor bend in the road, the vehicle pulled hard to the left slamming the driver's side into the snowbank around the guardrail. It continued moving forward as I attempted to apply the brake and lightly move the wheel to get us back into our lane. The vehicle pulled to the right and as I tried to straighten it up, I was sent into a spin until the rear of the vehicle slammed into the snow on our side of the road, bringing us to a stop. No air bags deployed & as I tried to pull away, I realized the vehicle was not on. It had shut itself down. I had my brother look at it & test drive, he found nothing, so I assumed it was a 1 time event and proceeded to use the vehicle. On 2/22/15, my nephew and my daughter used the vehicle to go to town. …
Tl-the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that she bought the vehicle used back on 02/2019. The drive shaft fell out of the vehicle on 07/2019 and an independent mechanic deemed the vehicle undrivable on 12/23/19. The contact called the state police for vehicle fraud an dwas still waiting for a callback. The contact also contacted county attorney general an received no assistance. The contact was referred to the state's attorney general's office. The manufacturer had not been contacted yet. The dealer m c's auto sales 1343 connellsville st, lemont furnace, pa 15456 [phone] stated there was nothing they could do about itand refused to refund the purchase. The dealer tried to repocess the vehicle the next day but was unsucessful. The failure mileage was 114,000.tf
Very erratic steering when changing lanes at 50 MPH caused me to lose control and crashed into a grassy ditch. This was the second time I noticed the steering was very different then I have ever felt. After hitting the ditch the car rolled. Remarkably, I was not injured and both airbags deployed and my seat belt kept me from injury. There wasn't any broken glass. The car held up to the 5 star safety. My concern is the bobble effect when changing lanes and the too tight steering. Fortunately, no other vehicles were involved. My Equinox suffered about $10500 damage. $4500 were for the airbags and related parts. My car is still in getting fixed. My only complaint is the steering at highway speeds. I will no longer have confidence in driving this on the highway.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that there was water entering the map light. The contact also heard an abnormal noise in the rear of the vehicle, the suspension was unstable pertaining to the control arm, and the axle was leaking fluid without warning. The steering wheel also made a grinding noise when turned, the automatic transmision hesitated, the throttle was light, and it was difficult to reverse upon the change in weather. The vehicle was not repaired and the dealer was notified of the various failures. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and provided no remedy. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 201,765.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the power steering and brakes failed. The contact crashed into a median and rolled over. The air bags failed to deploy upon impact and the power windows failed to open. A police report was filed. The driver sustained injuries to the neck and shoulder. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 32,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the failure recurred each time the vehicle was driven at 50 MPH or higher. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electrical motor that was connected to the steering column was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated the vehicle had smoke coming from the steering wheel. When the failure occurs the windshield wipers stop working. The had been scheduled to be inspected. The contact stated the vehicle has had to have the drive shaft replaced twice because the bearings failed. The contact feels these issues are manufacturer defects. The failure mileage was 35,000 and the current mileage was 96,000.
Please note in order to try to avid an accident in which nardone electric truck,broadsided my driver side on a complete screpedown on my vehicle, and afterward after I left the expressway 93 n in boston ,15 minutes later after I stopped at a convenience store,my vehicle would not turn left or right only straight...
Steering complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox, 8% of the model year's 638 complaints. The component named most often is column (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Chevrolet Equinox steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Equinox steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 1 fire and 5 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.