Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
My driver side window will not go up or down, it just failed completely. The dealership advised that the wires inside the door are completely broken. The system needed to fix it is back ordered so I have to wait to have it replaced. Four days later my brakes became the new problem. On my way to school, I was approaching a stop light and began applying the brakes but the car would not stop. It made a vibrating noise and thrust itself forward. It wasn't a grinding sound but clicks and vibration. Luckily there wasn't anyone in front of me or coming from the opposite direction. I thought it something I did and continued driving carefully. At the next stop I was unable to slow down to make a right hand turn. I passed the turn completely before the car slowed enough to turn. This scared me so I pulled over and called for help. …
Front and back windows fog up and defrost does nothing. Visibility is severely limited and this creates very dangerous driving conditions. Nothing helps to alleviate the issue. I have tried wiping the windshield, cleaning it, alcohol, rain x, defrost, hot air, cold air, windows down, windows up, sunroof halfway open, doing back flips and nothing helps. Been happening for years. Had numerous repairs under warranty starting 3 months, 3,500 miles after I drove it off the lot in 2005 and have spent close to $8,500 on repairs after warranty expired at 50,000. …
Dt*: the contact stated there were numerous problems with the vehicle. First, the engine would intermittently not crank. The dealer replaced the battery however, this did not correct the problem. Second, while depressing the brake pedal the vehicle intermittently did not slow down. The brake pedal was pumped several times to get the brakes to activate correctly. Third, the transmission revved high and intermittently did not change gears correctly while driving. Fourth, the ABS lamp illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the ABS lamp was reset. Lastly, the front passenger window was rolled down and would not rise back up. The dealer replaced the window regulator and the window was repaired. The vehicle was repeatedly taken to the dealer and addressed the problems that could be duplicated and made appropriate repairs. Hard start/hesitation and almost stalling. …
Crack developed in 2005 Chevy Equinox windshield for no apparent reason. It became visible while parked in a parking lot on 12/31/2007, but crack began where windshield meets the car at the bottom of the dash on the driver side. Vehicle was 500 miles out of the 36,000 mile warranty for replacement. When Chevy service first looked at the car they determined in 2 seconds that it was definitely covered but when they found out the mileage said it was not. Had the windshield repaired under the auto insurance policy and the repairman said that there was absolutely no signs of damage to the windshield that would cause it to crack, I.e. Debris, rock, etc. And that it was a stress fracture. He further stated that he saw this several times in equinoxes.
Driver side window fails to correctly go up at times. Seams to be off track. Dealership recommended replacing several parts to correct the issue, at a high cost. Currently, problem is unresolved, as I am avoiding the expense. Also, key often gets stuck, jammed in the ignition, requires use of a flathead screwdriver to remove plastic ring around key, and excessive wiggling of key to remove it from the ignition. Dealership found no issue, suggested key was bent. Still occurs with a new key. Vehicle fails to start at times. When key is turned it produces a cranking sound. Similar to a starter going out or the sound of someone holding the key after the truck starts. Requires me to push on the accelerator to start truck. No issue found by dealership.
2005 Chevy Equinox - the heater/front defogger stopped working due to GM blend door or heater actuator valve failure issue. Due to this failure it is impossible to drive the car on cold mornings or evening, due to the poor visibility created by the inability to defog the front windshield. Fortunately we live in houston, tx, so the car is only dangerous to drive three months out of the year. In the research I have done on the web, there are hundreds, likely thousands of these cars with the exact same issue. Also, I noticed that GM has recalled the 2010 version of the same car for an issue with the same result, poor visibility due to the failing defogger.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that burning fumes were emitted into the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the windows were malfunctioning. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 78,000 and the current mileage was 91,000. Updated 12/14/12 the consumer stated the driver's window did not work at all. Updated 12/17/12
Dt: water was leaking into cab of vehicle and into trunk. Water leak iwas in front dome light, and it leaked twice. The middle dome light leaked once, and the trunk has had a big bucket of water removed from it. Dealer tried to fix leak, but it still leaks. Caller was told not to park under trees. Manufacturer said they would call dealer, and told caller to keep sun ,roof closed and that there was debris in sun roof. Caller stated she was concerned about water in the electrical system. And that more damage can be caused.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the windshield is recessive. When it snows and the windshield wipers are activated, a thick amount of snow will accumulate on the windshield, which causes a huge blind spot. To remove the snow from the windshield, the contact has to periodically exit the vehicle and manually remove the snow. She called the manufacturer, but never received a response. The VIN and engine size were unknown. The failure mileage was 500 and current mileage was 27,000.
Bought the car used with 20,000 and it was having problems a week later. Passenger window would not roll up,grinding and clicking at slow turns. They replaced rotors ,clutch and suspension and the problem was solved. Then came the air condition not blowing cold air and the ignition sticking on start up. The final straw was the transmission slipping and dropping into lower gears,the car will be in the shop in the morning. Last Chevy I will ever buy back to Nissan.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox, 4% of the model year's 638 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Chevrolet Equinox window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 37,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.