What's Wrong with the 1st Generation Equinox?

Front 3/4 view of a Chevrolet Equinox

The 1st generation Equinox spans the 2005 to 2009 model years.

It has accumulated 1019 owner complaints over those year and ranks 74th in reliability out of 80 eligible Chevrolet generations.

Our reliability rank is based on our PainRank™ system. A higher number means you can expect more significant problems. The average Chevrolet score is 10.56 while this generation comes in at 36.18.

Compare With Other Equinox Generations

The Worst 2005-2009 Equinox Problems

  1. Delayed Acceleration Problems

    Many Chevrolet generations suffer from delayed acceleration due to a slow response in the drive-by-wire electronic throttle system. The throttle lag can be frustrating at best, but can also leave drivers in dangerous situations. Unfortunate…

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  2. Passlock Security

    One of Chevrolet’s solutions for stopping thieves from driving away with a car is, coincidently, doing the same thing to the actual owner.

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  3. Takata Recalls

    A large number of Chevy vehicles have been recalled because they contain dangerous airbag inflators made by Takata. The shrapnel-hurling inflators have been recalled in over 37 million vehicles (and counting).

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  4. Heater Blows Cold Air

    The most frequently complained about component of the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox is an unreliable climate control unit that doesn't warm the car or defrost the windows.

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What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

Worst Topics

Worst Years

1st Generation Equinox Key Numbers

  1. 5 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 1,019 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 74th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 80 eligible generations.

Recent 1st Generation Equinox News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Tagged
    #news
    Posted on
    Source
    carcomplaints.com

    Equinox owners, put down those quarts of oil. General Motors' Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 15285C) could be the answer you've been looking for regarding excessive oil consumption.

    Chevy and GMC dealers were told in previous technical service bulletins to install updated engine control module calibration and perform an oil consumption test. This time dealers are told to diagnose the problem and replace the pistons.

    GM says repairs will be made for free (based on warranty coverage) and that the warranty will be extended to 7.5 years or 120,000 miles, whichever comes first.