Three problems related to blown head gasket have been reported for the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox based on all problems reported for the 2005 Equinox.
I am submitting this to inform you of the horrible quality and safety of my 2005 Chevrolet Equinox lt, w/ 3. 4l engine. I have just had my engine's headgaskets blow-out at 43,000 miles on a car that has been maintained exactly to manufacturer's specification. The car's braking system is also dangerously under powered. I have worn through two sets of rotors and pads already in 43,000 miles. I do not drive aggressively either. The brakes wear out too quickly and when the rotors warp the braking distances skyrocket and the car vibrates uncontrollably while applying them. This car is a total lemon as I am sure I am not the only person reporting this. Just read some reviews on the 2005 Equinox and you will see - the 3. 4l engine put in this car is a design embarrassment for gm. We need some NHTSA assistance, as Chevrolet does not stand behind this product.
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.
I have had numerous problems with my 2005 awd chevy Equinox, including the head gaskets blowing, losing acceleration on the 270/highway, ongoing acceleration problems, and other problems which still continue. I have begged for chevy to help get the car fully repaired and the customer service representatives just keep telling me to bring it into the dealer. I've tried two dealers and returned to the purchasing dealer who will only make repairs if they can pull a code - they report I am having problems with my spark plug wires - first they reattached it, and then replaced one but car still doesn't drive as it did before head gaskets blew. Please, please help me - I've had my car in the shop 8 times in 4 months and the dealer and chevy will not provide me with an extended warranty - car warranty ends in 6 months or help repair properly. I am scared to drive this car and don't know what to do as they don't take my concerns seriously as the only way they diagnose is by pulling codes.