40 problems related to engine and engine cooling 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.