Problems with 2005 Chevrolet Equinox ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Check engine light keeps going on and they've only been able to ascertain anything a couple of times. the code is lost in the computer with multiple starts and shut offs of the engine. the computer is reset at different intervals--no one can tell me how long i have to get to the dealership after the error light is lit. *nm

In the 2005 chevrolet equinox the coolant may be contaminated and turn a dark brown or black and somehow emit fumes into the cabin that cause the occupants to feel light headed. this condition can start anywhere from 400 to 1800 miles ands worsens over time. it is unknown whether the fumes are toxic so the vehicle is undrivable at that point.*ak

2005 equinox - i had about 300 miles on the car and it started smelling of a propane odor/dead animals. took it to dealer and they flushed the coolant system but the odor returned. then the car overheated due to the coolant system. they put a new thermostat and flushed once again. still a bad odor, the car leaks water and it runs hot. i have had the car in the shop 3 times and they still can not fix the odor.*ak

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.*ak

Purchased a 2005 chevy equinox new from dealer. vehicle spent two days at dealer, only for dealer to tell me that there is no fix for problem. my equinox has coolant contamination which emits a bad odor. chevy still has to tsb out on this problem yet, and others are having the same problem. this was noticed @ 1500 miles. currently, the vehicle has 2700. dealer told me that there would be no problem driving until chevy comes out with tsb. if you look at the coolant resevoir, the coolant is dark in color and sludge is forming in the container (residue). *nm

Vehicle has a foul odor inside when engine is hot or heater is on.*ak

I have a 2005 chevrolet equinox. soon after i received the new vehicle (within a few hundred miles) i began noticing a very distinct and horrible smell coming from the engine compartment. the smell is noticeable from 10 feet away from the car and comes in through the cabin vents when the air is on and the car is standing still and running. it does not enter the cabin when the car is moving. gm thinks the smell is due to the dexcool coolant reacting with the hoses in the coolant system and has flushed my coolant system several times already but the smell keeps coming back. i have been reading of this problem from many, many others across the us and canada who own equinox and so far gm has not announced a recall despite people being unable to spend more than 5 minutes in these vehicles before getting headaches or just being unable to handle the smell. please urge gm to come up with a solution fast! *jb

Twice, while attempting to pass other vehicles, the engine stopped running when the accelerator was firmly pushed to the floor. both times i was able to steer to the side of the road without colliding with anything. evidently, chevrolet is aware of the possiblility of this happening, because the owner's manual discusses how to reset the systems when this happens. it appears to be a problem with the all wheel drive system.*ak

Contact states: bought a brand new vehicle in august 2004. the anti-freeze was changed. the anti-freeze was brown and the smell was severe and nauseous. the car has been the shop 9 times with so many different reasons. the antifreeze line wasn't bled right and the antifreeze was leaking in the ground. there was a leak in the dome light and sunroof, the suspension and engine would tick, the horn did not work, there were front end problem, the shifter would stick, there ignition problem, noise when turning the vehicle, gas mileage problem and there was a toxic smell from the anti-freeze, the vehicle over heated, the brakes made noises, the consumer had driven through a car wash, the dome light had filled with water, the lower dash was dripping water and the vehicle would not accelerate vehicle would not accelerate and the engine light had illuminated, the vehicle pulled to the right when driving and when braking,there was poor gas mileage during city driving, there was a loud noises when making turns on the front struts, the front brake rotors were out of round, the shifter would stick, the ignition cylinder was binding, there was popping when the vehicle was started from cold, and the brake pedal would go to the floor. *sc *jb

We purchased a 2005 chevrolet equinox on march 30, 2004. in july we started to notice a strange odor in the car. my husband would get headaches and experience dizziness when riding in the car. since then we have had the car back 5 times for the odor problem and have both had multiple upper respiratory infections requiring medical treatment. 2 of the 5 times they found standing water in the tire well and were unable to determine the origin they replaced rear gate seals (the cargo mat carpet in the back was not even wet). another time they replaced the carpet in the back passenger seat because they said it got wet when there was water in the tire well and was causing the odor. the next time they flushed the radiator coolant because they said they has a technical service bulletin to do so. the last time they changed the radiator hoses. the dealership (porter chevrolet in newark, de) states that they cannot replace or repurchase the vehicle as we have requested. the district service manager for gm said he rode in the car and did not smell anything so there is no basis for him to replace or repurchase the car. the dealership states that they have not had any other customers complain about an odor and they said they contacted gm and that they have not had any complaints either. there are numerous postings on edmunds.com from equinox owners who have complained to dealerships and gm from different parts of the country. is this problem known to gm? what is the problem and is it hazardous to drive the car with this odor problem? *jb

My equinox was purchased in 4/16/04 and the chech engine light has came on 2 times, the 1st time was the fuel emission gasket that was bad and the othe time was the way that i did not put the gas cap on right. and the rearend in making a real loud grounding sound any time you turn the wheel to the left or right. *ak