Lemon/auto failures, too many items to lst 2005 Chevy Equinox lt.

- Dorchester, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox. Since purchasing the vehicle at 24,000 miles, the steering wheel and brakes have not worked and the service engine soon light illuminates intermittently. The purchase date, VIN, powertrain, and engine size were unknown. The current mileage was 30,000 and failure mileage was 24,000. Updated 12/07/07

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

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. After taking a test drive with a car repair person who informed me it wasn't my brake pads or rotors. He said it sounded like my anti-lock system failing and I should call the dealership. I called the dealership and they said to bring it in. GM roadside assistance towed it. That was Saturday and today is Monday, the dealership worker told me she drove it and she has been driving for 12 years and she didn't have a problem with the brakes but they will put it on the electric diagnostic machine to double check it. I am afraid to drive with my children. The fact that the car may not stop or the brakes may fail at any time is scary. I should hear from them by this evening.

- Southington, CT, USA

Vehicle's antilock brakes failed to bring vehicle to stop on 4 separate occasions during the past 2 weeks. All occurrences were during or immediately following a measurable snowfall. In the first incident my vehicle was approaching a very busy intersection at not more than 15 mph when the brakes failed with load grinding noise and slid thought the stop light, fortunately without accident. In the 2nd and 3rd occurrences, my wife was unable to bring the vehicle to a stop due to the same type of brake failure and noise, resulting in her going of the shoulder into a ditch to avoid collision. And finally the next day which is a Monday, I was taking the vehicle to our Chevrolet dealership to have the brakes checked when once again, while slowing down to approach 5-10 mph while approaching a stop light, I nearly rear-ended a school bus due to another occurrence of not being able to brake. A brake mechanic at the dealership took the car for a test drive on the back lot for 2 minutes and declared the brakes worked fine. Further persistence prompted the service manager to take the car for a street test drive and upon his return he stated the brakes worked fine for him. I have been driving for almost 40 years and have never been more frightened to drive a car on ice or snow as I am with this vehicle, which by the way does not handle well in wind either. I am not happy with the response of my dealership and feel these occurrences are very similar if not exactly the same as those that prompted a similar recall of GM 1999 -2002 model trucks and SUV vehicles in 2005.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

We purchased a 2005 Chevy Equinox in September of 2005. Through our research, this was one of the only vehicles that would accommodate 2 rear facing child seats with safe operation. The Equinox now has approximately 16, 000 miles on it. On 11 November 2006, my wife and our 14 month old twin daughters were on their way to visit her friend. I receive a phone call from my wife. She is frantically screaming to me that something is wrong with the Equinox. She explains that when she applies the brakes at speeds above 45 -50 mph, she is experiencing a violent shaking of the vehicle's front end and the steering wheel, and feels that she would not be able to stop the vehicle in an emergency situation. I advise her to decrease her speed and continue to her friends house and that I will return home and take our Subaru to meet her. We switch vehicles. Once on the highway, I accelerate to approximately 65-70 mph and notice traffic backing up due to police activity down the road. I apply the brakes slightly and the Equinox begins to shake violently to the point that it feels as though the front wheels are pulling in opposite directions, and I am having a difficult time keeping the vehicle between the marked lanes. The steering wheel is also shaking and I have to grip it tightly to hold on. I don't recall having experienced a steering wheel shake this violently. After decreasing to about 50 mph, the shaking subsided to the point that the vehicle was controllable within the lanes. This occurred several more times during the ride home, so I sustained a speed that was safe for myself and the other motorists. A trip that would take a little over an hour took about 2 hours to complete with minimal traffic. Being that this occurred over a weekend, we have not been able to get the Chevy to the dealership or a repair station to have it checked. After having the Chevy checked I will notify your administration of the outcome.

- Bradford, MA, USA

Caller said in wet weather the brakes made a rattling noise and then failed. In dry weather when slowing down and hitting the brake the front end shook. Dealer and manufacturer had not been contacted yet. Caller will have the vehicle towed to dealer today.

- Lewisburg, TN, USA

Complaint received via E-mail. The vehicle has been in for repairs 3 times, and I am waiting on a call from the dealer next week for updated information. The problems are: 1) foul odor, hoses for anti-freeze system replaced per bulletin; 2) rear squeaking, lubed same; 3) transmission. I originally thought brakes, but was told that the transmission had to be reprogrammed, and that it would continue to adjust itself according to driving conditions/ each driver's habits, and 4) popping noise heard when starting or when stopped with foot on brake. Noise seems to be coming from gas tank area. Asked for fuel line/exhaust system to be checked. As of this time repair center cannot duplicate this problem, and have no ideas. The car has been to the dealer 3 times and a total of 6 days. The transmission problem is in limbo as they are 'looking into it' and will call me back.

- Somers Point, NJ, USA

While driving 30 mph and attempting to stop brakes failed. As a result, vehicle crashed into four other vehicles. Upon impact, est dual air bag did not deploy to it's full capacity. No injuries were reported.........there were no skid marks only after the Equinox made contact with other vehicles. The transmission dropped to the street after impact, though the vehicle was not struck from behind. The right wheel on passenger's side came off. Also, the sheriff on the scene acknowledged that there was no brake pedal after there was access to the vehicle.

- Metairie, LA, USA