2005 Chevrolet Equinox: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Aug 12, 2019 · Electrical · 182,427 miles · NH · fire

My under hood fuse box went up in flames while driving on a back road in my home town. I was doing 45 MPH when then truck shut down without warning. I at first thought was the fuel pump went. When I opened my drivers door I could smell something was burning. I pulled the hood release as I exited kindly down and looked under the truck did not see and smoke. I then went and opened the hood and noticed the under hood fuse box was on fire and was being fueled by the battery I rash to the back and grabbed a pair of pliers to discuss connect the battery. I feel this is a huge issue because I had to call 6 different junk yards some the parts were already removed and others did not have all but had one of them and a couple the parts were melted and burnt.

Filed Sep 15, 2017 · Airbags · 146,500 miles · MO · crash · fire · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet equinox. While driving 45 MPH, the contact crashed into another vehicle. All the air bags failed to deploy. The contact noticed smoke coming from the radiator. The vehicle was towed to xtreme color inc. In kansas city, ks 66102; 913‑281‑0830. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a neck and back injury that required medical attention. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 146,500.

Filed Dec 11, 2015 · Engine · 119,000 miles · NY · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet equinox. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment as the vehicle lost power. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was cncerend for their safety. The contact also mentioned that there was excessive smoke where the police department required closing the road due to it being unsafe for other drivers to drive. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who diagnosed that the head gasket and crack cylinders needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000.

Filed Sep 24, 2014 · Electrical · 30,036 miles · KY

After stopping at a gas station, got in my car and automatically locked the doors before starting the engine. Nothing happened when I turned the key. No sound other than a whirring under the hood of the car. I tried multiple times with no success. It was getting very hot in the car so I tried to open the door, and could not. I tried the manual "open" button many times and it would not work. Of course, the windows are electric so they would not go down (there is no lever to roll them down). After approximately 15 minutes, it got so hot in the car I telephoned 911. As the officer drove up, one of the times I tried to turn over the ignition produced a very short success in turning on the electric just long enough for the radio to come on and the doors to unlock. We still do not know what the problem is, but expect it is related to an electrical part(s). I have been on the phone with chevrolet for almost an hour now. "[xxx]" still has me on hold (over 20 minutes now) for a supervisor (which I requested - twice) because he informed me they know of no way to open the door manually when the electric is involved. In fact, he said their "senior" repairman said he had never heard a thing like that happening to anyone before. "[xxx]" kept telling me to ask the dealership or the napa service center where my car is now of a way to escape the car. I kept telling him I had already talked with the dealership and their repairman told me it could happen the way it did to me, it is dangerous, and he knew of no way to open the door with it being already locked when the electric no longer works. I was extremely lucky, if it is the electric, the car did not catch on fire. I want chevrolet to make sure there is an escape out of the car when there is an electrical failure. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jun 21, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 67,000 miles · IA · fire

Driving down the highway at about 55-60mph when the car dies. Started running again a few seconds later but then died again. Pulled over could not get it started, but started to smell something burning. Popped the hood to find the main fuse box bellowing smoke, thankfully it was raining so I let the rain cool it down. I figured this was better than it eventually catching the entire vehicle on fire as my wife and 3 kids were in the car. After the smoke stopped, the car repeatedly tried to start itself without the key being present in the ignition. It eventually stopped doing this but the dash lights would randomly flicker in unison. All electrical components were still operational (radio, lights, signals, wipers, etc...) but again no key was present in the ignition.

Filed Jan 27, 2012 · Steering · 35,000 miles · NH · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet equinox. The contact stated the vehicle had smoke coming from the steering wheel. When the failure occurs the windshield wipers stop working. The had been scheduled to be inspected. The contact stated the vehicle has had to have the drive shaft replaced twice because the bearings failed. The contact feels these issues are manufacturer defects. The failure mileage was 35,000 and the current mileage was 96,000.

Filed Dec 15, 2011 · Brakes, Engine · NC

All problems arose when the brake from the driver's side would shake when braking. We had the shoes and the pads changed and the problem seemed to be solved for about a year. Then the problem began again but this time the brakes would squeak when braking and then they began to tighten and the brake would lock itself and began to smoke because of the friction the pad and the brake disc were creating since the brake would remain locked. This was only on the drivers side. When this occurred the friction made the whole wheel rim get hot and began producing a burning smell from the brake pad. The caliber, shoes, pad and disc had to be replaced for both front brakes. The brakes continue to squeak when breaking. Now, the motor heats up to the red zone, the check engine light comes on even if their is anti-freeze in the engine. When accelerating the motor cools down, but if the speed is less than 35mph the motor heats up more. Based on other comments from drivers with the same make, model and year they noticed that the problem has come up to be the head gaskets. This problem has created many problems with the engine and is becoming a safety hazard when their is still a possibility that the breaks will lock up again and possibly spark fire if the problem is not fixed. We have not used our vehicle because of these issues we fear that not fixing the costly problem may damage other parts of the vehicle. We know we are not alone and that other drivers have the same problem with the chevy equinox 2005.

Filed Jan 25, 2010 · Electrical, Steering · 34,200 miles · TX

While driving my 2005 vehicle to work noticed a lot of smoke coming out of the front of steering wheel. Had the vehicle taken to the dealership and was told that the power steering parts had to be replaced.

Filed Apr 10, 2007 · Electrical · 29,000 miles · NY · fire

I always parked car in a garage, but this day no spots were open so I parked on the street and went to work. About a 1/2 hour later I looked the window and noticed smoke coming from the back of the car. I ran out to see what the problem was, and saw fire on the back bumper area on the driver's side. Someone called the fire department. While I grabbed a few things out of the inside of the car. The fire department t came and eventually put out the fire. I have never known a car to spontaneously combustion before, and it was a very traumatic experience. The car was destroyed between the fire, smoke and water, and declared totaled by the insurance company. The origin of the fire appeared to be in the tail light section and to be electrical in nature. I did not have any prior problems with the car, and it was equipped as originally leased from the dealer. It was only two years old and still under the warranty. Thankfully ,no one was hurt/killed this time. I believe this car was defective and posed a very real danger to my family as well as my coworkers. The manufacturer was extremely uncooperative in discussing the problem - with not even a 'sorry you are having trouble with one of our products' line as I wanted to be reimbursed for the deductible that I will have to give the insurance company.

Filed Sep 6, 2005 · Body, Transmission · GA

2005 chevrolet equinox transmission constantly fails to hold vehicle in place when stopped or parked.*mr the vehicle rolled forward when placed in reverse and must be stopped from rolling forward by stepping on the brake or steeping on the gas pedal. The consumer smelled burning rubber in or around the front console, there was extreme heat from the engine, on the front hood and in the engine compartment, heat on the front windshield dashboard and the rear tail gate area. The consumer was told the heat he was feeling was from natural sources. The front side window and door supports interfered with the consumers vision. The doors constantly creak and make loud noises when opened. The back head rests impair the rear window visibility.