The transmission started slipping when it was cold outside but would work properly after the engine and tranny warmed up. Took it to the shop and the transmission fluid looked like strawberry milk, indicating water in the tranny. They replaced it with a used one with low miles for $2700.

So, how did water get in? It's a sealed system, so it didn't come from the outside. The shop pressure-tested the radiator and it was fine, so it wasn't that. The only thing I can come up with is that the radiator must have been faulty and was replaced before I bought the car, but the owner either didn't know about the tranny or didn't tell me it was trashed.

I really like the Equinox, even though it has cost quite a bit in repairs. If you get one, DO NOT buy the 2005 model.

Bought this 05 chevy equinox used and covered under dealer warranty. had about 150k miles on it at the time, drove it back and forth to work everyday. about a month and a half later i noticed it would have trouble changing gears and would jerk really bad. had about 155k miles on it now, brought it back to the dealership i got it from and had the transmission replaced. they kept it for over a month and when i got it back everything seemed to be fine. about 3 months passed and it started doing the same thing again, brought it back and was told nothing was wrong with it. its gotten so bad that at this point i usually have to shift it into neutral and back into drive to get it to go into the proper gear. it now has 166k miles on it.

I have had this car since February 2011. It has been under repairs for longer then I have had the car. The first couple of weeks it needed new struts. Just over 2 months it started going "haywire" May 14th it went into the shop and got a new transmission modulator...I got it back August 2nd When it continued to go "haywire" drove it to the dealership (45 miles away) and they report that the car will not even drive 30 feet. Transmission has failed and front tire needs to be replaced. I am having them look at electrical too because if I put 3k into this car and it comes out with problems again I will be quite irrate.

Well, my fear of my transmission going out happened. Only the 2nd gear starting slipping ON THE INTERSTATE. I was pissed. Things started going wrong at 38k, the day after I bought it, but nothing really serious. Now at 83k, the transmissions 2nd gear went out. 2nd gear clutch sprag was replaced and the torque converter was NOT recalibrated. I had no idea that the torque converter recalibration was an absolute must on this. The whole transmission completely went out 2 weeks later because of it. The first time, it was under warranty. The second time, GM covered the torque converter and the labor on the transmission. I had to pay for a $550 overhaul kit that included 1st and reverse. I was irate since it was the dealerships fault in the first damn place the whole thing went out. It is being traded in tomorrow for a 2011 Kia Sorento SX. It has an unbeatable warranty.