NHTSA Complaint #10173221 — 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX

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. *NM