2006 Chevrolet Equinox
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Visibility is the leading concern among 695 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 21 Equinox model years with reports.
Of the 2006 reports, 16 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 20 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
141 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Visibility, Dec 15, 2011
2006 EQUINOX; AIR TEMP BLEND DOOR NOT OPERATING, NO HEAT NO DEFROST ON SUV. THIS POSES A ISSUE DURING WINTER MONTHS. CAUSING ISSUES VISIBILITY FOR DRIVER. HAVE SEEN SEVERAL FORUMS THAT DISCUSS MANY MANY EQUINOX SUV WITH SAME PROBLEM WITH VIN STARTING WITH 2CNDL. REALLY NEEDS A RECALL ON THIS ASAP... OVER $1000 TO REPAIR $35 TO $100 PART. (NOTE. I AM ENTERING COMPLAINT FOR A FRIEND WHO WORKS 2/3 JOBS AND DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DO THIS HERSELF. I AM THE CONTACT PERSON). *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Dec 1, 2011
YESTERDAY THE HEATER STOPPED BLOWING HOT AIR. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BLEND DOOR AND THE BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR NEEDED REPLACED. FROM RESEARCHING THE ISSUE THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BY GM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Visibility, Nov 28, 2011
NO HEAT COMING IN THE SUV TO DEFROST WINDOWS OR TO WARM UP THE INSIDE. TOTAL REPAIR WILL BE $800.00 FOR A $30.00 PART. PLASTIC PLATE THAT CONTROLS THE AIR AND HEAT IS DEFECTIVE. APPARENTLY THE PART AFTER SOMETIME GET WEAK FROM HOT AND COLD CONDITIONS. ONLY WAY TO FIX IS TO TEAR COMPLETE DASH BOARD OUT TO REACH BLOWER ASSEMBLY, REPLACE VENT DOOR AND REASSEMBLE THE ENTIRE DASH BOARD. *KB
Electrical system, Visibility, Nov 24, 2011
HEAT SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING IN TRUCK. MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED BY OTHER OWNERS , PERTAINING TO THE TEMP BLEND DOOR BEING DEFECTIVE. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Nov 19, 2011
THE AIR TEMPERATURE BLEND DOOR FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE LOSS OF HEAT AND THE ABILITY TO DEFOG THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND IS A DEFINITE SAFETY CONCERN DUE TO THE LACK OF VISIBILITY. ALSO THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE BY CHEVY WITH THOUSANDS OF FAILURES REPORTED ON VARIOUS WEBSITES ACROSS THE INTERNET. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Nov 14, 2011
HEATING PROBLEM IN THE VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED TO THE BLEND AIR DAMPER (VALVE) BEING BROKEN FROM THE BLEND AIR ACTUATOR TORQUING IT TOO FAR. I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM FOR GM AND THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Nov 8, 2011
THE DEFROSTER HAS GONE OUT. THE HEATER DOES NOT WORK. THE ENGINE BLOCK HEATER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Nov 6, 2011
2010 NOVEMBER 7 HEATER KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF, WEIRD TIMES, WHILE TURNING, SOMETIMES WHILE BRAKING HARD, ALSO LOST THE LIGHT FOR THE WINDOW SWITCHES AND HEATER CONTROL 8 HEATER NOT WORKING TODAY 9 HEATER KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF, WEIRD TIMES, WHILE TURNING, SOMETIMES WHILE BREAKING HARD, ALSO LOST THE LIGHT FOR THE WINDOW SWITCHES AND HEATER CONTROL 10 HEATER NOT WORKING TODAY 22 - MECHANIC FIXED MY BLOWER MOTOR; CAUSE WAS A LOOSE/BURNT CONNECTION IN THE BLACK CONNECTOR (RED/WHITE WIRE), UNDER THE TOE KICK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, 2011 JULY 18 TWICE AC FAN SHUTOFF WHILE DRIVING 19 AC FAN SHUTOFF AGAIN WHILE DRIVING 20 AC FAN SHUTOFF COMPLETELY 24 - MECHANIC FIXED AC FAN, JUMPED WIRES (RED/WHITE WIRE, FAN CONTROLLER) NOVEMBER 5 LOOKS LIKE THE REASON MY HEATER IS NOT WORKING, IT'S THE FAN DOOR' NOT OPERATING, MECHANIC IS INVESTIGATING MORE.. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 26, 2011
WHEN THE WEATHER STARTED TO GET COOLER I ATTEMPED TO PUT THE HEAT ON IN MY 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX AND NOTHING BUT COLD AIR CAME OUT! I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. THIS IS A SAFTEY CONCER BECAUSE I ALSO HAVE NO DEFROST. THE LACK OF HEAT IS CAUSED BY THE AIR TEMPERATURE BLEND DOOR FAILING TO OPERATE. THE BLEND DOOR ALLOWS AIR TO FLOW PAST THE HEATER CORE. THE AIR TEMPERATURE DOOR HAS A PLASTIC ARM WHICH IS CONNECTED TO AN ELECTRIC MOTOR. IT SEEMS THE PROBLEM IS WITH THIS PLASTIC ARM BREAKING AND MOTOR MALFUNCTION. GM DEALERS REPLACE THE PLASTIC ARM WITH A METAL ARM AT A COST TO THE CONSUMER OF BETWEEN $1100 AND $1400 DOLLARS. THIS IS A MANUFACTURES PART PROBLEM. GM SHOULD STEP UP AND MAKE THIS PROBLEM A RECALL ISSUE. SAFTEY IS INVOLVED. THE NEWER MODELS HAVE BEEN MODIFIED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TT
Electrical system, Equipment, Jul 13, 2011
FOR A FEW MONTHS MY KEY WAS HAVING TROUBLE TURNING IN MY IGNITION AS WELL AS MY SPARE KEY. IT FINALLY STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED AND HAD TO HAVE THE HOUSING AND IGNITION REPLACED. MY MECHANIC HAS INFORMED ME THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE EQUINOX MODELS. MY FRIEND AND I HAVE THE SAME MODEL BUT DIFFERENT YEARS AND ARE REALIZING WE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. IF THIS IS SUCH A PROBLEM FOR CHEVY THEY NEED TO PLACE IT ON THE RECALL LIST INSTEAD OF CONSUMERS HAVING TO PAY $450 FOR SOMETHING THEY KNOW IS AN EXISTING PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Equipment, Jun 11, 2011
MY 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX HAS TROUBLE STARTING. THE PROBLEM USED TO BE INTERMITTENT, BUT HAS BECOME MORE REGULAR OVER THE YEARS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS TO DIAGNOSE AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM OR THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS IT WILL ONLY START IF YOU HOLD THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. OTHERWISE, IT WILL JUST CRANK AND THEN TURN OFF. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THE 2005 EQUINOX SEEMINGLY HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND WAS ISSUED A RECALL. I WORK HARD TO PAY THE BILLS AND NEED SOMEONE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM THAT THESE VEHICLES SRE HAVING. *TR
Electrical system, May 1, 2011
I HAVE A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX LS. PURCHASED FROM THE DEALERSHIP BRAND NEW IN 2006. I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION GETTING STUCK A LOT. IT PROGRESSIVELY BEEN GETTING WORSE SO I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT I'M NOT ALONE. HAVING VERY SIMILAR PROBLEMS AS PROBABLY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE. THE KEY WON'T TURN AND IT TAKES ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES FUSSING WITH IT BEFORE IT LUCKILY TURNS ON. I HAVEN'T HAD TO CALL FOR A TOW YET OR BRING IT INTO THE DEALER AND FORK OUT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. I HOPE IT DOESN'T DIE ALL TOGETHER. I DON'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD PAY FOR A DEFECT SUCH AS THIS. PLEASE RECALL THE IGNITION IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Feb 21, 2011
HEAT IN 2006 EQUINOX CHEVY QUIT DUE TO HEATER BLEND DOOR FAILURE. COST TO FIX WAS $944 + TAX. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW, AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED AT GMC EXPENSE, NOT THE CONSUMER. ALSO CAREGARD WARRANTY SERVICES INC. DIDN'T COVER THE REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THE AIR AND HEATING SYSTEM IS COVERED IN THEIR POLICY. DUE TO SMALL PRINT AND A PLAY ON WORDS THEY CAN CLAIM THAT ANY PART THAT IS NOT SPECIFICALLY CALLED OUT BY NAME IS NOT COVERED, EVEN THOUGH THE HEATING SYSTEM IS COVERED. STAY AWAY FROM BOTH CHEVROLET AND CAREGARD WARRANTY SERVICES INC. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 7, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT COULD NOT OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. THE CONTACT STATED A WEEK LATER THAT ALL THE ELECTRONIC FUNCTIONS ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jan 19, 2011
WE HAVE A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX THAT HAS CONTINUOUSLY HAD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS THAT DEACTIVATES THE GAS PEDAL ACCELERATOR. WHEN IT HAPPENS YOU CAN ONLY MOVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE PEDAL FLOORED AT 1 MILE PER HOUR WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU ARE ON A HIGH SPEED HIGHWAY WITH NO OTHER CARS AROUND AS YOU CAN NOT MOVE OUT OF THE WAY OF HIGH SPEED VEHICLES THAT MAY BE APPROACHING. WE HAVE HAD IT INTO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN AGAIN INTERMITTENTLY AS TO THE POINT WE FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WE HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH CHEVY AND THEY REFUSE TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. WE ARE AFRAID TO TAKE IT ON VACATION AS WE COULD BE STRANDED. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 22, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT'S MECHANIC BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE HEATING COIL WHICH WAS BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND HARD TO REACH AND REPLACE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
Electrical system, Equipment, Nov 5, 2010
I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX THAT I BOUGHT BRAND NEW. I'VE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH IT. THE FIRST WAS ISSUES WITH IT NOT WANTING TO START. AT THAT POINT IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE IGNITION. THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED THROUGHOUT THE FOUR YEARS THAT I'VE HAD IT, AND NOW OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME I START MY CAR. I'VE ALSO HAD THE HEATER BLOW COLD AIR, AND THE DEALER REPLACED BLOWER DOOR AND ACTUATOR. I CONTACTED GM, WHO AGREED TO PAY HALF OF THE COST. THAT WAS IN JANUARY OF 2009. SINCE THEN, I'VE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES AS WELL WITH THE KEY GETTING "STUCK" IN THE IGNITION. USUALLY AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF MOVING STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH, IT WILL FINALLY COME OUT. THIS HAPPENED MOSTLY THIS PAST SUMMER WHEN IT WAS REALLY HOT OUTSIDE. I'VE ALSO HEARD CLICKING NOISES COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE RANDOMLY WHEN I TURN MY CAR RIGHT AFTER MY CAR HAS BEEN PARKED AND RUNNING FOR AWHILE. ANOTHER ISSUE IS REVVING UP FOR NO REASON. BOTH TIMES I WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT AND THEN STARTED TO TURN LEFT AND CAR REVS UP AND SEEMS TO GET STUCK IN GEAR THEN EVENTUALLY KICKS OUT. AFTER READING THE OTHER REPORTS, I AM NOW SCARED THAT THE NEXT ISSUE IS GOING TO BE MY CAR SHUTTING DOWN WHILE I'M DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I WORK IN HOME HEALTH, THEREFORE I AM DRIVING MY CAR ALL DAY EVERYDAY. I ALSO HAVE A TODDLER AND WORRY ABOUT HIS SAFETY IN MY VEHICLE. *TR
Electrical system, Traction control system, Nov 1, 2010
OVER THE PAST YEAR MY CHEVY EQUINOX HAS BEEN GIVING PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH CHANGE OUT TWICE BECAUSE WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE THE IGNITION CYLINDER SWELLS AND THE KEY CAN NOT BE TURNED. THE PAST THREE MONTHS THERE HAS BEEN ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHERE THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF IMMEDIATELY AND WILL NOT START AGAIN. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 11, 2010
8/17/10 WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF - NO WARNING & ALL THE RECOMMENDED SERVICE HAS BEEN DONE ON THE CAR AT THE CHEVY DEALER SINCE I PURCHASED BRAND NEW. TOOK CAR TO CHEVY DEALER & THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE BUT THOUGHT IT MAY BE DUE TO A DIRTY THROTTLE BODY, SO THEY CLEANED IT. 9/1/10 WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR SHUTS OFF AGAIN AND AGAIN ON 9/3/10 SO MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH CHEVY DEALER & THEY SAID THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE & THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE SWITCH. 9/10/10 PROBLEM OCCURS AGAIN & CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP. CHEVY DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX PROBLEM YET. THIS IS A REAL CONCERN TO HAVE YOUR CAR SHUT OFF WHILE SIMPLY DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT DOES RESTART BUT I HAVE TO SIT AND TRY SEVERAL TIMES. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 7, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SWITCH FROM AIR CONDITIONING TO HEAT WHILE HE WAS DRIVING. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT IN THE BEGINNING BUT THE FAILURE PROGRESSED AND BECAME MORE FREQUENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STRIP FLAPPER DOOR ON THE HEATING COIL WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 64,000.
Electrical system, Sep 1, 2010
CHEVROLET PASSLOCK SYSTEM IS INTENDED TO KEEP ONE'S CAR FROM BEING STOLEN BUT THE WIDESPREAD ISSUES WITH THIS SYSTEM ARE A DANGER TO ITS DRIVERS. THIS SYSTEM HAS LEFT ME STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE IT HINDERS THE ENGINE FROM STARTING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Equipment, Jul 18, 2010
TRUCK LOST SPEED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. ENGINE CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. TRUCK CAN BE WORKING ONE MINUTE AND YOU PARK AND COME BACK AND NOTHING IT WOULD START AND HAVE TO BE TOW AND THIS HAS HAPPEN TO ME THREE TIMES IN THE LAST 5 MONTHS. THE ELEC SYSTEM ALWAYS HAVE SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT. RUNNING AT 55 MPH AND A SEMI-TRACTOR TRAILER BEHIND YOU WITH YOUR THREE SMALL GRAND CHILDREN IN THE BACK AND THE TRUCK JUST LOST IT SPEED WITH NO WARNING IS A FRIGHTENING THING TO HAPPENING. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY, THE STARTED, AND NOW THE LOWER COOLER FAN IS OUT THE ELEC. SYSTEM JUST KEEP BREAKING DOWN BACK TO BACK AND I HARDLY EVEN DRIVE IT ONLY TO DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS AND TO DO MY SHOPPING. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 5, 2010
2006 CHEVY EQUINOX WOULD NOT START YESTERDAY MORNING. PUT A BRAND NEW BATTERY IN IT, IT STARTED THEN WHEN I GOT TO THE STORE AND CAME OUT TRIED TO START IT, IT WOULD NOT START! FINALLY GOT IT TO START AFTER I LIFTED THE HOOD AND BANGED ON A COUPLE OF THINGS. DROVE IT TO DEALERSHIP AND PARKED IT, WAS TOLD TO DRIVE TRUCK AROUND TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND GUESS WHAT? IT WOULD NOT START. THEY CHARGED $230 TO "FIX" IT. WAS SUPPOSEDLY POOR TERMINAL FIT AT STARTER SOLENOID CAUSING EXCESSIVE HEAT AT STARTER RELAY. GOT MY TRUCK HOME, DECIDED TO GO GET SOMETHING TO EAT AND TRUCK WOULD NOT START AGAIN! :( *TR
Electrical system, Mar 26, 2010
HEATER IN MY WIFES EQUNAX JUST QUIT WORKING WHILE WAS DRIVING IT WINDSHIELD ICED OVER AND FOGED UP SHE HAD TO PULL OVER RITE AWAY TOBEFORE SHE WRECKED IT
Electrical system, Steering, Mar 22, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STARTED HER VEHICLE AND ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE THEN TRIED TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT WAS LOCKED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE A FEW MONTHS LATER AND EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON AND THE STEERING FAILED TO RESET AND FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN SHE HEARD A CLICKING SOUND AND AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 6 MILES THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO FUNCTION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48000. UPDATED 05/10/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING HAS BEEN FIXED. THE PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE A LOOSE GROUND WIRE. UPDATED 05/12/10. *JB