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
695 reports, newest first.
Steering, Jun 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECTIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. P
Service brakes, Jun 23, 2014
THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATED AT EACH STOP. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 18, 2014
I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT AT TIMES THE CAR WOULD NOT START THE FIRST TIME I TURNED THE KEY. I WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE KEY TO OFF POSITION AND TRY AGAIN, THIS COULD SOMETIMES TAKE A COUPLE OF TIMES. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY OVER AND OVER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT REPEAT THE COMPLAINT. THEN FINALLY IN 2013 THEY DID AND STATED THAT IT WAS INDEED THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH WOULD COST A GOOD AMOUNT TO GET FIX. THEY ALSO SHOWED ME THAT WHILE THE KEY IS IN RUNNING POSITION THAT IT COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. WITH THE LATEST OF MANY RECALLS ON THE GM VEHICLES I BELIEVE THE EQUINOX SHOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS AS THEY EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Suspension, Service brakes, Jun 17, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE ABS AND TRAC WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL VIBRATED WHENEVER DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE REPAIRS CONSISTED OF THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH OF THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, SENSORS AND THE CV-BOOSTER. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Electrical system, Visibility, Jun 3, 2014
THE BLEND DOOR ON THE HEATED IS BROKEN. I SEE THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS? IF NOT WHY ISN'T THERE? I SEE YOU ISSUED A RECALL ON THE 2010 EQUINOX FOR THIS PROBLEM. MY DAUGHTER WHO IS A COLLEGE STUDENTS DRIVES THIS CAR AND CAN'T AFFORD THE $1000+ TO REPAIR IT. *TR
Service brakes, Air, Traction control system, May 19, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DECELERATING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT FELT THE BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY. THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN USE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Engine, May 13, 2014
IT WOULD CHUG WHEN I STARTED IT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT IN TO A DEALERSHIP TO GET FIXED AND THEY SAID THERE IS A BIG CRACK IN THE EGR VALVE PIPING. *TR
Service brakes, May 3, 2014
WE HAVE HAD REPETITIVE PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS BRAKES KICKING IN AND THE VEHICLE NOT WANTING TO STOP. HAVE HAD IT SERVICED 3 TIMES IN 4 MONTHS. (HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR 6 MONTHS). REPLACED BOTH FRONT WHEEL ABS SENSORS AND THE LAST TIME THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED AND NOW IT IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. IT IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM BUT THE SENSOR LIGHTS ONLY COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. WE HAVE NOT EVEN PUT 3000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE SINCE WE HAVE OWNED IT. FROM LOOKING ONLINE WE HAVE FOUND THAT WE ARE ONE OF MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN IT IS DEALING WITH A BRAKE ISSUE I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT CHEVY HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. WE ALSO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION WHEN YOU TURN IT OVER IT CONTINUES TO TRY TO START AFTER IT IS RUNNING. THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE IS STOP IS TO STEP ON THE GAS. AGAIN BY LOOKING ONLINE I SEE THAT THIS TOO IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM. I REALLY LIKE THE CAR BUT AT THIS POINT I AM SO FRUSTRATED WITH TAKING IT INTO THE SHOP ALL OF THE TIME AND HAVING THEM NOT BE ABLE TO TELL ME WHAT NEEDS DONE TO FIX IT. *TR
Air bags, May 2, 2014, crash
MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE CAR HIT THE TREE. IT HIT SO HARD THE BACK TIRES CAME COMPLETELY OFF THE GROUND. *TR
Air bags, Apr 23, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT SEAT, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 4, 2014
EN BREAKING 90% OF THE TIME.WHEN I WAS COMING TO A STOP ON THE FREEWAY MY STEERING COLUMN STARTED VIBRATING AND CONTINUES TO DO SO . WHEN STARTING TRUCK THE IGNITION KEEPS GOING AS IF THE TRUCK IS ON REPEAT START. SOMETIMES WHEN I TURN THE IGNITION OFF THE TRUCK STAYS ON. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 1, 2014
I HAVE AN 06 CHEVY EQUINOX. OVER THE PAST MONTH IT HAS BEEN RANDOMLY SHUTTING OFF AS YOU ARE DRIVING. THE FIRST TIME I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND IT SHUT OFF. AFTER A FEW TRIES TO START IT BACK UP I CALLED MY HUSBAND HE CAME TO GET ME AND IT STARTED BACK UP. WE TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC THAT DAY. HE SAW NOTHING WRONG. THERE WAS NO CODE THAT CAME UP TO IDENTIFY A PROBLEM. SINCE THEN IT HAS SHUT OFF MULTIPLE TIME WHILE IN MOTION. THE ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN AND THE TC LIGHT WILL COME. I FOUND THIS FORUM AND READ OTHER COMMENTS OF THIS HAPPENING. I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND HAVE TO GO OVER A BRIDGE EVERY DAY TO GO TO WORK. I AM SCARED THIS MIGHT HAPPEN WHILE ON THE BRIDGE OR HIGHWAY. GM SHOULD REALLY LOOK IN TO THIS PROBLEM IF IT IS HAPPENING TO MORE THAN A FEW PEOPLE. I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO GIVE AWAY IF NO PROBLEM CAN BE SEEN BY A MECHANIC NOR CAN I AFFORD A NEW CAR. SOME ONE PLEASE HELP OR GIVE ME AN ANSWER. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 1, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT HAD SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND EXITED WHEN THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY RESTARTED WITHOUT THE KEY BEING IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
Visibility, Mar 30, 2014
HEATER STOPPED WORKING ON VEHICLE MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DEFROST MY FRONT WINDOW. THIS CREATES A DRIVING HAZARD DUE TO FOGGY WINDOW. THIS CAN HAPPEN IN COLD OR HUMID WEATHER SO IT IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY GM, ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Mar 28, 2014
THE HEATER VENT DOOR HAS BECOME INOPERABLE RESULTING IN NO HEAT ENTERING THE CABIN. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY OTHER PEOPLE BUT YET NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED BY GM (ONLY SERVICE BULLETINS). THIS IS A FLAWED DESIGN AND IS A HAZARDOUS SAFETY ISSUE DURING AN ICE/SNOW EVENT. THE VEHICLE ALSO BEGAN OVERHEATING FOR NO APPARENT REASON (EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT & FLUSHING THE SYSTEM). THESE SYMPTOMS ALL BEGAN SHORTLY AFTER THE HEATING PROBLEM MATURED. RELATED OR NOT, THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH SIMILAR (MAJOR) EXPENSE IN TRYING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE(S). THERE IS SOMETHING FLAWED IN THE DESIGN OF THIS COOLANT/HEATING SYSTEM AND GM SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE!! *TR
Engine, Mar 27, 2014
2006 EQUINOX OVERHEATED CAUSING CAR TO QUIT ON INTERSTATE, HAD TO BE TOWED, RENT A CAR, RENT A MOTEL ROOM, HAD MY CAR TOWED TO CHEVROLET SERVICE TALLAHASSEE, WAS TOLD THAT HAD HEAD GASKET PROBLEM EXT COST 2400.00 IF NO OTHER PROBLEMS SO I HAD CAR TOWED HOME, HAD TO PAY FOR TRAILER AND GAS, TOOK TO LOCAL MECHANIC HE VERIFIED WHAT CHEVROLET DEALER HAD SAID EST COST AT THIS POINT $2000.00 MAY BE MORE IF OTHER DAMAGES FOUND, RESEARCHED ONLINE FOUND THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR EQUINOX CALLED GMC WAS TOLD HAD I TOOK IT TO CHEV. DEALERSHIP THEY MIGHT COULD HAVE HELPED ME GET DISCOUNT BUT COULD NOT HELP ME BECAUSE I TOOK IT TOOK LOCAL MECHANIC. THIS CAR IS A BIG DANGER ME AND MY GRANDKIDS COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED WE BARELY MADE IT OFF THE INTERSTATE. GMC NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Mar 21, 2014
ONE DAY I NOTICED THE BRAKES WERE HARDER THAN NORMAL TO PUSH TO STOP THE CAR AND THEN MY ABS/TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS WOULD COME ON, WHEN THEY DID THE CAR WOULD BRAKE FINE. THIS NOW HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS COME ON AS SOON AS I START THE CAR AND SOMETIMES IT TAKES A FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING FOR THE LIGHTS TO COME ON, UNTIL THEY DO, BRAKING IS SCARY. BOTH FRONT HUBS, BOTH FRONT SENSORS, ROTORS AND PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND STILL ABS/TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMING ON. ALSO HAD ALL FOUR TIRES AIR PRESSURE CHECKED. ALL OF THIS WORK HAS BEEN PERFORMED BY A LICENSED MECHANIC AND HE IS NOW STUMPED. I HAVE BEEN READING OTHER COMPLAINTS ON DIFFERENT SITES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND NO RESOLUTION. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED IN 2010. MOST RECENTLY, THE VEHICLE STALLED SPORADICALLY AND LOST STEERING. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO START AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE KEY CONTINUOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,859 AND THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 04/29/14 MA THE CONSUMER STATED THE BACK LOCK CYLINDER INTERMITTENTLY TURNED FREELY. UPDATED 05/2/2014 *JS
Electrical system, Mar 16, 2014
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED FROM A LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP IN AUGUST OF 2010. AT THE TIME OF THE PURCHASE I NOTICED THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD PARTIALLY JAMMED WHEN TRYING TO START. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY PUT GRAPHITE IN THE SWITCH. IT STILL JAMS TO THIS DAY. I WAS CURIOUS IF THIS COULD BE RELATED TO THE RECALL I RECENTLY READ ABOUT. *TR
Engine, Mar 4, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP FAILED. THE WATER PUMP WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO THEN ADVISED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Suspension, Service brakes, Feb 14, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN TO PULSATE WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DECELERATE EVEN AFTER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED REPEATEDLY. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE TRACTION AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TEN TIMES WHERE THE FRONT BRAKES AND BEARINGS WERE REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 04/22/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS FIXED. UPDATED 04/24/14
Electrical system, Feb 1, 2014
THE CAR IS OVER HEATING EXCESSIVELY AND IT HAS ALSO AFFECTED THE HEATING SYSTEM IN MY CAR. I WAS TOLD BY CHEVROLET IN BRODHEADSVILLE, PA THAT IT WOULD COST ME $2,800.00. THIS PRICE IS EXTREMELY HIGH. UPON DOING RESEARCH, CHEVROLET, EQUINOX HAVE BEEN KNOW TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE HEAD GASKET. THEY NEED TO DO A RECALL ON ALL OF THE CARS. *TR
Visibility, Jan 28, 2014
VEHICLE HAS NO HEAT OR DEFROST. TOOK TO SHOP. SHOP STATED BLEND DOOR IS BROKEN AND ACTUATOR NEEDS REPLACED. SHOP HAS TO DISSEMBLE THE ENTIRE VEHICLE DASH TO ACCESS AND REPLACE THE 2 PARTS TO THE COST OF $1030.00. MAJORITY OF COSTS $750 IS LABOR TO DISSEMBLE AND REASSEMBLE THE ENTIRE DASH TO REPLACE 2 SIMPLE PARTS THAT TOTAL ABOUT $280 FOR GM. AS I AM FINDING OUT THIS IS A RECURRING EVENT WITH A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF EQUINOX VEHICLE OWNERS. *TR
Suspension, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 24, 2014
I HAVE HAD ALL KIND OF TROUBLE OUT OF THIS VEHICLE. FIRST IT WAS THE WHEEL BEARINGS. CHANGE ONE AN NOT LONG AFTER HAVE TO CHANGE ANOTHER. HAVE CHANGED ABOUT 4. THREE ON ONE WHEEL AN ONE ON THE OTHER. AND NOW HAVE TO CHANGE ANOTHER THAT I CAN TELL. THEN IT STARTED WITH BRAKES RECENTLY. THEY WOULD STICK. HAD BRAKES REPLACED THAT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON VEHICLE. THEN WENT OFF HAVEN'T CAME ON SINCE BUT BRAKES HAVE STUCK MORE THAN ONE TIME. VERY DANGEROUS. NOW TO GET WITH THE AIR IN THE VEHICLE THAT I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAIN ABOUT. WHILE CAR IS SITTING STILL THE VEHICLE WILL STAY WARM AN WARM AIR BLOWING OUT. WHERE IT HAS BEEN COLD WHEN DRIVING THE CAR THE TEMP WOULD GO DOWN ON VEHICLE MAKING THE AIR BLOW OUT COOL AN I ABOUT FREEZE TO DEATH DRIVING. WINDOWS FOG UP FAST. NEED A RECALL IF SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE/ISSUES. CAN CAUSE MAJOR PROBLEMS IF NOT ADDRESSED OR FIXED. I DON'T LET ME KIDS RIDE IN THE CAR WITH ME ANYMORE CAUSE OF THIS. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Engine, Jan 16, 2014, crash
HIT A ONE TON LOW BED DUMP TRUCK, THE WHOLE FRONT END OF MY SUV WAS DEMOLISHED, MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND I ENDED UP WITH REALLY BAD WHIPLASH FROM THE ACCIDENT, TO WHERE I'M STILL IN MAJOR PAIN! WONDERING IF THERE WAS A LAWSUIT AGAINST THIS? NEVER DEALT WITH A WRECK THIS BAD, I WAS JUST CURIOUS! *TR