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.
Visibility, Aug 4, 2013
I LIVE IN ALASKA WHERE IT DOES GET COLD DURING THE WINTER TIME. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING FROM ANCHORAGE TO OUR HOME ABOUT 45 MILES AWAY WHEN SHE HAD NO HEAT INSIDE HER CAR. I REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT AND SENSOR CHECK THE HEATER CORE ALL WERE FINE. I COULD NOT FIGURED OUT WHY NO HEAT. NO HEAT ALSO MEANT I COULD NOT DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD ( SAFETY HAZARD). I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND ASK OTHER EQUINOX OWNERS IF THEY HAD THE PROBLEM. I FOUND OUT THE BLEND DOOR BREAKS. THE REASON IT BREAKS IS THE BLEND DOOR MOTOR ROTATES TO FAR, BREAKING THE TABS ON THE DOOR. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS SAFETY HAZARD? LOOK ON THE INTERNET AND YOU WILL FIND MANY OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND STILL THE NHTSA DOES NOTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM, WHY? *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 2, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH AND NOTICED A GAS LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Jul 22, 2013
MY 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX HAS A UN -FIXABLE [PER DEALER] A.C. PROBLEM. DRIVING IN FLORIDA WITH TEMPS IN THE HIGH NINES IN TRAFFIC THE TEMP INSIDE THE CAR IS MUCH HIGHER. BEING IN OUR SEVENTIES I NEARLY PASSED OUT WHILE DRIVING. THIS PROBLEM IS RAMPART ON GOOGLE WITH HUNDREDS OF THE SAME ISSUE. TRYING TO DRIVE WITH IN-CAR TEMP. OVER 112 IS SCARY AND NOT SAFE. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO LOCATE A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED ON THE 2007 CHEVROLET EQUINOX MODEL YEAR UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V459000 (FUEL SYSTEM) BUT NOT FOR THE 2006 MODEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 19, 2013
MY HEATER QUIT BLOWING HOT AIR AND THUS, THE WINDOWS FOG UP. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND IT IS THE BLEND DOOR. UPON FURTHER READING OF THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY 2006 EQUINOX HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS A 10 HOUR LABOR JOB AND SO 1000.00 TO REPLACE. SINCE THIS EFFECTS VISIBILITY, I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jul 15, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE WHEN THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES, BUT WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO TURN THE KEY AND POWER THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER DID NOT MOVE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONNECTED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 95,000. *TR
Visibility, Jul 11, 2013
WE HAD A COLD FRONT COME THROUGH TODAY CAUSING MY WINDOW TO FOG. I CHANGED MY AIR TO HEAT BUT JUST GOT COLD AIR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT ITS MY BLEND DOOR. HE SAID IT WOULD COST ABOUT $45 FOR THE PART BUT $1200 IN LABOR!!!!! HE ALSO SAID THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THOUSANDS OF EQUINOX'S! THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED AND A RECALL ISSUED! I COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING AND CAME SO CLOSE TO WREAKING I SAT IN THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND CRIED! *TR
Seat belts, Service brakes, Engine, Jul 11, 2013
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES GRINDING NOT WANTING TO STOP AND TOOK TO A SHOP SAID MY BRAKES WERE LIKE BRAND NEW BUT YET IT DOESN'T WANT TO STOP MAKES GRINDING NOISES. I REPLACED THE STARTER IN MY CAR FOUR TIMES AND AM STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS STICKS WHEN STARTING OR DOESN'T WANT TO WORK AT ALL AND THIS WAS IN A TWO MONTH PERIOD. MY FRONT DRIVERS SEATBELT WOULD NOT RELEASE THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH BEARINGS HAD TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. ALSO WITH THE STEERING WHEN DRIVING IT HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN WHEN I CHANGE LANES WANTS TO KEEP GOING TOWARD THE DITCH.WHY ISN'T ANY OF THIS BEING ADDRESSED BY CHEVROLET I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE OF NO RECALLS BUT APPARENTLY CHEVY DOESN'T WANT TO FIX THESE ISSUES AND IT COULD KILL SOMEONE !! ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WHEN IT RAINS ALSO IT DOESN'T DO WELL AT ALL IN RAIN AT ALL AND I HAVE BRAND NEW TIRES ON MY VEHICLE. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 10, 2013
IN JANUARY 2012 WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF BUYING OUR 2006 EQUINOX, WE STARTED HAVING IGNITION PROBLEM. WE WOULD TRY TO START IT AND IT WOULD JUST KEEP CRANKING UNTIL IT WOULD FINALLY START. WE TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP OF PURCHASE AND THEY TRIED REPLACING SEVERAL PARTS BUT THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE HAD IT IN AT LEAST 6 TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND FINALLY WERE TOLD UNLESS IT JUST ALTOGETHER DOESN'T START THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. IT IS NOW JULY 2013, STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOW HAVING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS LIKE, COOLING FANS WON'T WORK, WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP OR DOWN, RADIO BUTTON ON STEERING WHEEL CHOOSING WHEN IT WANTS TO WORK, GAS MILEAGE IS TERRIBLE AND HAS BEEN FROM THE START. AFTER RESEARCHING SEVERAL WEB PAGES ABOUT COMPLAINTS WE ARE NOW FINDING OUT THAT THESE PROBLEMS MAY GET WORSE!!! ALSO WE HAVE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THIS ISSUE IS DUE TO THE PCM WHICH HAS BEEN RECALLED IN THE 2005 EQUINOX AND SEVERAL OTHER CHEVROLET PRODUCTS BUT UNFORTUNATELY NOT THE 2006!!! ACCORDING TO OTHER ACCOUNTS, THE PCM CAN AFFECT MANY OTHER COMPONENTS. HOPING CHEVROLET WILL STEP UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CHEVY FAN BUT AT THIS RATE I AM STARTING TO LEAN TOWARDS FORD AS I HEAR THEY BACK THEIR PRODUCTS! WHAT A SHAME! THE SAD PART IS THIS IS OUR ONLY VEHICLE AT THE MOMENT AND THIS REPAIR IS NOT AFFORDABLE SO IF A RECALL DOESN'T HAPPEN SOON I'M NOT SURE WHAT WE'LL DO! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Service brakes, Jul 8, 2013, crash
I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40 MPH DOWN A MAIN ROAD, WHEN I TRIED TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT. UPON PRESSING THE BRAKE, THE WHOLE BRAKE SYSTEM LOCKED UP, AND THERE WAS RESISTANCE. I SWERVED TO AVOID THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, AND RAN INTO A MAILBOX ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. PRIOR TO THIS, MY CAR EXPERIENCED OVERHEATING AND SMOKE THAT BLOCKED MY VIEW, AND I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I AM MENTIONING THIS BECAUSE I SEE THAT OTHERS HAD THE SAME ISSUE. GM NEEDS TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT. *TR
Power train, Jun 25, 2013
TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION, WAS TOLD THAT THE CENTER SUPPORT BEARING IS LOOSE AND WORN, COULD CAUSE THE AXLE TO FALL OFF. HAVE BEEN READING DIFFERENT FORUMS AND THIS DOESN'T SEEM TO BE AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. CAR HAS LESS THAN 56,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 17, 2013
MY 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX HAS AND IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS OUTLINED IN GM RECALL 13V-248. THE DRIVER DOOR POWER WINDOW AND POWER LOCK WORKED INTERMITTENTLY AND IS NOW TOTALLY INOPERABLE. EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE LIST OF RECALLED VEHICLES, SHOULD I BE CONCERNED THAT THIS IS RELATED AND MAY CAUSE A FIRE? *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Jun 16, 2013
THE POWER WINDOW CONTROL ON THE DRIVER SIDE NO LONGER WORKS, THE POWER LOCK ON THAT SIDE QUIT WORKING AS WELL. NOW I HEAR THERE IS A RECALL OF 2006 GM VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE, BUT NOT MY CAR. IS THIS A COINCIDENCE OR NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS FROM EQUINOX OWNERS? THE RISK THAT CAUSED THE RECALL WAS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE. DO I NEED TO WORRY THAT MY CAR WILL CATCH FIRE? *TR
Service brakes, Jun 12, 2013
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY OF 2013, NOTICED THAT ABS AND TC LIGHT WERE COMING ON WHILE DRIVING, AND THAT FRONT BRAKES HAD CRUNCHING AND GRINDING SOUND, AND WOULD JAM WHEN BRAKES WERE HIT. HAD FRONT BRAKE REPLACED, AND NEW TIRES PUT ON, AND STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENING. TOOK IT TO DAN VADEN DEALERSHIP ON FEB 26, 2013, WAS INFORMED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. ON MARCH 6, 2013 WHILE PRESSING BRAKES THEY JAMMED, AND HAD TO PULL VEHICLE OFF ROAD NOT TO HIT VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. ON MARCH 7, 2013 TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DAN VANDEN DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THEY REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY FOR A CHARGE OF 593.28 (LABOR AND OTHER FEES). WHEN I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP THAT EVENING AND DROVE 1/2 MILE THE ABS AND TRACKING LIGHT CAME BACK ON WHILE DRIVING. DROVE VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP. I WAS GIVEN A COURTESY VEHICLE FOR A WEEK UNTIL THEY COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. IT IS NOW JUNE AND I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM OF THE ABS AND TC LIGHT COMING ON, AND BRAKES JAMMING. I HAVE ALSO SEEN ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ON GOOGLE REGARDING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE SAME VEHICLE. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED. *TR
Visibility, Jun 8, 2013
I HAVE NO HEAT OR DEFROSTERS. IS THERE A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WHEN COLD WEATHER IS PRESENT. SHOULD I FILE A LAW SUIT? I UNDERSTAND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION IN OTHER VEHICLES OF SAME MAKE AND MODEL. I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX. MY GARAGE STATES $1100.00 TO FIX. WHAT SHOULD I DO AND HOW CAN I GET CHEVROLET TO PAY FOR THIS? *TR
Engine, May 16, 2013, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO CHECK UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE ANY REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000. MAH
Visibility, May 14, 2013
HEAT JUST STOPPED BLOWING OUT , WAS TOLD IT COULD BE TEMPERATURE CONTROL DOOR, $25 PART AND $800 IN LABOR , THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON IT. *TR
Service brakes, May 13, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATED ABNORMALLY WHEN DEPRESSED. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED AND HAD BEEN REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,000.
Engine, May 6, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,759. *TR
Seat belts, May 6, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTED AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE FAILURE PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM RELEASING THE CHILD FROM THE CAR SEAT. THE CONTACT HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 11, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED INDEPENDENTLY, WITHOUT THE KEY BEING IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE ALSO POWERED OFF INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD ONLY BE STARTED WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *TR UPDATED 05/28/13*LJ
Engine, Apr 11, 2013
SPOUSE DRIVING THE VEHICLE INDICATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ON THE VEHICLE HAD RISEN QUICKLY WHILE SITTING IDLE AT A STOP LIGHT. THE GAUGE ONLY DECREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. SUSPECTED A THERMOSTAT. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY INDICATED THE SAME. REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. TESTS INDICATED A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THE VEHICLE HAD NO SYMPTOMS OF THIS ISSUE. NO LOSS OF COOLANT. NO COOLANT IN THE OIL. NO OIL IN THE COOLANT. NO WHITE SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST. THE ONLY INDICATOR WAS THE QUICKLY RISING TEMPERATURE. AT THAT POINT, NO PREEMPTIVE MEASURES COULD BE TAKEN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Wheels, Mar 21, 2013, crash
I RAN OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO A GUARDRAIL AND COULD NOT STOP UNTIL I WAS ON TOP OF THE GUARDRAIL INTO AN EMBANKMENT. MY ENTIRE FRONT END WAS DESTROYED AS WELL AS MOST OF THE UNDERNEATH OF THE CAR. MY FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS AS WELL AS GIVING ME A BLACK EYE, CROOKED TEETH, CUTS, BROKEN DENTAL APPLIANCES, AND MY TEETH WENT THROUGH MY LIP. I STRONGLY BELIEVE MY AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AND PREVENTED THE IMPACT OF MY FACE TO THE STEERING WHEEL SINCE I THOUGHT THAT IS WHAT AIRBAGS ARE FOR. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 15, 2013
I OWN A 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX. PURCHASED THE CAR BACK IN AUGUST 2009 AND A FEW DAYS AFTER BUYING THE VEHICLE THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I WOULD TURN THE KEY TO TURN THE CAR ON AND IT WOULDN'T COMPLETELY TURN OVER AND IT WOULD "STICK," CAUSING ME TO TURN THE CAR BACK TO OFF. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR THE FIRST TIME, THE SECOND TIME WOULD USUALLY WORK. NOW, IT'S GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE THE CAR WON'T TURN OVER WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS, IF I DON'T PRESS THE GAS THE ENGINE WON'T START AT ALL. I CAN TURN THE KEY ON AND OFF; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 TIMES BUT IT REFUSES TO START WITHOUT THE GAS (I'M WORRIED I'M GOING TO FLOOD THE ENGINE NOW). THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY DURING ANYTIME OF DAY AND DURING ANY WEATHER CONDITIONS, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T EVEN HAPPEN FOR DAYS/WEEKS THEN SUDDENLY THE PROBLEM COMES BACK AND ITS WORSE. THIS IS GETTING RIDICULOUS ESPECIALLY WITH A CAR WITH ONLY 70,000 MILES ON IT. NO DEALER WILL HELP ME BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NEVER ACT UP FOR THEM. I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AND I AM RUNNING OUT OF OPTIONS. I DON'T WANT TO BE LEFT STRANDED BECAUSE GM WON'T HELP ANYONE WITH A PROBLEM A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING WITH THE SAME YEAR AND CAR! *TR
Visibility, Mar 15, 2013
THE VEHICLE HAS NO HEAT AND ONLY BLOWS COLD AIR....DOES NOT ALLOW THE WINDOWS TO DEFROST AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR