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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 13, 2012
JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE, 1 DAY AFTER OWNING IT ABS AND NO TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND THERE'S A RUMBLE IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. MY HUSBAND IS A MECHANIC, SO HE PUT NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS ON AND CLEANED WHEEL SENSORS. TOOK IT TO SEARS AND HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND BALANCE DONE. 2 DAYS LATER I'VE GOT THE SAME LIGHTS ON AND RUMBLE IN PEDAL. RAN FINE FOR THOSE 2 DAYS. I'VE READ WAY TO MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEMS AND NO SOLUTIONS TO BE COMFORTABLE ABOUT PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE AND NOW I'M STUCK WITH IT! WHEN IS CHEVY GONNA WAKE UP AND TAKE NOTICE OF THIS PROBLEM? THEY HAVE RECALLS FOR REFLECTOR AND CONSOLE LATCHES, BUT THEY DON'T FIND FAULTY BRAKE SYSTEMS IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO ADDRESS? WHY IS IT GONNA TAKE ACCIDENTS OR POSSIBLY DEATHS BEFORE SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING ABOUT THESE FAULTY VEHICLES? I SEE POST THAT SAY WE NEED SO MANY PEOPLE TO SEND IN COMPLAINTS OR SIGN PETITIONS TO GET SOMETHING DONE...........REALLY? WHY........CAN'T CHEVY READ FORUMS AND POSTS ABOUT THE VEHICLES THEY ARE PUTTING OUT THERE? OR CAN'T SOMEONE IN CHARGE OF SAFETY AND WELLBEING SEE HOW MANY HUNDREDS OF POSTS THERE ARE ABOUT THIS ISSUE? MY HUSBAND HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CHEVY MAN, I'M NOT SURE I'M WITH HIM ONE THIS ONE! WHY WOULD A COMPANY WITH SUCH A GREAT REPUTATION CHANCE THROWING IT DOWN THE CRAPPER! COME ON CHEVY STAND BEHIND WHAT YOU'RE SELLING AND MAKE IT RIGHT! *TR
Visibility, Mar 9, 2012
2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX LT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A SAFETY CONCERN WITH DEFROSTER FAILURE, BLEND DOOR AND ACTUATOR FAILURE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE BLEND DOOR WAS REMOVED FROM THE DASH OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO A FAILED PLASTIC END PIECE THAT WAS SHEARED OFF THE DOOR BY THE ACTUATOR THAT CAUSED THE DOOR TO ROTATE WHICH MADE THE HEAT AND DEFROSTER INOPERABLE. THERE WAS VISIBLE BUBBLES IN THE PLASTIC PORTION THAT SHEARED OFF. *JB
Visibility, Mar 8, 2012
MY CAR BLOWS COLD AIR. I HAD EVERYTHING CHECKED ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT IT WAS THE AIR FLOW BLEND DOOR INSIDE THE HEATER SYSTEM. THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD HAS TO BE REMOVED. TO REPAIR IT WILL COST $1291.00 AND $96.86 FOR THE DEALER TO TELL ME THAT THIS IS THE PROBLEM. I LIVE IN CHICAGO , MY WINDOWS WILL NOT DEFROST, I HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING THAT THIS IS NOT A RECALL. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE A CAR WHEN YOU CAN'T GET A CLEAR WINDSHIELD NOT MENTION DRIVING IN A FREEZING COLD VEHICLE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Mar 1, 2012
I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP TO GET IT CHECKED ON 11-21-11. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE THINKING THAT A PISTON WAS BAD, BECAUSE THAT WAS THE WAY IT FELT, LIKE NOT GETTING THE RIGHT PRESSURE FROM THE PISTON ONCE THE BRAKES WERE ACTIVATED/PRESSED. ONCE WE GOT THE CALL BACK FROM MECHANIC, HE STATED THAT WE NEEDED NEW ROTORS DUE TO BOTH BEING WARPED. I THOUGHT THAT THAT WILL TAKE THE PROBLEM AWAY BUT ONCE WE GOT THE TRUCK BACK, IMMEDIATELY WITHIN DAYS THE PROBLEM CAME BACK. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SHOP AND THEY STATED IT WAS A TIRE THE ONE CAUSING THE NOISE AND RATTLE ONCE THE BRAKES WERE PRESSED. AT THE SHOP, THEY REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AS WELL AS THE DISC BRAKE ROTORS, THEY APPLIED LUG NUT TORQUE 100, INFLATION 35/35, CLEANED AND ADJUSTED REAR BRAKES. AFTER ALL OF THIS WAS DONE, I STILL GET ENGINE LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO GET IT TESTED AT AUTOZONE FOR FREE AND GOT THIS CODE ON THEIR MACHINE OEM NUMBER TO CROSS: P0171 DEFINITION: FUEL TRIM BANK ONE CONDITION EXPLANATION: THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE USES THE OXYGEN SENSOR TO CALCULATE THE AIR/FUEL RATIO OF THE ENGINE. THE COMPUTER HAS RECOGNIZED A RICH OR LEAN CONDITION ON ONE BANK ONLY. PROBABLE CAUSE: A1. IF BANK ONE AND TWO SET TOGETHER SUSPECT FUEL PRESSURE OR MAF (MASS AIR FLOW) SENSOR A2. OXYGEN SENSOR DEFECTIVE. A3. IGNITION MISFIRE-REPAIR. A4. FUEL INJECTOR PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT USED MY TRUCK FOR THE PAST 2 AND A HALF MONTHS FOR FEAR OF HAVING AN ACCIDENT IF BREAKS FAIL TO DO THEIR JOB OR LOCK UP WHILE BRAKING. IT IS STRESSFUL ENOUGH IF COMPUTERS/MECHANICS NOR DEALERS MAKE UP THEIR MIND ABOUT WHAT THE CODES ARE OR MEAN. I ALSO NOTICE THE THE BUTTON FOR THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE DOES NOT WORK ANYMORE AND THAT IS BEING IN THAT STAGE SINCE THE PROBLEM STARTED. IF ANYONE HAS A SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANK YOU. *TR
Visibility, Feb 10, 2012
THIS VEHICLE BLOWS OUT COLD AIR WHEN THE HEAT IS ON. IT DOES NOT DEFROST AND TAKE CLOSE TO 30 MINUTES TO COME TO A TOLERABLE HEAT TEMPERATURE. I SPENT 500.00 TRYING TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. *TR
Visibility, Feb 4, 2012
THE HEATER BLOWS COLD AIR NO MATTER WHAT TEMPERATURE SETTING IT IS ON. THERE IS ALSO NO DEFROST ON THE FRONT WINDOW. *KB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Other or unspecified, Jan 19, 2012
ON FEBRUARY 12, 2011, I BEGAN NOTICING THE START UP PROBLEMS WITH THE 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX. IT INTERMITTENTLY HAS EXCESSIVE CRANKING TIME TO START AND AS OF LATELY (JAN. 19, 2012) IT ONLY HAS GOTTEN WORSE. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP TO GET IT SERVICED THE SAME DAY AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. I PAID FOR THAT BUT THE PROBLEM DID NOT GO AWAY. SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD THE RADIO REPLACED AND THE GAS HAS HAD MANY FUEL DELIVERY ISSUES. I BELIEVE IT IS THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE WHICH WAS RECALLED IN THE 2005 CHEVY EQUINOX. IT NEEDS TO ALSO BE RECALLED FOR THE 2006 SO THAT I CAN STOP WASTING MY TIME AND MONEY ON SOMETHING THAT WASN?T BUILT RIGHT. THANK YOU. *TT
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 19, 2012
I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS ALL THE OTHER OWNERS OF A 2006 EQUINOX. NO HEAT!!! I HAVE HAD THIS LOOKED INTO AND HAVE WASTED OVER $900 ON TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THAT THEY DON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS!! SHAME ON THEM!!! I HAVE TO TRANSPORT MY YOUNG DAUGHTER IN A FREEZING COLD CAR EVERY DAY BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD THE $1200 THAT I FIND OUT NEEDS TO BE PUT INTO THIS!! I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL CHEVY OWNER SINCE I BOUGHT MY FIRST CAR YEARS AGO...BUT NOW I WILL THINK TWICE BEFORE BUYING ONE OR EVEN SUGGESTING ONE TO A ANYONE. *TT
Visibility, Other or unspecified, Jan 18, 2012
I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAT NOT WORKING IN MY CAR. TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND AFTER THEY CHARGED ME $50.00 TO LOOK AT IT, DISCOVERED IT WAS THE BLEND AIR DOOR THAT WAS BROKEN. MECHANIC ALSO SAID IT WAS ODD THAT THE PART WAS IN STOCK. THIS IS NOT A COMMON PROBLEM TO HAVE. $40.00 PART FOR A $900.00-$1200.00 FIX. HAD TO GET IT REPAIRED AS WE NEED THE HEAT IN WI. ALSO NEED TO BE ABLE TO SEE WHEN I DRIVE. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. I AM NERVOUS TO EVEN USE MY HEAT AS I DON'T WANT TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN AGAIN. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ONLINE, THIS IS HAPPENING OFTEN. I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TO KEEP FIXING THIS.
Visibility, Jan 13, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER WAS INOPERABLE AND WOULD NOT CLEAR THE WINDOWS WHETHER USING COLD OR HOT TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE SHUTTER DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Visibility, Jan 12, 2012
I WAS READING THROUGH OTHER COMPLAINTS AND I HAD THE SAME ISSUE AS EVERYONE ELSE A YEAR AGO. MY 2006 EQUINOX WAS BLOWING OUT COLD AIR. I TOOK IT IN TO GET FIXED (WHILE STILL UNDER WARENTY) AND HAD TO PAY ABOUT $900. WELL, ABOUT $750 FOR LABOR. THEY SAID SINCE IT'S REGULAR WEAR & TEAR I HAD TO PAY FOR IT. I'VE NEVER EVEN HEARD OF IT BEFORE. THE HAD TO TAKE OFF MY ENTIRE DASH BOARD! IT WAS JUST A PIECE OF PLASTIC THAT BROKE OFF THAT DOOR BEHIND ALL THE CONTROLS. I ACTUALLY GOT ON HERE BECAUSE RECENTLY MY SAFETY/AUTO THEFT LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON WHILE I'M DRIVING! THE OTHER DAY MY CAR WOULDN'T EVEN START AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS HAS TO DO WITH IT OR NOT! HAS ANYONE ELSE BEEN HAVING THESE PROBLEMS? IS IT A BIG DEAL? HELP? *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Jan 3, 2012
AFTER A MONTH OF PURCHASING MY EQUINOX THE HEAT QUIT WORKING. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND MAKE VEHICLE. I TOOK MY EQUINOX TO MY LOCAL GM DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING WAS WITH THE AIR TEMPERATURE DOOR BLEND BREAKING DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE ACTUATOR THAT OPENS AND CLOSES THE DOOR. THE ACTUATOR WILL PUT TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON THE DOOR CAUSING IT TO BREAK OVER TIME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN COLD WEATHER STATES BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE HEAT TO DEFROST YOUR WINDOW PROPERLY. IF THIS DOOR BREAKS ON A ROAD TRIP YOU ARE LIKELY UNABLE TO SEE UNTIL YOU GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. I BELIEVE THAT GM IS UNWILLING TO RECALL THIS PART DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT IS SO LABOR INTENSIVE TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. THE COST SHOULD NOT BE THE ISSUE AS PEOPLE'S SAFETY SHOULD BE THEIR MAIN CONCERN! I AM ASKING THE NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND MAKE GM FIX THIS PROBLEM! *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Jan 3, 2012
HEATER STOPPED BLOWING HOT AIR WHICH CAUSES THE WINDOWS TO UNSAFELY FOG UP ON COLD SNOWY AND OR RAINY DAYS. ALL VISIBILITY IS GONE AS THE INSIDE FOGS UP WIPERS ARE UNABLE TO CLEAR THE GLASS. MAY CAUSE POTENTIAL SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. IT IS TO MY KNOWLEDGE THIS IS HAPPENING WITH EVERY 2006 EQUINOX OUT THERE. THE ACTUATOR GOES OUT OF ALIGNMENT CAUSING THE BLEND DOOR TO BREAK AND NOT ALLOW THE HEAT IN. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Jan 1, 2012
I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED BLOWING COLD AIR WHEN THE HEAT SHOULD BE ON. I REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. IT'S NOT. IT IS THE TEMP ACTUATOR DOOR. ACCORDING TO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE BY A CHEVY DEALER THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2006 EQUINOX. I EMAILED GENERAL MOTORS WHO OFFERED TO PAY 10% OF THE $1000.00 CHARGE IT WILL TAKE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I DO NOT HAVE THIS MONEY. AND AFTER READING SEVERAL WEBSITES THERE ARE A TON OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR VEHICLES. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. I LIVE IN COLORADO WHERE IT IS 20 DEGREES OUTSIDE. MY WINDOWS WILL NOT DEFROST WITHOUT HEAT. PLEASE HELP ALL OF US THAT ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN YOU MAY BE DRIVING IN DRY WEATHER...AND THEN IT STARTS SNOWING OR RAINING. HOW ARE WE TO SEE WHEN THE WINDOWS FOG OR FREEZE UP. AS WE SAY IN COLORADO...WAIT FIVE MINUTES AND THE WEATHER WILL CHANGE. BUT IT MAY BE TOO LATE IF MY WINDOWS WON'T DEFROST AND I'M OUT ON THE PLAINS OR IN THE MOUNTAINS WHERE THERE ARE NO TOWNS FOR 150 MILES. THIS A VERY REALISTIC DANGER. GENERAL MOTORS DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THIS AS A PROBLEM WITH THE 2006 MODEL, ALTHOUGH APPARENTLY THEY DO REALIZE IT ON THE 2010 MODEL. I HAVE BEEN A LIFE LONG CHEVY OWNER, AND MY FATHER RETIRED AFTER 32 YEARS WITH GM. IF SOMETHING IS NOT DONE...I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER GENERAL MOTORS PRODUCT. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Dec 29, 2011
WHILE DRIVING AT APROX 45MPH THE ENGINE JUST STALLED. NO WARNING NO SPUTTERING JUST DEAD. BOTH ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ONE WITH THE X THRU THE ENGINE. AFTER APROX 30 SECONDS IT STARTED BACK UP AND WAS FINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF DRIVING AND VARIOUS SPEEDS. ON 12/28/11 IT HAPPENED TO US 3 TIMES WHILE OUT. I AM LEARY OF TAKING IT TO THE DEALER CLOSE TO US AS THEY RECENTLY DID A BRAKE JOB THAT I HAVE HAD TO TAKE BACK 4 TIMES AND AM AGAIN HAVING SYMPTOMS OF NEEDING BRAKES. I HAVE NO FAITH IN THE DEALER. *KB
Electrical system, Visibility, Dec 28, 2011
HEATER BLOWS COLD AIR. HEATER JUST STOPPED BLOWING HOT AIR. AFTER DIAGNOSIS THE DEALER FOUND THE TEMP (AIR BLEND )DOOR BROKE AND IN THE DEFAULT COLD POSITION. HAD TO REPLACE THE TEMP DOOR AND THE ACTUATOR. PARTS $163 LABOR $930.60 PLUS MISC. TOTAL COST $1184.12. *TR
Visibility, Dec 21, 2011
IT JUST GOT COLD IN MY REGION AND I NOTICED MY HEATER WAS NOT WORKING. IT JUST BLOWS COLD AIR OUT. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND SAW THAT THERE WERE LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT A HEAT BLEND DOOR BREAKING IN THIS MODEL. THE PART COSTS APPROXIMATELY 30 DOLLARS TO BUY BUT THE ASSOCIATED LABOR IS OVER $1200 DOLLARS. CHEVROLET HASN'T RECALLED THIS EVEN THOUGH IT'S KIND OF DANGEROUS TO NOT HAVE A DEFROSTER IN ICY WEATHER. *TR
Steering, Dec 20, 2011
I'VE HAD THREE INCIDENTS WHILE DRIVING THAT I COMPLETELY LOST CONTROL OF MY STEERING. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF A MECHANIC STARTED IT UP TO CHECK IT OUT AND IT DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THAT AFTER I TURN THE IGNITION OFF IT RESETS ITSELF. IT HAS HAPPENED THIS WAY SEVERAL TIMES NOW THAT I WAS IN A SAFE AREA BUT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT FAR FROM HOME.. *TR
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
Visibility, Dec 14, 2011
BLEND DOOR ISSUE JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE WHEN IS SOMETHING GOING TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. *TR
Visibility, Dec 11, 2011
THE HEATER BLEND DOOR AND /OR ACTUATOR HAVE FAILED. THERE IS NO HEAT OR DEFROSTER. IT IS NOW WINTER AND BECAUSE OF THE HOLIDAYS, THE DEALER CANNOT GET REPAIRED IN THE NEXT WEEK OR MORE. PART COST = $55. ESTIMATED LABOR COST $1500. THIS REPAIR IS OVER 10% VALUE OF THE CAR AND I AM TOLD REQUIRES REMOVING THE ENTIRE DASH. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THE CAR IS NOW UNUSABLE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. *TR
Visibility, Dec 7, 2011
MY AIR BLEND DOOR BROKE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME. WHICH MAKES IT HARD TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE WINDOWS FOG UP. *TR
Visibility, Dec 5, 2011
VEHICLE HAS A BROKEN "HEATER BLENDER DOOR" WITH A REPAIR COST OF APPROXIMATELY $1000 (THE MAJORITY OF THE COST IS FOR LABOR; THE PART IS REASONABLY "CHEAP"). TURNING ON THE HEAT, THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY PRODUCE COLD AIR. CONSIDERING IT IS WINTER, THIS PRESENTS A CONSIDERABLE SAFETY HAZARD AS THERE IS NO DEFROST FUNCTION FOR THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. WINDSHIELD EASILY FOGS UP AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DEFOG IT. *TR
Visibility, Dec 5, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BLEND AIR DOOR WAS FRACTURED AND AS A RESULT, THE DEFROST SYSTEM WAS INOPERABLE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, NOR WAS THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,714 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
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