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.
Electrical system, Apr 2, 2009
MY 2006 EQUINOX HAS BEEN SHUTTING ITSELF OFF WHILE DRIVING IT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE DOING 70 MPH AND WITHOUT NOTICE, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. HOW I MANAGED TO COAST FROM THE FAST LANE TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER WITHOUT CAUSING A WRECK, GOD ONLY KNOWS. IT HAS DONE THE SAME THING ON 3 OTHER OCCASIONS. I WAS SIMPLY RUNNING ERRANDS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE ENGINE JUST SHUTS OFF. NO WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. THE ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT STAY ON EITHER. AFTER WAITING A MINUTE, THE CAR RESTARTS AND CAN BE DRIVEN. BUT I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP 2 TIMES SO FOR REPAIRS AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. (GOING BACK FOR NUMBER 3 TODAY.) NO COMPUTER CODES APPEAR TO BE DIAGNOSED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I CAN'T BE DRIVING A CAR AND IT JUST DECIDES TO SHUT DOWN ON ITS OWN. I HAVE KIDS AND CAN'T BE PUTTING THEIR LIFE IN DANGER OR EVEN THE OTHER MOTORIST. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ON OTHER CAR SITES AND FOUND 6 OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. I THINK CHEVROLET NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR
Visibility, Mar 30, 2009
I HAVE A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE HEAT HAS WORKED FINE UP UNTIL MARCH 14. THE DEALER TOOK IT AND SAID IT WAS THE HEAT DOOR ACTUATOR. THE SHAFT HAD BROKEN AND THEY REPLACED IT. *TR
Structure, Mar 16, 2009
WE PURCHASED A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX IN MAY 2007. IN SEPT. WE STARTED TO NOTICE A STRANGE ODOR IN THE CAR. I HEARD WATER SLOSHING AROUND IN THE CAR ON INSPECTION OF THE CAR WE FOUND STANDING WATER IN THE TIRE WELL OF THE CAR. EVERYTIME WE CLEAN THE WATER OUT OF THE TIREWELL IT RETURNS. AT PRESENT WE ARE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE ORIGIN. (THE CARGO MAT CARPET IN THE BACK WAS NOT EVEN WET). I WOULD LIKE THIS COMPLAINT PUT ON FILE IN THE EVENT THAT OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE AND PERHAPS IT CAN BE FIXED. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 25, 2009
ON 2/29/2009 ABS SYSTEM STARTED TO ACTIVATE AROUND 10-15 MPH WITH OR WITHOUT BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THIS OCCURS ALL THE TIME WHILE MOVING FORWARD OR REVERSE. VEHICLE IS 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX WITH 27,500 MILES. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 15, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATED WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIMMY. THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY PULLED TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY RESURFACED THE ROTORS. ON SIX SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES, BUT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE REPAIR CONSISTED OF RESURFACING AND REPLACING THE ROTORS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,287 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Fuel system, Other, Dec 13, 2008
2006 CHEVY EQUINOX FUEL GAUGES DOES NOT READ ACCURATE. WHEN FULL IT READS 3/4 OF TANK TO 1/2. IT WILL THEN GO TO ALMOST FULL AS GAS GOES DOWN. I NOTICED THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FROM OTHERS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM AS IT IS NOT SAFE WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL YOU HAVE. GM SAYS ITS A CORROSION PROBLEM WITH THE SENDER IN THE TANK. SHOULDN'T THAT BE THERE PROBLEM TO FIX? SEEMS THEY CHOSE THE WRONG MATERIAL TO USE IN THE TANK IF THAT IS THE CASE. I HAVE NEVER OWNED ANY OTHER CAR WHICH HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM. GM SAYS THE SENDING UNIT NEEDS REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $500.00 INCLUDING LABOR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 7, 2008
STALLS SOMETIMES WHEN TRYING TO START VEHICLE, EVERY 3 TO 4 MONTHS WILL NOT START AT ALL AUTOWAY CHEVROLET REPLACE THE PART HOWEVER THE SAME THING KEEP HAPPENING EVERY 3 TO 4 MONTHS. THE TRUCK WAS NEW WHEN PURCHASED. *TR
Steering, Nov 27, 2008
2006 CHEVY EQUINOX. UPON TURNING ON THE CAR, IN COOL WEATHER(25DEGREESF),THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO PROVIDE POWER ASSIST. DROVE APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES LIKE THIS. LATER THAT EVENING AROUND 1 HOUR LATER, WENT OUT AND POWER STEERING WORKED PROPERLY. FIRST AND ONLY TIME IT HAPPENED TO DATE. WENT TO DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG, NO FAILURE OR CODES. WARRANTY EXPIRES IN 2 WEEKS. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 14, 2008
SEPTEMBER 12, 2006 VEHICLE INTO THE GARAGE BECAUSE THE PREVIOUS EVENING WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, SMOKE AND A BURNING SMELL WAS COMING OUT FROM INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN. AT THIS VISIT I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY WASN'T EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED AND NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. JANUARY 18, 2008 VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN BECAUSE THE KEY WAS STICKING IN THE IGNITION CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REV AND THEN THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IGNITION CYLINDER WAS CLEANED AND LUBED. APRIL 24, 2008 VEHICLE TAKEN INTO THE GARAGE FOR IGNITION STICKING AND THEN VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF. AGAIN, CYLINDER WAS CLEANED AND LUBED. MAY 1, 2008 VEHICLE TAKEN INTO GARAGE AGAIN SAME PROBLEM. TECHNICIAN NOTED THAT THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG, BUT THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS REPLACED AND A NEW KEY WAS CUT. AFTER PICKING THE VEHICLE UP, THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. SEPTEMBER 11, 2008 VEHICLE TAKEN BACK WITH IDENTICAL PROBLEM OF THE KEY STICKING IN THE IGNITION, REVVING THE ENGINE AND THEN THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF. CYLINDER WAS CLEANED AND LUBED. OCTOBER 24, 2008 VEHICLE BACK INTO THE GARAGE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AT THIS TIME THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG AND ASKED IF THEY COULD KEEP IT OVER THE WEEKEND OR RETURN THE VEHICLE ON THE MORNING OF MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2008 AND LET THEM CONTINUE TO LOOK AT IT. ON OCTOBER 27, 2008 THE VEHICLE WAS DROPPED OFF. TECHNICIAN COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE GARAGE UNTIL OCTOBER 30, 2008 AT WHICH TIME THEY AGAIN TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND I NEEDED TO COME PICK IT UP. THE ABOVE DESCRIBED PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON-GOING SINCE THE ISSUE IN SEPTEMBER 2006. IT OCCURS SPORADICALLY AND DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE ANY CONNECTION TO THE WEATHER, THE TIME OF DAY, ETC. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 18, 2008
I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX WHICH I PURCHASED WITH 80 MILES ON IT. AFTER ABOUT 20 MONTHS I WAS UNABLE TO TURN TO THE IN THE IGNITION. I HAD TO FORCE IT AND PLAY WITH THE STEERING WHEEL FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES FOR IT TO TURN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE CYLINDER. ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER IS DID IT AGAIN. IT IS CURRENTLY BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE KEY WILL JUST NOT TURN AT ALL, AS IF IT WAS THE WRONG KEY FOR THE CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 17, 2008, fire
VEHICLE FIRE. CELL PHONE CHARGER WAS PLUGGED INTO THE FRONT AUXILIARY POWER OUTLET. 2-3 MINUTES LATER SMOKE WAS NOTICED, AND FIRE ERUPTED FROM THE CENTER CONSOLE WHERE THE POWER OUTLET IS LOCATED. VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND PHONE CHARGER WAS UNPLUGGED, BURNING THE TIP OF ONE FINGER. VEHICLE WAS EXITED AND 911 WAS CALLED. FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. PHONE CHARGER AND PHONE ARE INTACT AND WERE NOT BURNED OR DAMAGED IN ANY WAY, I IN FACT WAS STILL USING THEM IN OUR OTHER VEHICLE UNTIL REQUESTED NOT TO, BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY, AND TO HOLD THEM FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. AFTER THE FIRE, THE FUSE FOR THE POWER OUTLET WAS CHECKED AND HAD BLOWN OUT. DON'T KNOW YET WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. IT CERTAINLY APPEARS THE WIRING SHORTED OUT? VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Oct 10, 2008
THE SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR OVER A YEAR. WHERE I GO TO START MY CAR, MY KEY TURNS OVER BUT THE ENGINE NEVER KICKS ON. ITS MAKES AN ODD NOISE, NOT GRINDING BUT A NOISE. IT TAKES ABOUT 6-7 TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL KICK ON. ONCE IT FINALLY STARTS THERE IS BLACK SMOKE AND FLUID COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE RPM'S REV UP TO 8K THAN DOWN TO 4K, THE CAR IDLES AND SOUNDS LIKE IT WANTS TO DIE. I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALERSHIP 6 TIMES SINCE APRIL 15, 2008. SO FAR NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE AND THEY STATE THE CAR IS UP TO GM STANDARDS. I HAVE WASTED MUCH TIME AND MONEY INTO THIS ISSUE AND SOON THE CAR WILL BE OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE A FEELING THAT ONCE THE WARRANTY IS UP THAT THEY WILL CHARGE ME AN ARM AND LEG TO GET IT FIXED. I HAVE A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX WILL A LITTLE BIT UNDER 34K MILES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 14, 2008
TOOK 150 MILE TRIP FROM DELAWARE TO NJ. CAR DIED IN DRIVE WAY OF DESTINATION. TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER. ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WARRANTY NOT COVERING REPAIRS. PICKED UP CAR I NJ AUG 30TH WITH NEW ENGINE. DROVE APPROX 500 MILES AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. TOWED TO DEALER ON 9/14, WAITING FOR DEALER TO CONTACT US. *TR
Air bags, Sep 12, 2008, crash
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH. THE DRIVER NOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED IN. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Aug 25, 2008
THE CAR WAS PARKED FROM TUESDAY 8/19 UNTIL 8/23 DUE TO TROPICAL STORM FAY. ON 8/24, THE FLOORBOARDS WERE SOAKING WET FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD TO UNDER THE BACK SEAT; PUSH ON THE CARPET AND WATER WOULD JUST WELL UP. THE PARKING LOT WAS NOT FLOODED, THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP; THE SEATS WERE DRY, AS WAS ALL OF THE INSIDE PANELS; SO I'M NOT SURE WHERE THE WATER CAME FROM. I'VE CALLED CHEVY, THEY ARE SENDING ME TO A DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS AND CLEANING, AS THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED, I BROUGHT IT WITH ME FROM NEVADA WHEN I MOVED. IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN THROUGH HEAVY RAINS, ALTHOUGH NEVER A TROPICAL STORM, AND I HADN'T NOTICED ANY LEAKING BEFORE. IT DID DAMAGE SEVERAL ITEMS THAT WERE ON THE FLOOR, AND IT IS VERY MUSTY IN THE CAR NOW. *TR
Visibility, Aug 4, 2008
WENT THROUGH THE CAR WASH AND WHEN THE TOP WAS BEING CLEANED, WATER STARTED POURING IN THROUGH THE OVERHEAD FRONT READING LIGHTS AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARDS. THOUGHT SUNROOF GOT LEFT OPEN BUT IT WAS FULLY CLOSED. HAVE NOT YET TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT WILL THIS WEEKEND. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Seat belts, Other or unspecified, Jun 15, 2008
17 TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES, ROTORS, BEARINGS, TRANSMISSION, CLICKING/OTHER SOUND IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT NOT FIXED AS OF YET BY GM, BROKEN DOOR HINGE, BROKEN LICENSE PLATE BOLT RECEIVERS, STARTER, SEAT BELT CLIP, AIR CONDITIONER, REMOTES, NOISES IN FRONT END, ENGINE MISS, CLUNKING WHEN WHEELS SPUN ON WET PAVEMENT. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Apr 27, 2008
EVERYTIME THAT I TAKE MY CAR IN FOR A QUICK CAR WASH OR IF IT RAINS REALLY HARD (IN FLORIDA IT DOES)... WATER LEAKS THROUGH THE LIGHTS IN THE CEILING, THE BACK HATCH, AND THROUGH THE FLOOR BOARDS. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT IT IS WATER CORROSION FROM THE WATER LEAKING THROUGH THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS. THIS CAUSES MY CAR TO RUN, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE MY PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, VERY SLOW. I CAN'T GO PAST 10MPH. I AM AFRAID OF ELECTRICAL FIRE. I CAN HARDLY TURN A CORNER... I AM AFRAID OF A CAR ACCIDENT. MY CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD NOW... 4/2008 AND THIS HAS HAPPENED A 3RD TIME. MY BATTERY HAS ALREADY HAD TO BE REPLACED AND MY RADIO REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE OF THE "CD CHANGER ERROR". NOW I CAN ONLY IMAGINE, WITH ALL OF THE WATER THAT KEEPS COMING IN, WHAT CONDITION MY CAR WILL BE IN A FEW MONTHS FROM NOW. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, BAD SMELL, CORRODING FLOOR BOARDS AND WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Apr 1, 2008, crash
FOUR CAR PILEUP ON HWY 41 NB. WE WERE VEH.#3 AND HIT FORWARD AND WERE HIT FROM BEHIND. OUR SEAT BELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN US AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY HUSBAND , ERNST, FLEW INTO THE DASHBOARD AND I SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR
Equipment, Feb 21, 2008
I ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH MY CD PLAYER. AFTER INSERTING CD THE PLAYER WINDOW ANNOUNCED FOR ME TO INSERT A DISC. I EJECTED AND TRIED AGAIN. STILL IT WOULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CD AS BEING LOADED. I TRIED ORIGINAL CD'S (BRAND NEW 1ST TIME BEING PLAYED & OLDER) AS WELL AS HOMEMADE COPIED CD'S. NONE WOULD READ. THIS WAS ONLY 5 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASED BRAND NEW. THE CD PLAYER NEVER WORKED AGAIN, HOWEVER THE RADIO DID WORK FINE. THE DEALER COMPLETELY REPLACED THE ENTIRE RADIO/CD/MP3 PLAYER AFTER INSPECTING & FOUND "INTERNAL FAILURE". *TR
Suspension, Power train, Electrical system, Feb 13, 2008
I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE. THE PROBLEMS STARTED WITH A LOAD KNOCKING NOISE THAT ORIGINATED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, AFTER 5 ATTEMPTS TO FIX AT THE DEALERSHIP, THEY EVENTUALLY ENDED UP REPLACING THE ENTIRE REAR AXEL AND ALL COMPONENTS. AFTER THIS ISSUE WAS RESOLVED, THE BRAKES BEGAN MAKING A HIGH PITCHED SQUEALING NOISE THAT GETS PROGRESSIVELY WORSE EACH DAY. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN INSPECTED AND DO NOT NEED REPLACEMENT. SOUNDS LIKE SOME PARTS MAY DISLODGE FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE IS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH STARTING THE VEHICLE. AT RANDOM TIMES, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN OVER WHEN CRANKED TO START. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP TO TRY AND RESOLVE THE BRAKE NOISES AND STARTING ISSUE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AT LEAST 10 TIMES. WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE PURCHASED BACK BY CHEVY. *TR
Seat belts, Jan 7, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FASTENER NO LONGER LOCKS IN PLACE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT ORDERED THE PART FOR THE REPAIR. THE SEAT BELT WAS REPAIRED ON JANUARY 3, 2008. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A SEAT BELT SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN A YEAR AND A HALF. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,158 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,108.
Power train, Dec 26, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT HEARS EXCESSIVE NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL TWICE. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS STILL MAKING THE NOISE. THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,080. UPDATED 4/21/08 *CN UPDATED 04/21/08 *TR
Steering, Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Nov 20, 2007
2006 CHEVY EQUINOX PROBLEM WITH FRONT END. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS MAKING A NOISE IN THE FRONT END. SHE STATES THAT THE ENGINE REVS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING FROZE TWICE.*JB
Steering, Nov 3, 2007
POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR