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.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 3, 2007
EXHAUST FUMES COME INSIDE THE VEHICLE VENTS, AFTER RESTARTING A WARM ENGINE. THE EXHAUST SMELL GIVES ME A HEADACHE. I HAVE SPOKE TO OTHER PEOPLE WITH A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. CHEVROLET REPAIR DEPTS. HAVE HEARD THE COMPLAINT, BUT DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *JB
Other or unspecified, Sep 10, 2007
RATTLING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR JUST IDLING. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSE WAS MISSING BOLTS FROM THE FLY WHEEL. BOLTS HAD BEEN SLOWLY COMING OFF OF THE FLYWHEEL AND THERE WAS ONLY ONE BOLT LEFT. DEFINITELY APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY, VERY SERIOUS SITUATION HAD I BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT A HIGHER SPEED. DEALERSHIP IS REPLACING BOLTS. *JB
Fuel system, Other, Aug 24, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON AN 18 MILE TRIP, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED ONE GALLON OF FUEL PER 14 MILES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY FAILURE. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.
Power train, Aug 8, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A THUMPING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. EVENTUALLY, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO MOVE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE SENSOR CONNECTED TO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH PROMPTS THE RPM TO DOWNSHIFT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP FOR 21 DAYS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,500. THE CONSUMER STATED QUESTIONS THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT DOWNSHIFTS AT HIGH SPEEDS AND MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE MILEAGE IS 7,035 AND 10MPH. UPDATED 08/29/07 *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 6, 2007
VEHICLE MAKE LOUD ROARING NOISE DURING HARD RAIN, AND LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE ACTED LIKE IT WAS HYDROPLANING, HOWEVER, THEY ROADS WERE PUDDLED ENOUGH TO CAUSE SUCH AN EFFECT ESPECIALLY AT 5,000 MILES, BRAND NEW TIRES. THE VEHICLE SOUNDED LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS GRINDING, AND AFTER PUNCHING THE GAS, HAD NO RESPONSE. I PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE CAR, IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY AS THE RAIN SUBSIDED. I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT DATE OF THE INCIDENT. *TR
Steering, Jul 6, 2007
AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS AT A COMPLETE FAILURE. SINCE THEN, THE PUMP FAILS DURING SOME TURNS, AND CAUSES A VERY HARD PULL TOWARDS TO OUTSIDE OF THE TURN. IT REQUIRES A LOT OF STRENGTH TO SAFELY CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR
Suspension, May 7, 2007
THE LOWER CONTROL ARM OF MY 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX SNAPPED AT 36,400 MILES, ALMOST 400 MILES AFTER MY WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND I LOST STEERING OF MY VEHICLE. I HAD A METALLURGICAL ENGINEER ANALYZE THE PIECE AND HE DETERMINED THAT IT FRACTURED DUE TO METAL FATIGUE. *AK
Electrical system, Feb 28, 2007
I TOOK MY 06' CHEVY. EQUINOX LT INTO THE SHOP TWO MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I HAD DROVE MY CAR DOWN THE STREET AND WHEN I GOT READY TO COME HOME. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND IT DIDN'T MOVE ALL. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO TODEY CHEVROLET OF OXNARD, CA AND ABOUT 3 DAYS LATER THEY HAD CALLED ME TO TELL ME THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE COMPUTER IN MY CAR. THAT THERE HAD BEEN WATER LEAKING ON THE SIDE PSGR. DOOR. THE LEAK WAS SO EXTREME THAT ALL THE WIRING LEADING TO THE COMPUTER WAS RUSTED. I HAD MY CAR RETURNED TO ME AFTER ABOUT 2 WEEKS. WATER STILL LEAKS IN MY CAR BUT, NOT AS SEVERELY. *JB
Electrical system, Feb 6, 2007
TUESDAY FEB 6TH WENT TO LICENSE BRANCH IN SOUTH BEND IN. WAS INSIDE FOR APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR AND A HALF. WALKING TO THE EQUINOX, USED THE UNLOCK BUTTON. LIGHTS FLASHED, DOORS UNLOCKED. GOT INSIDE VEHICLE AND HAD NO POWER. VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN OVER, DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK. ABSOLUTELY NO POWER. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS THAT HAD COME ON IN THE VEHICLE TO INDICATE A LOW BATTERY OR ANY OTHER WARNING CONDITION PRIOR. I CALLED LIGONIER DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD TO CALL A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. GATE CHEVROLET OF SOUTH BEND CAME AND GOT THE VEHICLE STARTED WITH A BOOSTER, BUT SAID THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED IT OR WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. VEHICLE HAD 2177 MILES ON IT. I DROVE HOME, PULLED IN THE GARAGE, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, TRIED TO RESTART AND HAD NO POWER TO THE VEHICLE AT ALL. NOT EVEN ENOUGH TO TURN ON THE DOME LIGHT WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR. *JB
Power train, Feb 1, 2007
2006 CHEVY EQUINOX HAS SHUT OFF 9 TIMES W/IN 3 SEPARATE RAIN WEATHER INCIDENTS. SPRING 2006. I ADVISED HIM THAT MY CAR HAS SHUT OFF REPEATEDLY WHEN IT WAS RAINING 4 SEVERAL DAYS OR WHEN WE HAVE RAINSTORMS. THE MOST SERIOUS INCIDENT IS WHEN I HAD MY FAMILY IN THE CAR DRIVING TO BRIDGEPORT,CT ON THE EVENING NOV 16, 2006. IT STARTED TO RAIN REALLY HARD & MY CAR STARTED TO MAKE THIS ROARING SOUND ALL OF A SUDDEN . I WAS PRESSING ON THE GAS & I NOTICED THE CAR HAD LOST POWER. THE LIGHTS WERE ON BUT THE ODOMETER WAS DROPPING. I KEPT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL & NOTHING HAPPEN. THERE WERE A LOT OF TRAILERS/CARS ON THE ROAD. I COULDN'T SEE IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE OF THE HEAVY RAIN FALL. I SLOWLY MOVED OVER TRYING TO GET TO THE SHOULDER SINCE THE CAR WAS STILL GLIDING ON THE RAIN. I WAS AT EXIT 27 SOUTHBOUND ON I95 WHICH IS A DOWN RAMP 2 GET OFF THE EXIT I COULDN'T SEE THE SHOULDER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY B/C OF THE RAIN & I WAS AFRAID 4 ME & MY FAMILIES DUE 2 SAFETY REASONS THAT MOVING ON THE SHOULDER WITH THE HARD VISIBILITY DUE 2 THE RAIN WOULDN'T BE A SMART MOVE ON MY PART. SO I WAS ABLE 2 MAKE IT W/NO POWER STEERING DOWN THE EXIT RAMP I WAS ABLE 2 PULL OVER OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR HAS TURNED IT'S SELF OFF WHEN IT RAINS REALLY HARD IN A STORM OR IT HAS BEEN RAINING 4 HOURS. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN & SAFETY ISSUE 4 ME & MY FAMILY. I SHOULDN'T HAVE 2 INCONVENIENCE MY FAMILY & FRIENDS WHEN IT RAINS BUT I'M AFRAID MY FAMILY & I COULD GET KILLED. SOMETHING OCCURS. I CAN'T PUT MY FAMILIES LIFE IN JEOPARDY OR MY OWN. I CAN'T TRADE IN THE CAR BECAUSE IF GOD FORBID SOMEONE ELSE GETS THIS CAR & GETS KILLED THEN I WOULD HAVE SOME FAULT IN KNOWING I GAVE A FAULTY CAR 2 A DEALERSHIP. I CAN'T LIVE WITH THAT. YES, IT'S AN INCONVENIENCE 4 ME AND MY FAMILY BUT I KNOW THEIR IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR THAT NEEDS 2 BE FIX OR SOLVED B4 SOMEONE GETS KILLED. I COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT ON I95 & KILLED MYSELF, MY FAMILY & OTHER PEOPLE ON THE HIGHWAY. PLEASE HELP ME? *NM
Electrical system, Jan 4, 2007
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN VEHICLE LOST POWER. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WITHIN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE SERVICED AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSIS THE FAILURE. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Electrical system, Dec 24, 2006
(1) ON OR ABOUT 10/27/06, ALARM SYSTEM DEACTIVATED ITSELF, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS TURNED ON, DOORS REMAINED LOCKED. (2) ON 11/01/06, ALARM SYSTEM ACTIVATED ITSELF, DOORS LOCKED THEMSELVES. (3) ON 11/27/06, VEHICLE SHUTTERED AND WENT INTO 'LIMP' MODE WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. ONSTAR AND DEALER RETRIEVED THE FOLLOWING ERROR CODES: (I) P1626 - THEFT DETERRENT FUEL ENABLE SIGNAL LOST, (II) C0276 - TRACTION CONTROL NOT ALLOWED (TCM / ABS), (III) U0100 - LOST COMMUNICATIONS WITH TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM), (IV) U2105 - LOST COMMUNICATION WITH ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM). BETWEEN 11/27/06 AND 12/21/06, DEALER SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED BCM THREE TIMES AND 3RD NEW BCM FIXED PROBLEM. EACH NEW BCM WOULD GO TO ZERO (0) AND THE MILEAGE COULD NOT BE PROGRAMMED. DURING THAT TIME THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM WAS DEACTIVATED WHICH WAS UNKNOWN TO ME. CURRENT MILEAGE IS INCORRECT. I BELIEVE THAT THE ORIGINAL FAULTY BCM MAY HAVE BEEN RE-INSTALLED AND THE CODES CLEARED WHEN THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE OTHER NONE-BCM ERROR CODES HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BUT THE DEALER FORCED ME TO TAKE MY VEHICLE HOME ON 12/21/06. *NM
Equipment, Nov 1, 2006
I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX COMPANY VEHICLE. ON THURSDAY THE 26TH OF OCTOBER, I HAD TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE ON THE PASSENGERS FRONT. THE VEHICLE WAS ON LEVEL GROUND. WHILE THE CAR WAS IN THE RAISED POSITION, I REMOVED THE FLAT AND PROCEEDED TO REPLACE IT WITH THE SPARE. AS I WAS DOING SO, THE SCISSOR JACK COLLAPSED BY BENDING OVER IN HALF. ON NOV. 1ST, I WENT TO SALE AUTOMOTIVE IN KINSTON, NC. TO SHOW THEM THE JACK. THEY ORDERED ME A NEW ONE. I STILL HAVE THE OLD JACK UNTIL THE NEW ONE COMES IN. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Seat belts, Interior lighting, Equipment, Oct 29, 2006
BOUGHT NEW 2006 EQUINOX WITH THREE ORIGINAL MILES. 1) RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT LOCKED UP, RATCHET TIGHTER AND WOULD NOT RELEASE UNTIL REMOVED AND FULLY RETRACTED. SIX OCCURRENCES, THREE TIMES TO DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE. 2) LEFT REAR SEAT BELT LOCKED UP, RATCHET TIGHTER AND WOULD NOT RELEASE UNTIL REMOVED AND FULLY RETRACTED. FOUR OCCURRENCES, THREE TIMES TO DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE. 3) ENGINE FALTERS WHEN IN REVERSE. THREE OCCURRENCES, DEALER HAS NOT LOOKED AT THIS ISSUE. 4) INSTRUMENT CLUSTER / GAUGES NOT WORKING. THREE OCCURRENCES, TWO TIMES TO DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE. 5) ENGINE WILL NOT START. SIX OCCURRENCES, ONE TIME TO DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE. 6) ENGINE WILL HESITATE TO START / EXTENDED CRANK. FIVE OCCURRENCES, ONE TIME TO DEALER WHO REPROGRAMMED PCM BUT ISSUE STILL EXISTS. 7) IGNITION SWITCH GRINDING OR WILL NOT TURN. DAILY OCCURRENCES, ONE TIME TO DEALER, ISSUE STILL EXISTS. 8) NO ONSTAR DATA COMMUNICATION. ONE OCCURRENCE, ONE TIME TO DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE. 9) ONSTAR UNABLE TO DETECT SERVICE LIGHT IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. ISSUE NOT BROUGHT TO DEALER AT THIS TIME. 10) ENGINE COOLANT EXTREMELY LOW WITHIN 5000 ORIGINAL MILES. ISSUE NOT BROUGHT TO DEALER AT THIS TIME. 11) ENGINE COOLANT BROWN AND FOAMING. ISSUE NOT BROUGHT TO DEALER AT THIS TIME. 12) ALARM SYSTEM DEACTIVATED ITSELF, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON, DOORS WERE STILL LOCKED. ISSUE NOT BROUGHT TO DEALER AT THIS TIME. *NM
Steering, Oct 12, 2006
I NEARLY RAN OFF THE ROAD AT 70 MPH AS I REACHED TO TURN ON THE DEFROSTER. I WAS SAVED BY THE SLEEP STRIP, WHICH SLOWED THE CAR DOWN ENOUGH TO REGAIN CONTROL. THIS CAR HAS VERY LOOSE AND ERRATIC STEERING AND WOBBLES WHEN CHANGING LANES. I MUST SLOW DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY TO GO AROUND CURVES, EVEN ON THE INTERSTATE. I HAD TAKEN IT IN FOR WARRANTY REPAIRS 3 TIMES PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE DEALER STATES THAT IT IS THE ELECTRONIC STEERING ON THIS MODEL CAR. AFTER THE INCIDENT, I TOOK IT IN AGAIN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A "CHARACTERISTIC OF FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES". I FEEL THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING IN THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE. *NM
Electrical system, Steering, Sep 19, 2006
ON FRIDAY JULY 14, 2006 MY WIFE CAME OUT OF WORK AT AROUND 4:00 PM ON A VERY HOT DAY AND ATTEMPTED TO START HER EQUINOX & WHEN IT STARTED, THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT ENGAGED. I LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF A GAME OF GOLF AND WENT TO HER AID. WHEN I GOT THERE AND STARTED THE CAR, THE STEERING WORKED FINE. WE LEFT IT A THE DEALER FOR THE NEXT WEEK WHERE THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY DID RECOVER AN ERROR CODE INDICATING SOMETHING FAILED IN THE IGNITION. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION. THIS PROBLEM AGAIN OCCURRED ON FRIDAY SEPT. 18, 2006 AT APPROXIMATELY 4:00 PM ON ANOTHER VERY HOT DAY. I CALLED TO GET IT TOWED & WHEN THEY ARRIVED APPROXIMATELY 2 HRS LATER, THE PROBLEM AGAIN WAS NOT APPARENT. I HAD IT TOWED ONCE MORE TO THE DEALER AND INFORMED THEM THAT I FELT IT WAS RELATED TO A VERY HOT INTERIOR. THEY HAD IT THE ENTIRE NEXT WEEK AND AGAIN FOUND NO PROBLEMS, HOWEVER, THEY REPLACED ALL OF THE ELECTRONICS IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT HAD TO DO WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. SUNDAY SEPT 17, 2006 AFTER HAVING THE CAR 2 DAYS, IT FROZE UP TWICE AGAIN WHILE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. ALL PROBLEMS OCCURRED ON HOT DAYS WHERE THE CAR WAS CLOSED UP. THE DEALER CURRENTLY HAS THE CAR AGAIN AND IS TELLING ME THAT HE SEES NO PROBLEM. I AM WONDERING WHY I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE & WHY MY CAR COMPANY IS APPEARING TO BE OF LITTLE OR NO HELP. *JB
Equipment, Aug 30, 2006
I HAVE HAD MY EQUINOX FOR ALMOST 4 MONTHS. I CAN'T PLAY A CD IN THE CD PLAYER. IT STARTS TO PLAY AND THEN SKIPS AND WON'T PLAY THE CD. I HAVE TRIED PLAYING A VARIETY OF CD'S AND I CAN'T GET THEM TO WORK. IT HAS WORKED UP TO THIS POINT. BUT NOW IT WON'T WORK AT ALL. IT SPITS OUT THE CD AFTER IT SKIPS AND WON'T PLAY. ANYONE ELSE HAVE THIS HAPPEN? *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 22, 2006
BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE BAD AT ONLY 1,200 MILES FROM FACTORY. DEALER WANTED TO JUST MACHINE THEM DOWN TO FIT BUT I MADE THEM REPLACE THEM. HAD BOTH KIDS IN CAR AND CAR WOULD NOT STOP BECAUSE OF FAULTY BRAKES AND ROTORS FROM FACTORY. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 10, 2006
I HAVE A 2005 EQUINOX 4WD. ON JAN. 13, 2006 WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE SUV COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN, ENGINE, LIGHTS, EVERYTHING!. THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE DAY. I WAS ABLE TO CRANK IT AND IT GET IT BACK TO MY HOME. THEN ON JAN. 16TH, 2006, FOR THE 3RD TIME, IT WAS 5:30 AM COMPLETELY DARK WHILE I WAS DRIVING @65 MPH, THE SUV COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN AGAIN! I COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING BECAUSE IT WAS PITCH DARK. I MANAGED TO FIND A FLASH LIGHT WITH THE HELP OF MY 14 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. I WAS 6 INCHES FROM A MAILBOX! AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE SUV CRANKED. I DROVE IT A FEW MILES MORE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER KEPT IT FROM JAN. 16TH, 06 TO JAN. 31ST, 2006. THEY BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO ME ON FEB. 1ST., 2006. SUPPOSEDLY IT WAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE IGNITION SYSTEM. IT DROVE FINE UNTIL MARCH 9TH, 2006. THE SAME THING HAPPEN. WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE ENGINE TOTALLY SHUTS DOWN, WITHOUT WARNING. I MANAGED TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT CRANKED AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND I DROVE IT ABOUT A MILE AND PARKED IT AT OUR SHOP. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED THE NEXT DAY ON MARCH 10TH, 2006 ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY SENT A WRECKER TO PICK IT UP. *JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Nov 28, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATED APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE SHE SMELLED GASOLINE. WHEN SHE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY ADVISED HER NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FUMES COULD IGNITE. THEY GAVE HER THE NUMBER FOR CHEVROLET TO ARRANGE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED, BUT SHE COULD NOT CONTACT ANYONE. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY STATED THE FUEL LINE AND FUEL CANISTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PARTS HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED AND WERE ON ORDER. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE VEHICLE COULD BE DRIVEN, BUT THERE WERE NO REPAIRS DONE. *AK