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, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Sep 18, 2017
WITHIN THE LAST MONTH WHILE I AM DRIVING MY TRUCK WOULD JUST CUT OFF WITH OUT ANY WARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I HAVE HAD A TUNE UP, THE LEFT WHEEL BARRING CHANGED, FRONT STRUTS DONE AND I HAVE JUST BROUGHT A PCM. MY ABS AND TC LIGHTS STAYS ON AND MY MECHANIC CAN NOT EXPLAIN WHY IT KEEPS CUTTING OFF. I HAVE CHECKED FOR RECALLS FOR THIS YEAR AND THERE ARE NONE LISTED; HOWEVER, I HAVE SEEN SOME ON THE NHTSA SERVICE BULLETIN. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE ASSIST ME THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS!!!!
Electrical system, Service brakes, Aug 24, 2017
A FEW WEEKS AGO WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLES ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON, RIGHT AFTER THAT THE BRAKES HAVE STARTED MAKING A LOUD GRINDING NOISE OR LOCK UP ALTOGETHER TO WHERE I CAN'T STOP. I HAVE DONE PLENTY OF RESEARCH OVER THIS AND IT SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING THING WITH THESE VEHICLES. IF EVERYONE OF THEM IS HAVING THIS ISSUE AND THE BRAKES ARE THAT DANGEROUS, HOW HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL. THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME I DRIVE, WHETHER GOING DOWN AN INTERSTATE AND HAVING TO HOT MY BRAKES TO JUST DRIVING IN A SMALL TOWN, THEN WHEN I TRY AND GO AGAIN THEY MAKE THE GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING FOR A MINUTE.
Wheels, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Aug 20, 2017
I FEEL THIS VEHICLE IS A DANGER, WHEN I BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE JUST GAVE ME A PROBLEM, WHEN I GO RUNNING THE CAR IT GOES AWAY AND I FEEL SCARED, THE LIGHTS NEVER TURN OFF AND I FIXED EVERYTHING, ALWAYS HAS NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING IN THE STREET. ME REGRET HAVING BOUGHT IT.
Engine, Aug 11, 2017
NO HEAT COMING FROM THE VENTS AND IT WON'T DEFROST THE FRONT WINDSHIELDS OR THE BACK GLASS, MOST FRUSTRATING THINGS IS NOT HEAT IN THE CAR AT ALL DURING WINTER. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP SAID EITHER BLEND DOOR STOP WORKING OR ITS BROKEN . NEED HELP MISS [XXX] MOTHER OF 2 VERY COLD WITH OUT HEAT. STOP WORKING WHEN I LEFT WORK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jul 23, 2017
BOUGHT MY 06 EQINOX IN MAY OF 2015. DAY 2, BATTERY DIED. DEALER PUT NEW BATTERY IN. NEXT WEEK, BATTERY DEAD AND TOOK OUT STEREO WITH IT. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY AND STEREO. NOW HAVING TROUBLE STARTING AGAIN. HAVE REPLACED BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS TWICE ON REAR WHEELS AND FRONT ONCE. CAR MAKES GRINDING NOISE STILL WHEN BACKING WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE. ABS AND TC LIGHTS CAME ON MAY OF 2017. HAD CHECKED OUT AND NEEDED FRONT RIGHT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR REPLACED. REPLACED IT AND LIGHT STAYED ON. HAD IT RECHECKED AND IT STILL READS THE SAME. NO BRAKES. PEDAL STUTTERS ON THE WAY DOWN AND THEN HAS TO BE FORCED DOWN THE REST OF THE WAY TO STOP THE CAR. HAD MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND WAS TOLD TO REPLACE ABS MODULE. WE DID AND I FINALLY HAVE BRAKES AGAIN BUT NOW MY BREAK LIGHT IS ON ALONG WITH THE ABS/TC LIGHTS. CAR HAS SUNROOF. HAD CAR 2 YEARS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY BACK FLOOR IS FLOODED. THOUGHT THE KIDS SPILLED WATER. NOPE. SOAKED A BEACH TOWEL CLEANING IT UP. NEXT HARD RAIN, FLOODED AGAIN. LINES ARE CLOGGED AND BACKING UP INTO MY CAR. TWO BEACH TOWELS AND TWO GALLONS LATER OF WATER VACUUMED UP AND MY PADDING IS DAMP AND STILL STINKS LIKE MILDEW. THIS CAR IS BADLY DESIGNED. THE BRAKE SITUATION IS VERY DANGEROUS. LUCKILY THERE WAS AN EMPTY TURN LANE BESIDE ME WHEN IT RAINED OR I WOULD HAVE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR WHEN TURNING AND WOULDNT STOP ON STRAIGHTAWAYS. THE ELECTRICAL WIRING IN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IS JACKED UP TOO. CAN'T UNLOCK THE DOORS, TURN ON DOME LIGHT AND DOESN'T SHUT OFF RADIO.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jul 7, 2017
AIR BAG IS STUCK TO THE HORN WHICH DISABLED THE ABILITY TO HONK
Engine, Jun 23, 2017
TEMPERATURE BLEND DOOR CAN CAUSE ACCIDENT CAUSE IT WON'T DEFROST WINDOWS
Engine, May 18, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000.
Power train, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 26, 2017
WHILE ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE ISNT SHIFTING IN THE PROPER WAY IT SHOULD. THERE IS A CHAIN RATTLING KIND OF SOUND FROM THE ENGINE AS IT ACCELERATES, CLOSER TO THE DRIVER SIDE. WHILE BRAKING, THE BRAKES PADS ARE ALL NEW, IT WILL SOMETIMES MAKE A GRINDING SOUND AND HAVE LITTLE TO NO BRAKE RESISTANCE IF YOU HIT A BUMP. ALL IN A STRAIGHT MOTION.
Service brakes, Apr 25, 2017
ABS ENGAGES AT LOW SPEEDS, MAKES BRAKE PEDAL VERY DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS AND DIFFICULT TO STOP VEHICLE. (THIS OCCURS REGARDLESS OF TURNING/GOING STRAIGHT, AND HAPPENS RANDOMLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED AND/OR WHEN IT'S RELEASED, AND SOMETIMES WHEN I'M NOT TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT ALL.) THIS OCCURS DAILY, AND AFTER SOME TIME, THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS WILL COME ON IN THE DASHBOARD. ONCE THE WARNING LIGHTS ACTIVATE, THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY. SERVICED IN 4/2017 AT CERTIFIED GARAGE, AND WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. ONLINE AUTO FORUM RESEARCH SHOWS MANY EARLY MODEL EQUINOX OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE, GOING ALL THE WAY BACK TO 2011. HTTPS://CHEVROLETFORUM.COM/FORUM/EQUINOX-23/2006-CHEVY-EQUINOX-LT-ABS-TRACTION-CONTROL-LIGHT-PROBLEMS-41758/ THE MAJORITY OF THE COMPLAINTS LIST A PIGTAIL WIRE HARNESS AS THE SOLUTION. CHEVROLET HAS NO RECALLS THAT I'VE FOUND - BUT CLEARLY THERE ARE A NUMBER OF EQUINOX OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES, WITH NO RESPONSE FROM CHEVROLET. I'VE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH THAT THIS HASN'T CAUSED AN ACCIDENT YET... BUT I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE EXAMINED BEFORE SOMETHING DESTRUCTIVE OR TRAGIC OCCURS. I WILL CONTINUE TO ATTEMPT TO HAVE THE ISSUE DIAGNOSED AT CERTIFIED ASE GARAGES.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 23, 2017
DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED IN HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY LOOSE ACCELERATION PEDAL FUNCTION. DANGEROUS SLOW DOWN IN HIGHWAY WHILE CARS PASS YOU BY AT HIGH SPEEDS AND YOU JUST CANT GET TO MOVE OUT THE WAY.WITH FAMILY IN VEHICLE
Engine, Visibility/wiper, Apr 12, 2017
IN ALL DRIVING MODES, HEATER ONLY BLOWS COLD AIR, NOT HOT AIR
Other or unspecified, Mar 14, 2017
IT HAS NOT BEEN TWO YEARS AFTER THE HEATING SYSTEM IN MY VEHICLE WAS FIXED, AND NOW I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN. THE HEAT IN MY VEHICLE IS ONLY WORKING WHILE MY VEHICLE IS MOVING. WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK OR WHEN I STOP AT THE LIGHT THE CAR BLOWS OUT COLD AIR.
Exterior lighting, Mar 14, 2017
THE HEADLIGHTS IN MY VEHICLE SHUT ON BY THEMSELVES WHILE CAR IS PARKED AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME SHUTTING THEM OFF AFTER DRIVING AND ARRIVING TO MY DESTINATION. I ALSO NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM MY STEERING WHEEL.
Power train, Feb 10, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE EXITING A PARKING LOT ONTO A MAIN ROAD, THE GEAR SHIFTER MOVED INTO FIRST GEAR AND FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT LET OFF THE THROTTLE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR A FEW SECONDS AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Other or unspecified, Jan 27, 2017
MY HEAT ONLY WORKS AT IDLE SPEED. REPLACED THE BLEND DOOR AND THE HEATERCORE ALL AT ONCE WHILE THE DASH WAS OUT. REPLACED THERMOSTAT AND TOPPED OFF COOLANT AFTER LINES WERE FLUSHED, NO LEAKS FROM THE WATER PUMP. WHAT ARE MY OTHER OPTIONS?
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 17, 2017
WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE WITH 77,000 MILES, I NOTICE A GALLON OF WATER IN SPARE WHEEL WELL. HAD TO RESEAL REAR DOOR WHETHER STRIPE. 5 MONTHS LATER THE ACTUATOR OF THE HEATER FAILED AND BROKE THE BLEND DOOR TO THE HEATER. I DIDN'T HAVE HEAT FOR A YEAR. BRAKE SYSTEM SENSORS FAILED 3 MONTHS AGO $2000 FIXED HUB AND ASSEMBLY AND KNUCKLES. FUEL INJECTION LINE BROKEN AT ONLY 100,000 MILES.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 9, 2017
TEMP CONTROL DOOR FAILED CAUSING NO DEFOGGING/DEFROSTING IN CAR. CHEVY IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WHICH COULD CAUSE DRIVER INABILITY TO SEE THRU WINDSHIELD AND HAS RECALLED SOME YEAR MODELS, BUT NOT 2006 MODELS. I REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE FOR $1162.49. THE PART IS NOT EXPENSIVE, REQUIRES MANY HOURS OF TAKING APART DASHBOARD.
Other or unspecified, Jan 8, 2017
HEATER BLOWS COLD AIR IN WINTER
Air bags, Jan 3, 2017, crash
MY GRANDDAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE AS ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND PULLED INTO HER PATH. SHE AND THE OTHER VEHICLE WERE BOTH AT A SPEED OF 25 MPH. THE FRONT CLIP WAS TORN FROM HER CAR AND NO DRIVERS AIRBAG DEPLOYED. SHE DID HAVE HER SEATBELT ON WHICH DID PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED 30 DEC 2016. THIS HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS.
Other or unspecified, Dec 30, 2016
HEATING BLOWS COLD AIR DUE TO BLEND DOOR MALFUNCTION
Visibility/wiper, Dec 21, 2016
HEATER BLOWS COLD AIR IN WINTER IN CHICAGO CAN'T SEE WHILE DRIVING , VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 9, 2016
MY 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX HEATER START BLOWING COLD AIR ON DECEMBER 1, 2016. PER THE CHEVY DEALER THE HEATER BLEND DOOR IS BROKEN IT COST ME OVER $2,300 TO FIX THE HEATER . THERE ARE TOO MANY 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX WITH THE ME PROBLEM. THIS IS S DEFECT AND A RECALL SHOULD BE DONE. GM NEED TO PAY FOR THIS PART AND LABOR DEFECT.
Other or unspecified, Nov 29, 2016
BAD BLEND DOOR HEAT BLOWS COLD AIR
Other or unspecified, Oct 12, 2016
MY HEATER IS BLOWING COLD AIR. THE TEMPERATURE BLEND DOOR BROKE, AND IT WILL COST ME ALMOST $1000 TO FIX IT! THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY IF IT HAD GONE OUT IN -30 DEGREE MINNESOTA WINTER TEMPERATURES.