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, Engine, Aug 5, 2014
I FIRST REPORTED TO CHEVROLET IN 2011 THAT MY IGNITION/KEY IN MY 2006 EQUINOX WOULD GET "STUCK". IT WOULDN'T TURN AND I'D SPEND SOMETIMES SEVERAL MINUTES JUST TRYING TO GET THE KEY TO TURN SO I COULD START THE CAR. I SOMETIMES HAD TO TAP THE KEY FORWARD WITH A SCREWDRIVER HANDLE. I REPORTED THIS ISSUE BECAUSE I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER PEOPLE REPORTING THE SAME ISSUE. CHEVROLET SIMPLY SAID THANKS FOR TELLING US THAT YOU AND MANY MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. NOW I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE BLOWER FAN NOT WORKING. IT SEEMS THIS IS A COMMONLY REPORTED ISSUE AS WELL BUT I CANT SEEM TO FIND AN ACTUAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE BLOWER RESISTOR MOTOR/FAN PROBLEM. I'M JUST SO DISAPPOINTED IN CHEVY! CAN'T THEY AT LEAST OFFER FREE LABOR IF YOU BUY THE PARTS OR SOMETHING? WHEN ISSUES ARE WIDELY REPORTED??? *TR
Electrical system, Aug 4, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED WHILE IT WAS ON ACCESSORY MODE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE A/C AND THE HEATER BLOWER RELAY WAS MELTED AND BURNED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,800. UPDATED 11/12/14*LJ
Electrical system, Visibility, Jul 29, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE A/C AND HEATER WAS NOT ACTIVATING PROPERLY. IN ADDITION, THE SUN ROOF WOULD ALLOW WATER TO LEAK THROUGH WHEN IT WAS FULLY CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Jul 24, 2014
ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS A FEW WEEKS APART THE CAR WENT DEAD WHILE IN OPERATION. THE 1ST TIME I WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE, THE 2ND TIME HAD JUST REACHED 55MPH ON THE HWY AND SET THE CRUISE. FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS STARTED FINE IN THE MORNINGS BUT HAS TROUBLE STARTING ON NEXT TRIES, AND GETS HARDER EACH TIME. NOW I HAVE A DEAD BATTERY FROM TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE! *TR
Electrical system, Jul 21, 2014
WAS DRIVING HOME AFTER DRIVING STUDENT TO HIGH SCHOOL AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE AREA OF THE IGNITION/STEERING COLUMN AND IT SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. I AM LEAVING IT AT CHEVY DEALERS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO WHAT IS CAUSING THE ISSUE. I HAVE HAD STARTING PROBLEMS IN THE PAST MONTH ON OCCASION. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HOUSING BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 08/27/14*LJ UPDATED 09/17/2014 *JS
Engine, Jul 16, 2014
ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR IS HARD TO START. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD IT TESTED. THEY SAID IT IS ON BECAUSE OF THE GAS CAP. I WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE GAS CAP AND THAT WOULD SOLVE THE ISSUE WITH THE STARTING. THEY RESET THE LIGHT. I BOUGHT A NEW GAS CAP. LIGHT CAME BACK ON. IT IS TILL ON AND HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING. NO MORE CHEVROLETS FOR ME. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 16, 2014
I HAD BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CAR STARTING PROPERLY AND THE KEY GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEN ONE EVENING, I DROVE TO A STORE AND TURNED MY CAR OFF. CAME BACK AND IT WOULDN'T START. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY THOUGH IT WAS THE BATTERY, BUT IT WASN'T. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT HAD A BAD STARTER. I HAD TO BY A NEW STARTER. *TR
Engine, Jul 16, 2014
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE (OUT OF STATE - HOURS AWAY FROM HOME), WHICH HAD A STEEP GRADE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. ENDED UP HAVING TO GET A NEW ENGINE ( WELL WARRANTY COMPANY PUT IN USED ENGINE THAT HAD 40,000 MILES ON IT). HAD TO RENT A CAR TO GET HOME AND TO GET BACK TO PICK UP THE CAR WEEKS LATER. *TR
Service brakes, Jul 15, 2014
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE, IT PULSATED AND THE ABS/TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. WE TOOK IT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER WE PURCHASED IT FROM FOR REPAIR. THEY REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/HUB ASSEMBLY AND THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND RESURFACED THE ROTORS. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER, THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED AGAIN WITH THE ABS/TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON AGAIN. THE ABS/TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS ON. AS YOU BRAKE, THE BRAKES PULSATE LIKE THEY ARE TRYING TO ADJUST THEMSELVES. THIS IS SCARY AS YOU FEAR YOU ARE NOT GOING TO STOP OR REAR END SOMEONE EVERY TIME YOU DRIVE THE VEHICLE. WE NEED TO TRADE THIS VEHICLE IN, BUT WHO WANTS SOMETHING CHEVROLET WON'T OR CAN'T FIX? *TR
Electrical system, Jul 15, 2014
PURCHASED MY EQUINOX IN 2006 NEW AT 12,000 MILES SERPENTINE BELT BROKEN,WINDOW HAS JUMPED GOING UP AND DOWN SINCE THE DAY OF PURCHASE TOOK BACK TO THE DEALER BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM.AT 110000 MILES THE HEAT STOP WORKING.THEN BY SUMMER THE A/C WENT TOO.AND CAR HAS ALWAYS HAD IGNITION ISSUES MY CAR WILL STAY RUNNING EVEN WHEN YOU TAKE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION COMPLETELY.GM DOESN'T CARE ABOUT CAR OWNERS ONLY PROFIT... GOING BACK TO FORD... *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 14, 2014
WATER SWISHING NOISE IN DASH AREA. INCREASING DIFFICULTY TURNING KEY IN IGNITION SWITCH. MUST PULL IT OUT, TURN IT OVER AND PUSH UP AND TURN TO GET IT TO START CAR. AT 65,000 MILES DOOR FLAP ON A/C HEATER FAILED, WEATHER WAS 15-20 DEGREES F IN DECEMBER AND CAUSED HEATER AND DEFROST SYSTEM TO FAIL. WE, INCURRED A $1400 REPAIR BILL FOR A $129 PART, LABOR EXPENSIVE AS PART IS "DIFFICULT TO GET TO" . MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THESE SAME ISSUE ARE POSTED ON-LINE. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO GET IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR DIE BEFORE THEY RECALL ANY OF THESE? *TR
Service brakes, Jul 11, 2014
PROBLEM WITH ABS SYSTEM. WHEN STOPPING AT LOW SPEEDS ( 5MPH) THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES EVERY TIME. WE HAVE HAD ALL BRAKE PADS, SHOES, ROTORS, AND DISC REPLACED. STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THE SAME ISSUES APPEARING ON INTERNET FORUMS. AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DO WE NEED BEFORE A RECALL IS ISSUED. WILL IT TAKE A DEATH? SINCE G.M. HAS SO MANY RECALLS NOW WHY NOT INCLUDE THIS. *TR
Service brakes, Jul 10, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS AND TRACTION LIGHT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING, THE WIRING HARNESS AND CONNECTED THE LOSE CONNECTION SPEED SENSOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOR THE FIFTH TIME AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Wheels, Service brakes, Jul 8, 2014
PASSENGER SIDE TIRE/WHEEL BRAKE LOCKED UP. NOT ABLE TO DRIVE IN ANY GEAR. APPEARED TO BE BRAKES LOCKED UP. POSSIBLE FIRE DANGER. WHEEL GOT SO HOT IT MELTED OFF THE PLASTIC HUB CAP COVER. SMELLED OF BURNING PLASTIC/BRAKE. TRYING TO GET SAFETY EVAL BY GM DELAERSHIP THIS WEEK. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS VEHICLE. NHTSA: REQUEST YOUR REVIEW TO RECOMMEND IMMEDIATE RECALL; FOUND SAME PROBLEM ACROSS THE INTERNET THIS MORNING. HELP.... *JS
Steering, Power train, Jul 7, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIP GEARS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V302000 (POWER TRAIN). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jul 5, 2014
A. I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT AT TIMES THE CAR WOULD NOT START THE FIRST TIME I TURNED THE KEY. I WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE KEY TO OFF POSITION AND TRY AGAIN, THIS COULD SOMETIMES TAKE A COUPLE OF TIMES. THE DEALER DID STATE THAT IT WAS INDEED THE IGNITION SWITCH. B. WE ALSO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION WHEN YOU TURN IT OVER IT CONTINUES TO TRY TO START AFTER IT IS RUNNING. THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE IS STOP IS TO STEP ON THE GAS. C. WHEN THE CAR IS SHUT OFF WITH THE WIPERS OR HEATER OR EVEN THE RADIO ON; WHEN WE START THE EQUINOX, THERE IS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE STEERING WHEEL AREA. IT HAS A BURNING SMELL WITH IT. VERY DANGEROUS. JUST LAST WEEK, I HAD MY EQUINOX ON WITH THE AIR, AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE STEERING WHEEL AREA WHILE IT WAS RUNNING IDLE. D. IN THE COLDER WEATHER, THERE IS FROST ON MY INSIDE FRONT WINDSHIELD. ALL WINDOWS ARE UP, AND THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO HAVE A MASSIVE RECALL AS THERE ARE MANY ISSUES GOING ON WITH IT. I WOULD HATE TO SEE SOMEONE GET HURT BUT I COULD SEE IT HAPPENING IF SOMETHING IS NOT DONE TO CORRECT THESE ISSUES. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 3, 2014
BOUGHT VEHICLE USED IN 2012 ( JUNE 26) AND 1-2 MONTHS LATER HAD TO REPLACE IGNITION SWITCH AS KEY WOULD NOT TURN OVER. STILL HAVE ISSUES WITH IGNITION SWITCH NOT TURNING OVER INTERMITTENTLY SO WE LEAVE KEY IN IGNITION AND LOCK WITH THE REMOTE CONTROLLER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Visibility, Structure, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 1, 2014
SAME AS REPORTED BELOW, ABS ISSUES, IGNITION SWITCH, OVER HEATING, WATER SOUND IN DASH, BLEND DOOR ISSUES. ONLY HAVE 80K ON CAR BUT PROBLEMS SURPASS VALUE. WHY ARE THERE NO RECALLS FOR EQUINOX? *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Jun 30, 2014
OUR CAR IGNITION FROM DAY ONE HAS BEEN AN ISSUE .THERE ARE TIMES YOU TRY TO START IT WONT .WE TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER THEY TOLD ME I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO START MY CAR,ONE TIME THE IGNITION SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ,ONSTAR CAME ON AND HAD ME GO OUTSIDE CAR AND REDO FUEL CAP,THEN TURN KEY ON WITH OUT STARTING ,FINALLY SHE HAD ME RESTART CAR. WE STILL HAVE IGNITION ISSUES ,I EVEN CONTACTED GM THOUGH EMAIL GOT NO RESPONSE. THEY SEEM NOT TO CARE. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 29, 2014
2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. NOW HAS 095431 MILES ON IT AND THIS STARTED AROUND THE 83K MILES POINT. KEY WILL NOT ROTATE FROM OFF POSITION TO ON POSITION, THUS THE CAR CAN NOT BE STARTED AND THIS HA. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL CHEVROLET VEHICLES UTILIZING HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIME. THE SAME IGNITION CYLINDER; HOWEVER CHEVROLET HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS PLEASE ADVISE. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jun 27, 2014
TEMP DOOR ACTUATOR BROKE LEAVING ME WITHOUT HEAT TO DEFROST WINDOWS. REPAIR COST OF DOOR $50.00 COST OF LABOR $1200.00. THE DOOR IS MADE OF CHEAP PLASTIC BUT THE ENTIRE FIREWALL MUST BE REMOVE TO REPLACE PART. THEN MY ENGINE BLEW 1 YEAR LATER. COST $1700.00. NOW MY ENGINE BLEW AGAIN. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 26, 2014
2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. KEY WILL NOT ROTATE FROM OFF POSITION TO ON POSITION, THUS THE CAR CAN NOT BE STARTED. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE IGNITION CYLINDER PRESUMED, AS THE FACTORY KEY IS INCAPABLE OF EVEN BEING ROTATED TO THE ON POSITION. A SECOND FACTORY ISSUED KEY THAT HAS BEEN SPARINGLY USED SINCE PURCHASED WAS SUBSTITUTED FOR THE ORIGINAL (PROBLEM KEY). THIS SECOND KEY APPEARED TO HAVE RESOLVED THE PROBLEM, FOR THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF USE, HOWEVER NOW THIS NEW KEY WILL NOT WORK AT ALL EITHER. BASED ON MY RESEARCH VIA THE WEB, THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL CHEVROLET VEHICLES UTILIZING THE SAME IGNITION CYLINDER; HOWEVER CHEVROLET HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. *TR
Service brakes, Jun 26, 2014
ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS DASH BOARD INDICATORS CAME ON AND THE ABS BRAKES BEGAN TO PULSE SUDDENLY. THE PULSING WOULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME (DRY OR WET SURFACE AND AT ANY SPEED). WHEN VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL DASH LIGHTS WOULD BE OFF BUT WOULD LIGHT UP AGAIN IN A SHORT WHILE. TOOK VEHICLE TO FIRESTONE. FIRST, ONE SET OF HUB BEARINGS WAS REPLACED. WHEN THAT DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM, THE OTHER SET OF HUB BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. THAT DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM EITHER, SO BOTH SETS WERE REPLACED AGAIN IN CASE OF A FAULTY PART. THAT STILL DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM, SO THE ELECTRICAL WAS REWIRED. THIS WORKED FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS BUT NOW THE LIGHTS ARE LIT AND THE BRAKES ARE PULSING AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN ON AN UNOFFICIAL CHEVROLET FORUM AND IT SEEMS THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE EQUINOX. WHAT IS CHEVY DOING TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM AND WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN ISSUED? *TR
Power train, Jun 25, 2014
I AM A OWNER OF A 2006 EQUINOX, I HAVE NOTICED THE CHANGE IN SHIFTS WHEN I AM DRIVING. IT'S LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING AND JERKS THE CAR THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM FOR A FEW WEEKS NOW. IT STALLED OUT ON ME ONE WHILE I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION HARD FOR ME TO TURN KEY TO RESTART. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. FINALLY THIS PAST WEEKEND I ALMOST WRECKED SOMEONE IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE OF THE JERKING AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ONCE AGAIN, THEY FINALLY GAVE ME A DIAGNOSIS SAID I NEED TO GET MY IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED WHICH IS A LARGE AMOUNT TO FIX. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE FOR FAMILIES AND I CAN SEE ACCIDENTS HAPPENING. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE RECALLED AS WELL ! I HAVE CONTACTED GM BUT NO REPLIES. *TR