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2006 Chevrolet Equinox

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 382.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

602 reports with mileage · 93 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Visibility. Review the 247 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 141 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports9 fire reports11 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

60 reports
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75,000 miles · Oct 14, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE NO HEAT IN MY CAR. THE HEATER IS BLOWING COLD AIR. I HAVE A FOUR YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND WILL HAVE TO GET IT FIXED IMMEDIATELY DESPITE GM SUGGESTING THAT I HAVE IT DIAGNOSED THEN CALL THEM BACK. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE WITH THE BLEND DOOR, BASED ON INFORMATION FOUND ON THE INTERNET. THERE APPEARS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT N…

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I HAVE NO HEAT IN MY CAR. THE HEATER IS BLOWING COLD AIR. I HAVE A FOUR YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND WILL HAVE TO GET IT FIXED IMMEDIATELY DESPITE GM SUGGESTING THAT I HAVE IT DIAGNOSED THEN CALL THEM BACK. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE WITH THE BLEND DOOR, BASED ON INFORMATION FOUND ON THE INTERNET. THERE APPEARS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL BASED ON INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE INTERNET. IT DOES NOT APPEAR AS THOUGH THIS PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10287454

44,000 miles · Dec 7, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

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

NHTSA ODI #10250998

26,997 miles · Oct 10, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

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 RP…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10245057

42,500 miles · Sep 14, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

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. *T…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10242137

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

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 SPU…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10231081

Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringSuspension

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

NHTSA ODI #10210502

39,000 miles · Oct 3, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

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

NHTSA ODI #10204799

5,000 miles · Jul 6, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10195506

50 miles · Oct 29, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

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 RETRAC…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10172069

36,150 miles · Mar 10, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

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 COMP…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10152391

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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