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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

Equipment complaints

28 reports
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124,000 miles · Jul 9, 2015
EquipmentVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WERE NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS KNOWN BY THE MANUFACTURER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WERE NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS KNOWN BY THE MANUFACTURER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR SPEED AND MODE SELECTION CONTINUED TO FUNCTION; HOWEVER, THE HEATER WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE MILEAGE SURPASSED THE ACCEPTED MILEAGE FOR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10044379-4513(EQUIPMENT/VISIBILITY); THEREFORE, THE CONTACT COULD NOT BE ASSISTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10732873

75,400 miles · Jul 22, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

MY 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX HAS A UN -FIXABLE [PER DEALER] A.C. PROBLEM. DRIVING IN FLORIDA WITH TEMPS IN THE HIGH NINES IN TRAFFIC THE TEMP INSIDE THE CAR IS MUCH HIGHER. BEING IN OUR SEVENTIES I NEARLY PASSED OUT WHILE DRIVING. THIS PROBLEM IS RAMPART ON GOOGLE WITH HUNDREDS OF THE SAME ISSUE. TRYING TO DRIVE WITH IN-…

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MY 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX HAS A UN -FIXABLE [PER DEALER] A.C. PROBLEM. DRIVING IN FLORIDA WITH TEMPS IN THE HIGH NINES IN TRAFFIC THE TEMP INSIDE THE CAR IS MUCH HIGHER. BEING IN OUR SEVENTIES I NEARLY PASSED OUT WHILE DRIVING. THIS PROBLEM IS RAMPART ON GOOGLE WITH HUNDREDS OF THE SAME ISSUE. TRYING TO DRIVE WITH IN-CAR TEMP. OVER 112 IS SCARY AND NOT SAFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10526146

98,000 miles · Dec 20, 2012
Equipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATER MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ODI #10489409

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2011
Electrical SystemEquipment

FOR A FEW MONTHS MY KEY WAS HAVING TROUBLE TURNING IN MY IGNITION AS WELL AS MY SPARE KEY. IT FINALLY STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED AND HAD TO HAVE THE HOUSING AND IGNITION REPLACED. MY MECHANIC HAS INFORMED ME THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE EQUINOX MODELS. MY FRIEND AND I HAVE THE SAME MODEL B…

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FOR A FEW MONTHS MY KEY WAS HAVING TROUBLE TURNING IN MY IGNITION AS WELL AS MY SPARE KEY. IT FINALLY STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED AND HAD TO HAVE THE HOUSING AND IGNITION REPLACED. MY MECHANIC HAS INFORMED ME THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE EQUINOX MODELS. MY FRIEND AND I HAVE THE SAME MODEL BUT DIFFERENT YEARS AND ARE REALIZING WE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. IF THIS IS SUCH A PROBLEM FOR CHEVY THEY NEED TO PLACE IT ON THE RECALL LIST INSTEAD OF CONSUMERS HAVING TO PAY $450 FOR SOMETHING THEY KNOW IS AN EXISTING PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10412204

3,000 miles · Jun 11, 2011
Electrical SystemEquipment

MY 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX HAS TROUBLE STARTING. THE PROBLEM USED TO BE INTERMITTENT, BUT HAS BECOME MORE REGULAR OVER THE YEARS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS TO DIAGNOSE AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM OR THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS IT WILL ONLY START IF YOU HOLD THE GAS PEDAL TO T…

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MY 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX HAS TROUBLE STARTING. THE PROBLEM USED TO BE INTERMITTENT, BUT HAS BECOME MORE REGULAR OVER THE YEARS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS TO DIAGNOSE AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM OR THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS IT WILL ONLY START IF YOU HOLD THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. OTHERWISE, IT WILL JUST CRANK AND THEN TURN OFF. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THE 2005 EQUINOX SEEMINGLY HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND WAS ISSUED A RECALL. I WORK HARD TO PAY THE BILLS AND NEED SOMEONE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM THAT THESE VEHICLES SRE HAVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10405950

82,000 miles · Mar 30, 2011
Equipment

NO HEAT IN 2006 EQUINOX. DOOR USED TO CHANGE FROM HEAT TO COOL BROKEN DUE TO MALFUNCTION OF ACTUATOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10393787

50,000 miles · Mar 22, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

2006 CHEVY EQUINOX BLOWING COLD AIR. DEALERSHIP SAID PLASTIC DOOR PART IS BROKEN THAT CONTROLS DIRECTION OF COOL OR HOT AIR. $50.00 PART $1200.00 LABOR TO REMOVE DASH TO FIX, NOT UNDER WARRENTY. SAFETY ISSUE, MOISTURE BUILDS UP ON INSIDE OF WINDSHIELD AND FREEZES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392543

40,000 miles · Feb 16, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

LAST SUMMER THE AC IN MY CAR STARTED TO ACT WEIRD, I JUST HAD BOUGHT THE CAR AND DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT FOR A WHILE. THEN, AFTER HAVING MY DAUGHTER AND HAVING HER GET OVER HEATED BECAUSE THE AC WAS FREEZING UP I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO A REPAIR PLACE THAT TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A PLASTIC VERSUS A METAL ARM THAT OPENS A DOOR THAT …

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LAST SUMMER THE AC IN MY CAR STARTED TO ACT WEIRD, I JUST HAD BOUGHT THE CAR AND DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT FOR A WHILE. THEN, AFTER HAVING MY DAUGHTER AND HAVING HER GET OVER HEATED BECAUSE THE AC WAS FREEZING UP I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO A REPAIR PLACE THAT TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A PLASTIC VERSUS A METAL ARM THAT OPENS A DOOR THAT ALLOWS THE COLD AND HOT AIR FLOW TO GO THROUGH MY CAR AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH IN FACT A METAL ONE. THIS WAS GOING TO COST ME A LOT OF MONEY, ROUGHLY 1000-1500 DOLLARS OF WHICH I DO NOT HAVE, SINCE SUMMER WAS NEARLY OVER I DECIDED IT WAS NOT THAT CRITICAL AND I DROVE OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS VEHICLES IF I HAD A LONG WAY TO DRIVE SO MY BABY DIDN'T OVER HEAT IN HER CAR SEAT. NOW AS OF TODAY MY HEAT ISN'T WORKING, IT IS FREEZING OUTSIDE AND ONCE AGAIN THE SAFETY OF MY CHILD IS AT RISK BECAUSE SHE IS COLD. I HAVE READ TONS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND REVIEWS HAT TONS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT THE METAL ARM REPLACEMENT PART IS VERY CHEAP BUT THAT THE LABOR IS THROUGH THE ROOD. I CANNOT AFFORD THE LABOR AND I CANNOT AFFORD MY CHILD TO BE OVER HEATED OR FREEZING BECAUSE CHEVY/GM DECIDED TO BE CHEAP AND USE A PLASTIC PIECE INSTEAD OF METAL TO SAVE A BUCK OR TWO. I WANT THIS TO BE RECALLED, THIS IS AFFECTING HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE GOTTEN A 2006 EQUINOX. I WOULD LIKE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE I CANNOT CONTINUE TO PUT MY CHILD IN AN UNSAFE AND UNCOMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10382874

49,351 miles · Jan 28, 2011
EquipmentVisibility

2006 CHEVY EQUINOX (49351 MILES) JUST QUIT BLOWING HOT AIR THROUGH VENTS OR DEFROSTER. DEALER SAYS A BROKEN BLEND DOOR COST $1500 TO REPAIR. SEEMS THIS MAKE/MODEL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AT ABOUT 50000 MILES. WHAT IS CHEVROLET DOING TO HELP THE PURCHASERS OF THIS VEHICLE. NOT A [XXX] THING. GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE, I WILL NEVE…

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2006 CHEVY EQUINOX (49351 MILES) JUST QUIT BLOWING HOT AIR THROUGH VENTS OR DEFROSTER. DEALER SAYS A BROKEN BLEND DOOR COST $1500 TO REPAIR. SEEMS THIS MAKE/MODEL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AT ABOUT 50000 MILES. WHAT IS CHEVROLET DOING TO HELP THE PURCHASERS OF THIS VEHICLE. NOT A [XXX] THING. GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE, I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER CHEVY/GM PRODUCT. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN COOL TEMPS WHERE WINDSHIELD FOGS UP DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I GUESS IT WILL TAKE A FATALITY FOR CHEVY TO ADMIT FAULT AND CORRECT THIS. HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED!!! *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10379491

Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2010
EquipmentVisibility

OUR CAR 2006 EQUINOX VIN [XXX] HEATER FAILED AND DEFROSTER THEN DID NOT WORK. DECEMBER 5 MY HEATER ON THIS CAR FAILED TO WORK CAUSING DANGEROUS CONDITIONS IN MY CAR AS IT WAS COLD AND DEFROST WOULD NOT FUNCTION. WINDOW KEPT FOGGING OVER. NOTED THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON LINE ABOUT THIS. REPORTED THIS TO CHEVY. PART …

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OUR CAR 2006 EQUINOX VIN [XXX] HEATER FAILED AND DEFROSTER THEN DID NOT WORK. DECEMBER 5 MY HEATER ON THIS CAR FAILED TO WORK CAUSING DANGEROUS CONDITIONS IN MY CAR AS IT WAS COLD AND DEFROST WOULD NOT FUNCTION. WINDOW KEPT FOGGING OVER. NOTED THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON LINE ABOUT THIS. REPORTED THIS TO CHEVY. PART THAT DETERMINES HEAT VS COOL FAILS, PART COSTS ABOUT $38.22, CHEVY CHARGED OVER $1317 TO REPAIR AS THIS PART IS IN THE DASHBOARD AND SUPPOSEDLY DIFFICULT TO REACH!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373407

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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