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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

Service Brakes complaints

63 reports
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85,000 miles · Feb 14, 2014
Service BrakesSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN TO PULSATE WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DECELERATE EVEN AFTER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED REPEATEDLY. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE TRAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN TO PULSATE WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DECELERATE EVEN AFTER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED REPEATEDLY. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE TRACTION AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TEN TIMES WHERE THE FRONT BRAKES AND BEARINGS WERE REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 04/22/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS FIXED. UPDATED 04/24/14

NHTSA ODI #10564418

82,000 miles · Jan 24, 2014
Equipment Adaptive/mobilityFuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

I HAVE HAD ALL KIND OF TROUBLE OUT OF THIS VEHICLE. FIRST IT WAS THE WHEEL BEARINGS. CHANGE ONE AN NOT LONG AFTER HAVE TO CHANGE ANOTHER. HAVE CHANGED ABOUT 4. THREE ON ONE WHEEL AN ONE ON THE OTHER. AND NOW HAVE TO CHANGE ANOTHER THAT I CAN TELL. THEN IT STARTED WITH BRAKES RECENTLY. THEY WOULD STICK. HAD BRAKES REPLACED THAT D…

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I HAVE HAD ALL KIND OF TROUBLE OUT OF THIS VEHICLE. FIRST IT WAS THE WHEEL BEARINGS. CHANGE ONE AN NOT LONG AFTER HAVE TO CHANGE ANOTHER. HAVE CHANGED ABOUT 4. THREE ON ONE WHEEL AN ONE ON THE OTHER. AND NOW HAVE TO CHANGE ANOTHER THAT I CAN TELL. THEN IT STARTED WITH BRAKES RECENTLY. THEY WOULD STICK. HAD BRAKES REPLACED THAT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON VEHICLE. THEN WENT OFF HAVEN'T CAME ON SINCE BUT BRAKES HAVE STUCK MORE THAN ONE TIME. VERY DANGEROUS. NOW TO GET WITH THE AIR IN THE VEHICLE THAT I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAIN ABOUT. WHILE CAR IS SITTING STILL THE VEHICLE WILL STAY WARM AN WARM AIR BLOWING OUT. WHERE IT HAS BEEN COLD WHEN DRIVING THE CAR THE TEMP WOULD GO DOWN ON VEHICLE MAKING THE AIR BLOW OUT COOL AN I ABOUT FREEZE TO DEATH DRIVING. WINDOWS FOG UP FAST. NEED A RECALL IF SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE/ISSUES. CAN CAUSE MAJOR PROBLEMS IF NOT ADDRESSED OR FIXED. I DON'T LET ME KIDS RIDE IN THE CAR WITH ME ANYMORE CAUSE OF THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561310

116,000 miles · Oct 24, 2013
Service Brakes

WHILE DRIVING, EITHER JUST GETTING INTO THE CAR AND PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE OR HAVING DRIVEN FOR A DISTANCE, WHEN PUSHING ON THE BREAKS TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THEY GRIND AND THE CAR DOESN'T STOP. SOMETIMES, THERE IS JUST A GRINDING SOUND AND I DON'T BOTHER PUSHING ON THE BREAKS BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THEY WILL NOT WORK. I TO…

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WHILE DRIVING, EITHER JUST GETTING INTO THE CAR AND PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE OR HAVING DRIVEN FOR A DISTANCE, WHEN PUSHING ON THE BREAKS TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THEY GRIND AND THE CAR DOESN'T STOP. SOMETIMES, THERE IS JUST A GRINDING SOUND AND I DON'T BOTHER PUSHING ON THE BREAKS BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THEY WILL NOT WORK. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY BREAKS LOOKED FINE. I WILL DRIVE FOR A WHILE AND IT MAY NOT HAPPEN AGAIN FOR DAYS. THEN IT STARTS UP AGAIN....THE GRINDING. IT IS SOMETIMES ACCOMPANIED BY THE TC AND/OR THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATING ON THE DASHBOARD. ONCE I CUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART, THE LIGHT(S) MAY GO OUT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR INTO THE SHOP (BOTH A DEALER REPAIR AND AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP) AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULDN'T TELL WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THEY HAVE MENTIONED THAT THE ISSUE COULD BE ELECTRICAL, BUT NONE CAN CONFIRM. RESEARCH ON THIS SITE CONFIRMS THAT IT IS NOT JUST MY VEHICLE. I DO REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON MY VEHICLE AND YET THIS STILL HAPPENED. CHEVY NEEDS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS AND PROVIDE A SOLUTION. THIS IS DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10549390

59,000 miles · Oct 15, 2013
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. UPDATED 01/07/14*LJ UPDATED 1/14/2014 *…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. UPDATED 01/07/14*LJ UPDATED 1/14/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10547994

96,000 miles · Jul 11, 2013
EngineSeat BeltsService Brakes

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES GRINDING NOT WANTING TO STOP AND TOOK TO A SHOP SAID MY BRAKES WERE LIKE BRAND NEW BUT YET IT DOESN'T WANT TO STOP MAKES GRINDING NOISES. I REPLACED THE STARTER IN MY CAR FOUR TIMES AND AM STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS STICKS WHEN STARTING OR DOESN'T WANT TO WORK AT ALL AND THIS WAS IN A TWO M…

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I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES GRINDING NOT WANTING TO STOP AND TOOK TO A SHOP SAID MY BRAKES WERE LIKE BRAND NEW BUT YET IT DOESN'T WANT TO STOP MAKES GRINDING NOISES. I REPLACED THE STARTER IN MY CAR FOUR TIMES AND AM STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS STICKS WHEN STARTING OR DOESN'T WANT TO WORK AT ALL AND THIS WAS IN A TWO MONTH PERIOD. MY FRONT DRIVERS SEATBELT WOULD NOT RELEASE THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH BEARINGS HAD TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. ALSO WITH THE STEERING WHEN DRIVING IT HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN WHEN I CHANGE LANES WANTS TO KEEP GOING TOWARD THE DITCH.WHY ISN'T ANY OF THIS BEING ADDRESSED BY CHEVROLET I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE OF NO RECALLS BUT APPARENTLY CHEVY DOESN'T WANT TO FIX THESE ISSUES AND IT COULD KILL SOMEONE !! ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WHEN IT RAINS ALSO IT DOESN'T DO WELL AT ALL IN RAIN AT ALL AND I HAVE BRAND NEW TIRES ON MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524368

108,300 miles · Jul 8, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingService BrakesCrash

I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40 MPH DOWN A MAIN ROAD, WHEN I TRIED TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT. UPON PRESSING THE BRAKE, THE WHOLE BRAKE SYSTEM LOCKED UP, AND THERE WAS RESISTANCE. I SWERVED TO AVOID THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, AND RAN INTO A MAILBOX ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. PRIOR TO THIS, MY CAR EXPERIENCED OVERHEATING AND SMOKE THAT BL…

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I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40 MPH DOWN A MAIN ROAD, WHEN I TRIED TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT. UPON PRESSING THE BRAKE, THE WHOLE BRAKE SYSTEM LOCKED UP, AND THERE WAS RESISTANCE. I SWERVED TO AVOID THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, AND RAN INTO A MAILBOX ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. PRIOR TO THIS, MY CAR EXPERIENCED OVERHEATING AND SMOKE THAT BLOCKED MY VIEW, AND I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I AM MENTIONING THIS BECAUSE I SEE THAT OTHERS HAD THE SAME ISSUE. GM NEEDS TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523811

117,539 miles · Jun 12, 2013
Service Brakes

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY OF 2013, NOTICED THAT ABS AND TC LIGHT WERE COMING ON WHILE DRIVING, AND THAT FRONT BRAKES HAD CRUNCHING AND GRINDING SOUND, AND WOULD JAM WHEN BRAKES WERE HIT. HAD FRONT BRAKE REPLACED, AND NEW TIRES PUT ON, AND STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENING. TOOK IT …

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I AM THE OWNER OF A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY OF 2013, NOTICED THAT ABS AND TC LIGHT WERE COMING ON WHILE DRIVING, AND THAT FRONT BRAKES HAD CRUNCHING AND GRINDING SOUND, AND WOULD JAM WHEN BRAKES WERE HIT. HAD FRONT BRAKE REPLACED, AND NEW TIRES PUT ON, AND STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENING. TOOK IT TO DAN VADEN DEALERSHIP ON FEB 26, 2013, WAS INFORMED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. ON MARCH 6, 2013 WHILE PRESSING BRAKES THEY JAMMED, AND HAD TO PULL VEHICLE OFF ROAD NOT TO HIT VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. ON MARCH 7, 2013 TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DAN VANDEN DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THEY REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY FOR A CHARGE OF 593.28 (LABOR AND OTHER FEES). WHEN I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP THAT EVENING AND DROVE 1/2 MILE THE ABS AND TRACKING LIGHT CAME BACK ON WHILE DRIVING. DROVE VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP. I WAS GIVEN A COURTESY VEHICLE FOR A WEEK UNTIL THEY COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. IT IS NOW JUNE AND I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM OF THE ABS AND TC LIGHT COMING ON, AND BRAKES JAMMING. I HAVE ALSO SEEN ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ON GOOGLE REGARDING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE SAME VEHICLE. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10519421

100,000 miles · May 13, 2013
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATED ABNORMALLY WHEN DEPRESSED. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATED ABNORMALLY WHEN DEPRESSED. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED AND HAD BEEN REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,000.

NHTSA ODI #10511774

52,000 miles · Mar 13, 2013
Electrical SystemService BrakesSuspension

I HEARD A THUMPING NOISE FROM WHAT FELT LIKE UNDER MY FEET. I THEN TRIED TO PUSH ON THE BRAKES, ONLY HAVING THE PEDAL GIVE A GREAT AMOUNT OF RESISTANCE WITH LOUD ABS NOISES. IT WILL CONTINUE DOING THIS UNTIL BOTH MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT COME ON. I HAD MY BRAKES CHECKED AND THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS GOOD. AND O…

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I HEARD A THUMPING NOISE FROM WHAT FELT LIKE UNDER MY FEET. I THEN TRIED TO PUSH ON THE BRAKES, ONLY HAVING THE PEDAL GIVE A GREAT AMOUNT OF RESISTANCE WITH LOUD ABS NOISES. IT WILL CONTINUE DOING THIS UNTIL BOTH MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT COME ON. I HAD MY BRAKES CHECKED AND THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS GOOD. AND OF COURSE IT WAS OUT OF MY 50000 MILE WARRANTY. I STILL DRIVE CAUTIOUSLY AND TRY TO GET THE LIGHTS ON AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE WHEN DRIVING MY CHILDREN AROUND SO THAT WE AREN'T SERIOUSLY INJURED. NOT UNTIL I STARTED RESEARCHING THE PROBLEMS I'M HAVING WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE DID I REALIZE I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE. THE BRAKES ARE THE FIRST TO MENTION...THEN THERE'S THE AC/HEATER PROBLEM IT WON'T BLOW HOT AIR, AND IT WON'T BLOW COOL AIR WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THEN THAT LOUD CLUNKING NOISE MADE WHEN I'M DRIVING OVER BUMPS THAT SOUND LIKE MY FRONT END IS GOING TO FALL OFF. OH AND THE FACT THAT MY SPEEDOMETER WILL ONLY INCREASE BY 3-5 MPH INCREMENTS. THE DEALER SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, AFTER GETTING A SPEEDING TICKET BY A CAMERA LIGHT IT WAS TAKEN INTO A SPEED SHOP WHO VERIFIED ITS ABSOLUTELY NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. THEY COULDN'T EVEN GIVE ME A READING BECAUSE ITS BROKEN. NICE!!!!! SERIOUSLY IS SOMEONE GOING TO HAVE TO DIE, OR SERIOUSLY INJURED BEFORE SOMEONE STEPS UP AND TAKES RESPONSIBILITY? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502601

Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2012
Service Brakes

I WOULD PRESS THE BRAKE AND IT FELT LIKE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. AFTER A FEW TIMES, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. IN OCTOBER 2012, I TOOK IT TO A CHEVROLET DEALER TO GET IT DIAGNOSED AND FIXED. THEY REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT ABS SENSOR. THEN I WENT FOR ALMOST A MONTH WITHOUT AN INCIDENT AND NOW IT HAS STARTED AG…

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I WOULD PRESS THE BRAKE AND IT FELT LIKE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. AFTER A FEW TIMES, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. IN OCTOBER 2012, I TOOK IT TO A CHEVROLET DEALER TO GET IT DIAGNOSED AND FIXED. THEY REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT ABS SENSOR. THEN I WENT FOR ALMOST A MONTH WITHOUT AN INCIDENT AND NOW IT HAS STARTED AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER, THIS LAST WEEK OF NOV. 2012, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE SENSOR BECAUSE THE ABS LIGHT IS NOT ON, AND THAT THEY ARE NOT JUST GOING TO TEAR INTO EVERYTHING BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT SURE WHAT IS WRONG. I AM WORRIED ABOUT MY SAFETY OF MYSELF AND THOSE WITH WHOM I TRAVEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10486499

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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