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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

Visibility complaints

247 reports
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127,000 miles · Feb 14, 2018
EngineVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THE HEAT IN THE VEHICLE DID NOT WORK, AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSIS THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THE HEAT IN THE VEHICLE DID NOT WORK, AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSIS THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ODI #11072966

117,500 miles · Dec 1, 2015
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DEFROSTER WAS ACTIVATED, BUT FAILED TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL DOOR FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DEFROSTER WAS ACTIVATED, BUT FAILED TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL DOOR FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,500.

NHTSA ODI #10807826

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

100,586 miles · Apr 5, 2015
Visibility

I HAVE NO HEAT, YESTERDAY, I DID . THIS MORNING MY HEAT WILL NOT WORK RECIRCULATION WORKS FAN CONTROLS WORK A/C WORKS, AFTER ALL OF MY HOURS OF RESEARCH, I KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, ALONG WITH THOUSANDS OF OTHER EQUINOX OWNERS . ITS THE VENT DOOR AND ACTUATOR, I NARROWED ALL DOWN AT FIRST COOLANT THERMOSTAT ETC. I FOUND MY RESUL…

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I HAVE NO HEAT, YESTERDAY, I DID . THIS MORNING MY HEAT WILL NOT WORK RECIRCULATION WORKS FAN CONTROLS WORK A/C WORKS, AFTER ALL OF MY HOURS OF RESEARCH, I KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, ALONG WITH THOUSANDS OF OTHER EQUINOX OWNERS . ITS THE VENT DOOR AND ACTUATOR, I NARROWED ALL DOWN AT FIRST COOLANT THERMOSTAT ETC. I FOUND MY RESULT FOR A CHEAP PIECE OF PLASTIC ON THE VENT DOOR THAT BREAKS SO OFTEN SURE ITS A 70$ PART BUT AS A SINGLE FATHER , I CANNOT AFFORD A 1500.00$ SHOP FEE FOR THAT, THIS IS SOMETHING CHEVY KNOWS IS WRONG , AND CAN BE A VERY LIABLE HAZARD TO ACCIDENTS ! I LIVE IN NORTH DAKOTA WHERE IT GETS PRETTY DARN COLD , YOU LOSE YOUR HEAT ON A WAY TO A KIDS HOCKEY GAME 100 MILES AWAY ON A FRIDAY NIGHT WHEN SNOWING AND 30 BELOW ZERO YES COULD CAUSE FATALITIES !! ITS WIDELY SPREAD ACROSS THE BOARD THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEM , CHEVROLET KNOWS THIS , THEY NEED TO MAKE IT RIGHT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED FROM IT ! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10703778

Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2015
Visibility

THE HEATER IS BLOWING OUT COLD AIR, IT'S IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE TO DRIVE TO WORK WITH A BLANKET ON MY LAP, HEAVY JACKET AND GLOVES. THE BLANKET ON THE LAP IS NOT THE SMARTEST CHOICE BUT I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY SOMEWHERE BETWEEN $800 - $1000 TO GET THIS FIXED. I ALSO HAVE TO HAVE MY CHILDREN BRING BLANKET…

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THE HEATER IS BLOWING OUT COLD AIR, IT'S IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE TO DRIVE TO WORK WITH A BLANKET ON MY LAP, HEAVY JACKET AND GLOVES. THE BLANKET ON THE LAP IS NOT THE SMARTEST CHOICE BUT I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY SOMEWHERE BETWEEN $800 - $1000 TO GET THIS FIXED. I ALSO HAVE TO HAVE MY CHILDREN BRING BLANKETS SO THEY STAY WARM. WE LIVE IN A SOUTHERN STATE BUT WE STILL GET COLD HERE. I CAN'T IMAGINE LIVING UP NORTH AND DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM. NEEDS TO BE FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10680115

158,000 miles · Dec 15, 2014
Visibility

THE HEATER BLEND DOOR IS BROKEN. THE COST OF REPLACING THE DOOR IS $1000 +. I CANNOT AFFORD TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL VEHICLE. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664213

118,000 miles · Dec 6, 2014
Visibility

THE HEATER IS CURRENTLY BLOWING OUT COLD AIR. I HAVE TRIED EVERY SETTING TO TRY TO SEE IF ANY OF THE SETTINGS HELP BUT ALWAYS BLOWS OUT COOL/COLD AIR. ANOTHER COSTLY REPAIR TO ADD TO THIS VEHICLE. AVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, THE WORST CHEVY MODEL I HAVE EVER OWNED. HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 16 MONTHS HAVE HA…

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THE HEATER IS CURRENTLY BLOWING OUT COLD AIR. I HAVE TRIED EVERY SETTING TO TRY TO SEE IF ANY OF THE SETTINGS HELP BUT ALWAYS BLOWS OUT COOL/COLD AIR. ANOTHER COSTLY REPAIR TO ADD TO THIS VEHICLE. AVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, THE WORST CHEVY MODEL I HAVE EVER OWNED. HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 16 MONTHS HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10662580

123,000 miles · Nov 18, 2014
Equipment Adaptive/mobilityVisibility

A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AGO, I BEGAN EXPERIENCING AN ISSUE WITH MY 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX. THE HEAT STOPPED WORKING. THE FAN WOULD WORK AND BLOW AIR - BUT NO HEAT. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A GM DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE ISSUE. IMMEDIATELY UPON TELLING THEM THE SYMPTOMS, THEY DIAGNOSED MY VEHICLE WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT IT. …

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A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AGO, I BEGAN EXPERIENCING AN ISSUE WITH MY 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX. THE HEAT STOPPED WORKING. THE FAN WOULD WORK AND BLOW AIR - BUT NO HEAT. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A GM DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE ISSUE. IMMEDIATELY UPON TELLING THEM THE SYMPTOMS, THEY DIAGNOSED MY VEHICLE WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT IT. THE SERVICE REP TOLD ME THAT IT WAS "KNOWN ISSUE" WITH THE EQUINOX, THAT ALMOST 4 OUT OF 5 VEHICLES OF THAT MAKE/MODEL/YEAR HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. HE TOLD ME THE GOOD NEWS WAS THAT THE PART TO FIX IT WAS ONLY $65, BUT THE BAD NEWS WAS THAT THE LABOR WAS $1000. I WAS TOLD THAT THE HINGE ON THE TEMPERATURE BLEND DOOR" WAS BROKEN AT THE ACTUATOR AND THAT THE ENTIRE DASH ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED TO GET TO THE BROKEN PART. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND HAD ALMOST THE SAME ANSWER - ALTHOUGH, TO THEIR CREDIT, THEY DID ACTUALLY LOOK AT THE VEHICLE BEFORE DIAGNOSING IT. BOTH OF THESE GM/CHEVY DEALERSHIPS SHOOK THEIR HEADS AND ALMOST LAUGHED AT ME - SAYING THAT IT WAS A "KNOWN ISSUE". I DECIDED THAT I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY $1000 TO FIX A "KNOWN ISSUE", SO I CALLED CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE. KEEP IN MIND THAT MY VEHICLE IS SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP DURING ALL THIS. AFTER MORE THAN A WEEK, CHEVY TELLS ME THAT MY WARRANTY EXPIRED (I WAS 20K MILES OVER THE WARRANTY) AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. THEY CONVINCE THE DEALERSHIP TO KNOCK 10% OFF MY BILL. GEE... THANKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10658779

112,000 miles · Nov 14, 2014
Visibility

06 CHEVY EQUINOX LT2, HEAT STARTED BLOWING COLD AIR. I DIDN'T KNOW THE PROBLEM BUT FORTUNATELY I WENT INTO MY ONSTAR ACCOUNT TO LOOK FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT SINCE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON IT COULDN'T TELL ME. BUT WHILE IN MY ACCOUNT IT WAS SHOWING ACTIVE WARRANTY. IT SHOWED ME THERE WAS AN ACTIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM G…

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06 CHEVY EQUINOX LT2, HEAT STARTED BLOWING COLD AIR. I DIDN'T KNOW THE PROBLEM BUT FORTUNATELY I WENT INTO MY ONSTAR ACCOUNT TO LOOK FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT SINCE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON IT COULDN'T TELL ME. BUT WHILE IN MY ACCOUNT IT WAS SHOWING ACTIVE WARRANTY. IT SHOWED ME THERE WAS AN ACTIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM GM, COVERING ACTUATOR DOOR DEFAULT. ALL EQUINOX OWNERS ARE COVERED TO 120,000 MILES OR 1/1/2016.....SO IF YOU HAVE THIS ISSUE WITH HEAT BLOWING COLD TAKE IT TO AUTHORIZED CHEVY GM DEALER BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO TAKE THE WHOLE DASH OUT TO FIX A 10.00 PART, THE LABOR CHARGE IS $2600 MY DEALER TOLD ME. ALSO IF YOU PAID FOR THIS ISSUE OUT OF POCKET THEY WILL REIMBURSE YOU. GOOGLE THIS ISSUE , THERE IS A SPECIAL BULLETIN NUMBER FOR THIS. GET THAT NUMBER AND CALL YOUR DEALER!!!!! THEY WON'T TELL YOU IT'S COVERED AND CHARGE YOU BECAUSE MOST OF THE SERVICE MANAGERS DON'T EVEN KNOW IT EXISTS. NOW THAT'S NOT RITE.....THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THIS BEING COVERED, IT'S NOT FAIR TO THE CONSUMER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654899

80,000 miles · Oct 8, 2014
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATER FAILED TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BLEND DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATER FAILED TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BLEND DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10643387

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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