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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

What owners actually said

695 reports
52,000 miles · Sep 28, 2011
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATER WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR TEMPERATURE CONTROL BLEND DOOR WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATER WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR TEMPERATURE CONTROL BLEND DOOR WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

NHTSA ODI #10427784

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

THE HEATER STARTED BLOWING COLD AIR. I KNOW FOR CERTAIN THAT MY CAR IS ONE OF MANY. THERE WAS LESS THAN 60K MILES ON THE CAR AT THE TIME. UNACCEPTABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10426492

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

MY CAR CONTINUES TO OVERHEAT. I HAD THE RADIATOR FLUSHED AND NEW FLUIDS PUT IN A NEW THERMOSTAT PUT IN BUT IT CONTINUED TO OVER HEAT. WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT LOOK AT (VAN DORN AUTO), I WAS TOLD THAT THE COOLING FANS ARE NOT WORKING. THE MECHANICAL SHOP (VAN DORN AUTO) CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD BY THE CHEVY DEALER TH…

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MY CAR CONTINUES TO OVERHEAT. I HAD THE RADIATOR FLUSHED AND NEW FLUIDS PUT IN A NEW THERMOSTAT PUT IN BUT IT CONTINUED TO OVER HEAT. WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT LOOK AT (VAN DORN AUTO), I WAS TOLD THAT THE COOLING FANS ARE NOT WORKING. THE MECHANICAL SHOP (VAN DORN AUTO) CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD BY THE CHEVY DEALER THAT THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FANS BECAUSE OF THE SIZING AND THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO ORDER A DIFFERENT SIZE TO SEND TO VAN DORN AUTO TO BE REPLACED IN MY VEHICLE. WHEN I CALLED FOR A RECALL THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL. HOW CAN THAT BE IF THE ORIGINAL PARTS HAVE TO BE RESIZED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. 2ND ISSUE THE WINDOWS OPERATED LIKE THEY ARE OFF TRACK WHEN IT RAINS. THIS HAS BEEN SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN 2006. EVERY TIME I GO TO THE DEALER, THEY TRY TO GET ME TO REPLACE THE PART BUT THEY WONT OFFER ANY DISCOUNTS. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE MANUFACTURE AND I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT TO BE FIXED. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10426284

145,000 miles · Sep 14, 2011
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE AND A POPPING SOUND WAS HEARD IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE MECHANIC STAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE AND A POPPING SOUND WAS HEARD IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE COMPONENTS IN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

NHTSA ODI #10425405

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX FOR 5 MONTHS NOW. ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON SPORADICALLY, CAR OVERHEATS WHILE IN TRAFFIC OR IDLING. I CANNOT DRIVE MY TOO LONG. WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION TEMPERATURE GAUGE IS IN THE MIDDLE. A/C BLOWS OUT HOT/FAN AIR WHILE IDLING, SOMETIMES BLOWS OUT BAD SMELL. WHILE CAR IS IN MOVING MOTION A/C BLOWS…

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I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX FOR 5 MONTHS NOW. ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON SPORADICALLY, CAR OVERHEATS WHILE IN TRAFFIC OR IDLING. I CANNOT DRIVE MY TOO LONG. WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION TEMPERATURE GAUGE IS IN THE MIDDLE. A/C BLOWS OUT HOT/FAN AIR WHILE IDLING, SOMETIMES BLOWS OUT BAD SMELL. WHILE CAR IS IN MOVING MOTION A/C BLOWS COLD AIR. AFTER APPROX. 30 MINUTES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING, HOT AIR COMES OUT AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIRS ARE TOO EXPENSIVE TO FIX. LAST INCIDENT IS REPORT BELOW, HOWEVER I CANNOT HAVE THE CAR PARKED ON FOR MORE THAN 2 MINUTES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10421103

85,000 miles · Aug 19, 2011
Service Brakes, Electric

ABS AND TC LIGHT COMES ON AND BRAKES GIVE IN AND WILL NOT STOP AS BEFORE. 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. DIFFERENT CODES AND READINGS WHEN HOOKED UP ON MACHINE BY MECHANIC. MASTER CYLINDER AND SENSOR, LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING REPLACED WITH SENSOR AND ABS MODULE REPLACED. STILL SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10420719

76,670 miles · Aug 17, 2011
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONED, AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THE STEERING COLUMN DISCONNECTED FROM THE STEERING RACK. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONED, AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THE STEERING COLUMN DISCONNECTED FROM THE STEERING RACK. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW STEERING RACK. THE CONTACT STATED IF THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AS 76.670..... UPDATED 09/15/11 *BF UPDATED 2/23/12 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10419886

62,000 miles · Aug 9, 2011
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,500.

NHTSA ODI #10418225

38,900 miles · Aug 9, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS BRAKES ACTIVATING AT LOW SPEED. BRAKES LOCK UP MOMENTARILY AT LOW SPEED, JUST PRIOR TO COMING TO A STOP WHILE DECELERATING. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 39000 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10418102

83,613 miles · Aug 3, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 10-15 MILES PER HOUR, CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION PERTAINING TO MY JOB,WHEN I BEGAN TO HEAR A LOUD CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM MY ENGINE AREA.I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF.AFTER LETTING THE ENGINE REST/COOL FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES,I RESTART THE VEHICLE, AT WHICH POINT THE AMBE…

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I WAS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 10-15 MILES PER HOUR, CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION PERTAINING TO MY JOB,WHEN I BEGAN TO HEAR A LOUD CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM MY ENGINE AREA.I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF.AFTER LETTING THE ENGINE REST/COOL FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES,I RESTART THE VEHICLE, AT WHICH POINT THE AMBER OIL ALERT LAMP ACTIVATES,AND THEN TURNS OFF.NOW,MIND YOU,I HAD JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGE APPROX 700 MILES PRIOR TO THIS OCCURRING.THE CLICKING BEGAN TO SUBSIDE,AND, SINCE THE AMBER OIL ALERT LAMP WAS NO LONGER ON,I FIGURED IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA JUST TO GET IT BACK HOME SO THE OIL COULD BE CHECKED THE NEXT MORNING.SUDDENLY,WHEN I ARRIVE HOME, AND GET READY TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF IN THE DRIVEWAY,THE AMBER OIL ALERT LAMP RE-ACTIVATES, THE ENGINE,AGAIN, CLICKING.I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF.THE FOLLOWING MORNING,I CONTACTED A G.M. DEALERSHIP AND DESCRIBED TO THEM WHAT HAD OCCURRED.THEY TOLD ME I SHOULD BRING THE VEHICLE TO THEM TO BE INSPECTED; HOWEVER, THE SOONEST I COULD GET IN WAS ABOUT THREE WEEKS.INSTEAD,I CONTACTED A LOCAL OIL-CHANGE STORE AND HAD THE OIL CHANGED AND THE SYSTEM CHECKED OUT.A LITTLE WAYS DOWN THE ROAD, ABOUT 1,000 MILES INTO MY OIL CHANGE, THE AMBER OIL LAMP COMES ON AGAIN, STILL CLICKING, BUT NOT NEARLY AS MUCH AS BEFORE.I PULL INTO MY DRIVEWAY A FEW MILES LATER AND START HEARING A "CLUNKING" KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA,AT WHICH POINT THE RED OIL LAMP CAME ON.I CALLED THE GM CORPORATE CUSTOMER SUPPORT,WHOM AFTER I DESCRIBED WHAT WAS GOING ON,STATED TO ME IT SOUNDED LIKE A MAJOR ENGINE PROBLEM RELATING TO OIL ISSUES.I ASKED WHAT GENERAL MOTORS COULD DO FOR ME, AND SHE STATED "I AM SORRY, [XXX], BUT THE EQUINOX,PRIOR TO THE 2008,WAS NOT MANUFACTURED WITH ANY TYPE OF POWER TRAIN WARRANTY WHATSOEVER.I AM SORRY BUT THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO TO HELP YOU."NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE MY ENGINE DUE TO MAJOR DAMAGE! (83,600 MILES).INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)*KB

NHTSA ODI #10416820

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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