← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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 complaints

68 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2014
Air BagsEngineStructureCrashInjury

HIT A ONE TON LOW BED DUMP TRUCK, THE WHOLE FRONT END OF MY SUV WAS DEMOLISHED, MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND I ENDED UP WITH REALLY BAD WHIPLASH FROM THE ACCIDENT, TO WHERE I'M STILL IN MAJOR PAIN! WONDERING IF THERE WAS A LAWSUIT AGAINST THIS? NEVER DEALT WITH A WRECK THIS BAD, I WAS JUST CURIOUS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560310

112,000 miles · Jan 7, 2014
Engine

WAS IDLING IN CAR AT MILITARY CHECK POINT TO GET TO SCHOOL IN 2012 AND FANS UNDER HOOD GOT LOUD TO COOL IT DOWN. WENT DEAD SEVERAL TIMES. LET SIT 45 MINUTES. CHECKED RADIATOR AND WAS FULL OF WATER. BARELY MADE IT HOME, GOING DEAD ALL THE WAY. TOOK TO DEALER AND SAID COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM AT ALL CHARGED ME OVER $100 TO CH…

Read full complaint

WAS IDLING IN CAR AT MILITARY CHECK POINT TO GET TO SCHOOL IN 2012 AND FANS UNDER HOOD GOT LOUD TO COOL IT DOWN. WENT DEAD SEVERAL TIMES. LET SIT 45 MINUTES. CHECKED RADIATOR AND WAS FULL OF WATER. BARELY MADE IT HOME, GOING DEAD ALL THE WAY. TOOK TO DEALER AND SAID COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM AT ALL CHARGED ME OVER $100 TO CHECK IT. FOR MONTHS IT WOULD DO THIS OFF AND ON. THEN THE FAN UNDER THE HOOD STARTED COMING ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. THEN THE CAR WOULD RUN WHEN I TURNED THE KEY OFF. NOW IN JANUARY 2014, THE HEATER IS BLOWING COLD AIR AND I HAVE NO DEFROST AND THE ENGINE TEMP. GAUGE IS ALL OF THE WAY TO HOT. I CAN ONLY RUN IT FOR 15 MINUTES THEN IT GOES DEAD AND I HAVE TO WAIT 45 MINUTES FOR IT TO COOL DOWN TO GO ANOTHER 45 MINUTES. REALLY BAD FOR ME BECAUSE IT TAKE ME 30 MINUTES TO GET TO WORK SO I HAVE TO ADD ANOTHER 45 MINUTES.....THAT'S THERE AND THEN 45 EXTRA HOME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558968

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2014
Engine

I HAVE A 2006 EQUINOX AFTER I DRIVE IT AND IT SITS FOR AWHILE...30 MINS OR SO ....IT DOESN'T WANT TO START AGAIN....I HAVE READ SEVERAL PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558369

142,000 miles · Dec 22, 2013
Engine

OVER HEATING BLEW ALL WATER OUT HAD WRECKER TAKE TO LYNN SMITH DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS !ST TIME . TOOK BACK TO LYNNSMITH HEATING UP AGAIN ,COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM 2ND TIME .OVER HEATED ON DEC 15 TH ,REPLACED THERMOSTAT GOOD FOR TO DAYS OVER HEATED A 3RD TIME BLUE ALL WARER OUT AGAIN AND WOULD NOT RESTART A REAL PROBLEM CAR NOT R…

Read full complaint

OVER HEATING BLEW ALL WATER OUT HAD WRECKER TAKE TO LYNN SMITH DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS !ST TIME . TOOK BACK TO LYNNSMITH HEATING UP AGAIN ,COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM 2ND TIME .OVER HEATED ON DEC 15 TH ,REPLACED THERMOSTAT GOOD FOR TO DAYS OVER HEATED A 3RD TIME BLUE ALL WARER OUT AGAIN AND WOULD NOT RESTART A REAL PROBLEM CAR NOT RUNNING AND PAYMENTS WONT STOP COMING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10556973

87,500 miles · Oct 23, 2013
Engine

I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN WHEN MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, COMPLETELY. NO POWER TO THE CONSOLE OR ANYTHING ELSE. I COULDN'T EVEN TURN ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS. I WAS AFRAID THAT SOMEONE GOING TO HIT ME BECAUSE IT WAS DARK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10549299

76,000 miles · Sep 24, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine

MY 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX HAS NOW HAD THREE SEPARATE INCIDENCES OF SPONTANEOUS ENGINE TURN OVER. THE FIRST WAS IN MAY OF 2012, NEXT IN APRIL 2013, FOLLOWED BY AUGUST 2013. ON EACH OCCASION; THE CAR WAS PARKED AND LOCKED AT THE TIME THAT IT SPONTANEOUSLY STARTED. WITH EACH EVENT I HAD TO PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, PUT THE CAR IN …

Read full complaint

MY 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX HAS NOW HAD THREE SEPARATE INCIDENCES OF SPONTANEOUS ENGINE TURN OVER. THE FIRST WAS IN MAY OF 2012, NEXT IN APRIL 2013, FOLLOWED BY AUGUST 2013. ON EACH OCCASION; THE CAR WAS PARKED AND LOCKED AT THE TIME THAT IT SPONTANEOUSLY STARTED. WITH EACH EVENT I HAD TO PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, MOVE IT A COUPLE FEET, FOLLOWED BY SHIFTING TO DRIVE AND MOVING FORWARD. IT WAS ONLY THEN THAT I WAS THEN ABLE RETURN THE CAR TO PARK AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. MY CAR IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A REMOTE STARTER KIT, AND NEVER HAD ONE IN THE PAST. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THE CAR STARTED ON IT'S OWN, AND CERTAINLY CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10545082

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…

Read full complaint

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

85,000 miles · Jul 10, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine

IN JANUARY 2012 WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF BUYING OUR 2006 EQUINOX, WE STARTED HAVING IGNITION PROBLEM. WE WOULD TRY TO START IT AND IT WOULD JUST KEEP CRANKING UNTIL IT WOULD FINALLY START. WE TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP OF PURCHASE AND THEY TRIED REPLACING SEVERAL PARTS BUT THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE HAD IT IN AT LEAS…

Read full complaint

IN JANUARY 2012 WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF BUYING OUR 2006 EQUINOX, WE STARTED HAVING IGNITION PROBLEM. WE WOULD TRY TO START IT AND IT WOULD JUST KEEP CRANKING UNTIL IT WOULD FINALLY START. WE TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP OF PURCHASE AND THEY TRIED REPLACING SEVERAL PARTS BUT THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE HAD IT IN AT LEAST 6 TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND FINALLY WERE TOLD UNLESS IT JUST ALTOGETHER DOESN'T START THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. IT IS NOW JULY 2013, STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOW HAVING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS LIKE, COOLING FANS WON'T WORK, WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP OR DOWN, RADIO BUTTON ON STEERING WHEEL CHOOSING WHEN IT WANTS TO WORK, GAS MILEAGE IS TERRIBLE AND HAS BEEN FROM THE START. AFTER RESEARCHING SEVERAL WEB PAGES ABOUT COMPLAINTS WE ARE NOW FINDING OUT THAT THESE PROBLEMS MAY GET WORSE!!! ALSO WE HAVE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THIS ISSUE IS DUE TO THE PCM WHICH HAS BEEN RECALLED IN THE 2005 EQUINOX AND SEVERAL OTHER CHEVROLET PRODUCTS BUT UNFORTUNATELY NOT THE 2006!!! ACCORDING TO OTHER ACCOUNTS, THE PCM CAN AFFECT MANY OTHER COMPONENTS. HOPING CHEVROLET WILL STEP UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CHEVY FAN BUT AT THIS RATE I AM STARTING TO LEAN TOWARDS FORD AS I HEAR THEY BACK THEIR PRODUCTS! WHAT A SHAME! THE SAD PART IS THIS IS OUR ONLY VEHICLE AT THE MOMENT AND THIS REPAIR IS NOT AFFORDABLE SO IF A RECALL DOESN'T HAPPEN SOON I'M NOT SURE WHAT WE'LL DO! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524131

141,000 miles · May 16, 2013
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO CHECK UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE A…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO CHECK UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE ANY REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000. MAH

NHTSA ODI #10512453

68,000 miles · May 6, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,759. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510797

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.

Go deeper into Chevrolet Equinox problems