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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

Power Train complaints

31 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2021
Power TrainVisibility/wiper

My 2006 Chevrolet Equinox blows cold air will not defrost windshield. And while driving I push the gas pedal and it’s like surges and jumps. The car manufacturer knows about the issues and they don’t vare

NHTSA ODI #11439657

99,620 miles · Apr 26, 2017
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainService Brakes

WHILE ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE ISNT SHIFTING IN THE PROPER WAY IT SHOULD. THERE IS A CHAIN RATTLING KIND OF SOUND FROM THE ENGINE AS IT ACCELERATES, CLOSER TO THE DRIVER SIDE. WHILE BRAKING, THE BRAKES PADS ARE ALL NEW, IT WILL SOMETIMES MAKE A GRINDING SOUND AND HAVE LITTLE TO NO BRAKE RESISTANCE IF YOU HIT A BUMP. ALL IN A STR…

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WHILE ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE ISNT SHIFTING IN THE PROPER WAY IT SHOULD. THERE IS A CHAIN RATTLING KIND OF SOUND FROM THE ENGINE AS IT ACCELERATES, CLOSER TO THE DRIVER SIDE. WHILE BRAKING, THE BRAKES PADS ARE ALL NEW, IT WILL SOMETIMES MAKE A GRINDING SOUND AND HAVE LITTLE TO NO BRAKE RESISTANCE IF YOU HIT A BUMP. ALL IN A STRAIGHT MOTION.

NHTSA ODI #10980928

86,000 miles · Feb 10, 2017
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE EXITING A PARKING LOT ONTO A MAIN ROAD, THE GEAR SHIFTER MOVED INTO FIRST GEAR AND FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT LET OFF THE THROTTLE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR A FEW SECONDS AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE EXITING A PARKING LOT ONTO A MAIN ROAD, THE GEAR SHIFTER MOVED INTO FIRST GEAR AND FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT LET OFF THE THROTTLE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR A FEW SECONDS AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ODI #10953943

60,000 miles · Sep 3, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE BELL STARTED RINGING, THEN THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. TC-ABS-BRAKE, THEN THE STEERING WHEEL STIFFENED UP AS LIKE STANDARD BEFORE POWER STEERING. I PULLED OVER IT SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME, WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I WENT TO A GM AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP THE SAID IT WAS NORMAL FOR THIS CAR TO DO???? …

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WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE BELL STARTED RINGING, THEN THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. TC-ABS-BRAKE, THEN THE STEERING WHEEL STIFFENED UP AS LIKE STANDARD BEFORE POWER STEERING. I PULLED OVER IT SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME, WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I WENT TO A GM AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP THE SAID IT WAS NORMAL FOR THIS CAR TO DO???? I WAS TALKED INTO PUTTING A NEW BRAIN IN THE EQUINOX SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS $$$$$ AND IT STILL DID THE SAME THING. WENT BACK TO THE DEALER (CHEVY) THEY HAD THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS, CALLED AND SAID THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM, YEA A BENT WIRE?? WORKED FINE FOR A FEW MONTHS AND NOW ITS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. OH BY THE WAY I WAS INFORMED THAT I DID NOT NEED TO PUT A NEW BRAIN IN THE CAR THE OLD ONE WAS VERY GOOD. GM IS A REALY BAD PLACE TO BUY ANY CAR ANY MORE, THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE CUSTOMER ONLY THE $$$ THEY SOLD ME A CAR THEY NEW FULL WELL HAD PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #10761324

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2015
EnginePower Train

I REPLACED THE EGR VALVE SENSOR AND HOSE STILL GETTING A CODE 1404.I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE MAIN PROBLEM COULD BE UNLESS IT'S THE PCM CAUSING PROBLEMS AND IT HAS BEEN CHANGED AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712888

76,000 miles · Aug 27, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE DRIVE SHAFT BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE DRIVE SHAFT BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA ODI #10628954

80,000 miles · Jul 7, 2014
Power TrainSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIP GEARS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIP GEARS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V302000 (POWER TRAIN). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10608738

96,460 miles · Jun 25, 2014
Power Train

I AM A OWNER OF A 2006 EQUINOX, I HAVE NOTICED THE CHANGE IN SHIFTS WHEN I AM DRIVING. IT'S LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING AND JERKS THE CAR THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM FOR A FEW WEEKS NOW. IT STALLED OUT ON ME ONE WHILE I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION HARD FOR ME TO TURN KEY TO RESTART. I TOOK IT…

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I AM A OWNER OF A 2006 EQUINOX, I HAVE NOTICED THE CHANGE IN SHIFTS WHEN I AM DRIVING. IT'S LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING AND JERKS THE CAR THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM FOR A FEW WEEKS NOW. IT STALLED OUT ON ME ONE WHILE I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION HARD FOR ME TO TURN KEY TO RESTART. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. FINALLY THIS PAST WEEKEND I ALMOST WRECKED SOMEONE IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE OF THE JERKING AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ONCE AGAIN, THEY FINALLY GAVE ME A DIAGNOSIS SAID I NEED TO GET MY IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED WHICH IS A LARGE AMOUNT TO FIX. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE FOR FAMILIES AND I CAN SEE ACCIDENTS HAPPENING. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE RECALLED AS WELL ! I HAVE CONTACTED GM BUT NO REPLIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10605804

61,000 miles · Dec 15, 2013
Power TrainWheels

HERD A GRINDING NOISE AND FELT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK IN A GEAR. BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO OGDEN CAR CARE WHERE I WAS TOLD IT'S A WHEEL BEARING ON THE LEFT AND THAT THE CAR IS PULLING EMISSIONS CODES BRING IT TO CHEVY. SO I BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO SUNRISE CHEVROLET WERE THEY CONFIRMED A BAD WHEEL BEARING AND NO EMISSIONS CODES …

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HERD A GRINDING NOISE AND FELT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK IN A GEAR. BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO OGDEN CAR CARE WHERE I WAS TOLD IT'S A WHEEL BEARING ON THE LEFT AND THAT THE CAR IS PULLING EMISSIONS CODES BRING IT TO CHEVY. SO I BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO SUNRISE CHEVROLET WERE THEY CONFIRMED A BAD WHEEL BEARING AND NO EMISSIONS CODES WERE SHOWING UP. SO I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AT ROUTE 66 TIRE AND AUTO WERE HE TOLD ME IT HAS A BROKEN AXEL AND WAS ONLY BEING HELD ON BY THE CV BOOT. HE ALSO STATED THAT IF THE BOOT WOULD HAVE COME OFF THE TRUCK COULD HAVE BEEN A TERRIBLE CRASH COSTING THE LIVES OF ITS OCCUPANTS AND OTHER DRI I ERS ON THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10556098

95,000 miles · Jul 15, 2013
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE WHEN THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES, BUT WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO TURN THE KEY AND POWER THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE WHEN THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES, BUT WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO TURN THE KEY AND POWER THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER DID NOT MOVE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONNECTED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 95,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524884

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