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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
95,000 miles · Jul 17, 2012
Visibility/wiper

THE DEFROST AND HEATING SYSTEM WOULD NOT WORK. ONLY COLD AIR BLOWS FROM THE VENTS. THIS ALLOWS THE WINDOWS TO FOG AND CAUSES CONCERN. IT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE EQUINOX. THE FLAP TO CONTROL THE FLOW OF OUTSIDE AIR IS CONTROLLED BY A STEPPER MOTOR. THE MOTOR SHORT CIRCUITS, CAUSING THE FLAP TO BREAK. …

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THE DEFROST AND HEATING SYSTEM WOULD NOT WORK. ONLY COLD AIR BLOWS FROM THE VENTS. THIS ALLOWS THE WINDOWS TO FOG AND CAUSES CONCERN. IT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE EQUINOX. THE FLAP TO CONTROL THE FLOW OF OUTSIDE AIR IS CONTROLLED BY A STEPPER MOTOR. THE MOTOR SHORT CIRCUITS, CAUSING THE FLAP TO BREAK. THUS THE FLAP IS INEFFECTIVE AND ALLOWS FOR FREEZING OR HOT TEMPERATURES TO FLOOD THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10466029

114,000 miles · Jul 13, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingStructure

BOUGHT IN JAN 2009 WITH 65,000 ON IT. SUMMER 09 IN A RAIN STORM IT LOOKED LIKE SOMEONE TURNED A FAUCET ON IN MY CAR THE WATER WAS COMING IN ON DRIVERS SIDE MY LEFT FOOT LOOKED LIKE IN THE TUB, FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. OUT OF POCKET $100, THE BY END OF 09 THE REAL FUN BEGAN, HAD ENGINE MOUNTS REPLACED, KNOCKING IN CAR WHEN CAR STAR…

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BOUGHT IN JAN 2009 WITH 65,000 ON IT. SUMMER 09 IN A RAIN STORM IT LOOKED LIKE SOMEONE TURNED A FAUCET ON IN MY CAR THE WATER WAS COMING IN ON DRIVERS SIDE MY LEFT FOOT LOOKED LIKE IN THE TUB, FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. OUT OF POCKET $100, THE BY END OF 09 THE REAL FUN BEGAN, HAD ENGINE MOUNTS REPLACED, KNOCKING IN CAR WHEN CAR STARTED FOR FIRST 5 MINUTES. THE BY OCTOBER CAR WAS OVER HEATING, HEAT ONLY BLEW WHEN CAR WAS MOVING, CAR NOW HAD 118137 REPLACED THE ENDER BLOWER MOTORS, COOLANT FANS AND FAN MOTOR, CALLED AND REPORTED TO CHEVY, THEN IN NOVEMBER 010, IT ALL HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME HAD TO HAVE BLEND ARM DOOR REPLACED CAR CALLED CHEVY NOPE NOT A ISSUE PER INTERNET ITS MAJOR ISSUE. REPLACED AT MY COST $891. RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, 2010, GASKETS AND SEALS BLEW CAR OVER HEATED THEN SHUT OFF, HAD TO LET IT COOL DOWN THEN START UP AGAIN. HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE, GASKETS AND SEALS. NOW 7/12 CHEVY WANTS TO REIMBURSE FOR THE PART BUT DECIDED TO FIGHT ME TOOTH AND NAIL ON THE REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE I NO LONGER OWN THE CAR. TRADED IT IN APRIL 2012 COULD NOT LONGER AFFORD IT AND TRANS FELT LIKE ITS GOING TO GO. CHEVY SAID I WILL GET A PARTIAL REFUND OF BLEND ARM DOOR ONLY? WTF THE CAR PUT ME AND MY CHILDREN IN DANGER AND THAT'S ALL THEY WANT TO DO BUT YET FIGHT ME? ALSO I REPORTED TO CHEVY ALL THESE ISSUES, THE BBB, A LAWYER AT THIS POINT, 2 TV NETWORK NEWS PROGRAMS, AND ALL AVAILABLE MULTIMEDIA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10465493

73,000 miles · Jul 6, 2012
Visibility

MY HEATER STOPPED WORKING IT BLOWS OUT COLD AIR. AS I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM IT SEEMS TO COMMON WITH ALL 2006 EQUINOX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10464480

65,000 miles · Jul 5, 2012
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOON ROOF WAS LEAKING DOWN TO THE DASH BOARD AND THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY ATTEMPTED TO PERFORM AN ADJUSTMENT BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOON ROOF WAS LEAKING DOWN TO THE DASH BOARD AND THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY ATTEMPTED TO PERFORM AN ADJUSTMENT BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #10464280

36,000 miles · Jun 22, 2012
Electrical System

PURCHASE CAR APPROX: 7/09 WITH APPROX: 33000 MILES. IN JAN 2010 NOTICE PROBLEMS STARTING CAR, HAS BEEN HAPPENING OFF & ON EVER SINCE. CAR NOW HAS 114000 MILES. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10462783

99,892 miles · Jun 21, 2012
Unknown Or Other

VERY COLD MORNING. WINDOWS FOGGED UP. TURNED ON DEFROST HEARD SOMETHING POP AND FELT COLD AIR COME INTO THE CAR. DROVE TO WORK BY WIPING THE WINDOW WITH NAPKINS. CALLED MECHANIC TO FIND OUT WHAT COULD BE DONE WAS TOLD THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. CALLED DEALER TO ASK IF THEIR WAS A RECALL AND CHECK PRICE AGAINST MECHANI…

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VERY COLD MORNING. WINDOWS FOGGED UP. TURNED ON DEFROST HEARD SOMETHING POP AND FELT COLD AIR COME INTO THE CAR. DROVE TO WORK BY WIPING THE WINDOW WITH NAPKINS. CALLED MECHANIC TO FIND OUT WHAT COULD BE DONE WAS TOLD THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. CALLED DEALER TO ASK IF THEIR WAS A RECALL AND CHECK PRICE AGAINST MECHANICS. DEALERS PRICE WAS THE SAME. INTERESTING PART WAS DEALER DENIED ANY SUCH PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. CHECKED THE INTERNET AND FOUND HUNDREDS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT GM WOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR BUT THE DEALER SAYS I DO NOT QUALIFY. THIS IS NO CHEAP REPAIR. LOOKING FOR A CLASS ACTION OR GOOD LAWYER. FOUND YOUR SITE TO VENT AND HELP OTHERS. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10462675

71,000 miles · Jun 20, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD FAILED AND NEED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE CONT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD FAILED AND NEED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 7/16/12 *CN THE HEAD GASKET AND INTAKE GASKETS WERE REPLACED. IN JUNE 2012, THE ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND WHITE SMOKE AND WATER WERE EMITTING FROM THE EXHAUST. A MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE REAR HEAD GASKET HAD FAILED AND THE #1 CYLINDER HAD FAILED AS WELL. UPDATED 07/18/12

NHTSA ODI #10462475

143,000 miles · Jun 15, 2012
Exterior LightingFuel System, GasolineService Brakes

I HAVE A 2006 EQUINOX THAT I BOUGHT USED WITH 91,000 MILES ON IT. ONLY ONE PREVIOUS OWNER WITH CLEAN CAR FAX. I LOVE THE CAR, BUT AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK IT ACTS LIKE IT DOESN'T WANT TO CRANK. I SOMETIMES HAVE TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL TO EVEN GET IT TO CRANK. I'M ASSUMING THIS A FUEL PRESSURE PROBLEM OF SOME SORT. ALSO, ONCE CRANKED T…

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I HAVE A 2006 EQUINOX THAT I BOUGHT USED WITH 91,000 MILES ON IT. ONLY ONE PREVIOUS OWNER WITH CLEAN CAR FAX. I LOVE THE CAR, BUT AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK IT ACTS LIKE IT DOESN'T WANT TO CRANK. I SOMETIMES HAVE TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL TO EVEN GET IT TO CRANK. I'M ASSUMING THIS A FUEL PRESSURE PROBLEM OF SOME SORT. ALSO, ONCE CRANKED THE CAR WILL SOMETIMES IDLE ITSELF DOWN FROM 1 RPM TO 0 RPM THEN BACK TO 1 RPM. THERE IS ALSO A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM BACK END OF CAR WHERE THE FUEL PUMP IS. I HAVE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH HAVING THE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED BECAUSE WATER GETS INTO THE HEADLIGHTS. MOST OF THE EQUINOX'S THAT I SEE ON THE ROAD HAVE WATER IN THE HEADLIGHTS. THIS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHT BULBS WILL BURST WHEN WET AND YOU HAVE NO HEADLIGHT UNTIL YOU HAVE IT FIXED. (WHICH YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS/TAIL LIGHTS YOURSELF BECAUSE PART STORES REFUSE TO DO THE LABOR FOR YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT TO EVEN REPLACE A BULB. THIS SEEMS TO ME THAT CHEVROLET DID THAT SO IF YOU ARE A WOMAN, LIKE MYSELF, YOU ARE FORCED TO TAKE IT SOMEWHERE AND HAVE IT REPLACED.) THERE ARE ALSO ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES AND ROTORS WEARING TOO FAST. I HAVE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE RESISTOR ON THE BLOWER MOTOR TWICE IN 2 YEARS. THESE MAY NOT BE BIG PROBLEMS TO GM, BUT I RELY ON MY CAR TO TAKE ME TO WORK AND SCHOOL AND THE FACT THAT THEY GENUINELY DON'T CARE HAS FORCED ME TO NOT WANT TO BUY ANOTHER CHEVROLET AGAIN. SEEING AS THEY HAD TO HAVE A GOVERNMENT BAIL OUT PREVIOUSLY TO EVEN STAY IN BUSINESS, YOU WOULD THINK THAT THEY WOULD VALUE THEIR CUSTOMERS! *JB

NHTSA ODI #10461868

55,000 miles · Jun 11, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

MY 2006 EQUINOX INITIALLY BEGAN HAVING START UP ISSUES WHERE THE STARTER WOULD CRANK AND THE ENGINE WOULD IDLE ROUGHLY AND THEN DIE. IT WOULD TAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START. THEN I FIGURED OUT IF I GAVE IT GAS WHEN I STARTED IT UP IT WOULD HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF STARTING. SOMETIMES IT WORKED. THEN THE ISSUE WENT AWAY FOR A WH…

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MY 2006 EQUINOX INITIALLY BEGAN HAVING START UP ISSUES WHERE THE STARTER WOULD CRANK AND THE ENGINE WOULD IDLE ROUGHLY AND THEN DIE. IT WOULD TAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START. THEN I FIGURED OUT IF I GAVE IT GAS WHEN I STARTED IT UP IT WOULD HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF STARTING. SOMETIMES IT WORKED. THEN THE ISSUE WENT AWAY FOR A WHILE AND CAME BACK WITH A NEW ISSUE. THE NEW ISSUE IS SOMETIMES THE CAR WOULDN'T START AT ALL. THE STARTER WOULD CLICK BUT WOULD NOT START. IT WOULD DO THIS SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN IT WOULD START LIKE NOTHING WAS WRONG. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. IT DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON LOCATION, TIME OF DAY ETC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10461274

200,310 miles · May 27, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

LIGHTS DON'T TURN OFF,HIGH BEAM AND LOW BEAM NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10459757

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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