Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
450–25K
10225–50K
16950–75K
11675–100K
129100–150K
41150K+
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
65,000 miles · Oct 26, 2011
Visibility
WITHOUT WARNING THE TEMPERATURE BLEND DOOR FAILS AND THERE IS NO HEAT. THIS ALSO EFFECTS THE VISABILITY AS THE DEFROSTER DOES NOT PRODUCE AND HOT AIR AND IN A COLD CLIAMTE I AM NOT ABLE TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDOWS. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND GMC REDESIGNED THE BLEND DOOR ON THE 2007 CHEVY EQUINOX SO THAT ONLY THE 2006 WAS EFFECT…
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WITHOUT WARNING THE TEMPERATURE BLEND DOOR FAILS AND THERE IS NO HEAT. THIS ALSO EFFECTS THE VISABILITY AS THE DEFROSTER DOES NOT PRODUCE AND HOT AIR AND IN A COLD CLIAMTE I AM NOT ABLE TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDOWS. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND GMC REDESIGNED THE BLEND DOOR ON THE 2007 CHEVY EQUINOX SO THAT ONLY THE 2006 WAS EFFECTED. GMC CERTAINLY KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AS THEY REDESIGNED THIS PART THE NEXT YEAR. THIS IS A WIDESPRED PROBLEM AS THE BLEND DOOR IS POORLY DESIGNED AS IS THE ACTUATOR. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10432957
55,300 miles · Oct 26, 2011
Electrical System
WHEN THE WEATHER STARTED TO GET COOLER I ATTEMPED TO PUT THE HEAT ON IN MY 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX AND NOTHING BUT COLD AIR CAME OUT! I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. THIS IS A SAFTEY CONCER BECAUSE I ALSO HAVE NO DEFROST. THE LACK OF HEAT IS CAUSED BY THE AIR TEMPERATURE BLEND DO…
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WHEN THE WEATHER STARTED TO GET COOLER I ATTEMPED TO PUT THE HEAT ON IN MY 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX AND NOTHING BUT COLD AIR CAME OUT! I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. THIS IS A SAFTEY CONCER BECAUSE I ALSO HAVE NO DEFROST. THE LACK OF HEAT IS CAUSED BY THE AIR TEMPERATURE BLEND DOOR FAILING TO OPERATE. THE BLEND DOOR ALLOWS AIR TO FLOW PAST THE HEATER CORE. THE AIR TEMPERATURE DOOR HAS A PLASTIC ARM WHICH IS CONNECTED TO AN ELECTRIC MOTOR. IT SEEMS THE PROBLEM IS WITH THIS PLASTIC ARM BREAKING AND MOTOR MALFUNCTION. GM DEALERS REPLACE THE PLASTIC ARM WITH A METAL ARM AT A COST TO THE CONSUMER OF BETWEEN $1100 AND $1400 DOLLARS. THIS IS A MANUFACTURES PART PROBLEM. GM SHOULD STEP UP AND MAKE THIS PROBLEM A RECALL ISSUE. SAFTEY IS INVOLVED. THE NEWER MODELS HAVE BEEN MODIFIED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10432856
82,585 miles · Oct 25, 2011
Visibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATER AND THE DEFROSTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE TEMPERATURE DOOR ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATER AND THE DEFROSTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE TEMPERATURE DOOR ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,585. UPDATED 11/16/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACTUATOR OVER ROTATED AND CRACKED THE BLEND DOOR. UPDATED 11/18/11
NHTSA ODI #10432744
58,000 miles · Oct 20, 2011
Visibility
VEHICLE NO LONGER BLOWS HOT AIR WHEN HEAT IS ON THEREFORE THE DEFROSTER WILL NOT BLOW HOT AIR AS WELL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD! IF WINDOWS ARE FOGGED OR ICED DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER YOU CAN NOT SEE AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN FATALITIES. I FOUND OVER 500 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET. PROBLEM SE…
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VEHICLE NO LONGER BLOWS HOT AIR WHEN HEAT IS ON THEREFORE THE DEFROSTER WILL NOT BLOW HOT AIR AS WELL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD! IF WINDOWS ARE FOGGED OR ICED DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER YOU CAN NOT SEE AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN FATALITIES. I FOUND OVER 500 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET. PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE WITH A PLASTIC TEMPERATURE DOOR VALVE (TEMPERATURE BLEND DOOR) THAT IS DEFECTIVE ON THE 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10432191
58,000 miles · Oct 19, 2011
Visibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE DURING COLD WEATHER, THE DEFROSTER WOULD NOT DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BLEND DOOR FAILED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR DURING COLD WEATHER. THE MANUF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE DURING COLD WEATHER, THE DEFROSTER WOULD NOT DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BLEND DOOR FAILED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR DURING COLD WEATHER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED A PARTIAL DISCOUNT ON THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. UPDATED 12/12/11*LJ UPDATED 12/14/11
NHTSA ODI #10430816
Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2011
Visibility
THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED IN EARLY SPRING 2011, TEMPERATURES IN OKLAHOMA ARE STILL COLD IN MARCH, THE HEATER STOPPED PUTTING OUT HOT AIR. THE DEFROSTER WOULD NOT DEFROST. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR AND HAD TOLD ME THAT THE HEATER IS NOT WORKING. I GUESS I PROCRASTINATED ABOUT IT, AS TEMPERATURES BECAME WARMER, THE HEATER WAS NOT NEEDE…
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THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED IN EARLY SPRING 2011, TEMPERATURES IN OKLAHOMA ARE STILL COLD IN MARCH, THE HEATER STOPPED PUTTING OUT HOT AIR. THE DEFROSTER WOULD NOT DEFROST. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR AND HAD TOLD ME THAT THE HEATER IS NOT WORKING. I GUESS I PROCRASTINATED ABOUT IT, AS TEMPERATURES BECAME WARMER, THE HEATER WAS NOT NEEDED. DURING THIS SPRING-SUMMER, I HAPPENED TO GO TO A AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT MY COUSIN OWNS, THERE SITS A CHEVY EQUINOX, LIKE THE ONE WE OWN. I ASKED THE TECH, WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT, HE STATED THAT THE HEATER STOPPED PUTTING OUT HOT AIR THROUGH THE HEATER DUCTS. I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS DISASSEMBLED. THERE WAS A BAD FEELING COMING UPON ME. HE SHARED HIS FRUSTRATIONS ABOUT THIS JOB, AND THE DESIGN/PART THAT WAS USED FOR THIS SYSTEM, THAT CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. THIS WAS HIS 2ND REPAIR OF THIS PROBLEM. WELL, NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE HEATER BLEND DOOR WAS BROKE. I AM LODGING THIS COMPLAINT DUE TO SUCH AN IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF NOT ONLY HEATING THE CAR INTERIOR COMPARTMENT, BUT ALSO MOST IMPORTANTLY THE DEFROSTING SYSTEM. I STRONGLY FEEL THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THIS DEFECT WILL COST OVER $1200.00 TO FIX AT THE DEALER. THERE NEED TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10430480
80,500 miles · Oct 12, 2011
Visibility
WHILE LEAVING A PARKING LOT DURING A RAIN STORM ON THE NIGHT OF JUNE 18TH, 2011, I TURNED ON THE HEATER AND HEARD A CLICKING SOUND FROM THE DASH AREA, AND THE HEATER WOULDN'T BLOW HOT AIR. THERE WAS/IS STILL COOL AIR BLOWING FROM THE VENT(S). BECAUSE OF THIS, THE DEFROSTER ON THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT/DOESN'T WORK EITHER, IT TOO ONL…
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WHILE LEAVING A PARKING LOT DURING A RAIN STORM ON THE NIGHT OF JUNE 18TH, 2011, I TURNED ON THE HEATER AND HEARD A CLICKING SOUND FROM THE DASH AREA, AND THE HEATER WOULDN'T BLOW HOT AIR. THERE WAS/IS STILL COOL AIR BLOWING FROM THE VENT(S). BECAUSE OF THIS, THE DEFROSTER ON THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT/DOESN'T WORK EITHER, IT TOO ONLY BLOWS COLD AIR. I HAD TO CRACK THE WINDOWS OPEN IN ORDER FOR THE WINDOWS NOT TO FOG UP DURING MY DRIVE HOME. BELIEVING THIS WAS JUST A SIMPLE MATTER OF REPLACING A HEATER CORE OR THERMOSTAT, AND BECAUSE I WOULDN'T NEED THE HEATER DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS I DIDN'T START LOOKING INTO THE MATTER UNTIL A FEW WEEKS AGO. IN HAVING THE PROBLEM CHECKED, IT SEEMS THAT IT IS A FAULTY HEATER BLEND DOOR/ACTUATOR. THE COST TO FIX IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE, DUE TO THE LABOR INVOLVED. CHEVROLET SEEMS TO BE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT ARE DOING NOTHING ABOUT THE POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. I FEEL THAT NOT BEING ABLE TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM, THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE READ THAT CHEVY RECALLED A 2010 EQUINOX BECAUSE OF A DEFECT THAT CAUSED AN INOPERABLE DEFROST SYSTEM, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE 2006 MODEL. (FAILURE MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATE). *KB
NHTSA ODI #10429553
87,000 miles · Oct 11, 2011
Visibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE DEFROSTER AND NOTICED THAT THE HVAC SYSTEM ONLY EMITTED COLD AIR AND WOULD NOT CLEAR UP THE WINDOWS. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BLENDOOR FOR THE HEATER WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE DEFROSTER AND NOTICED THAT THE HVAC SYSTEM ONLY EMITTED COLD AIR AND WOULD NOT CLEAR UP THE WINDOWS. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BLENDOOR FOR THE HEATER WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
NHTSA ODI #10429459
Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2011
Visibility
THE HEATER AND DEFROST ONLY BLOW COLD AIR MAKING DRIVING A HAZARD. THE AIR TEMPERATURE BLEND DOOR NO LONGER WORKS. THIS MALFUNCTION DEFECT HAS ALREADY COSTS ME MORE MONEY THAN I CAN AFFORD AND NOW I LEARN THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND MAKE. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY CHEVY. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10429308
36,000 miles · Oct 5, 2011
StructureSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS SHE NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE WHEEL BEARING HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE FRONT PAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS SHE NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE WHEEL BEARING HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL BEARING FOR THE FOURTH TIME IN FOUR YEARS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTAC STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS BETWEEN THE CUP HOLDERS AND IF A CUP WAS PLACED INSIDE, IT WOULD BLOCK THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FROM BEING ENGAGED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10428773
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 ↗