general problems of the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox - part 1

92 problems related to equipment have been reported for the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox based on all problems reported for the 2006 Equinox.

1 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 11/17/2025

Subframe rust ? my 2006 chev eq , has only 50, 000 mile on it and the sub frame is rust out ? I check for recall but said 0 ? I can’t under stand how ? body guy said it going to cost thousands of dollars ! I can’t afford that ! ! what should I do ? there should be a recall ? on this frame ! frame is very important part of the car ! I had lot of chev from 1970 to 1980 with 150,000 miles on them ! with out this much rust , body guy stayed it been happening a lot with the chev , it look like it been happening for a while on my 2006 chev , eq before the 50,000 ! ? very very dangerous ! very disappointing and worried that some thing could happen I only use it to go store , pick up kids from school, get food , go around town ,low mileage’s on it ! very disappointed in chev need. To recall this need help ! thank you.

2 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 11/03/2022

I just got the car on Thursday, 11/3/2022. Around 1:00 pm. On 11/3/2022 around 3:30 pm, the following happened: the Equinox started wobbling as I reached the speed of approximately 40 mph. Then I had a red light. After it turned green and I began driving, the vehicle started wobbling and it was hard to control my position in the traffic lane. Other drivers avoided me, and slowed down to prevent an accident. At this point, I reached a reduced speed construction area. When I drove at about 20 mph, the vehicle wobbled even worse. The driver’s side wheel started going clunk, clunk. , so I pulled into a gas station. The left front tire was low, but nowhere near flat. A man put some air in the tire and it held the air. At that point, I recognized that it was too dangerous to drive the vehicle again. Chevy roadside assistance took it to the nearest dealer, mills Chevrolet. They will look at it on Monday 11/4/2022.

3 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 01/11/2021

Car was in motion tried to stop at light or stop sign really had to pump brake light went on tc / tbs. If cars were close by they would have hit me or I hit them. Have cleaned module, changed brakes, changed other parts in wheels. Work a little while then goes back to lights turning on tc / tbs.

4 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 10/25/2020

When pressing on the brake pedal you get constant vibration causing you to skid. It happens when your going straight or turning when you press on the brake pedal. It almost caused me to skid into the car in front of me. And also defrost is not working causing visibility issues especially in the cold and snow.

5 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 08/26/2019

The key slides out the ignition & the ignition can slip from the "run" to the "accessory" or "off" position while I'm driving, cutting power and causing me to lose control of the vehicle.

6 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 04/01/2019

I bought this car about 18 months ago from a used dealer ship after the car turned 12 months the car started saying it was over heating but when looking at the vehicle it was not hot at all the sensor just said overheating all the way to the red when the car read overheating the radiator fluid overflowed with out being hot when opening the lid there where air bubbles with no heat. I have spent over $1000 dollars trying to fix the problem with still no success when it said over heating the car starts slowing down and then it stops where ever you are at right away sometimes in the middle of the road. When at time it said over heating the heater stops working. I have had to let the air out several time a day and now it said overheating as soon as I leave my home. I have done some research and I am not the only one with this problem I have tried everything others have suggested but nothing works. I have got a new radiator, water pump, temperature sensor ,thermostat, filter and still nothing. I took it to get it checked with the computer and 18 sensors went off and 8 where failed sensors. I wanted to bring this to your attention it has happened to a lot of other people just google it and you will see. I just want people to be safe and this car is not safe I have children and I live in a area that has cold weather for 3 months. I have been stuck in that car when it read over heating when it was not. I have bought about over 39 bottles of radiator fluid to keep it full but one bottle last me less the a day. Thank you very much for letting me inform you of this concern. I have gotten stuck on he highway and street with my kids. The car is now just seating in my drive way.

7 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 01/24/2019

Takata recall. When you drive the car longer then 5 minutes it over heats and you let it cool down and start to drive then over heats again but it has enough coolant in it and you fix the thermostat and flush the system. And there is no heat in the car what so ever.

8 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 01/02/2019

I am not exactly sure what it is that's wrong with my car it has to do with my brakes and the pedal. . I thought the brake pads were bad. When I changed them it had almost brand new ones on. . My traction control light stays on and my abs light stays on. . The pedal has hard spots in it and it just grinds like the pads are bad when I hit my brakes! its not safe and I don't know what's wrong with it! my research shows I'm not the only one with this car that has the problem. Its been a problem for a bit now. . I just bought this car and very disappointed. . I have 2 kids and can't even fix my brake problem because I don't know what to fix and can't afford to to replace it all. . The problem is mainly when driving slow through towns the brakes pedal locks and it grinds and I have to pump it several times to try and get it to work. . Then I have to my e brake if it don't. . Thanks an angry customer.

9 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 10/08/2018

Water is flooding into the cabin. Seems to do so after decent about of rain.

10 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 09/08/2018

Ran hot . Blown head gasget.

11 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 03/06/2018

One wiper blade quit functioning and causes severe danger to the driver. Heater quit working causing fogging issues and keeping my kids & wife in danger. Apparently these issues are very common according to the 2009 report gm recalled 59,000 vehicles for this issue but our vehicle was not included in the recall.

12 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 03/05/2018

1. My abs and traction control light come on almost everytime I drive the car. Most of the time they come on for no reason, just driving on smooth/good road conditions they come on or pulling out of a driveway. 2. Doesn't matter if the abs light is on or off, I've had to smash down on the brake pedal numerous times so I don't hit the car in front of me because the breaks feel like they aren't grabbing. Luckily my daughter wasn't in the car any of the times it's happened. I had the car looked at by a technician at a chevy dealership and he found no issues with the brakes. 3. The front end of this vehicle is horrible. I've replaced the front hubs recently, and that did no good with either of these issues. 3. I was going through a drive thru, and all of a sudden the e-brake light came on, loud sound came out of speakers when I turned the wheel, and a number of lights on the dash came on. Luckily got out of the drive thru, and shut the car off, and it wouldn't turn back on. It jumped started but we figured out that the wire from the started to the alternator was loose and causing it to not charge the battery. We tightened it down and it fixed that problem. 4. I got into my car, started it up, and went to reverse and there was no power steering. I pulled back into the spot and turned off the car & then back on & it came back. My husband was just driving the car before me and he had no issues. I hope there is something recalled on this car. I've seen so many people with these same type of complaints. It's dangerous!!!.

13 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 02/15/2018

Vehicle will not start! problem began when key fob unlock button would not work, so key was used to open door, alarm activated, deactivated alarm, tried to start, locked car icon indicating security system activated and will not release, even when disconnecting the car battery and reconnecting it.

14 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 01/05/2018

Vehicle does not get warm. Blows cold air.

15 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 11/03/2017

Brought vehicle in due to no heat - they informed me there had been a recall on the 200 Equinox for the heater core - at this point I am outside the 10 yr and the 120000 mile warranties for the recall. I believe if there is a recall it should be honored at any time the situation arises if no former knowledge is known of the situation.

16 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 09/17/2017

Within the last month while I am driving my truck would just cut off with out any warning in the middle of traffic. I have had a tune up, the left wheel barring changed, front struts done and I have just brought a pcm. My abs and tc lights stays on and my mechanic can not explain why it keeps cutting off. I have checked for recalls for this year and there are none listed; however, I have seen some on the NHTSA service bulletin. Can someone please assist me this is very dangerous!!!!.

17 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 03/04/2017

It has not been two years after the heating system in my vehicle was fixed, and now I am experiencing the same issue again. The heat in my vehicle is only working while my vehicle is moving. When the car is in park or when I stop at the light the car blows out cold air.

18 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 01/31/2017

Air bag is stuck to the horn which disabled the ability to honk.

19 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 11/29/2016

Bad blend door heat blows cold air.

20 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 11/28/2016

Any time there is rain or going through a car wash my car has a leak of water that collects in my floorboard. I have read a million reviews online at Chevroletforum. Com and numerous youtube videos documenting the same problem with the make and model. If gm plans on charging for an upgrade like a sunroof then it should properly work. The reason for concern on this, the water leaks through the dash and even sometimes collects in the light fixtures of the roof. With standing water on the floor boards I have a huge concern for my safety from being electrocuted or being e posed to any type of mold caused from the wet carpet. There are apparently issues with several seals when it comes to this model and I feel it has been overly documented that is is a safety concern. Not to mention of driving in rain which is sometimes inevitable, you will be driving in your own monsoon. I have contacted the dealer and the are refusing to state that their is any safety concern. However, they are not driving my vechicle, I am. I have even personally emailed Chevrolet about the issue and they are stating since there is no active recall opened that everything will be an out of pocket expense even though this is a design, hardware malfunction. Not something cause by wear and tear, like tires or brakes. This leak has also been know to start causing electrical issues from power lines being saturated in standing water. My car starts making a clicking noise and the power will fluctuate because of water leaking inside cabin and underneath dash where power cables are exposed. This has caused my car to stop working while driving on the highway previously.

21 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 11/01/2016

When I first bought the vehicle with 77,000 miles, I notice a gallon of water in spare wheel well. Had to reseal rear door whether stripe. 5 months later the actuator of the heater failed and broke the blend door to the heater. I didn't have heat for a year. Brake system sensors failed 3 months ago $2000 fixed hub and assembly and knuckles. Fuel injection line broken at only 100,000 miles.

22 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 10/10/2016

Air blend door broken. Heater blows cold air. Vehicle was running.

23 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 10/10/2016

My heater is blowing cold air. The temperature blend door broke, and it will cost me almost $1000 to fix it! this would have been deadly if it had gone out in -30 degree minnesota winter temperatures.

24 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 08/03/2016

The heating system no longer produces hot air for the heater/defroster. The problem has been identified as a broken (defective) cheap plastic arm that connects the temperature blend door to an actuator that controls the air blend. Estimated repair bill is $750-$1000. Living in the northwest it's crucial to have a functioning heater/defroster. A winter without such can prove to be disastrous, even fatal. What will gm do about this defect?.

25 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 03/30/2016

My cars engine light and low engine power light came on while crossing an intersection reducing my speed and nearly causing an accident! when it rains, snows or goes through a car wash this happens. This has happened on multiple occasions and no mechanic has been able to resolve the issue.

26 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 01/06/2016

My heat only works at idle speed. Replaced the blend door and the heatercore all at once while the dash was out. Replaced thermostat and topped off coolant after lines were flushed, no leaks from the water pump. What are my other options?.

27 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 01/01/2016

Takata recall recently my 2006 Chevrolet Equinox LS has stopped heating up my vehicle. I have read multiple articles of owners of this vehicle having the same problem. It is due to the heater blend door being broken. To get this problem fixed is around 1,000 dollars. That is ridiculous, after knowing that more than several people are having the same problems I don't understand why there hasn't been an recall sent out. I would like gm to issue a recall so many people especially with children don't have to drive around with no heat!!!! this problem is extremely unsafe due to the vehicle not having a defrost.

28 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 12/08/2015

My heater is only blowing out a little better than cool air I would say it is right below warm and I have a 14 month old child the fix is 750. 00 dollars and a lot of people have the same issue maybe a recall is what needs to happen ??.

29 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 11/06/2015

Heating blows cold air due to blend door malfunction.

30 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 06/22/2015

Heat stopped working. Coolant levels are fine, no explanation.

31 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 06/21/2015

Ignition is sticking. Sometime cant turn the key.

32 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 04/24/2015

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.

33 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 04/05/2015

I have no heat, yesterday, I did . This morning my heat will not work recirculation works fan controls work a/c works, after all of my hours of research, I know what the problem is, along with thousands of other Equinox owners . Its the vent door and actuator, I narrowed all down at first coolant thermostat etc. I found my result for a cheap piece of plastic on the vent door that breaks so often sure its a 70$ part but as a single father , I cannot afford a 1500. 00$ shop fee for that, this is something chevy knows is wrong , and can be a very liable hazard to accidents ! I live in north dakota where it gets pretty darn cold , you lose your heat on a way to a kids hockey game 100 miles away on a Friday night when snowing and 30 below zero yes could cause fatalaties !! its widely spread across the board there are thousands of people with same problem , Chevrolet knows this , they need to make it right before someone gets killed from it !.

34 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 03/06/2015

I got in my car this morning and my fan wasn't working for my heater. Which is dangerous because its winter and my windows are iced over. I looked up and a lot of people have had the same problem.

35 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 01/29/2015

When I turn on my turn signal either way, the high-beams come on. I though it might have been my doing, but I payed attention many times and it will always do it.



Equinox Service Bulletins
Equinox Safety Recalls
Equinox Defect Investigations