2006 Chevrolet Equinox: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 695 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (34% of complaints); the 2008 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
695
owner complaints
9
fire reports
72,500
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
No recall campaignsWeak spot: visibility (34%)9 fire reports
Common problems
Computed from 695 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Visibility (windshield, wipers, defroster, mirrors)34% · 219 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)16% · 103 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)8% · 50 complaints
Service Brakes (brakes)8% · 49 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)6% · 42 complaints
Visibility/Wiper (windshield, wipers, defroster, mirrors)4% · 27 complaints
“Both front frame mounts that hold the engine suspension crossmember rusted away. What is even worse GM discontinued the replacement parts. I had to use components from a similar platform. This is a safety related rusting problem that is life threating as vehicle can become unstable and uncontrollable at highway speeds.”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2022
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2021
“Vehicle keeps over heating fixed everything that can cause it to overheat and the problem still consists read many complaints over 700 with the same issue even when the problem get temporarily fixed it starts overheating again in a couple month car will mainly over heat at idle the heat won't work it's a bad antifreeze smell it's a problem that has many complaints but still nothing is being done I have 5 children I didn't think I would be driving with my children wondering if my car was going to over heat and us having to pull over on a free way or a street being stranded bc of a problem that's happening with these vehicles and nothing is being done”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2021
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2020
“Front brake calipers seized up. Over-heating due to excessive friction from brakes locking. Front end started shaking due to front end brakes seizing while in motion. Front calipers smoking due to excessive friction build up. I was on us 265 in new albany, in. Shaking seemed to subside a bit while turning.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet equinox. The contact stated that while idling, smoke suddenly was present coming from under the hood and through the air vents of the vehicle. Additionally, the doors locked independently and the windows failed to operate as intended, which caused the vehicle occupants to be trapped in the vehicle. A window was shattered in order for the vehicle occupants to be extricated from the vehicle. The fire department was called to the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined. Neither the manufacturer nor local dealer were informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2020
“Car stalls no matter if I'm am not moving or goin 65 mile an hour,without warning, I live in rural area lot of curvy roads, key will not work at times in ignition, why was there no recall on 06 equinox ignition switch along with many others, I am petrified to drive it , but need to work,it doesn't matter where you are or how fast your going car stalls without warning,have had car since 2013 or so and always been key problem but never stalled. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2020
“The plastic blend arm for the heater selector motor broke, which seems to be happening on the equinox cars. It causes the heater to blow cold air only. This happened on a city street while traveling to the store. When I turned the heater on it made a funny noise like it wasn't engaging. The windows wouldn't defrost while I was driving.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Oct 2019
“Driver seat is having a shortage. Seat moved all the way back and does not move anymore. The motor on the bottom of the seat is extremely hot and the seat is hot. It makes a non stop noise from the shortage. I am scared to drive the vehicle because of the hot seat. It is my only vehicle to get to work and my kids to school.”Owner report · Seats · Sep 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 16 of these complaints and injuries in 20 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2006 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
Body stylesSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
How other years compare
Check your exact Equinox by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
NHTSA has 695 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox. The most complained-about area is visibility (34% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Equinox problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 72,500 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.