Page 11 of 14 · complaints 501–550 of 695

2006 Chevrolet Equinox complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2006 record →

Electrical System
Filed Nov 1, 201068,959 milesFL

OVER THE PAST YEAR MY CHEVY EQUINOX HAS BEEN GIVING PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH CHANGE OUT TWICE BECAUSE WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE THE IGNITION CYLINDER SWELLS AND THE KEY CAN NOT BE TURNED. THE PAST THREE MONTHS THERE HAS BEEN ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHERE THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF IMMEDIATELY AND WILL NOT START AGAIN. *TR

Visibility
Filed Oct 31, 201069,000 milesWV

HEATER QUIT WORKING, NOW NO DEFROST. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Oct 29, 201054,274 milesOH

IN MAY WE PURCHASED A CERTIFIED 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX. WE ARE RETIRED AND DO NOT PUT MILES ON THE CAR. WE ALSO LIVE IN NORTHEAST OHIO. THE FIRST COLD DAY WE PUT THE HEAT AND DEFROSTER ON. NEITHER WORKED. WE FOUND THAT THE HEATER DOOR WAS BROKEN. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR GM WOULD HELP. WE HAVE HAD IT FIXED. HOWEVER, THE HEATER DOOR NOR ACTUATOR HAVE NOT BEEN REDESIGNED TO ELEVATED THIS PROBLEM. WE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET FOR THE SAME PROBLEM- NO HEAT OR DEFROSTER. THIS IS A MAJOR JOB SINCE THE ENTIRE DASH BOARD MUST BE REMOVED. HOWEVER, IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. DEFROSTERS ARE NECESSARY, ESPECIALLY IN COLD CLIMATES. IT APPEARS THAT GM AND DEALERS ARE DENYING THE PROBLEM EXISTS BECAUSE OF THE COST INVOLVED. THESE CARS NEED TO BE RECALLED. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 29, 201069,000 milesPA

IT IS NOW THE END OF OCTOBER IN PENNSYLVANIA. IT IS VERY COLD AT 32 DEGREES. I TURNED MY HEAT ON IN MY EQUINOX AND IT IS BLOWING COLD AIR. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, AND FOUND OUT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE 2006 EQUINOX ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS DUE TO THE PLASTIC PIECE BRAKING ON THE HEATER BLEND DOOR. IT WILL COST $1,200 TO FIX. I CALLED GM TO SEE IF THEIR WAS A RECALL ON THEIS PART. I WAS TOLD BY GM THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED BECAUSE IT "IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE". NOT A SAFETY ISSUE? I AM UNABLE TO DEFROST MY WINDOWS SO I MAY SEE THE ROAD, PUTTING MY LIFE, MY CHILDREN'S LIVES AND THE LIVES OF EVERYONE ON THE ROAD IN DANGER. I WOULD SAY THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM!

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Oct 25, 201073,000 milesCA

MY HEATER ONLY BLOWS OUT COLD AIR! I'VE READ OVER 500 COMPLAINTS ON OTHER SIRES HOW GM DECIDED TO REPLACE A METAL DOOR ARM TO THE HEATER COMPONENT WITH A PLASTIC ONE WHICH ALMOST CERTAINLY WILL BREAK AT ONE POINT. USUALLY 3-4 YEARS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE! APPARENTLY THEIR IS A HUGE AMOUNT OF LABOR INVOLVED TO REPLACE A $60-200 PART WHICH IS ONLY AVAILABLE THRU THE DEALER AND A MIN. OF $1000 LABOR TO FIX BECAUSE IT REQUIRES REMOVING THE ENTIRE DASH AND OTHER VITAL COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE! IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND CHEVY IS NOW GOING TO START USING METAL ARMS?! GM WILL NOT RECALL THIS ITEM EVEN THOUGH DEALERS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AGREE THIS IS A SET UP. *TR

Equipment
Filed Oct 24, 2010NC

JUST PURCHASED A USED 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX. SECOND DAY OF DRIVING, TURNED ON HEAT TO GET THE CHILL OUT OF THE AIR. HEAT DID NOT WORK. IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE OVER A WEEK NOW. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Oct 20, 201084,502 milesOH

I HAVE A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX LT 3.4L AWD AND EVERYTHING WORKED FINE, I DID NOT USE MY HEATER ALLSUMMER LONG. I TURNED IT ON AS OF 10/10/2010 AND THERE WAS NO HEAT AT ALL. IT WAS ONLY COLD AIR. I HEARD THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE AND IN SOME AREAS CAN BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY RISK. I LIVE IN THE MIDWEST WHERE DURING WINTER, THERE IS ALWAYS FROST ON WINDOWS. IF I DO NOT HAVE HEAT TO DEFROST WINDOWS OR GET ICE AND SNOW OFF, THIS CAUSES A RISK. AND PUTTING HOT OR WARM WATER ON THE WINDOW RISKS CRACKING THE WINDOW. THANKS FOR HEARING ME AND THIS SAFETY RISK, IT WOULD BE VERY NICE TO HAVE THIS RECALLED AS IT IS A COMMON ISSUE AND IS OVER $1000 TO FIX. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Oct 20, 201077,352 milesIL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE HEAT ON, IT ONLY BLEW WARM AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE ACTUATOR BLEND DOOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE; THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED TO REPLACE THE DOOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,352 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,600.

Visibility
Filed Oct 18, 201055,000 milesAR

2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. HEATER ACTUATOR DOOR BROKE. THIS LEADS TO UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. WINDSHIELD CAN'T BE DEFROSTED DUE TO LACK OF HEAT CONTROL. 3 COLD SEASONS USE SHOULD PRESENT A RECALL. COMPLETELY FAILED CONSTRUCTION OF MAKEUP PARTS. THIS PRESENTS UNSAFE LACK OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Oct 18, 201095,000 miles00

I OWN A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. LAST WEEK THE HEATER STOPPED BLOWING ANY WARM OR HOT AIR. I PUT IT IN FOR REPAIR AND ALMOST $1000 LATER I WAS TOLD THAT ONE OF THE PLASTIC TABS OF THE HEATER BLEND DOOR HAD BEEN CRACKED OFF BY THE OVER TORQUING OF THE HEATER ACTUATOR MOTOR. I LIVE IN A COLD CLIMATE AND MUST HAVE WARM/HOT AIR TO KEEP MY WINDOWS CLEAR. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Oct 15, 201078,000 milesTX

I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX AND THE HEATER HAS STOPPED WORKING. THE DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK AND ACCORDING TO THE DEALER IT WILL COST ATLEAST $1000 TO REPAIR A BLEND DOOR THAT SEEMS TO BE DEFECTIVE IN ALOT OF THESE VEHICLES. SEEMS TO ME THAT GMC SHOULD PAY THE PRICE SINCE SO MANY ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Visibility
Filed Oct 14, 2010NY

I CANNOT UNFOG MY WINDSHIELD BECAUSE A HEATER FLAP HAS BROKEN. MY CAR BLOWS OUT ONLY COLD AIR BECAUSE OF THIS BROKEN PIECE (AS DIAGNOSED BY A GM REPAIR STATION). BRIGHT SUNLIGHT SHINING ON THE FOGGED (AND FROSTED BECAUSE OF THE COLD AIR BLOWING ON A WET, COLD WINDSHIELD) WINDSHIELD RESULTS IN ZERO VISIBILITY. *TR

Visibility
Filed Oct 14, 201040,000 milesNH

HEAT DOES NOT WORK, HEATER TEMPERATURE VALVE HAS BROKEN. CAN NOT TURN HEAT TO HOT OR COLD. THE WINDSHIELD FOGS UP AND FREEZES WHEN BELOW 32, IT WAS A 15 HOUR PROJECT THAT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN IN 40,000 MILES IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT CORRECTED BY GM. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Oct 13, 20106,111 milesIL

DEFECTIVE MIDDLE SEAT BELT ON 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX. I FOLDED DOWN THE SEAT TO PUT SOMETHING LARGE IN THE BACK. WHEN I TRIED TO PUT THE SEAT BACK UP, THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. I TRIED EVERYTHING I COULD TO LOOSEN THE SEAT BELT BUT TO NO AVAIL IT WON'T BUDGE. I TOOK IT TO THE CHEVY DEALER THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AND HE SAID ALL HE COULD DO IS CUT THE SEAT BELT AND ORDER ME A NEW SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. HE SAID HE WOULD CALL ME WITH AN ESTIMATE TO REPLACE. 3 DAYS PASS AND NO CALLS FROM DEALER SO I CALLED HIM AND HE FINALLY LOOKED IT UP. HE SAID IT WOULD COST ME 375.00 TO REPAIR THIS SEAT BELT. MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND I SEE NO REASON FOR THIS SEAT BELT TO MALFUNCTION. THE COST TO REPLACE SEEMS VERY EXCESSIVE AND I CAN'T SEEM TO GET ANY ANSWERS FROM THE DEALER OTHER THAN "IT HAPPENS". OH, AND OF COURSE MY CAR IS ABOUT 1000 MILES OUT OF THE 60 THOUSAND/ 5 YEAR WARRANTY. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Oct 12, 201052,500 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATING SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ACTUATOR IN THE BLEND DOOR WAS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AS THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,500.

Visibility
Filed Oct 11, 201035,760 milesPA

THE HEATER/DEFROSTER ON MY 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX FAILED TO PRODUCE HEAT. AS A RESULT, I COULD NOT DEFROST MY WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A PLASTIC AIR BLEND DOOR (PART# CH19130554) THAT IS CONTROLLED BY AN ELECTRIC ACTUATOR (PART# CH15781467). THE ACTUATOR IS NOT CALIBRATED APPROPRIATELY AND PLACES EXCESSIVE STRESS ON THE PLASTIC AIR BLEND DOOR CONNECTION. OVER TIME, THE PLASTIC BREAKS, DISABLING THE DOOR AND NOT ALLOWING HEAT TO BE DIRECTED INTO THE CABIN. THE REPAIR REQUIRES THE REMOVAL OF THE DASHBOARD, DRIVING CONTROL CONSOLES AND STEERING COLUMN TO ACCESS THE BLEND DOOR. IT COST ME $1,145.08 TO REPLACE AND REQUIRED MY CAR TO BE IN THE REPAIR SHOP FOR 2 DAYS. I LIVE IN PENNSYLVANIA AND NEEDED THE REPAIR COMPLETED SO I COULD SAFELY DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BY GM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INTO AN ACCIDENT. I WAS LUCKY TO DISCOVER THE PROBLEM IN THE EARLY FALL MONTHS. I COULD ONLY IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF IT BROKE IN THE WINTER. SINCE GM HAS YET TO ADDRESS THE DESIGN ISSUES, I AM CONCERNED THAT I WILL EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. FROM MY INTERNET RESEARCH, I HAVE IDENTIFIED MANY OTHERS WHO EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE THE SAME CONCERN. SOME CANNOT AFFORD TO MAKE THE REPAIR AND ARE OPERATING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT HEAT/DEFROST. I AM WRITING IN THE HOPES THAT THE NHTSA CAN INFLUENCE GM TO IMPROVE THE DESIGN,

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 9, 201080,000 milesPA

ON MY 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL (TC) WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH ARE ON, AND THE BRAKES INTERMITTENTLY AND FREQUENTLY WILL NOT WORK, ESPECIALLY AT SLOW SPEEDS. THEY PULSE AND THE CAR DOES NOT SLOW, UNTIL THE BRAKES PEDAL IS PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. THE GARAGE HAS REPLACED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS TWICE, THE ABS CONTROL MODULE, THE STRUTS, AND ALSO ROTATED THE TIRES, AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTER INDICATES FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING. I SEE ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS S A WIDESPREAD AND PERSISTENT PROBLEM ON THE CHEVY EQUINOX. WE STILL HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT HOW TO FIX IT PERMANENTLY. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Oct 8, 2010NY

THE HEAT SETTING BLOWS OUT ONLY COLD AIR. GM REPAIR SERVICE SAID THAT THE PLASTIC AIR TEMPERATURE BLEND DOOR WAS BROKEN AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT. GM REP SAID THAT GM DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SUCH A PROBLEM EXISTS. THE DEFECTIVE PART IS SITUATED WITHIN THE DASHBOARD REQUIRING THE DASH TO BE COMPLETELY REMOVED. GM REPAIR WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM AND HOW TO REPAIR IT YET GM REP FROM CORPORATE SAYS GM IS UNAWARE OF SUCH A PROBLEM. *TR

Visibility
Filed Oct 5, 201070,000 milesOH

THE BLEND DOOR FOR THE HEATER SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK THEY CRACK.$ 1200.00 TO REPAIR THE ITEM AS THEY REMOVE THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD. WE CALLED GM AND THEY WOULD NOT OFFER US A PENNY. THIS IS A LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND THE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE POINT BEING HOW DO YOU DRIVE IN THE NORTHEAST OR ANY COLD CLIMATE AND SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD THIS WENT OUT AS WE WERE DRIVING IN SNOW CONDITIONS AND THE WINDSHIELD FOGGED UP WE HAD TO PULL OVER OFF THE HIGHWAY AS WE WOULD HAVE HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Oct 4, 201086,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HEATER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE BLEND DOOR WOULD CLOSE AND THE HEAT WILL NOT COME THROUGH TO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Oct 4, 201070,409 milesPA

I HAVE A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX THAT IS BLOWING ICE COLD AIR THROUGH THE HEATER AS WELL AS THE DEFROSTERS I THINK ALONG WITH THE OTHER 329 PEOPLE WHO I READ ABOUT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM.AND THEY ALL ESTIMATE THE COST OF REPAIRS IS 1,000 DOLLARS WE NEED HELP I TRIED REPLACING THE THERMOSTAT BUT NO HELP STILL COLD AIR. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Oct 1, 201098,000 milesAK

2006 CHEVY EQUINOX BROKEN BLEND DOOR. NOTHING LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE IT JUST QUIT WORKING. I HAVEN'T HAD IT REPAIRED YET, CAN'T JUSTIFY $1500 TO REPLACE. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Oct 1, 201053,162 milesAL

2006 CHEVY EQUINOX HEATER BLOWS COLD AIR. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Sep 30, 2010NY

THE PROBLEM WITH THE TEMP. DOOR NOT WORKING IS IF YOU NEED TO DEFOG OR DEFROST YOUR WINDOWS AND THE HEAT WON'T WORK YOU CANT SEE. AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN. THANK GOD I WAS JUST TRYING TO TAKE THE CHILL OUT OF MY VEHICLE ON A COOL FALL EVENING, NO MATTER WHAT I DID NO HEAT. STOP TO GET GAS, STARTED THE TRUCK....... HEAT CAME ON, NOW IT WON'T GO OFF. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Sep 30, 201055,000 milesMA

MY 2006 EQUINOX WAS DIAGNOSED ON MONDAY WITH A BROKEN BLEND DOOR, DAMAGED ACTUATOR (DUE TO BLEND DOOR BEING BROKEN AND LEAKING), AND DAMAGED HEATING CORE (DUE TO BLEND DOOR BEING BROKEN AND LEAKING). THE REASON I NEEDED TO GET A DIAGNOSIS IS BECAUSE IN MID APRIL THE FAN WAS BLOWING BUT NO HEAT WAS COMING OUT. AT THIS STAGE THERE WAS ABOUT 55,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND WE WERE JUST DRIVING NORMAL CITY DRIVING LIMITS. NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAD THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AND THE TOTAL REPAIR COST ME $1500. THE SERVICE GUY I SPOKE TO TOLD ME HE SEES ABOUT 1 IN 25 EQUINOXS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. LIVING IN NEW ENGLAND IS IT NOT A SAFETY ISSUE IF WE DO NOT HAVE HEAT? IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER WE CANNOT DEFROST OUR WINDOWS!! THIS BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THERE WILL BE PEOPLE OUT ON THE ROAD DRIVING WITH IMPAIRED VISION DUE TO FOGGY, SNOW COVERED, OR ICE COVERED WINDOWS WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS. GM SHOULD DEFINITELY RECALL THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS REASON ALONE WHICH IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE!! WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE KIDS? YOU ALWAYS HEAR ABOUT NOT LEAVING YOUR KIDS IN THE CAR IN EXTREME HEAT...I THINK THAT THE SAME APPLIES TO EXTREME COLD. WITHOUT HEAT THE SAME PROBLEMS CAN OCCUR AS WITH HEAT. HEAT IS A NECESSITY IN THE WINTER! *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Sep 21, 201045,000 milesMI

MY 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX STARTED BLOWING OUT COLD AIR WHEN I TURNED THE HEAT ON BACK IN MAY OF 2010. WE DECIDED TO LET IT GO SINCE IT WAS GETTING WARMER OUT AND NOW THAT IT'S GETTING COLDER HERE IN MI, WE DECIDED TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED BECAUSE THE DEFROSTER WON'T WORK. MY HUSBAND IS A MECHANIC AND WE STARTED LOOKING ONLINE TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE AND CAME ACROSS THOUSANDS OF POSTS FROM PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THE BLEND DOOR IS MORE THAN LIKELY BROKEN, THE DASH HAS TO BE TAKEN APART TO FIX IT AND WE CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY SOMEONE OVER $1000 TO FIX IT. THE CAR ONLY HAS 48000 MILES ON IT AND I'VE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH GM CARS IN THE PAST SO WE DECIDED NOT TO GET THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I WILL RETHINK THIS IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE OF THE CHEAP WAY VEHICLES ARE BEING MADE NOW. MAKES ME SICK WE HAVE TO DO ALL THIS WORK FOR A CHEAP PART THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Sep 11, 201072,500 milesKY

2006 CHEVY EQUINOX "NO HEAT" - THIS VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BLEND DOOR BREAKING. MY OPINION, IT IS A BAD DESIGN. MANY EQUINOX OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. IT IS UNSAFE BECAUSE THE DEFROST WILL NOT WORK. MY FAILURE HAPPENED AT 72,000 MILES. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE EQUINOX AS WELL AS THE PONTIAC TORRENT. I THINK GM SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL THIS AT ONCE. IT SEEMS THE PARTS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE FROM THE DEALER AT A COST OF $65 - $200, HOWEVER THE LABOR IS $600 - $1200, NO CUSTOMER SHOULD HAVE TO SPEND THAT ON AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 11, 2010129,000 milesSC

8/17/10 WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF - NO WARNING & ALL THE RECOMMENDED SERVICE HAS BEEN DONE ON THE CAR AT THE CHEVY DEALER SINCE I PURCHASED BRAND NEW. TOOK CAR TO CHEVY DEALER & THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE BUT THOUGHT IT MAY BE DUE TO A DIRTY THROTTLE BODY, SO THEY CLEANED IT. 9/1/10 WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR SHUTS OFF AGAIN AND AGAIN ON 9/3/10 SO MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH CHEVY DEALER & THEY SAID THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE & THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE SWITCH. 9/10/10 PROBLEM OCCURS AGAIN & CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP. CHEVY DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX PROBLEM YET. THIS IS A REAL CONCERN TO HAVE YOUR CAR SHUT OFF WHILE SIMPLY DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT DOES RESTART BUT I HAVE TO SIT AND TRY SEVERAL TIMES. *TR

Visibility
Filed Sep 10, 201065,000 milesOH

HEATER BLOWING COLD AIR FOR 1 WEEK. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP AND ADVISED BLEND DOOR STUCK, IT AND ACTIVATOR NEED REPLACED. ESTIMATED APPROX. $1000.00. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 7, 201064,000 milesWI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SWITCH FROM AIR CONDITIONING TO HEAT WHILE HE WAS DRIVING. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT IN THE BEGINNING BUT THE FAILURE PROGRESSED AND BECAME MORE FREQUENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STRIP FLAPPER DOOR ON THE HEATING COIL WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 64,000.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 1, 201042,000 milesAL

CHEVROLET PASSLOCK SYSTEM IS INTENDED TO KEEP ONE'S CAR FROM BEING STOLEN BUT THE WIDESPREAD ISSUES WITH THIS SYSTEM ARE A DANGER TO ITS DRIVERS. THIS SYSTEM HAS LEFT ME STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE IT HINDERS THE ENGINE FROM STARTING. *TR

Structure
Filed Aug 27, 201052,000 milesMA

THE CHEVY EQUINOX 2006 HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE HEATING SYSTEM VALVE DOOR BREAKING. IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME BY MY DEALER THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE CAR YET IT IS COSTING CONSUMERS APPROXIMATELY $1,000. TO FIX. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THE TRAP DOOR THAT RELEASES THE HEAT. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 14, 2010PA

MY SEATBELT IN THE BACK WHERE MY 4 YR OLD SIR BROKE, MY CD PLAYER MORE OFTEN THAN NOT WILL NOT TAKE CD'S. I DO NOT HAVE HEAT BUT MY A/C WORKS JUST FINE. *TR... UPDATED 10/26/11 *BF

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jul 23, 201055 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED INDICATING THAT THE SENSOR WAS CORRODED AND BEGAN TO MAKE A GRINDING SOUND WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE ABS AND HUB SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED HER THAT THERE WAS NO RELATED RECALL AND THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED UNDER THE WARRANTY AFTER SHE PAID THE DEDUCTIBLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 55,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 18, 20109,010,900 milesNY

TRUCK LOST SPEED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. ENGINE CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. TRUCK CAN BE WORKING ONE MINUTE AND YOU PARK AND COME BACK AND NOTHING IT WOULD START AND HAVE TO BE TOW AND THIS HAS HAPPEN TO ME THREE TIMES IN THE LAST 5 MONTHS. THE ELEC SYSTEM ALWAYS HAVE SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT. RUNNING AT 55 MPH AND A SEMI-TRACTOR TRAILER BEHIND YOU WITH YOUR THREE SMALL GRAND CHILDREN IN THE BACK AND THE TRUCK JUST LOST IT SPEED WITH NO WARNING IS A FRIGHTENING THING TO HAPPENING. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY, THE STARTED, AND NOW THE LOWER COOLER FAN IS OUT THE ELEC. SYSTEM JUST KEEP BREAKING DOWN BACK TO BACK AND I HARDLY EVEN DRIVE IT ONLY TO DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS AND TO DO MY SHOPPING. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Jul 17, 201080,000 milesMS

NOTHING SPECIAL DONE, BLEND DOOR JUST BROKE, THEREFORE WE HAVE NO HEATER OR DEFROSTER. CANNOT DRIVE CAR WHEN IT IS COLD AND DEFROSTER IS NEEDED OUTSIDE. WAS TOLD BY A GM DEALERSHIP $1200 JUST FOR LABOR. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. THERE ARE PROBABLY THOUSANDS OF THESE COMPLAINTS ONLINE I HAVE READ. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 13, 201048,800 milesVA

HAVE A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX THAT HAS BEEN SLIPPING GEARS (NOT PROPERLY SHIFTING) WHEN ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A WEEK. JUST YESTERDAY, WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, THE VEHICLE MUST HAVE DECIDED TO GO BACK DOWN IN GEAR, AND IT MADE THE VEHICLE JUMP. THEN YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE ONTO A BUSY HIGHWAY, IT WOULD NOT GET OUT OF GEAR AND STAYED AT 15 MPH. I HAD TO LET OFF THE GAS FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN RESUMED ACCELERATING. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT A WEEK, BUT YESTERDAY WAS THE SCARIEST, WHEN I COULDN'T MERGE INTO THE TRAFFIC AT THE SPEED THAT I NEEDED TO. MY HUSBAND HAS CALLED THE LOT WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE IT IN FOR THIS THURSDAY. I BEGAN REVIEWING POSTS ON OTHER WEBSITES AND WAS AMAZED AT HOW MANY COMPLAINTS THERE WERE ON THIS VERY ISSUE. THIS IS VERY SCARY, ESPECIALLY WITH THAT MANY COMPLAINTS. *TR

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 10, 2010104,000 milesTN

2006 CHEVY EQUINOX AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN MY DAUGHTER'S FRONT CRASH ACCIDENT. HER CAR WAS TOTALED. SHE HIT A MAILBOX AND IN A SPIN ON THE DRIVER'S FRONT SIDE HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. SHE HIT HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND HURT HER BACK. THE REAR WINDSHIELD WAS ALSO SHATTERED AND ALSO HAD A BACK FLAT TIRE. I CALLED OUR LOCAL GM DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME TO CALL GM. SHE CALLED GM BUT THEY GOT HER UPSET AND SHE IN OTHER WORDS SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. IN OTHER WORDS THIS IS A DEFECT OF THIS MODEL AND THEY AREN'T GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Jun 27, 201048,000 milesVT

I WAS LUCKY AND FOUND OUT WHEN IT WAS SUMMER TIME AND NOT COLD OUT... MY MECHANICS HAVE REPLACED 2 DIFFERENT PARTS THE TEMP SWITCH AND VALVE THAT THEY WERE TOLD COULD BE THE PROBLEM AND STILL NO HEAT .. AND I HAVE DONE MORE RESEARCH ON THE PROBLEM IT TURNS OUT TO BE THE HEAT DOOR ARM IS BROKE AND TAKE 7-8 HOURS TO REMOVE THE DASH. MANY EQUINOX HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH OUT HEAT AND DEFROST YOU CANT SEE TO USE THE CAR DURING COLD WEATHER THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DURING THE WINTER. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Jun 23, 201042,000 milesMO

HEATER DOES NOT WORK ON 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX DUE TO AN AIR TEMPERATURE BLEND DOOR BEHIND THE DASH. THIS APPEARS TO BE A LARGE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH CHEVY EQUINOX. ANY GOOGLE SEARCH WITH THE KEYWORDS "CHEVY EQUINOX HEATER PROBLEM" WILL PROVE THIS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IN THE WINTER MONTHS. THE WINDOW WILL NOT DEFROST MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT OF THE FRONT WINDOW. MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT CHEVY WILL NOT MAKE A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE THEY FEEL IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I WOULD GUESS THIS IS NOT THE FIRST COMPLAINT. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Jun 15, 201020,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND FELT AN EXTREME PULSATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE FRONT ROTORS WERE RESURFACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN AFTER 20,000 MILES AND THE FRONT ROTORS WERE ONCE AGAIN RESURFACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A THIRD TIME AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP; THE DEALER WANTED TO RESURFACE THE FRONT ROTORS AGAIN. THE CONTACT REFUSED AS THE RESURFACED ROTORS ONLY FUNCTIONED PROPERLY FOR ABOUT 20,000 MILES BEFORE THEY FAILED AGAIN. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 66,000. UPDATED 7/26/10 *CN UPDATED 07/29/10*JB

Electrical System
Filed Jun 5, 201056,000 milesTN

2006 CHEVY EQUINOX WOULD NOT START YESTERDAY MORNING. PUT A BRAND NEW BATTERY IN IT, IT STARTED THEN WHEN I GOT TO THE STORE AND CAME OUT TRIED TO START IT, IT WOULD NOT START! FINALLY GOT IT TO START AFTER I LIFTED THE HOOD AND BANGED ON A COUPLE OF THINGS. DROVE IT TO DEALERSHIP AND PARKED IT, WAS TOLD TO DRIVE TRUCK AROUND TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND GUESS WHAT? IT WOULD NOT START. THEY CHARGED $230 TO "FIX" IT. WAS SUPPOSEDLY POOR TERMINAL FIT AT STARTER SOLENOID CAUSING EXCESSIVE HEAT AT STARTER RELAY. GOT MY TRUCK HOME, DECIDED TO GO GET SOMETHING TO EAT AND TRUCK WOULD NOT START AGAIN! :( *TR

Visibility
Filed May 22, 201056,200 milesWA

2006 CHEVY EQUINOX - THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE HEATER ACTUATOR OCCURRING ON MANY VEHICLES. I DIDN'T REALIZE THE PROBLEM UNTIL SEARCHING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB AND TALKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE OF THE HEATER ACTUATOR CAUSED ONLY COLD AIR TO BLOW. THIS PREVENTS WARM AIR FROM BEING DIRECTED TO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD TO PREVENT BUILDUP OF FROST. DEPENDING ON WEATHER FRONTS PASSING THROUGH AND TIME OF DAY, THIS IS BECOMING A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME. ONE WOULD ASK: WHY NOT GET IT FIXED? I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO THE DEALER AND THE RELATIVELY CHEAP REPLACEMENT PART REQUIRES $1200.00+ TO HAVE THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD REMOVED. IT IS NOT PRACTICAL IN MOST CASES TO PAY THIS AMOUNT FOR A SIMPLE PART REPAIR, AND IN MOST CASED TO COMPLEX FOR A DO-IT-YOURSELF MECHANIC. HUNDREDS OF CAR PART FAILURES ARE OCCURRING, AS APPARENT FROM COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB. A FATAL ACCIDENT IS BOUND TO HAPPEN IF IT HASN'T ALREADY. THERE ARE SOME REPORTS THAT GM AS RECOGNIZED THE POORLY DESIGNED PART AND THE HIGH POTENTIAL FOR ACCIDENTS SO THEY ARE QUIETLY TRYING TO DESIGN A NEW PART. THIS HAS GOT REQUIRE A RECALL. *TR

Power Train › Driveline
Filed May 20, 201023,764 milesNY

WHILE DRIVING MY DAD'S 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, IT SUDDENLY STARTED VIBRATING RATHER BADLY AT ABOUT 45-50 MPH. I CHECKED THE VEHICLE OUT, AND FOUND THAT THE CARRIER BEARING HAD RUSTED APART, AND BASICALLY WAS DOING NOTHING. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 23,750 MILES ON IT, BUT IS OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO AGE. TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS ALMOST $500. I HAVE READ DOZENS IF NOT HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM FROM CONSUMERS THAT FEEL THE SAME AS I DO. GENERAL MOTORS KNOWS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM CONCERNING THIS AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. THEY PUT A DEFECTIVE POORLY MADE PART ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT NEEDS TO BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL. A FAILURE OF THIS BEARING AT 70 MPH PROBABLY WOULD HAVE CAUSED A DRIVE SHAFT FAILURE {SEPARATION}, WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I SINCERELY HOPE THAT GM CAN BE MADE ACCOUNTABLE IN THIS INSTANCE, BECAUSE THEY ARE RIPPING THE PUBLIC OFF WITH THEIR INFERIOR CRAFTSMANSHIP. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed May 20, 201028,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THE INTERNAL HEAT WOULD ONLY BLOW COLD AIR. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,200.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed May 18, 201053,000 milesGA

2006 EQUINOX WITH LESS THAN 55000 MILES NEEDS A NEW HEAD GASKET. YESTERDAY WAS THE 4TH TRIP TO THE DEALER TO FIND THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR OVERHEATING. THIS MORNING I WAS TOLD IT'S A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I DID A SMALL AMOUNT OF INTERNET RESEARCH ONLY TO FIND THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. I LOVE MY CAR BUT AM SO PISSED OVER THE RUN-AROUND I'VE BEEN GETTING FOR A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THAT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED ON ALL VEHICLES AFFECTED. IF I DIDN'T HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING BOSS, AN ISSUE SUCH AS THIS COULD HAVE COST ME MY JOB AS I'VE SPENT A LOT OF TIME GOING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN WORK AND THE DEALERSHIP AND NOW I'M WITHOUT MY VEHICLE UNTIL IT'S REPAIRED. THANK GOD I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN IT WAS OFFERED. *TR

Power Train › Driveline
Filed May 5, 2010MO

I TOOK MY 2006 CHEVY EQUINOX IN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO LOOK MY VEHICLE OVER UP AN DOWN TO FIX ANYTHING THAT WAS POTENTIALLY WRONG WITH IT BEFORE MY WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 80,000 MILES TO WHICH THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG! 3,000 MILES LATER MY OIL CHANGING GUYS WHOM I TRUST AND ALWAYS USE POINTED OUT THAT MY CARRIER BEARING IS COMPLETELY OBLITERATED AND ADVISED THE VEHICLE IS 100% UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND SHOULD NOT BE ON THE ROAD. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THIS IS POTENTIALLY A FATAL PROBLEM ESPECIALLY IF THE DRIVE TRAIN FALLS OUT MOVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME HE WOULDN'T LET HIS DOG RIDE IN THE VEHICLE. I AM FRUSTRATED WITH THE AUTHORIZED DEALER AND FRUSTRATED THAT GM WOULD ALLOW THESE UNSAFE PROBLEMS TO OCCUR ON THEIR VEHICLES(SHAME ON YOU GM). *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Apr 29, 2010ME

I HAVE A CHEVY EQUINOX 2006 IN WHICH THE BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR HAS BROKEN. APPARENTLY THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY 2006 MODELS. I THINK IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. A CAR IN MAINE IN WINTER WITHOUT HEAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Visibility
Filed Apr 29, 2010MA

2006 CHEVY EQUINOX MANY OF THEM INCLUDING MINE HAVE NO HEAT THE DOOR BREAKS AND THE WHOLE DASH MUST COME OFF TO FIX. I CHECKED ONLINE AND MANY MANY OF THIS YEAR HAS OR HAD THIS PROBLEM. VERY COSTLY TO FIX. SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO THIS NEW OF A CAR. WHY NO RECALL OF THIS WITH SO MANY HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM? WHERE TO GO? NO HEAT NO DEFROST. *TR

Visibility
Filed Apr 29, 201061,000 miles00

2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. NO HEAT AS THE HVAC TEMPERATURE DOOR IS BROKEN. PART IS 79.00 CAD BUT DEALER NEEDS 8 - 10 HOURS TO REPLACE PART. MUST REMOVE DASH BOARD. CAR HAS 102,000 KMS. PART LIKE THIS SHOULD NOT BREAK AND IF IT DOES, SHOULD BE EASIER TO REPLACE. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox → · Every Equinox year → · How the figures are calculated →