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CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2006 Equinox is plagued by a heating problem, as in the heater only blows cold air.

The reported cause of this problem is a small door, known as the air temperature blend door, which allows air to flow past the heater core. This door has a plastic connecting shaft to an electric motor and the shaft is prone to breaking after a few years. The problem has a typical repair cost of over $800.

The 2006 Equinox also has a number of reported problems ranging from the key getting stuck in the ignition, to failing speed sensors, and trouble starting the engine. All in all, this car sounds like one worth avoiding.

8.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$360
Average Mileage:
84,650 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
  2. took it to mechanic to be replaced (2 reports)
  3. ignition cylinder replaced (1 reports)
  4. replace ignition and key (1 reports)
2006 Chevrolet Equinox accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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2006 Chevrolet Equinox Owner Comments

problem #6

Jun 232012

Equinox LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,194 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Hi this really ticked me off. Was in Virgina and my battery went dead in a matter of minutes. Nothing was left on in the car. Ran the car in morning. It sat for about 15 minutes went to start up no battery it was dead. Got a jump start, its started right away. Turned car off and thats all she wrote. My key was locked in the ignition could not turn pull it out nothing. Had to get car towed. Then I see that alot of other people are having the same trouble with the key getting stuck. Chevy should hold up to this. I have never had a car that this happened to. I was so angery one minute I had a car the next I didn't. After seeing how many other people have had this same problem. Chevy will be getting a call from me.Then to get home a day later to find a letter from Chevy that the HVAC System may not work because of a fracture of the HVAC temperature valve but will not replace until it breaks and you have no heat in the middle of winter and no defrost. What would they like us to do??????? I don't think I will be buying a chevy again. Also very nerves this will happen again. Seems it does. How dare they not take care of this problem with so many of us having it.

- Dorothy M., Lititz, PA, US

problem #5

Jan 272012

Equinox LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,559 miles

I asked them at the shop and they told me that was common for this equinox. Can't be a problem. Is this covered under a warranty?

- Becky N., Beallsville, OH, US

problem #4

Apr 262012

Equinox

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

Its not fixed yet I don't have much trouble getting it started myself but its a real pain in the ass and costly when i have to go start it for my girl friend all the time costing me much time and money and I'm sure it wont be cheap to fix as all other problems with the peace of crap like replacing the heads and what else the whole car should be recalled lol !!!!!!

- greggmo, Neosho, MO, US

problem #3

May 012012

Equinox LT 3.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

For the 4th time since I bought this car, it's become hard to get the key out of the ignition. Today I decided to go online, I typed "2006 Equinox key won't turn" in the search engine and I got multiple hits of different websites where other folks were complaining of the same problem.

Got the car diagnosed at the dealership 5/29/12 - took1 1/2 hours, even though I told them when I went in that it was the ignition lock.

I have to pay for the repair even though it's CLEARLY a common defect/problem. So I came right to this site and registered - it only took me 2 minutes to register! - and here I am asking any and everyone who has had this same problem - to please, please register and file your complaint here and to also PLEASE call Chevy and report this problem if you have it! That's the ONLY WAY they will ever be forced to acknowledge this defect. If you don't take the time to call them and file your complaint - you, me, and everyone else who has this ignition lock problem will just continue having to pay for it ourselves and Chevy will continue to make money off us and be in the free and clear!

- Cassandra H., Jacksonville, FL, US

problem #2

Apr 212011

Equinox LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

one of the many problems we have experienced is the key being stuck in the ignition. I have owned several cars in my lifetime, this is the worst car ever!

- Vickie S., Fort Thomas, KY, US

problem #1

Feb 072011

Equinox LS 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,000 miles

My key had been sticking in my ignition for months before I could afford to take it to the shop. It would not turn in the ignition unless I took it out and turned it over and tried to restart it. Sometimes I even had to wreste with it to get it out. I took it to the Chevrolet dealership and they fixed my ignition problem February 2011(I forgot the exact day). It cost me a little over $300 to get it fixed and replace the key. Less than a month later, I am having the same problem. I was at the store when it happened and I thought I was going to be left there by myself because my key would not turn in the ignition. I wrestled the key out and turned it over and tried again. This time my truck started. I am so disappointed in Chevrolet because this is a problem that should not have happened in the first place. The dealership told my mechanic that only a Chevrolet dealership could do the work. So I'm guessing that they used Chevrolet-only parts. How many people have to have this problem before they will recall the 2006 Equinox?

Update from Apr 22, 2011: I took my 2006 Equinox back to the Chevrolet dealership because my key still sticks in the ignition. I left it the whole day and came back to pick it up only for them to tell me that there was nothing wrong with it. He even told me that I was used to the way I started my truck before but now it takes a little more effort to start it. He was right about one thing-it definitely takes a lot of effort to start my truck. I am doing the same thing I did before I ever took it to the dealership. I have to turn my key over sometimes before my truck will start. Then when I do get it started, it just dies. So now, I'm wrestling to get my key to turn in the ignition PLUS my truck cuts off on me. I don't know if these two problems are related or not. But I do know that I am so disappointed in my truck right now

- cathy246816, Ripley, TN, US

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