Bought a 2006 Chevy Equinox in September of 2012 and after a week of having the car I noticed that it was sometimes difficult to turn the key in the ignition. My husband has never been able to turn the key when he is driving the car so he has to call me to do it for him every time. Now almost 2 years later the main key will not turn at all.

This is crazy and scary!!! I cannot believe this has not been recalled with so many complaints. Now, I'm not sure if I can even pass the car down to my teenage daughter with fear of her being stranded. Very frustrating!!!

Purchased this car used February 2014. No problems with the ignition until this afternoon (hot 95 degree day) when the key became 'stuck' in the ignition. Tried MULTIPLE attempts and the key would still not turn. Researched this issue on the internet and discovered this is a common problem with the make/model/year of Chevy. We tried some of the suggested 'fixes' (e.g., open and close hood, try spare set of keys, moved steering wheel in the event this was the problem, etc.).

Through some persistence by my husband (e.g., after 20+ attempts), the key moved slightly and then all the way. Called the deal who claimed there have been no recalls or other reported issues. Will report this ignition lock problem with Chevy and hope this is a one time issue.

This is my first Chevy…..NOT impressed thus far!

The key would not turn occasionally in the heat. After a few tries of turning the wheel back and forth and gentle trying to coax the key to turn, i could usually get it started. This time, no luck. Absolutely could not get it to turn at all!!! Problem was that is was in the garage and we needed a tow. Could not even get the car out of park to be able to roll it out of the garage. Thank God the tow truck guy knew how to pop it out of park manually from under the hood (under the engine) so we could roll it out. If you ever need that little bit of hint with this car. I have see so many complaints about this on the 2006 Equinox, I don't see how it is not a defect in the car. I am hoping Chevy is doing something for their clients on this one. This one is costing me $810 to replace the ignition at the dealer. That seems high also. We are loyal Chevy purchasers for years. But maybe not anymore depending how Chevy responds to my request for help. I sent my email to http://www.chevrolet.com/pages/mds/helpcenter/contactUs.do. Email was provided by another person on this website. Thank you! I will follow up with Chevy's response on this.

When I try to turn the key to crank the engine, the key will not turn. I have blisters from trying to turn the key. Been stranded in parking lot for hours because of this. Been stranded in traffic because my vehicle turned off and the key would not turn to get me out of harms way. Almost caused many people to get killed!! Already had to deal with the heater problem and pay for that crap. Always thought highly of Chevrolet. Don't know if I'll ever buy another Chevrolet. On top of all the other problems, my battery keep going dead because my lights will not turn off, Was told it was the turn switch.

While I think this truck is fairly decent...I've had much of the same problems as everyone else. The first thing I noticed is the light on the back of the lift, one screw is loose. The second problem I started having with this truck is the problem with the key getting stuck and not starting. For some reason that stopped after a while, then the engine lights pops on for no apparent reason. Today the key is stuck in the ACC position so if I use the truck I have no way to secure it. With the key stuck in the ignition it can be stolen it is a royal pain, I can not babysit the truck.

Have had my 06 equinox for2yrs. All of a sudden, my key Wont turn. Was at the grocery store 24 miles from home. It's 95' out I've just put everything in the car. Spent over 20 min trying to get it to turn. By now I'm hot,frightened and my fingers feel like they are raw. I finally have to call my husband to come get me. This is aggravating!!!!!! Took him another 20 min to finally get the key to turn. Won't be putting up with this long. My question I'd like to have answered is.. with so many people having the same issues. Is Chevy going to stand behind their products????????? Or is it going to be up the consumers to fix it???

Update from Jun 16, 2013: Iam the husband ... Yes that happened to my wife...its a bad thing when you can't trust a vehicle.

Originally this problem started in 2009 as stated. Dealer changed the ignition cylinder, the same thing happened again in 2010(0723/2010). They found the tumblers were stuck they again replaced and coded the ignition cylinder this was called a goodwill consideration. Then on 08/10/2010, they again replaced the ignition cylinder from the original repair made on 07/23/2010. They also replaced the key each time the cylinder was changed, I have just experienced the same problem on Friday,07/27/2012 the car is in the shop again for this same problem. This is the third time this has happened and I was lucky enough not to be anywhere that was dangerous when the key stuck in the ignition. One time I was at home (thank goodness) and the other time at work and the security guard stayed on the parking lot with me til I could get a ride home. this last time I was at a diner close to my home. this has become quite a nuisance, and costly due to the fact that I am now not employed.

I just bought this Equinox used last week. I thought the dealership was just being kind by starting this vehicle for my test drive and before I left. I went to go to work the next day and couldn't get the key to turn. I got the spare key and still could not get it to turn. I went through making sure the car was in park properly etc, and nothing was working. I continued to manipulate the key in the ignition and it finally started. Each time I want to start this vehicle, I have to go through this. Hope I'm never being chased down and need a quick get away. My two fingers are raw from this constant manipulating of the key. I am taking it to a mechanic today to see if he can fix it, and how much it will cost. Merry Christmas to me!

I swore off Chevys after I bought a new Malibu in 02. I don't know what came over me, but never again. They want to stay afloat in today's market, then they need a quality product. Or at least stand behind the garbage they sell.

All of sudden it became hard to get the key to turn. At first I thought it was just - ya know- how sometimes the ignition locks and you have to turn the wheel to get the key to turn. Ha! That was NOT it! One afternoon I get in the car after work and the key will not turn. No amount of coaxing, jiggling, turning the wheel etc was going to do it apparently. I tried for half an hour and the key would NOT turn. Had to call my son to pick me up and leave my car sitting in the parking lot! That's always fun after being at work all day! Went home, typed into the web search engine "2006 Equinox key won't turn" and lo and behold I got immediate multiple hits of different websites where other folks were complaining of the same problem. So I called GM customer service. Explained the problem and the fact that soooo many people were reporting the same issue and asked if it was a recall item. They said nope, not a reacll issue. The guy kept saying over and over that 1. I had to go to a GM authorized dealer to have it diagnosed and 2. at my expense. Told me to do that and then call him back with the name of the person at the dealership I was dealing with and then they would "determine if they (Chevy) could be of any assistance to me".

Got the car diagnosed at the dealership - took 2 hours (even though I told them when I went in that it was the ignition lock)!!! Called the guy at GM back told him what he said he needed to know. Got a call the following day from an "account manager" who asked me more questions then said "sorry this isn't a warranty or recall issue so we aren't doing anything for you". Surprise Surprise!!! So I asked if my complaint was being logged along with others for this particular problem and she assured me it was. Then I went on to tell her that I would like her to add my comments that I would never purchase another Chevy - not only becaue of this current problem but also because I've also had to replace the air flow heater thing that made the heater in the car only blow cold air which was yet another widely reported problem etc. Told her that I'm sure Chevy doesn't give a crap about me as I'm only one person but she could rest assured I'd be telling everyone I know about these issues and lack of help from them etc. And that was that.

I have to pay for the repair even though it's CLEARLY a common defect/problem. So I hung up the phone and came right to this site and registered - it only took me 2 minutes to register! - and here I am asking ALL OF YOU - ANYONE 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! Please call Customer Assistance at 1-800-222-1020 (US) or 1-800-263-3777 (Canada) and report this problem or do it by email here: http://www.chevrolet.com/pages/mds/helpcenter/contactUs.do

If we ALL do it we can force them to be responsible for this shoddy workmanship/design! Even if you've already paid to have a new ignition lock installed, please still call and report because if they do issue a recall after so many complaints - you will be reimbursed for the money you've already spent! PLEASE OFFICIALLY REPORT THIS IGNITION LOCK PROBLEM!