Print this page

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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
147,993 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Chevrolet Equinox electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2006 Chevrolet Equinox Owner Comments (Page 1 of 7)

problem #130

Jan 082020

Equinox

  • 140,000 miles

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

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.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #129

Sep 102019

Equinox

  • 155,000 miles
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.

- Gainesville, GA, USA

problem #128

Jul 012019

Equinox

  • 0 miles
I recently bought a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox and the floorboard is staying wet, like standing water. I've researched the issue and it appears this is an ongoing issue with them. This is a safety hazard as it makes it feet wet and slip off the break and gas peddles. Why hasnt GM fixed this" not to count the electrical part involved! can we say fire hazard?" come on GM, do your job!

- Campbellsville, KY, USA

problem #127

May 282019

Equinox

  • 180,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving approximately 35 mph, the contact noticed smoke emerging from the vents on the dashboard. Afterwards, smoke started to emerge from the switch on the steering column. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #126

Apr 012019

Equinox

  • 171,045 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact started the vehicle and smoke emerged from behind the steering wheel. The failure began on April 1, 2019. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 171,045.

- Carlisle, PA, USA

problem #125

Mar 152012

Equinox

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving various speeds, the contact detected a burning odor. Also, the instrument panel lighting turned off and the radio signal was lost. The vehicle was shut off and restarted, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to gray-daniels Chevrolet (601-863-8466, located at 6080 I-55, jackson, ms 39211), but the cause of the failure could not be diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the same dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

- Wazioo City, MS, USA

problem #124

Mar 062018

Equinox

  • miles

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

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.

- Ripley, TN, USA

problem #123

May 052017

Equinox

  • 130,000 miles
The key can be removed from the ignition while the vehicle is running or while in any other position. There was a recall on other models for this exact same issue, but no recall was made for my vehicle.

- Hurst, TX, USA

problem #122

Jun 112018

Equinox

  • 118,350 miles
In April of 2015 I purchased a 2006 Chevy Equinox from sid dillion Chevy dealership. Approximately 1 month after having the vehicle it rained and water had leaked into driver side floor board. When I started the vehicle it started but there was no acleration and the car wouldn't drive when put in gear. I informed the dealership and was instructed to bring the vechical back out the dealership to be looked at. In finding they informed me that it was sunroof drain that backup and leaked water into my driver side floor board, also leaking water on to the throttle sensor which is located on the gas pedal. They informed me that drain had been blown out and the error code was reset and the vechical ran again. This problem happened again a few months later and I was again instructed to bring the vehicle back to the dealership, this the same procedure was done as before and I asked what can be done to fix this problem and was informed that due to the design of the sunroofs drain, when it rains I will have water that leaks into vechical if there is large amounts of rain and that because there are no broken parts the problem can not be fixed. I informed Chevrolet main center of the issue and was informed that there has never been any recalls on the vechical and to take it to the dealership to have the problem fixed. I've taken preventive measures but keeping the drian cleared and when the problem happens resetting the error codes, but last week 06-07-18 I had the line cleared and the following day it rained and the throttle sensor errored reset the code and vechical ran. Yesterday while driving I got caught in heavy rainfall the vechical completely stopped in the middle of a 4 lane busy road and would not move, water began leaking into the driver side and also from the pedal and intior lights. I'm very fearful of driving the vechical. This problem is very dangerous and unsafe.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #121

Sep 172017

Equinox

  • 127,045 miles
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!!!!

- Glen Burnie, MD, USA

problem #120

Aug 012017

Equinox

  • 190,000 miles

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

A few weeks ago while driving my vehicles ABS and traction control lights came on, right after that the brakes have started making a loud grinding noise or lock up altogether to where I can't stop. I have done plenty of research over this and it seems to be a recurring thing with these vehicles. If everyone of them is having this issue and the brakes are that dangerous, how has there not been a recall. This happens everytime I drive, whether going down an interstate and having to hot my brakes to just driving in a small town, then when I try and go again they make the grinding noise while driving for a minute.

- Knobel, AR, USA

problem #119

May 012017

Equinox

  • 165,000 miles
Bought my 06 eqinox in may of 2015. Day 2, battery died. Dealer put new battery in. Next week, battery dead and took out stereo with it. Dealer replaced battery and stereo. Now having trouble starting again. Have replaced brake pads and rotors twice on rear wheels and front once. Car makes grinding noise still when backing with foot on the brake. ABS and tc lights came on may of 2017. Had checked out and needed front right wheel speed sensor replaced. Replaced it and light stayed on. Had it rechecked and it still reads the same. No brakes. Pedal stutters on the way down and then has to be forced down the rest of the way to stop the car. Had mechanic look at it and was told to replace ABS module. We did and I finally have brakes again but now my break light is on along with the ABS/tc lights. Car has sunroof. Had car 2 years and all of a sudden my back floor is flooded. Thought the kids spilled water. Nope. Soaked a beach towel cleaning it up. Next hard rain, flooded again. Lines are clogged and backing up into my car. Two beach towels and two gallons later of water vacuumed up and my padding is damp and still stinks like mildew. This car is badly designed. The brake situation is very dangerous. Luckily there was an empty turn lane beside me when it rained or I would have hit the car in front of me. The brake pedal would go to the floor when turning and wouldnt stop on straightaways. The electrical wiring in the drivers side door is jacked up too. Can't unlock the doors, turn on dome light and doesn't shut off radio.

- Burleson, TX, USA

problem #118

Dec 012016

Equinox

  • 51,736 miles
My 2006 Chevy Equinox heater start blowing cold air on December 1, 2016. Per the Chevy dealer the heater blend door is broken it cost me over $2,300 to fix the heater. There are too many 2006 Chevy Equinox with the me problem. This is S defect and a recall should be done. GM need to pay for this part and labor defect.

- Mountain View, CA, USA

problem #117

Oct 062016

Equinox

  • 150,000 miles
What is happening: The heater blend door is stuck blowing only cold air. This is after the engine is warm and working properly. In northern Minnesota this is a huge problem. From a quick search this is happening far too often for it to be anything other than a manufacture defect. It is a very poor design which I believe should be recalled.

- Cohasset, MN, USA

problem #116

May 102016

Equinox

  • 17,745 miles
I bought a 2006 in Feb..it was running fine then all a sudden the heater started blowing cold air..a month later it just started running hot pour water in coolant level it cumes back out in a puddle on driver side...temp gauge hits red when idle up...smoke out tail pipe...coolant smell around car...I need my car now im.walking!!!!

- Monroe, LA, USA

problem #115

May 272016

Equinox

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox. When the ignition was turned to the on position, the ignition failed to turn without warning.sometimes, the contact was unable to place the key in the ignition or remove the key from the ignition. Also, the vehicle overheated and the temperature gauge increased. When the vehicle was turned off, the engine fan ran for an hour afterward, which caused the battery to fail. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.

- Clayton, NY, USA

problem #114

Jul 212015

Equinox

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact made numerous attempts to start the vehicle. The vehicle was previously serviced per an unknown manufacturer's recall related to the ignition switch; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition sleeve would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Coeburn, VA, USA

problem #113

Jul 142016

Equinox

  • 188,000 miles
The key is hanging up in the ignition after turning vehicle off. It is often difficult to put the key back in the ignition to then start it again. The vehicle now stalls while running without notice. When it does, all power cuts off (power brakes, traction control, lights radio, breaks - anything electric shuts off. Have been able to pull the vehicle over and restart it almost immediately. Happens on the street as well as freeway. I wonder whether this is covered by a recall or something. Please let me know as this does not seem to be very safe.

- Pleasant Valley, MO, USA

problem #112

Apr 122016

Equinox

  • 118,000 miles
Vehicle randomly shuts off completely at different speeds while driving. It has happened once every three days up to 6 times in 20 minutes. It has occurred on the freeway and city streets. Had PCM reprogrammed, no luck. I have been testing different fixes. While doing so I noticed I am able to pull the key out at any ignition position.

- Richfield, MN, USA

problem #111

Jun 052016

Equinox

  • 83,675 miles
HVAC blower motor inoperable while moving on highway. Blower motor resistor burned because blower motor drawing too many amps.

- Springfield, VA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?