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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.

2.2

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
70,775 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2006 Chevrolet Equinox Owner Comments (Page 3 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #17

Nov 102014

Equinox 6-cyl

  • 97,412 miles

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

I started the car in the morning around 6:10 to take may daughter to the bus stop. I waited a few minutes for the car to get warm and before I went to pull off, I turned on the heat, the temp setting was set in the middle between hot and cold. I turned the knob all the way to heat and then turned the blower setting up. Nothing but cold air. We sat at the bus stop and even after it came there was still no heat. Later that morning I took my other children to school. I sit in a very long car pool line and drop them off at the front door. The entire trip was without heat. In the afternoon I repeat the morning by picking up the children without heat. The engine was heated up there was no reason that I knew of that the heater should not work. After taking the car to my mechanic I was informed that this is a very common problem and Chevy has not done a recall. I was also informed of what this would cost me to repair and why.I can not believe this is due to a plastic part and requires the entire dashboard be taken apart.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #16

Sep 232013

Equinox

  • 35,000 miles
Heater stopped blowing hot air. After diagnosis by certified technician I was informed that the actuator for the heater blend door is not working properly/damaged. After researching the issue it became clear that there have been several hundred safety complaints filed in regards to this issue. A resolution needs to be attained as the repair cost for this item is around $1000. A recall needs to be issued by GM since it becomes a safety issue when the inability to defrost your windshield is not there.

- Clementon, NJ, USA

problem #15

Apr 142012

Equinox 6-cyl

  • 99,892 miles
Very cold morning. Windows fogged up. Turned on defrost heard something pop and felt cold air come into the car. Drove to work by wiping the window with napkins. Called mechanic to find out what could be done was told this is common problem with this car. Called dealer to ask if their was a recall and check price against mechanics. Dealers price was the same. Interesting part was dealer denied any such problem with this car. Checked the internet and found hundreds with the same complaint. Received a notice that GM would pay for the repair but the dealer says I do not qualify. This is no cheap repair. Looking for a class action or good lawyer. Found your site to vent and help others.

- Manteno, IL, USA

problem #14

Feb 122011

Equinox 6-cyl

  • 47,859 miles

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

On February 12, 2011, I began noticing the start up problems with the 2006 Chevy Equinox. It intermittently has excessive cranking time to start and as of lately (Jan. 19, 2012) it only has gotten worse. I took it to the shop to get it serviced the same day and they told me it was the mass airflow sensor. I paid for that but the problem did not go away. Since then, I have had the radio replaced and the gas has had many fuel delivery issues. I believe it is the powertrain control module which was recalled in the 2005 Chevy Equinox. It needs to also be recalled for the 2006 so that I can stop wasting my time and money on something that wasn?T built right. Thank you.

- North Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #13

Dec 012011

Equinox

  • miles
I am having the same problem as all the other owners of a 2006 Equinox. No heat!!! I have had this looked into and have wasted over $900 on trying to fix the problem. This is ridiculous that they don't do anything about this!! shame on them!!! I have to Transport my young daughter in a freezing cold car every day because I can't afford the $1200 that I find out needs to be put into this!! I have been a loyal Chevy owner since I bought my first car years ago...but now I will think twice before buying one or even suggesting one to a anyone.

- Andover, NJ, USA

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problem #12

Jun 152011

Equinox

  • miles
I had a problem with the heat not working in my car. Took the car to a mechanic and after they charged me $50 to look at it, discovered it was the blend air door that was broken. Mechanic also said it was odd that the part was in stock. This is not a common problem to have. $40 part for a $900-$1200 fix. Had to get it repaired as we need the heat in wi. Also need to be able to see when I drive. Something has to be done about this. I am nervous to even use my heat as I don't want to have this happen again. From what I have read online, this is happening often. I don't have that kind of money to keep fixing this.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #11

Jan 032011

Equinox

  • miles

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

Cpsc# I1130330A. 2006 Chevrolet Equinox. Vecicle has no heat, this is do to a 35.oo plastic part that should switch from heat to cool which is stuck and malfunctioning inside the dashboard.

- Clawson, MI, USA

problem #10

May 112011

Equinox

  • 300 miles
We purchased this vehicle brand new against my better judgment because I have not had much luck with american cars but my wife liked it. After several months she had to take it back to the dealer for almost every complaint filed listed on the NHTSA website. If I had the power I would classify the Chevy Equinox as lemon and recall the entire vehicle but I don't. GM need to step to the plate and address all the issues with this vehicle. Recall the Equinox year 2005-2006 now!!!!

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #9

Apr 082011

Equinox

  • 65,000 miles
Vehicle no longer blows hot air when heat is on and defroster not longer blows hot air. Found many complaints about same problem on the internet. Problem seems to be with a plastic temperature door valve (temperature blend door) that is broken. No heat means windows fog up and and can not see to drive, which is a safety hazard in rainy or snowy cold weather. According to other customer complaints the cost to repair is around $1200 for $50-$80 metal part.

- Carlisle, PA, USA

problem #8

Feb 172011

Equinox

  • 62,577 miles
Yesterday I got in my vehicle, turned on the heat and defrosters. I only got very cold air, the car never warmed up, the windows never defrosted, they only became foggy inside. G.M. says they have no records of this problem. The internet records over 500 incidents of the same thing happening to 2006 Chevrolet Equinox's. this car should be recalled and repaired, G.M. knows the part (plastic) fails because on later models they began using a metal part.

- Hillsboro, OH, USA

problem #7

Jan 182011

Equinox

  • 50,000 miles

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

My temperature door on the heater has broken off at the acuator due to defective material and my heater doesn't work causing danger when cold with no defrost or heat the part is plastic but requires 9 hours labor to replace and 3 days in the shop because it is in such a difficult location to get to requiring removal of the entire dash and HVAC unit

- Maple Valley, WA, USA

problem #6

Oct 292010

Equinox

  • 69,000 miles
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!

- Johnstown, PA, USA

problem #5

Apr 102010

Equinox

  • miles
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.... updated 10/26/11

- Mcalisterville, PA, USA

problem #4

Feb 222010

Equinox

  • 38,567 miles
The heat failed to activate on my 06' Equinox when driving on the highway. The windshield could not defog and I could not see the road with the entire windshield obscured! extremely hazardous!

- Medway Ma, MA, USA

problem #3

Nov 162009

Equinox

  • 51,600 miles
I have a 2006 Chevy Equinox. The truck as 51K miles. The car heater began not working last week. This morning, in Kentucky it was 45 degrees, I could not get the windshield cleared for anything. I had to pull of the side of the road and physically wipe the windshield because I have no heat on a 3 year old car. I have seen so many others on the internet with the same complaint, spending 1,000 or more for the repairs. Please recall!!!!!

- Lexington , KY, USA

problem #2

Mar 032006

Equinox

  • miles
17 trips to the dealership for repeated problems with brakes, rotors, bearings, transmission, clicking/other sound in engine compartment not fixed as of yet by GM, broken door hinge, broken license plate bolt receivers, starter, seat belt clip, air conditioner, remotes, noises in front end, engine miss, clunking when wheels spun on wet pavement.

- Lebanon, OH, USA

problem #1

Sep 072007

Equinox 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,695 miles
Rattling sound under the hood while driving down the road or just idling. I immediately took it to the dealership. Diagnose was missing bolts from the fly wheel. Bolts had been slowly coming off of the flywheel and there was only one bolt left. Definitely appears to be a manufacturing defect. This could have been a very, very serious situation had I been driving down the road at a higher speed. Dealership is replacing bolts.

- Sanford, MI, USA

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