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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.

4.4

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
25,086 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2006 Chevrolet Equinox Owner Comments

problem #8

Feb 182011

Equinox 6-cyl

  • 67,760 miles

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

I have a 2006 Chevy Equinox and I've been having difficulty starting it. The cd/radio was not working correctly displaying numbers/letters and signs. -failure to start -poor fuel economy -radio/cd failure I did some research and found that the 2005 Chevy Equinox had the same problems and a recall was issued for faulty PCM, which was covered under a NHTSA recall for replacement. The report indicated that it can cause the problems listed above at random times: I checked with the dealership and they indicated that there is no listing for recalls on my 2006 Chevy Equinox.

- Bellingham, WA, USA

problem #7

Jan 042011

Equinox 6-cyl

  • 58,026 miles
I brought my 2006 Chevy Equinox in for a oil change on 1/4/11 and was told that my carrier bearing on the drive shaft was completely shot. I was informed to bring it to a mechanic right away otherwise I will lose my drive shaft. I brought my car immediately to the shop and was told that the part had to be ordered from GM and the part was around $500-$600. I contacted GM because if I was driving on the highway and the drive shaft went my car could have flipped and put me and others in danger. I was told by GM that they would not help with the costs of the bearing. When the bearing goes, which I'm told should have never gone, the car should vibrate badly or make noises which even the mechanic noted that no signs were given. If I had not brought my car in for a oil change I would have never known about this problem. I drive myself along with a disabled daughter and 2 year old grandson in this car and I have put all of us at risk even other drivers. This had to be a defective bearing that GM refuses to take care of. I feel that they didn't care about the safety of myself and other drivers on the road. Now I have to wait for this expensive part and then have it repaired. Thank god for the oil change because that is what I feel saved my life and others.

- Kingsford, MI, USA

problem #6

Jul 122010

Equinox

  • 48,800 miles
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.

- Salem, VA, USA

problem #5

May 052010

Equinox

  • miles

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

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).

- St. Joseph, MO, USA

problem #4

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 #3

Jun 212007

Equinox 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,056 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle made a thumping noise while driving. Eventually, the vehicle stalled and failed to move. The dealer stated that the failure was caused by a defective sensor connected to the transmission, which prompts the RPM to downshift. The vehicle has been in the repair shop for 21 days. The failure mileage and speed were unknown. The current mileage was 7,500. The consumer stated questions the safety of the vehicle because it downshifts at high speeds and may cause an accident. The consumer stated the failure mileage is 7,035 and 10mph. Updated 08/29/07

- Thomasville, AL, USA

problem #2

Nov 162006

Equinox 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,000 miles
2006 Chevy Equinox has shut off 9 times w/in 3 separate rain weather incidents. Spring 2006. I advised him that my car has shut off repeatedly when it was raining 4 several days or when we have rainstorms. The most serious incident is when I had my family in the car driving to bridgeport, ct on the evening Nov 16, 2006. It started to rain really hard & my car started to make this roaring sound all of a sudden. I was pressing on the gas & I noticed the car had lost power. The lights were on but the odometer was dropping. I kept pressing the gas pedal & nothing happen. There were a lot of trailers/cars on the road. I couldn't see in front of me because of the heavy rain fall. I slowly moved over trying to get to the shoulder since the car was still gliding on the rain. I was at exit 27 southbound on I95 which is a down ramp 2 get off the exit I couldn't see the shoulder on the side of the highway B/C of the rain & I was afraid 4 me & my families due 2 safety reasons that moving on the shoulder with the hard visibility due 2 the rain wouldn't be a smart move on my part. So I was able 2 make it w/no power steering down the exit ramp I was able 2 pull over off the highway. The car has turned it's self off when it rains really hard in a storm or it has been raining 4 hours. This is a major concern & safety issue 4 me & my family. I shouldn't have 2 inconvenience my family & friends when it rains but I'm afraid my family & I could get killed. Something occurs. I can't put my families life in jeopardy or my own. I can't trade in the car because if god forbid someone else gets this car & gets killed then I would have some fault in knowing I gave a faulty car 2 a dealership. I can't live with that. Yes, it's an inconvenience 4 me and my family but I know their is a problem with this car that needs 2 be fix or solved B4 someone gets killed. I could have caused an accident on I95 & killed myself, my family & other people on the highway. Please help me?

- Milford , CT, USA

problem #1

Jul 032006

Equinox 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50 miles
Bought new 2006 Equinox with three original miles. 1) right rear seat belt locked up, ratchet tighter and would not release until removed and fully retracted. Six occurrences, three times to dealer who could not duplicate. 2) left rear seat belt locked up, ratchet tighter and would not release until removed and fully retracted. Four occurrences, three times to dealer who could not duplicate. 3) engine falters when in reverse. Three occurrences, dealer has not looked at this issue. 4) instrument cluster / gauges not working. Three occurrences, two times to dealer who could not duplicate. 5) engine will not start. Six occurrences, one time to dealer who could not duplicate. 6) engine will hesitate to start / extended crank. Five occurrences, one time to dealer who reprogrammed PCM but issue still exists. 7) ignition switch grinding or will not turn. Daily occurrences, one time to dealer, issue still exists. 8) no onstar data communication. One occurrence, one time to dealer who could not duplicate. 9) onstar unable to detect service light in instrument cluster. Issue not brought to dealer at this time. 10) engine coolant extremely low within 5000 original miles. Issue not brought to dealer at this time. 11) engine coolant brown and foaming. Issue not brought to dealer at this time. 12) alarm system deactivated itself, interior and exterior lights on, doors were still locked. Issue not brought to dealer at this time.

- Mount Angel, OR, USA

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