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.
2.4
hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,694 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.
HVAC system went out on 2006 Chevrolet Equinox vehicle. Vehicle has 38,000 miles and was just out of warranty which was 3 years or 36,000 miles. We live in Colorado springs, Colorado and had major snowstorm when heater went out while driving on interstate 25. Safety of driver and others were put at jeopardy due to vehicle heater failure. Front windshield and windows would not defrost putting driver at risk. After getting home safely looked at internet site (topix.com) and found approximately 230 other vehicle owners with same make and model that has had the same type failure of the 2006 Equinox heater system failure. There has been no recall of this problem by Chevrolet putting at risk the safety of drivers of this vehicle model when Chevrolet knows of the failure of the heater system. Took vehicle to dealer on January 8, 2009 and explained heater failure and concern to local service manager. Service manager stated that there is no vehicle recall for this failure and that the number of heater failures for this model versus sales of this model is low. Costs to replace heater on vehicle was $1100 but due to my complaint. There should be a recall notice issued by Chevrolet due to number of heater failures on this model of vehicle putting drivers at risk by not being able to use defroster to provide clear visibility on windshield and could result in a crash without warning. There is presently a safety recall (#090298) dated December 18,2009 NHTSA campaign id number 09V489000 for the 2010 Equinox dealing with the same issue on safety and visibility issue. Due to the number of failures of the heater system in the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox a recall should be issued for vehicle owners. Owners are having to pay from $800 to $1100 dollars to have the heater system repaired so that they can safely drive in this model of vehicle during inclement weather and safely see out of the vehicle with a working defroster. This is definitely a safety issue and should be reviewed by the NHTSA.
I have a 2006 Chevy Equinox. The heat is not functioning. The service department tells me that it is a heater blend door actuator failure. This vehicle only has 72K miles and this part shouldn't be failing already. Imagine this scenario - a young couple in a remote area of North Dakota in the winter. And, they have two young children in the backseat. The heater blend door actuator fails and they are 200 hundred miles from the nearest place they can stop for heat. They thought they would be alright when they left on their trip since the vehicle is only a few years old. Instead, they are faced with a situation that could be fatal. GM should be forced to fix this situation on all Chevy equinoxes and Pontiac torrents.
I own a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox my heater stopped blowing hot air in only blows out cold. It stopped working at 26,000 miles and my 3 year warranty expired. Chevrolet says that there is no recall because it is not a safety issue. I live in New York. It is currently 30 degrees outside I have a 3 year old and a 4 year old I can not defrost my windows because I have no heat in my car. How is this not a safety issue.there are several complaints all over the internet with people owning a 2006 Chevy Equinox who have the same problem. It is going to cost anywhere between $1,500 to $1,800 dollars I have 2 small children I can not afford to spend that kind of money when Chevy should fix the problem. Thank you for your time.
2006 Equinox with 32,000 miles. No heat. Dealer said control was bad, replaced that then said the blend door was also bad. Had to replace that also. These are very expensive repairs for a 3 yr old car, just out of warranty by a couple of months.
No warm air as the blend door on my 2006 Chevrolet Equinox is broken. Estimated repair bill is $1,200. Cannot afford this so my family and I will freeze this winter as this is our only vehicle. This is but one of a number of complaints that have been filed by various owners concerning this GM safety issue.
- Edgewater Park, NJ, USA
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Hot air does not come through vents, and therefore vehicles windshield is not able to defrost when it is cold. This cause low visibility, which can thereby cause an accident.
The door that separates the heater and the ac has snapped off leaving only ac on. Unable to use the defroster. Took it in to have it repaired at a cost of $811. Replaced the door. I have the old door in my possession.
The heater in my 2006 Chevy Equinox does not work. It only blows cold air and the repairs are in upwards of $1200. Without heat, the windows can fog up very quickly leaving me unable to see while driving, thus causing a huge safety hazard for me and others on the road. It is winter and temperatures in my area reach as low as 20 degrees, with children, this is also a safety issue. It is necessary to keep them safe and warm. It seems from others responses that this is an astronomical issue with many Chevy Equinox owners and we are all outraged at the lack of concern from GM to recall this issue. Nothing is more important than safety with all companies, GM should not turn the other cheek to this hazard. It is better to be safe than sorry and from the people having issues, it seems a recall is past due.
No events leading up to failure. The heater/defrost worked fine one day, then the next day we turned it on and it only blows cold air. The engine is not running hot, so we determined it is not the water pump. We replaced the thermostat, but that didn't work. We replenished the anti-freeze, but still no warm air. The heater is one thing, but the defrost not working is a complete safety hazard.
My 2006 Chevy. Equinox heater is blowing cold air and I was told its the actuator and the blend door. There are over 150 complaints regarding this on the following website: www.topix.com/forum/autos/Chevrolet-Equinox/tnmhvcte76U9hgth4/P8#lastpost. It is the beginning of winter and I can not go all winter without a heater and if there are so many problems with them then us consumers should not have to pay and it should be recalled!!!!!! this is ridiculous!
Tried to turn on the heat. Will only blow cold air. After some research online, I'm finding there are a lot of owners with the same problem: Blend door/actuator issue. It's obvious that this part is defective.
I have a 2006 Equinox. The heat just completely gave out, only blowing cold air. I took it to have it repaired and not only did my entire dash have to be removed, but it was 7+ hours of labor and $1000+ of repair. It turned out to be that the actuator was defected, and the blend door was poorly constructed. While one end was properly intact, the other looked as if it had been chewed off. Chevy suggested to the mechanic that he look for suspicious objects that may have caused the damage. Nothing out of the ordinary was found. It seemed to be a complete defect of the manufacturer. After beginning my research, I am noticing that my vehicle is not the only one. It's amazing how GM's excuse is that, "cars mess up" but I am finding that several Equinox are having the same issues. There should be a recall.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox. She stated that the heating element was inoperable and would only blow cold air. The dealer stated that the achd case temperature door failed to operate normally. The repairs were estimated at costs over $800 at the owner's expense. There were no related recalls. She also stated that the power windows did not operate. The current and failure mileages were under 41,457.
My heat just stopped working with no warning at all. Can not defrost windows. Only air blows. I was told that my temperature blend door actuator is broken, and that this is a well known problem with this car model/make. It will be $1000 to repair, which I do not have!
I have a 2006 Chevy Equinox my heater just went out I searched on the web sight and found out this has been a problem with the actuator or blend door or even heater core I purchased this vehicle new what can we do our family does not have the money to fix something that should have been manufactures defect.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox. The actuator for the heat blows out cold air. The dealer stated it will cost $1,300 to replace the actuator for the heater. Since there were no recalls or warranty on the vehicle he was ineligible for a free remedy. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired at the dealer. The failure mileage was 34,000. The vehicle identification number was unavailable.
2006 Chevy Equinox. No events led up to failure I went to turn on my defrost one morning before gong to work and the heat did not work. The cost to correct the problem is B/w $1,000 and $1,500. Problem has not been corrected yet as I do not have the funds at this time to fix car. Will try to replace part myself. The blower works but it only puts out cold air. Researched online and it seems alot of Equinox owners have the same problem and says GM has redesigned part (temperature blend door actuator). GM had to realize a problem with the part design that caused it to fail, so why has no recall been issued. This is a major safety issue if you are unable to defrost your windows. Poor visibility can and will result in an accident. GM needs to step up and correct the issue for their current owners. I am sure that many owners of this vehicle have children and if we have to Transport them we will be placing them in a unsafe situation due to the inability to defrost windows in the winter, provide heat for them and even in the rain when the windows fog up how are you to clear the windows w/O the heating system working properly. I implore you to please investigate this problem and you will see many owners are having the same problem with their Equinox and it is a safety concern! thank you! 2006 Chevy Equinox owner.
2006 Chevy Equinox blows cold air. Blend door/actuator problem which cost over 1,000 to fix (entire dash needs to come off to replace $78 item). Chevy customer service says not aware of any problems, even though 120 people have responded over the last month at the following web site, alone: www.topix.net/forum/autos/Chevrolet-Equinox/tnmhvcte76U9hgth4 we all feel this is a definite safety issue, since people all over us and Canada are soon to be transporting babies and small children in these vehicles through the winter cold. Hope this is enough to raise a concern somewhere. Gerry higgins
Actuator door (air temp blend door) not allowing hot air in. This means no heat or defrost with cold months coming. Apparently a defective part that GM will not acknowledge as such. GM needs to recall this car for repair!!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Colorado Springs, CO, USA