Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Chevrolet Equinox owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
At a low speed brakes were applied and the car continued to move forward without stopping. It seemed as if the ABS system engaged. No brakes as my car continued to move forward at this low speed eventually rear ending another car as mine never stopped. The brakes had just been replaced 2 years prior. I had this car checked several times for this same inconsistent brake issue but nothing was never found. At times there would be a grinding noise when applying the brakes and my foot would just go to the floor with no stopping. I am very disappointed that GM has never addressed this issue. I have spent so much money over the years to try and address the issue and no mechanic could ever figure it out. Now my car is totaled and I have an insurance bill that is not only costly but not fair. GM seems to have taken no accountability and I just hope no one ends up hurt. …
1. 6 months after purchased third taillight shorted out didn't know had no brake lights. Took to dealer 7 times after wiring harness, third taillight replaced because spoiler cracked, hatch unable to open. Dealer moved hatch hinges and spoiler kept cracking. Still having third taillight no brake light problem is with wiring faulty. Taillights all leak causing wiring short in fuses. Other issue is first break service ABS sensor stayed on break pedal pulsated for 2 yrs 2 dealers 1 mechanic replaced ABS sensor 3x didn't fix ended up paying for new front wheel hub also caused 3 accidents could not stop because of it. Mileage is 68700 rec 1 recall for heater. Where are rest?
ABS engages at low speeds, makes brake pedal very difficult to depress and difficult to stop vehicle. (this occurs regardless of turning/going straight, and happens randomly when the brake pedal is pressed and/or when it's released, and sometimes when I'm not touching the brake pedal at all.) this occurs daily, and after some time, the ABS and traction control warning lights will come on in the dashboard. Once the warning lights activate, the problem goes away. Serviced in 4/2017 at certified garage, and wheel hub assembly was replaced. The problem persists. Online auto forum research shows many early model Equinox owners experiencing the same exact issue, going all the way back to 2011. Https://chevroletforum.com/forum/Equinox-23/2006-Chevy-Equinox-lt-ABS-traction-control-light-problems-41758/ the majority of the complaints list a pigtail wire harness as the solution. …
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. …
As I was at stop light 3 days ago and at a low speed and about to stop my ABS braking system activated without any indicator lights and in doing so it released the brakes even though I was still pressing them. I avoided hitting the car ahead of by shoving it into park. It does it every time I attempt to stop and now have to use my emergency brakes to actually come to a complete stop when ABS activates and releases brakes. Dealership recommended I replace my front brakes and they tried to say it was also the tires. They were able to reproduce it but never fixed the problem. They did not let me know it wasn't fixed and nearly rolled out onto a heavy traffic road. I called them and informed them what had happened and asked why they let me drive a unsafe vehicle but when I asked that they remove the fuse for the ABS system until I can figure out what is wrong. …
My Chevy Equinox has been in two different shops including Chevrolet numerous times. I have spent plenty of money. But, still have a problem with ABS & traction control lights periodically coming on and with the uncertainty that my brakes are going to work properly every time I attempt to drive. I don't understand with the number of complaints on this exact problem why is there no recall? It is very unsafe. Chevy has been guessing and just changing different parts that didn't need changed. They even talked to corporate office and said they didn't know what it was for sure. Please tell me how that is possible? When it apparently isn't a isolated incident. They acted like they never heard of this problem. This site is evidence its a problem! I was told by person/persons at both shops it was safe to drive. Are they driving the same car I'm driving? …
ABS activation at low speeds on dry pavement. This happens randomly and changes the vehicle breaking distance. It is also unknown how much it will change the distance. So it can potentially cause a low speed impact accident. This is due to not knowing where to break for proper stopping distance. Engine problem when starting vehicle. The vehicle turns over then stalls. Only way I have found to prevent it from happening is to press the gas pedal while turning it over. Wiper issue. My passenger side windshield wiper doesn't work. I live in an area where heavy snow fall happens. This is a danger to myself and others on the road. If my vehicle is on the road during a blizzard or heavy snow visibility is lost on half my windshield.
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.
My wife and I have a 2006 Chevy Equinox a few months ago the ABS and traction control light repeatedly started coming on causing the brake pedal to pulsate. I took it to a mechanic they replaced all of the hub bearings seeing the codes we pulled those the lock ring was bad. Did no good scan the vehicle again different codes came out. This is a very dangerous problem that I see many people are having with the Equinox there needs to be a recall. I plan on contacting my attorney tomorrow to see if there's anything he can do about it I'm already $1,000 and repair over a problem that should have been recalled.
Sounds like the brakes grinding, starts unsafe stopping distance and happens out of blue, I have to constantly keep trying to push the brakes so it can stop. At times brakes will also be hard as rock no warning and have no brakes at all, been happening off and on. ABS/tc lights on, I was told I needed new hub bearing assembly, rotors and brake pads, all was changed and still not fixed. I keep reading about a pig tail harness but don't know the correct part number or its location. Started around March/2016 and its ongoing, almost got hit yesterday because the truck wouldn't brake
Brake complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 85 complaints about the brakes of the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox, 12% of the model year's 695 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Equinox brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Equinox brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.