Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
Vehicle keeps over heating fixed everything that can cause it to overheat and the problem still consists read many complaints over 700 with the same issue even when the problem get temporarily fixed it starts overheating again in a couple month car will mainly over heat at idle the heat won't work it's a bad antifreeze smell it's a problem that has many complaints but still nothing is being done I have 5 children I didn't think I would be driving with my children wondering if my car was going to over heat and us having to pull over on a free way or a street being stranded bc of a problem that's happening with these vehicles and nothing is being done
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the temperature gauge indicator displayed hot as the engine overheated with a burning odor. All the interior windows became extremely foggy and the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road. There were no flames visible. In addition, the heater intermittently emitted cold air through the vents. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the heater core and flushed the cooling system. On three separate occasions, the thermostat was replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.
Vehicle runs fine, shut it off it won't start. Sometimes it will take 2 or 3 turns to start it other times 10 to 15 minutes to start it. Replaced ignition cylinder, switch and tumblers, thinking this was it. No. No one can fine problem. This is a problem with other 2006 Equinox from the forums I read. This is a safety issue, because it leaves people like me stranded. I have emailed Chevrolet once already and told them if anything happens to me when I get stranded for my family to sue them. Chevrolet told me to take my car to a dealer, I called and the person I talked to told me to bring it in and if the problem didn't happen while the car was there , they would charge me $ 85.00 per hr. , it doesn't happen every day , it might go a month without doing it and then it might do it 3 times in one day. I just bought this car January 2014. …
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.
When my Equinox hit 60,400 miles it was running fine and after parking it for 20 minutes it suddenly ran hot which caused the heads to warp. Chevrolet paid $3000 towards the repair and I paid $1000. They called it a "grace warranty" and gave me a 12 month, 12,000 mile warranty on the repair. The car was repaired but never the same afterwards. Constant overheating and coolant loss issues. I have flushed the system. Changed thermostats twice,and changed the corrosive dexcool antifreeze to the yellow non corrosive universal antifreeze. It ran great for 1 month then started overheating again. The coolant is full, thermostat is new. It is fine while driving, heat begins to climb when stopped.
Ever since I got this vehicle I have always heard what sounds like water in the dash when pressing on the gas pedal. I'm constantly refilling the antifreeze daily, I've been reading that it is a known problem and it contributes to the antifreeze which in some cases leaked out of the air vents into the vehicle. Leaking antifreeze some where in the engine. I've already had to replace the engine heads due to the leakage. Antifreeze leaks into the engine oil cause white smoke out of the exhaust. I've already flushed the cooling system and they also did a reverse flush and the water gushing noice is still there. GM needs to get this fixed...
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the temperature gauge indicator displayed hot as the engine overheated with a burning odor. All the interior windows became extremely foggy and the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road. There were no flames visible. In addition, the heater intermittently emitted cold air through the vents. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the heater core and flushed the cooling system. On three separate occasions, the thermostat was replaced. The approximate mileage 89,934
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that mist from the heater blew inside the vehicle and created an abnormal odor. In addition, the instrument control indicators illuminated. The mist prevented the contact from seeing out of the windows. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that a new water pump was needed. The mechanic flushed out the system and placed a new heat system in the engine with new anti-freeze. The failure recurred later the same week. The manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 167,000.
I have owned a 2006 Chevy Equinox since 2008. We recently noticed a swooshing fluid noise coming from the dash. When the car idles the temp light gauge comes on and the needle goes to hot. Took it to bill jacobs Chevrolet in joliet illinois today and the advised it has a leaky head gasket with a minimum cost to repair of $1500. After researching this on the internet, there have been numerous complaints from consumers with the same exact problem directed to GM and they have done nothing. Many mechanics have said it is a design flaw and GM should be doing a recall.
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.
Engine complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 128 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox, 18% of the model year's 695 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Equinox engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 3 fires and 2 injuries to engine & cooling 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.