Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accessories, trailer hitches and other equipment).
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).
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. …
Last summer the ac in my car started to act weird, I just had bought the car and didn't think much of it for a while. Then, after having my daughter and having her get over heated because the ac was freezing up I decided to take it to a repair place that told me that there was a plastic versus a metal arm that opens a door that allows the cold and hot air flow to go through my car and that it needed to be replaced with in fact a metal one. This was going to cost me a lot of money, roughly 1000-1500 dollars of which I do not have, since summer was nearly over I decided it was not that critical and I drove other family members vehicles if I had a long way to drive so my baby didn't over heat in her car seat. Now as of today my heat isn't working, it is freezing outside and once again the safety of my child is at risk because she is cold. …
A little over a month ago, I began experiencing an issue with my 2006 Chevy Equinox. The heat stopped working. The fan would work and blow air - but no heat. I took my vehicle to a GM dealership to have them look at the issue. Immediately upon telling them the symptoms, they diagnosed my vehicle without even looking at it. The service rep told me that it was "known issue" with the Equinox, that almost 4 out of 5 vehicles of that make/model/year have the same problem. He told me the good news was that the part to fix it was only $65, but the bad news was that the labor was $1000. I was told that the hinge on the temperature blend door" was broken at the actuator and that the entire dash assembly would have to be removed to get to the broken part. …
2006 Chevy Equinox heater stopped working at 75K+ miles. I am told by dealer and numerous complaints online by same exact vehicle owners that this is a faulty and defective blender door arm. It was replaced with plastic versus metal for 2006 in effort to cut corners. They all consistently break at 3 years or more! Very common complaint. It is a safety issue when you are driving in 20degree weather and constantly get sick! Also unable to defrost ice and haze from wind shield since only cold air blows out! This diminishes the visibility significantly! If I can't see from my windshield and have to a) drive with window open and freeze, b) use hand to wipe off while driving or c) pull over constantly and clean off windshield or use the Mini plug in heater I had to purchase to help defrost my iced wind shield in the morning! Over $1000 to fix. It is a defect. …
I have had all kind of trouble out of this vehicle. First it was the wheel bearings. Change one an not long after have to change another. Have changed about 4. Three on one wheel an one on the other. And now have to change another that I can tell. Then it started with brakes recently. They would stick. Had brakes replaced that didn't fix the problem. Brake lights came on vehicle. Then went off haven't came on since but brakes have stuck more than one time. Very dangerous. Now to get with the air in the vehicle that I have seen several complain about. While car is sitting still the vehicle will stay warm an warm air blowing out. Where it has been cold when driving the car the temp would go down on vehicle making the air blow out cool an I about freeze to death driving. Windows fog up fast. Need a recall if so many people are have the same issue/issues. …
In oct 2010 the heat stopped working on my 2006 Chevy Equinox. At first I thought the problem might have been caused by air getting into the cooling system lines, because the coolant level in the reservoir had gotten a bit low. But adding coolant and trying to "burp" the system didn't fix the problem. Upon searching the web, I discovered that quite a few people had the same no-heat problem with the Chevy Equinox and Pontiac torrent (which is the same vehicle platform). It turns out the problem is caused by a small "door" that allows air to flow past the heater core. Apparently this "air temperature blend door" has a plastic connecting shaft to an electric motor, and the shaft is prone to breaking after a few years. The trouble is... Replacing this little part is not easy. It involves removing much of the dashboard, which takes a long time. …
The same problem has been occurring for over a year. Where I go to start my car, my key turns over but the engine never kicks on. Its makes an odd noise, not grinding but a noise. It takes about 6-7 times before the vehicle will kick on. Once it finally starts there is black smoke and fluid coming out of the exhaust pipe. The RPM's rev up to 8K than down to 4K, the car idles and sounds like it wants to die. I have brought my car back and forth to the dealership 6 times since April 15, 2008. So far nothing has been done and they state the car is up to GM standards. I have wasted much time and money into this issue and soon the car will be out of warranty. I have a feeling that once the warranty is up that they will charge me an arm and leg to get it fixed. I have a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox will a little bit under 34K miles.
In October of 2010 my 2006 Chevy Equinox heater began blowing cold air. I did research and found a lot of Equinox owners are having the same issue. I went and received a diagnostics at the dealership and they said it is the temperature door and the repair cost is $1300. This is a safety issue because I am unable to defrost the windows if there is a snow storm or just being too cold. This happens whenever I turn on the heat and my concern is being able to see out the windshield if it fogs up or freezes. GMC has yet to issue a recall on the defective part. I have googled this problem and there is a website with over 400 complaints of consumers with the same issue and their vehicle being diagnosed with the same defective part.
I have a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox lt 3.4l AWD and everything worked fine, I did not use my heater allsummer long. I turned it on as of 10/10/2010 and there was no heat at all. It was only cold air. I heard this is a very common issue and in some areas can be considered a safety risk. I live in the midwest where during winter, there is always frost on windows. If I do not have heat to defrost windows or get ice and snow off, this causes a risk. And putting hot or warm water on the window risks cracking the window. Thanks for hearing me and this safety risk, it would be very nice to have this recalled as it is a common issue and is over $1000 to fix.
2006 Chevy Equinox (49351 miles) just quit blowing hot air through vents or defroster. Dealer says a broken blend door cost $1500 to repair. Seems this make/model has the same problem at about 50000 miles. What is Chevrolet doing to help the purchasers of this vehicle. Not a [redacted] thing. Great customer service, I will never purchase another Chevy/GM product. Very dangerous situation in cool temps where windshield fogs up driving down the road. I guess it will take a fatality for Chevy to admit fault and correct this. Highly disappointed!!!
Equipment complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are equipment problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the equipment & accessories of the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox, 4% of the model year's 695 complaints. The component named most often is electrical › radio/tape deck/cd etc. (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Equinox equipment problems?
No. NHTSA lists no equipment & accessories 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 equipment problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
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.