Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
I just got the car on Thursday, 11/3/2022. around 1:00 pm. On 11/3/2022 around 3:30 pm, the following happened: The equinox started wobbling as I reached the speed of approximately 40 mph. Then I had a red light. After it turned green and I began driving, the vehicle started wobbling and it was hard to control my position in the traffic lane. Other drivers avoided me, and slowed down to prevent an accident. At this point, I reached a reduced speed construction area. When I drove at about 20 mph, the vehicle wobbled even worse. The driver's side wheel started going clunk, clunk., so I pulled into a gas station. The left front tire was low, but nowhere near flat. A man put some air in the tire and it held the air. At that point, I recognized that it was too dangerous to drive the vehicle again. Chevy roadside assistance took it to the nearest dealer, Mills Chevrolet. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, there was smoke coming from the top of the steering column and a burning odor emitted inside the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred on three different occasions. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the dimmer switch module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.
Bought this car on 11/3/19, within the first week there was a horrible thumping and vibrating while driving or turning the wheel. So I took it back, they told me they would replace my wheel hub on the drivers side, I return to pick up my car, the same issue is there just not as bad, he claimed he still replaced the wheel hub. So I take the tire off myself and inspect the wheel hub and tires, and they in fact didnt replace the hub, they just siliconed the wheel hub to the end of the axle shaft, which now has caused other damage to my trans and or suspension. I call to let them know and the owner first played stupid as if he didnt know if they replaced it, so I told them id call back. I waited a week called back, let him know what I found on the wheel hub that was supposed to be replaced.. Then he gets nasty and says its out of their hands ect, and they did replace it.. …
Lately driving has been a bit of a challenge; turning corners tough which lead me to think maybe I needed steering fluid or something! Something was exactly it! While driving home Friday night, 7/24 going my usual route (90w highway in ohio) I went to turn for the off ramp and wheel/steering locked completely, there was a knock with each attempt to turn and it would let me move. Luckily I am not one to panic and there were no cars behind or in front near me; thank god! I tiptoed her to the edge away from traffic and contacted the nearest tow/garage. The mechanic said I was lucky because I could have been killed because the whole steering locked completely on a major heavy traffic highway. :-( I really like my Equinox and have never experienced anything like this from any other vehicle, but I am now seeing more & more situations involving the steering!!!!what's going on? …
I turned the steering wheel to leave a parking lot and the wheel snapped in my hands and I could not steer the car. It happened a couple of more times and since I felt unsafe I, of course, took it into the dealership where the car was purchased and they attempted to repair it. $900.00 later we had the same problem. At that point they said the steering column needed to be replaced but suggested we wait until we could actually hear a thumping noise. The problem did not happen again until May 2015 right after we gifted the car to our grand daughter. Now we are right back where we started but another mechanic has told us it could be in the electronics. This is an unsafe situation. The steering could become disabled and cause a very serious accident.
I was backing out of a parking spot and the wheel locked up on me. I had an extremely difficult time getting out of the parking lot. I had several warning lights on at one time and the gas level in the car was not registering. I was two blocks away from my house at the store so I was able to make it home safe to park my car. This same incident happened to me a week prior to the date on the report. The first time it happened, I parked the car and it was fine the next day. This time around, when I attempted to drive the car the next day, I noticed that all the signal lights went off, but the steering wheel was still not functional.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact noticed smoke emerging from the vents on the dashboard. Afterwards, smoke started to emerge from the switch on the steering column. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
While turning on the car and driving the tc, brake light, ABS, engine, and air bag lights turn on and the car turns off but continues to drive. As you drive it continues to ring the bells and turn on of the off and on including the radio. You can also pull the key out and it continues to drive. All this on highway and city streets.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving 10 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Front brake calipers seized up. Over-heating due to excessive friction from brakes locking. Front end started shaking due to front end brakes seizing while in motion. Front calipers smoking due to excessive friction build up. I was on us 265 in new albany, in. Shaking seemed to subside a bit while turning.
Steering complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox, 5% of the model year's 695 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Equinox steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to steering 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.