RoadVitals

2006 Chevrolet Equinox Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
695
Latest Nov 17, 2025
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
25
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
1
Reports on file since Nov 28, 2005

What this page shows

Our database holds 695 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 695 · page 1 of 28

Suspension
Filed Nov 17, 2025

Subframe rust ? my 2006 chev eq , has only 50, 000 mile on it and the sub frame is rust out ? I check for recall but said 0 ? I can’t under stand how ? Body guy said it going to cost thousands of dollars ! I can’t afford that ! ! what should I do ? There Should be a recall ? on this frame ! Frame is very important part of the car ! I had lot of chev from 1970 to 1980 with 150,000 miles on them ! With out this much rust , body guy stayed it been happening a lot with the chev , It look like it been happening for a while on my 2006 chev , eq before the 50,000 ! ? Very Very dangerous ! Very disappointing and worried that some thing could happen I only use it to go store , pick up kids from school, get food , go around town ,low mileage’s on it ! very disappointed in chev need. To recall this NEED Help ! Thank you

NHTSA ID
11699804
Incident
Nov 17, 2025
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Feb 23, 2024

Bent driveshaft

NHTSA ID
11573657
Incident
Feb 1, 2023
Filed Jun 27, 2023

Unknown

NHTSA ID
11529074
Incident
Jun 5, 2012
Suspension
Filed Jan 9, 2023

Both front frame mounts that hold the engine suspension crossmember rusted away. What is even worse GM discontinued the replacement parts. I had to use components from a similar platform. This is a safety related rusting problem that is life threating as vehicle can become unstable and uncontrollable at highway speeds.

NHTSA ID
11500833
Incident
Oct 1, 2022
Other / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Nov 4, 2022

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. They will look at it on Monday 11/4/2022.

NHTSA ID
11492349
Incident
Nov 3, 2022
Powertrain (other)Visibility
Filed Nov 8, 2021

My 2006 Chevrolet Equinox blows cold air will not defrost windshield. And while driving I push the gas pedal and it’s like surges and jumps. The car manufacturer knows about the issues and they don’t vare

NHTSA ID
11439657
Incident
Feb 19, 2021
Engine
Filed Jun 4, 2021

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

NHTSA ID
11419708
Incident
Feb 6, 2021
Brakes
Filed Feb 15, 2021

BRAKE PEDAL STARTED VIBRATING ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP SO I HAD BRAKE PADS REPLACED. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME MY PADS WERE STILL GOOD AND HADN'T NEEDED CHANGING BUT THEY CHANGED ANYWAY. THE NEXT SHOP RESURFACED MY ROTORS BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. IT STOPPED ON IT'S OWN BUT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE IT WILL DO IT STILL.

NHTSA ID
11396327
Incident
Jun 1, 2019
Mileage
90,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 18, 2021

CAR WAS IN MOTION TRIED TO STOP AT LIGHT OR STOP SIGN REALLY HAD TO PUMP BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON TC / TBS. IF CARS WERE CLOSE BY THEY WOULD HAVE HIT ME OR I HIT THEM.HAVE CLEANED MODULE, CHANGED BRAKES, CHANGED OTHER PARTS IN WHEELS. WORK A LITTLE WHILE THEN GOES BACK TO LIGHTS TURNING ON TC / TBS

NHTSA ID
11388713
Incident
Jan 11, 2021
Mileage
54,000 mi
BrakesVisibility
Filed Oct 27, 2020

WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL YOU GET CONSTANT VIBRATION CAUSING YOU TO SKID. IT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR GOING STRAIGHT OR TURNING WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO SKID INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. AND ALSO DEFROST IS NOT WORKING CAUSING VISIBILITY ISSUES ESPECIALLY IN THE COLD AND SNOW.

NHTSA ID
11366581
Incident
Oct 25, 2020
Mileage
172,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Aug 12, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11348852
Incident
Aug 12, 2020
Mileage
171,318 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 18, 2020

CAR STALLS NO MATTER IF I'M AM NOT MOVING OR GOIN 65 MILE AN HOUR,WITHOUT WARNING, I LIVE IN RURAL AREA LOT OF CURVY ROADS, KEY WILL NOT WORK AT TIMES IN IGNITION, WHY WAS THERE NO RECALL ON 06 EQUINOX IGNITION SWITCH ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS, I AM PETRIFIED TO DRIVE IT , BUT NEED TO WORK,IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE YOU ARE OR HOW FAST YOUR GOING CAR STALLS WITHOUT WARNING,HAVE HAD CAR SINCE 2013 OR SO AND ALWAYS BEEN KEY PROBLEM BUT NEVER STALLED. *TR

NHTSA ID
11329501
Incident
Jan 1, 2020
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 28, 2020

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.. WELL NO WHEEL HUB IS GONG TO GO BAD IN LESS THEN A MONTH WITH NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, AND THERE IS NO REASON AT ALL SILICONE SHOULD BE USED TO HOLD ANYTHING TO AN AXLE OR WHEEL HUB. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND WIFE, AND I AM SUPPOSE TO CONTINUE TO PAY ANOTHER 2700 DOLLARS ON A CAR THEY LIED ABOUT DURING MY WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID
11322567
Incident
Nov 10, 2019
Mileage
172,000 mi
EngineOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Apr 27, 2020

CAR KEEPS OVERHEATING REPLACED EVERYTHING STILL OVERHEATING

NHTSA ID
11322333
Incident
Mar 2, 2020
Mileage
180,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 9, 2020
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IDLING, SMOKE SUDDENLY WAS PRESENT COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THROUGH THE AIR VENTS OF THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE DOORS LOCKED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE WINDOWS FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS TO BE TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE. A WINDOW WAS SHATTERED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS TO BE EXTRICATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR LOCAL DEALER WERE INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
11298186
Incident
Jan 8, 2020
Mileage
140,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Dec 13, 2019

I BOUGHT THIS CAR ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO FROM A USED DEALER SHIP AFTER THE CAR TURNED 12 MONTHS THE CAR STARTED SAYING IT WAS OVER HEATING BUT WHEN LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE IT WAS NOT HOT AT ALL THE SENSOR JUST SAID OVERHEATING ALL THE WAY TO THE RED WHEN THE CAR READ OVERHEATING THE RADIATOR FLUID OVERFLOWED WITH OUT BEING HOT WHEN OPENING THE LID THERE WHERE AIR BUBBLES WITH NO HEAT. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1000 DOLLARS TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITH STILL NO SUCCESS WHEN IT SAID OVER HEATING THE CAR STARTS SLOWING DOWN AND THEN IT STOPS WHERE EVER YOU ARE AT RIGHT AWAY SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. WHEN AT TIME IT SAID OVER HEATING THE HEATER STOPS WORKING. I HAVE HAD TO LET THE AIR OUT SEVERAL TIME A DAY AND NOW IT SAID OVERHEATING AS SOON AS I LEAVE MY HOME. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING OTHERS HAVE SUGGESTED BUT NOTHING WORKS. I HAVE GOT A NEW RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, TEMPERATURE SENSOR ,THERMOSTAT, FILTER AND STILL NOTHING. I TOOK IT TO GET IT CHECKED WITH THE COMPUTER AND 18 SENSORS WENT OFF AND 8 WHERE FAILED SENSORS. I WANTED TO BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION IT HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE JUST GOOGLE IT AND YOU WILL SEE. I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO BE SAFE AND THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE I HAVE CHILDREN AND I LIVE IN A AREA THAT HAS COLD WEATHER FOR 3 MONTHS. I HAVE BEEN STUCK IN THAT CAR WHEN IT READ OVER HEATING WHEN IT WAS NOT. I HAVE BOUGHT ABOUT OVER 39 BOTTLES OF RADIATOR FLUID TO KEEP IT FULL BUT ONE BOTTLE LAST ME LESS THE A DAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LETTING ME INFORM YOU OF THIS CONCERN. I HAVE GOTTEN STUCK ON HE HIGHWAY AND STREET WITH MY KIDS. THE CAR IS NOW JUST SEATING IN MY DRIVE WAY.

NHTSA ID
11288978
Incident
Apr 1, 2019
Engine
Filed Nov 12, 2019

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...

NHTSA ID
11279687
Incident
Sep 1, 2010
Mileage
58,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 26, 2019

THE PLASTIC BLEND ARM FOR THE HEATER SELECTOR MOTOR BROKE, WHICH SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING ON THE EQUINOX CARS. IT CAUSES THE HEATER TO BLOW COLD AIR ONLY. THIS HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET WHILE TRAVELING TO THE STORE. WHEN I TURNED THE HEATER ON IT MADE A FUNNY NOISE LIKE IT WASN'T ENGAGING. THE WINDOWS WOULDN'T DEFROST WHILE I WAS DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
11271174
Incident
Oct 21, 2019
Mileage
120,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Sep 10, 2019

DRIVER SEAT IS HAVING A SHORTAGE. SEAT MOVED ALL THE WAY BACK AND DOES NOT MOVE ANYMORE. THE MOTOR ON THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT IS EXTREMELY HOT AND THE SEAT IS HOT. IT MAKES A NON STOP NOISE FROM THE SHORTAGE. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE HOT SEAT. IT IS MY ONLY VEHICLE TO GET TO WORK AND MY KIDS TO SCHOOL.

NHTSA ID
11254563
Incident
Sep 10, 2019
Mileage
155,000 mi
Filed Aug 27, 2019

THE KEY SLIDES OUT THE IGNITION & THE IGNITION CAN SLIP FROM THE "RUN" TO THE "ACCESSORY" OR "OFF" POSITION WHILE I'M DRIVING, CUTTING POWER AND CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE

NHTSA ID
11246608
Incident
Aug 26, 2019
Mileage
201,960 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 9, 2019

THE FRAME IS RUSTING WHERE THE SUBFRAME CONNECT TO THE CAR TO THE POINT WHERE THE SUBFRAME ISN'T REALLY CONNECTED ANYMORE

NHTSA ID
11242894
Incident
Aug 9, 2019
Mileage
168,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jul 5, 2019

I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AND THE FLOORBOARD IS STAYING WET, LIKE STANDING WATER. I'VE RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND IT APPEARS THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THEM. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS IT MAKES IT FEET WET AND SLIP OFF THE BREAK AND GAS PEDDLES. WHY HASNT GM FIXED THIS? NOT TO COUNT THE ELECTRICAL PART INVOLVED! CAN WE SAY FIRE HAZARD?? COME ON GM, DO YOUR JOB!

NHTSA ID
11229529
Incident
Jul 1, 2019
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jun 4, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11217720
Incident
May 28, 2019
Mileage
180,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 8, 2019
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE EMERGED FROM BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE BEGAN ON APRIL 1, 2019. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,045.

NHTSA ID
11194720
Incident
Apr 1, 2019
Mileage
171,045 mi
Filed Mar 14, 2019

TAKATA RECALL. WHEN YOU DRIVE THE CAR LONGER THEN 5 MINUTES IT OVER HEATS AND YOU LET IT COOL DOWN AND START TO DRIVE THEN OVER HEATS AGAIN BUT IT HAS ENOUGH COOLANT IN IT AND YOU FIX THE THERMOSTAT AND FLUSH THE SYSTEM. AND THERE IS NO HEAT IN THE CAR WHAT SO EVER.

NHTSA ID
11186916
Incident
Jan 24, 2019
Mileage
200,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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