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CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2006 Equinox is plagued by a heating problem, as in the heater only blows cold air.

The reported cause of this problem is a small door, known as the air temperature blend door, which allows air to flow past the heater core. This door has a plastic connecting shaft to an electric motor and the shaft is prone to breaking after a few years. The problem has a typical repair cost of over $800.

The 2006 Equinox also has a number of reported problems ranging from the key getting stuck in the ignition, to failing speed sensors, and trouble starting the engine. All in all, this car sounds like one worth avoiding.

3.6

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,942 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Chevrolet Equinox body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2006 Chevrolet Equinox Owner Comments

problem #12

Jul 022013

Equinox 6-cyl

  • 25,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Since this car has only 29,000 miles and so much is going on. Sunroof leaked, problems w/ windows, not the heating and cooling doesn't work, I just had it towed because the battery was dead.

- Bremerton, WA, USA

problem #11

Aug 252011

Equinox

  • 60,000 miles
Same as reported below, ABS issues, ignition switch, over heating, water sound in dash, blend door issues. Only have 80K on car but problems surpass value. Why are there no recalls for Equinox?

- Littleton, CO, USA

problem #10

Nov 212012

Equinox 6-cyl

  • 10,700 miles
A cheap plastic part (air temperature control door ) breaks and you lose all heat and cannot defrost or defog windows, and as such have virtually no visibilty, which in my opinion is a very serious safety concern.

- Lake Ozark, MO, USA

problem #9

Jul 082010

Equinox 6-cyl

  • 114,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Bought in Jan 2009 with 65,000 on it. Summer 09 in a rain storm it looked like someone turned a faucet on in my car the water was coming in on drivers side my left foot looked like in the tub, fixed under warranty. Out of pocket $100, the by end of 09 the real fun began, had engine mounts replaced, knocking in car when car started for first 5 minutes. The by October car was over heating, heat only blew when car was moving, car now had 118137 replaced the ender blower motors, coolant fans and fan motor, called and reported to Chevy, then in November 010, it all happened again. This time had to have blend arm door replaced car called Chevy nope not a issue per internet its major issue. Replaced at my cost $891. Right before christmas, 2010, gaskets and seals blew car over heated then shut off, had to let it cool down then start up again. Had to replace engine, gaskets and seals. Now 7/12 Chevy wants to reimburse for the part but decided to fight me tooth and nail on the reimbursement because I no longer own the car. Traded it in April 2012 could not longer afford it and trans felt like its going to go. Chevy said I will get a partial refund of blend arm door only" wtf the car put me and my children in danger and that's all they want to do but yet fight me" also I reported to Chevy all these issues, the BBB, a lawyer at this point, 2 tv network news programs, and all available multimedia.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #8

Jun 172011

Equinox

  • 38,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that when she removed the jack from the trunk she noticed that there was water in the carrier and on the carpet inside of the vehicle. In addition, she stated that they had a hard time removing the wheels because of corrosion and mold. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 38,000.

- Carol Stream , IL, USA

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problem #7

Aug 172010

Equinox

  • 52,000 miles
The Chevy Equinox 2006 has had numerous problems with the heating system valve door breaking. It was explained to me by my dealer that this has been an ongoing problem with the car yet it is costing consumers approximately $1,000. To fix. There needs to be a recall on the trap door that releases the heat.

- Revere, MA, USA

problem #6

Nov 182009

Equinox

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2006 Chevy Equinox many of them including mine have no heat the door breaks and the whole dash must come off to fix. I checked online and many many of this year has or had this problem. Very costly to fix. Should not be happening to this new of a car. Why no recall of this with so many having the same problem" where to go" no heat no defrost.

- South Dennis, , MA, USA

problem #5

Dec 242009

Equinox

  • 30,000 miles
Bought my 2006 Equinox lt AWD and two months later I was out of town took my car to the car wash and came out of it and my car went into limp mode. Tried to restart it and the same thing happened I tried to drive but could not go any more than 20 mph parked the car and had it towed to a NY dealership. They told me the car was running lean codes came up got it to start at the end of the day and I was on my way. Brought it back to my original dealer and they could not find a problem. Changed a gas pedal, fuel pump. About 7 months later pulling out of my driveway and my car just stalled brought it in could not diagnose the problem. Another couple of months later out of town in a major intersection in the rain with a full car my car died no power pulled over luckily and turned the key and it started up again. At another point in time I noticed that under the dash board on the passenger side water was coming in when there was a heavy rainfall. I too reported this an no answer. I also had problems with starting my car I would either have a hard start or it would stick so they replaced the alternator at my cost. It is so frustrating talking to the mechanics they make you think you are losing your mind but now reading these problems I think I might have damage to my computer. Oh yeah here is one more problem I have the light on my heat knob is out and they tell me in order to fix the problem I have to purchase a whole new compartment there is no fuse or light the whole area needs to get pulled out and replaced labor plus part $600 no thanks.

- Middlebury, CT, USA

problem #4

Jul 092009

Equinox

  • 51,000 miles
Sounds like a dragging muffler while driving down the road or just idling. Called the dealership to see if they could just listen to it, needed to use a stethoscope to pinpoint where the noise was coming from. A bolt had fallen from the oil pan and was occasionally hitting the fly wheel. We were told we couldn't drive it until it was fixed and that we either had to have it done there or towed to where it would be fixed. If we tried to drive it the fly wheel could not only have broken teeth but also throw the bolt through the engine. We were told if they could just use a magnet to reach the bolt then it would be roughly $400, but if they had to drop the transmission it would be more. I can't see how this would be "normal wear and tear", $1000 later. I am hoping to contact GM with my complaint, but not expecting to get anywhere.

- Klemme, IA, USA

problem #3

Sep 012008

Equinox

  • miles
We purchased a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox in May 2007. In Sept. We started to notice a strange odor in the car. I heard water sloshing around in the car on inspection of the car we found standing water in the tire well of the car. Everytime we clean the water out of the tirewell it returns. At present we are unable to determine the origin. (the cargo mat carpet in the back was not even wet). I would like this complaint put on file in the event that others are experiencing this same issue and perhaps it can be fixed.

- Lynchburg, VA, USA

problem #2

Aug 232008

Equinox

  • 32,905 miles
The car was parked from Tuesday 8/19 until 8/23 due to tropical storm fay. On 8/24, the floorboards were soaking wet from under the dashboard to under the back seat; push on the carpet and water would just well up. The parking lot was not flooded, the windows rolled up; the seats were dry, as was all of the inside panels; so I'm not sure where the water came from. I've called Chevy, they are sending me to a dealership for repairs and cleaning, as the vehicle is still under warranty. This is the first time this has occurred, I brought it with me from Nevada when I moved. It has been driven through heavy rains, although never a tropical storm, and I hadn't noticed any leaking before. It did damage several items that were on the floor, and it is very musty in the car now.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #1

May 152007

Equinox 6-cyl

  • 17,703 miles
Everytime that I take my car in for a quick car wash or if it rains really hard (in Florida it does)... water leaks through the lights in the ceiling, the back hatch, and through the floor boards. My check engine light comes on and the dealer tells me that it is water corrosion from the water leaking through the electrical wiring harness. This causes my car to run, even though I have my pedal to the floor, very slow. I can't go past 10mph. I am afraid of electrical fire. I can hardly turn a corner... I am afraid of a car accident. My car is only 2 years old now... 4/2008 and this has happened a 3rd time. My battery has already had to be replaced and my radio replaced twice because of the "cd changer error". now I can only imagine, with all of the water that keeps coming in, what condition my car will be in a few months from now. Electrical problems, bad smell, corroding floor boards and who knows what else.

- Brandon, FL, USA

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