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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.

1.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
83,559 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2006 Chevrolet Equinox Owner Comments

problem #9

Jun 112018

Equinox

  • 118,350 miles

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

In April of 2015 I purchased a 2006 Chevy Equinox from sid dillion Chevy dealership. Approximately 1 month after having the vehicle it rained and water had leaked into driver side floor board. When I started the vehicle it started but there was no acleration and the car wouldn't drive when put in gear. I informed the dealership and was instructed to bring the vechical back out the dealership to be looked at. In finding they informed me that it was sunroof drain that backup and leaked water into my driver side floor board, also leaking water on to the throttle sensor which is located on the gas pedal. They informed me that drain had been blown out and the error code was reset and the vechical ran again. This problem happened again a few months later and I was again instructed to bring the vehicle back to the dealership, this the same procedure was done as before and I asked what can be done to fix this problem and was informed that due to the design of the sunroofs drain, when it rains I will have water that leaks into vechical if there is large amounts of rain and that because there are no broken parts the problem can not be fixed. I informed Chevrolet main center of the issue and was informed that there has never been any recalls on the vechical and to take it to the dealership to have the problem fixed. I've taken preventive measures but keeping the drian cleared and when the problem happens resetting the error codes, but last week 06-07-18 I had the line cleared and the following day it rained and the throttle sensor errored reset the code and vechical ran. Yesterday while driving I got caught in heavy rainfall the vechical completely stopped in the middle of a 4 lane busy road and would not move, water began leaking into the driver side and also from the pedal and intior lights. I'm very fearful of driving the vechical. This problem is very dangerous and unsafe.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #8

Feb 062017

Equinox

  • 120,175 miles
Driving at high speed in highway and suddenly loose acceleration pedal function. Dangerous slow down in highway while cars pass you by at high speeds and you just cant get to move out the way.with family in vehicle

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #7

Mar 152016

Equinox

  • 134,000 miles
Sounds like the brakes grinding, starts unsafe stopping distance and happens out of blue, I have to constantly keep trying to push the brakes so it can stop. At times brakes will also be hard as rock no warning and have no brakes at all, been happening off and on. ABS/tc lights on, I was told I needed new hub bearing assembly, rotors and brake pads, all was changed and still not fixed. I keep reading about a pig tail harness but don't know the correct part number or its location. Started around March/2016 and its ongoing, almost got hit yesterday because the truck wouldn't brake

- Shaw, MS, USA

problem #6

Nov 072015

Equinox 6-cyl

  • 85,003 miles

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

2006 Chevrolet Equinox. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle throttle pedal and connector failure. The consumer stated when he attempted to pass another vehicle, the accelerator pedal went immediately to the floorboard and the engine went to full power. He tapped the accelerator pedal, but it would not release; he immediately shifted into neutral and the engine stayed at full power. He then turned of the ignition and coasted to a stop. He attempted to re-start the vehicle, but it would not start. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who diagnosed the problem as a failed throttle pedal and connector.

- Auburn, CA, USA

problem #5

May 112015

Equinox

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving at approximately 70 mph, the reduced engine power warning light illuminated and the vehicle drastically reduced speed to below 5 mph. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic more than twice and they were not able to replicate the failure. The contact indicated that the independent mechanic replaced the throttle body, the sensor, and reprogrammed the sensor, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #4

Aug 012012

Equinox

  • 3,500 miles
When accelerating from 0 to 10 mph, the transmission cuts out and the vehicle jerks and bucks like it wants to die. This happens all the time from soon after I bought it new. This occurs sometimes when pulling out on the highway and I have to quickly pull my foot off of the gas to make it stop and push it again. When you're already pulling out into traffic, it is a safety hazard if you don't react quickly. I have investigated this online and all I can find is that the drivetrains were made this way and GM acknowledges it and says it's normal. I thought it was because mine was a 4 cylinder motor, but I have found that is happening with all motor types. This is not safe at all! if the car does actually die one of these times, I will probably be hit and injured. Please investigate and have a safety recall initiated.

- Jasper, IN, USA

problem #3

Jul 052013

Equinox

  • 95,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the engine was started and shifted into drive when the vehicle abruptly accelerated. The contact was unable to stop the vehicle by applying the brakes, but was eventually able to turn the key and power the vehicle off. The contact stated that the gear shifter did not move until the vehicle was powered off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that the throttle box needed to be replaced. The contact stated that an independent mechanic determined that the failure was connected to the cruise control system. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileages were 95,000.

- Jersey City, NJ, USA

problem #2

Feb 012010

Equinox 6-cyl

  • 23,000 miles
My 2006 Chevy Equinox had four problems that were fixed by replacing the steering column and motor: * several incidents where I could not turn the key in the ignition until I jerked the steering wheel back and forth (out of frustration). * several incidents where I could not move the steering wheel after starting the engine on a hot day. Turning engine off and restarting a few times finally engaged power steering assist. * several incidents where I lost power steering assist while turning corners and required assistance from the passenger to turn the steering wheel. * several incidents where I completely lost power steering and engine power while driving in rain. Steering column was smoking, shaking side to side and up and down, and felt like the whole steering column was falling apart under my hands. The car slowed down and did not respond to the gas pedal, even though the engine was running. Three times the escondido dealer said nothing was wrong because there were no failure codes. I thought it was wrong that I almost died and there is no error code for that, but realized I was talking to a wall. My problems continued and I went to the poway dealer who said the overheated steering motor was forcing the engine into protective mode. They asked me to leave my car and replaced the entire steering column and motor on GM warranty. None of the described incidents have recurred since replacing the steering column and motor. My problems seem similar to those stated in these complaint ODI numbers: 10168607, 10181373, 10195505, 10207818, 10210502, 10245868, 10248789, 10250004, 10321311, 10364217, 10383115, 10383313, 10410417, 10419886, 10440553. These are very dangerous problems. I could have died several times and could have killed people in other cars on the road with me. I bought this car B/C my dad was a lifelong Chevy fan. This is not my father's Chevy.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #1

Feb 282010

Equinox

  • 58,000 miles
As the vehicle is approaching a stop sign or stop light while braking the vehicle will get down to about 5mph or less and then the anti lock brakes will engage. This first started happening in parking lots at low rates of speed and I first thought it was possibly ice on the ground but as it is warming up and the roads are clear the problem is more persistent. The vehicle should be stopping and there is no reason for the anti lock brakes system to be coming on. The vehicle should be finishing coming to a complete stop not starting to pump the brakes.

- Bloomington, IL, USA

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