2006 Chevrolet Equinox problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System (149) · Visibility (84) · Electrical System (57)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Equinox model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
601 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (691)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-20 · PIP5358D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. technician will need to
Unknown Or Other 2024-12-07 · PIT5074Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. the j-35616-64b is the latest test probe released for checking tension or probing the .64 series terminals. the test probe
Showing the 6 most recent of 691 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-11-17 · Unknown Or Other“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 h…”
2023-01-09 · Suspension“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. …”
2022-11-04 · Wheels“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. oth…”
2021-11-08 · Visibility/Wiper“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…”
2021-06-04 · Engine“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…”
2021-02-15 · Service Brakes · 90,000 mi“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 d…”
2021-01-18 · Unknown Or Other · 54,000 mi“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…”
2020-10-27 · Visibility/Wiper · 172,000 mi“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.…”
2020-08-12 · Steering · 171,318 mi“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.…”
2020-06-18 · Engine“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 st…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.