Total Complaints
950 filings
Chevrolet Equinox · model year
2006 Chevrolet Equinox
950 NHTSA complaints, 26 crash reports. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
- Complaints
- 950
- Recalls
- 0
The verdict
The 2006 Chevrolet Equinox posts above-average complaint volume among its own model-year siblings.
- 23rd pctile
- complaint volume, own model years
- 0
- recall campaigns
The 2006 Chevrolet Equinox carries 950 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 26 crashes, 10 fires, 32 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2006 Equinox is visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system with 150 filings, followed by electrical system (130) and visibility (86). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2006 Equinox, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
950
Complaints
26
Crashes
10
Fires
32
Injuries
2
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
2006 Chevrolet Equinox
PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.
NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.
Crashes Reported
26 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM | 150 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 130 |
| VISIBILITY | 86 |
| ENGINE | 68 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 63 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 58 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 38 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 34 |
| STEERING | 30 |
| EQUIPMENT | 20 |
| POWER TRAIN | 19 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 15 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 15 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 14 |
| SUSPENSION | 13 |
Recent Complaints
20251117 SUSPENSION
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
20251117 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 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
20240223 SUSPENSION
Bent driveshaft
20240223 WHEELS
Bent driveshaft
20240223 STEERING
Bent driveshaft
20230627 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Unknown
20230109 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.
20221104 STEERING
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.
20221104 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. 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.
20221104 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
20211108 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
20211108 POWER TRAIN
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
20210604 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 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
20210215 SERVICE BRAKES
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.
Mileage: 90,000
20210118 SERVICE BRAKES
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
Mileage: 54,000
20210118 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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
Mileage: 54,000
20201027 SERVICE BRAKES
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.
Mileage: 172,000
20201027 VISIBILITY/WIPER
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.
Mileage: 172,000
20201027 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Mileage: 172,000
20200812 SERVICE BRAKES
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.
Mileage: 171,318
Compare 2006 Chevrolet Equinox to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 2 Open
EA25007 Engineering Analysis Open
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
PE23022 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
PE20016 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
EA20002 Engineering Analysis Closed
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
PE20011 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
Fuel Line Leak
Vehicle Safety Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox have?▼
The 2006 Chevrolet Equinox has 950 NHTSA complaints, 26 crashes, 10 fires, 32 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox?▼
The most-complained component for the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox is VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM with 150 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and VISIBILITY.
Is the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.