2006 Chevrolet Equinox Chevrolet Equinox 2006

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2006 Chevrolet Equinox repairs by problem area

Engine (33%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (7%)

Brakes and Traction Control (3%)

Suspension and Steering (23%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (22%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (5%)

Other (6%)

Chart based on 99 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox.

2006 Chevrolet Equinox repair cost distribution

$2500+ (5%)

$1000 - $2499 (16%)

$500 - $999 (7%)

$100 - $499 (33%)

< $100 (38%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 73 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2006 Chevrolet Equinox

Engine not specified

Chevrolet Equinox in Florida, United States
Oct 2013 - Dec 2013
Nov 2013

91300 mi

US $1200
AC would work for a short time then quit and blow out warm air 
Chevrolet Equinox in Florida, United States
Dec 2010 - Feb 2011
Feb 2011

77000 mi

US $400
Radio and driver information center stopped working. 300.00 for used radio, installed myself, 100.00 to program to vehicle. front wipers stop working and washers dont work at all. rear wipers and washers not working at all. 

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2006 Chevrolet Equinox 4dr SUV

185-horsepower 3.4L V6 5-speed automatic FWD

Chevrolet Equinox in Wisconsin, United States
Apr 2008 - May 2018
May 2008

32000 mi
Check engine light - PCV connection issue. Driver side door seal had excessive wear - Parts ordered. Daytime running lights inoperative - Canadian TSB - optional in USA - Replaced corroded resistor. 
Apr 2011

91300 mi

US $60
Diagnosis codes on OBDII showed Miss #4 cylinder and Knock sensor. Car due emmisions testing so replaced all 4 spark plugs and Knock Sensor. Resolved issue. 
Jun 2012

116000 mi

US $690
Replaced Left front Hub Assembly due to rough bearings and ABS failure Replaced Left front CV Shaft due to crunching sound while turning Replaced Both front struts and upper mount assemblies due to severe wear of left front strut and leakage on right front strut. 
Jul 2012

117000 mi

US $82
Left front CV Shaft failed at outer joint - this part was replaced 6 days prior with a remanufactured shaft acquired from a name brand auto store 
Oct 2012

122000 mi

US $186
Heat Blend air door and actuator failure - No heat issue when trying to adjust temperature. Troubleshot and found actuator out of normal position and door drive broken. Dealer wanted $1500+ to repair issue. DIY repair took 24 Hours. Original Battery failed, replaced with new. 6+ years on original. 
Jun 2017

153000 mi

US $2700
EGR tube leaking, Replaced EGR Valve and Tube, Both O2 Sensors. Replaced and catalytic converter. 
Chevrolet Equinox in Alberta, Canada
Jun 2010 - Jun 2022
Feb 2011

45880 mi

C $150
Clunking in back. Brought in twice before same problem. Bushings on sway bar had to be replaced drivers side window wouldn't work intermittantly 
Oct 2012

55800 mi
Ignition sticking 
Aug 2016

87620 mi

C $1000
Front end struts replaced 
Nov 2021

101060 mi

C $1100
Oil leak, gasket replaced 
Chevrolet Equinox in Washington, United States
Jan 2011 - Feb 2014
Feb 2013

102000 mi

US $200
Some tube that controls the airflow. It rattles loose and makes your check engine light come on. A known issue and there is a repair bulletin out for it. 
Mar 2013

104000 mi

US $1200
Some intake hose allowing too much air into the engine and causing the check engine light to stay on.It was a known issue as it was in the Bulletin. Dealer part and then it had to be recalibrated at the dealer to get the ck eng lite off 
Chevrolet Equinox in Pennsylvania, United States
Dec 2012 - Jan 2013
Jan 2013

70000 mi

US $1800
Head Gasket replacement - overheating issues 
Chevrolet Equinox in Arkansas, United States
Sep 2011 - Apr 2012
Oct 2011

92000 mi
Clean throttle body to fix erratic idle, surging, replace battery 
Chevrolet Equinox in California, United States
Apr 2010 - Jul 2016
Dec 2011

76000 mi

US $280
Check engine light. Lean code 171. Loose hose. Plus the clean throttle bony, improve starting. 
Jul 2016

135000 mi

US $200
Pcv valve hose 
Chevrolet Equinox in Louisiana, United States
Apr 2008 - Mar 2013
Oct 2010

36000 mi
Check engine light comes on when fuel tank is filled, and goes off when it reaches 3/4 full. I have not done any more diagnosis to see what the problem is, will report in the future. 
Mar 2013

49000 mi
Various intermittent engine electrical and fuel issues. CEL would come on then go back out. Also sometimes trouble starting. 
Chevrolet Equinox in Washington, United States
Nov 2008 - Jun 2016
Jan 2012

26200 mi

US $250
Windshield washer pump failure 
Chevrolet Equinox in Virginia, United States
Nov 2012 - Jun 2016
Jan 2016 front brake stuck due to restriction in hose caused by inner lining separation. Probably my fault for dropping caliper when changing pads. 
Chevrolet Equinox in Ontario, Canada
May 2008 - Sep 2011
Jun 2009

90520 mi

C $32
Both headlights were replaced about 2 weeks apart. 
Jun 2010

114700 mi

C $1600
Replaced both front struts as well. 
Aug 2011

141980 mi

C $392
Replaced front driver's side bearing. 
Chevrolet Equinox in Pennsylvania, United States
Mar 2014 - Aug 2014
Mar 2014

149000 mi
Catalytic Coverter 
Chevrolet Equinox in North Carolina, United States
Oct 2017 - Apr 2018
Dec 2017

120000 mi
had 1 headlight burn out so i replaced both headlights 

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2006 Chevrolet Equinox 4dr SUV

185-horsepower 3.4L V6 5-speed automatic AWD

Chevrolet Equinox in Ontario, Canada
Aug 2013 - Feb 2017
Sep 2014

78740 mi
Key sticking reported in 1st year. GM Canada has record. Reported again and told not a 2006 recall item but it is 2005 problem. This car built in 2005. 
May 2015

85540 mi
stabilizer bar repaired front passenger strut to be repaired leaking and making loud noise) 
Jun 2015

84940 mi
Replaced both struts and control arm bushings 
Jul 2015

85540 mi
Ignition key was sticking. Replaced on a recall. 
Aug 2016

94600 mi
New ignition also sticking. GM will not correct it. Say they will only pay to replace it once. 
Feb 2017

98580 mi

C $125
Arm which controls wipers started to smoke from inside steering column. 
Chevrolet Equinox in Ohio, United States
Jul 2013 - Jun 2015
Sep 2013

91000 mi

US $65
Brake pedal moan and crunching sound. Replaced wheel speed sensor. 
Apr 2014

94000 mi

US $75
Vehicle was making a grinding, rubbing noise. Replaced two u joints and the carrier bearing. 
Jun 2014

96000 mi

US $300
Load humming coming from the front of the car. Brake pedal pulsating and a groaning noise coming from the ABS pump. 
Chevrolet Equinox in Texas, United States
Feb 2011 - Sep 2017
Mar 2011

72000 mi

US $100
Weather stripping at top of rear hatch had disintegrated and torn loose. Water leaked if through car wash and wind noise had increased significantly. Pre-ordered part and took it into shop for installation. 
Jun 2011

76000 mi
Automatic running light indicator off in dash - didn't realize the low beam was out. Shop replaced no charge. Found a cracked headlight housing that was a comprehensive claim but they felt it was not related - just happenstance. 
Oct 2011

82000 mi

US $100
Starter failed without warning in shopping center parking lot. Towed to dealership. Part ordered and replaced next day. Upon pick-up, still had hard start. Technician took back into shop & re-programmed for successful completion of job 
Jan 2012

84000 mi

US $74
Check engine light on intermittently. Found CO171 set due to damaged PCV hose. Replaced PCV hose. Roaring/humming/dragging sound from front end. Found left front hub bearing internally faulted and pitted. Coolant Reservoir Low. Pressurized cooling system and found leaking lower intake gaskets. Replaced lower intake gaskets to correct. 
Oct 2012

98000 mi

US $100
Compressor leaking - replaced. Temperature regulator - stuck - replaced. Temperature diverter - stuck - replaced. All under extended warranty, hence the $100 out of pocket cost. New noise upon exiting from previous repair. Took back to shop on next work day. Unrelated according to them. Oxygen sensor failed. It was replaced with no labor charge. 
Nov 2012

99800 mi

US $66
Rear lift struts were losing compression and the lift gate dropped onto my son's head twice. Took car to parts store, they ordered the parts and replaced them for me with no labor cost. 
Aug 2013

116000 mi

US $339
Transmission cooling lines were leaking and it was reported by the company that did my oil change. Took to repair shop and both lines (in and out) had to be replaced. Mechanic checking as to why check engine light was on and found an air intake hose was partially loose. 
Mar 2015

147000 mi
Windshield sprayers not pumping fluid. Unable to repair; requires expensive replacement. Airbag warning light and check engine light appear on sporadically. No problem identified by shop. They still come on from time to time. No charge to customer. Noted water in both headlamps - required total replacement of casing - no separate seals available - very expensive - opted to not repair. Poorly designed lift gate top seal has torn off for the 4th time since purchase. Nothing they can do beyond replacing. Requested shop order part. They failed to do so. 
Apr 2015

148800 mi

US $498
Car would not start - towed to repair - started right up. Diagnostics run - replaced starter. Also replaced battery. Car would not start one day after previous battery and starter replacement. Called shop and owner came to my home. Slammed hood and car started. Determined to be faulty starter and replaced under warranty for this portion of the trip. Repair person noted wear on alternator drive belt (serpentine belt) and advised replacing 
Jun 2015

158000 mi

US $1000
Car overheated requiring thermostat replacement, radiator fan replacement, and fee for pressure testing radiator ands diagnosis of issue While attempting previous repair they had to remove front headlamp area to reach radiator. They said the fog lamp was "glued in" and they could not replace it after removing it. 
Jul 2015

158200 mi

US $900
As in June, AC fails to run at low speeds. Same problems reported in June and repaired in July occurred 2 weeks later. Required upgrade to OEM parts at my expense. Two days later same problem occurred while 350 miles away. Unable to return for repair. A/c fails to run under 30mph. 
Oct 2016

169000 mi

US $750
A/C cycling on and off rapidly Plastic piece on radistortion hosee to radiator broken causing fluid leakage and overheating Large radiator cooling fan not running, for the 4th time in 15 months. Part not under warranty, but labor was. 
Nov 2016

169800 mi

US $200
ERG valve was clogged - check engine light on - could not pass inspection. Mechanic removed, cleaned valve and replaced. Door Handle on driver's side broke internally. Required replacement handle and door panel removal and replace part and replace door panel 
Jan 2017

171000 mi
ERG valve clogged again. Son repaired in same way as November 2016 but check engine light will not reset. It's old. We are giving up. 
Chevrolet Equinox in Ontario, Canada
Jun 2009 - May 2010
Jul 2009

55180 mi

C $142
Driver door roller guide bar - not covered by warranty. 
Aug 2009

56420 mi

C $423
both front sturt towers were replaced due to leaks in both Right rear axle bearing replaced Left rear axle bearing replaced 
Jan 2010

C $453
Water at power car wash entered vehicle through drivers side seal and affected wiring harness connection on inner door post panel. Water affected all electronics. Connector was dried, cleaned and silicone sealed with shrink wrap and silicone. 
Chevrolet Equinox in Illinois, United States
Apr 2008 - Apr 2010
Mar 2009

40000 mi
Still the check engine light comes on every time the fuel tank goes from full to 1/2 full. The engine light comes on, and takes one full tank of fuel to clear. Shop still cannot come up with a reason, and the codes are not helpful. 
Jun 2009

40000 mi

US $3800
Steering shaft cracked and became disconnected from the steering rack causing driver to lose control of vehicle. Check engine light was FINALLY solved with a reflash (TSB) routine 40K maintenance done at this time. 
Aug 2009

44000 mi

US $2100
water pump failed, car had to be towed to dealer 
Oct 2009

46500 mi

US $2918
This is the second time this calendar year that there was a steering rack failure on this car. In addition, they needed to do suspension work: claiming that the bushings on the front suspension were worn out. At 46K. I think they are full of crap 
Mar 2010

49000 mi
The vehicle started having the same issue it has had over and over with the steering. It goes "light" and the driver's inputs to the steering wheel are not translated properly to the road. Turn right, car goes straight. Duplicated by dealer!!! Took the car home, but it didn't feel right still. There were wires hanging out of the steering wheel. ECU was updated with new software, and wires reconnected at no charge. This car is dangerous! 
Apr 2010

49000 mi
The vehicle was driven 9 miles from the dealer and the steering system failed again, 4th time in as many weeks. This time I was accelerating to freeway speeds and the steering froze. I was unable to steer, and it became a very dangerous situation.  The vehicle exhibited the issues, but even after replacing ALL of the steering components the car was not able to be safely driven. My company has removed the car from service and I am under the impression that it was "removed from service" by GM 
Chevrolet Equinox in Kansas, United States
Nov 2009 - Jul 2011
Nov 2009

54000 mi
U joint went out and dropped the drive shaft while driving down the highway @ 55 miles an hour causing the drive shaft to split the rear end in two. Chevy say's the drive train isn't under warranty anymore! Repairs are going to cost $3,700. No money! 
Jan 2010

52300 mi

US $1300
Rearend ran dry on grease causing the gears to lock up and crack the housing, damaging the driveshaft and both rear axles.  
Chevrolet Equinox in Alberta, Canada
Feb 2010 - Dec 2011
Nov 2010

103860 mi
Driver's side headlight failed and then one week later the passenger side failed. 
Chevrolet Equinox in Maryland, United States
Apr 2008 - Mar 2012
May 2009

60000 mi

US $852
When problem arose, called Onstar for diagnosis. Stated it was the Engine Cooling Fan System. Fan was still operating. Took it into local dealer. Fuse blew to fan motor and fan motor had high resistance. Dealer replaced both. 
Chevrolet Equinox in Ontario, Canada
Mar 2011 - Mar 2015
Apr 2011

123380 mi

C $1400
Major drivetrain problem, my AWD is now FWD. Cost for parts to repair was $1600 plus, unable to rebuild the driveshaft due to it being a very non-standard design. My repair shop says he knows 3 other former AWD driving around as FWD... 
Jun 2011

125860 mi

C $300
wheel bearing 
Oct 2011

128960 mi

C $1100
Many parts replaced in braking and suspension systems. 
Feb 2013

153720 mi

C $75
bulb replaced, housing fixed 
Feb 2015

173600 mi
Wheel bearing Fuel pump 

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2006 Chevrolet Equinox Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2006 Chevrolet Equinox problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.