2006 Chevrolet EquinoxRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 695 owner complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox. Most complaints involve visibility (247) and electrical system (141). The EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined.
Safety recalls
Owner complaints by component
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Equinox model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 638 |
| 2006 | 695 |
| 2007 | 685 |
| 2008 | 370 |
| 2009 | 94 |
| 2010 | 784 |
| 2011 | 783 |
| 2012 | 685 |
| 2013 | 751 |
| 2014 | 549 |
| 2015 | 680 |
| 2016 | 399 |
| 2017 | 276 |
| 2018 | 410 |
| 2019 | 310 |
| 2020 | 318 |
| 2021 | 100 |
| 2022 | 182 |
| 2023 | 99 |
| 2024 | 192 |
| 2025 | 407 |
| 2026 | 79 |
| 2027 | 1 |
- Crashes reported
- 16
- Fires reported
- 9
- Injuries reported
- 20
- Deaths reported
- 1
What owners report most
Visibility
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THE HEAT IN THE VEHICLE DID NOT WORK, AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSIS THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.”
Electrical system
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IDLING, SMOKE SUDDENLY WAS PRESENT COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THROUGH THE AIR VENTS OF THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE DOORS LOCKED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE WINDOWS FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS TO BE TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE. A WINDOW WAS SHATTERED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS TO BE EXTRICATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR LOCAL DEALER WERE INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.”
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”
Engines, transmissions & drive
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Engines
- 3.4L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic 5-spd
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
EPA fuel economy by version
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equinox FWD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| Equinox AWD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
- 19mpg comb.
- 18mpg comb.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Maintenance basics
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
2006 Equinox questions
How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 9, 2026.
What are the most common 2006 Chevrolet Equinox problems?
Owners filed 695 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are visibility (247), electrical system (141), engine (68). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox get?
The EPA rates the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).