Problems · by component

2006 Chevrolet Equinox electrical system problems

141 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox cite electrical system, 20% of all 695 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
141
20% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 9, 2020Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11298186
“DRIVER SEAT IS HAVING A SHORTAGE. SEAT MOVED ALL THE WAY BACK AND DOES NOT MOVE ANYMORE. THE MOTOR ON THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT IS EXTREMELY HOT AND THE SEAT IS HOT. IT MAKES A NON STOP NOISE FROM THE SHORTAGE. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE HOT SEAT. IT IS MY ONLY VEHICLE TO GET TO WORK AND MY KIDS TO SCHOOL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 10, 2019Electrical system, SeatsODI 11254563
“I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AND THE FLOORBOARD IS STAYING WET, LIKE STANDING WATER. I'VE RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND IT APPEARS THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THEM. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS IT MAKES IT FEET WET AND SLIP OFF THE BREAK AND GAS PEDDLES. WHY HASNT GM FIXED THIS? NOT TO COUNT THE ELECTRICAL PART INVOLVED! CAN WE SAY FIRE HAZARD?? COME ON GM, DO YOUR JOB!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 5, 2019Electrical system, StructureODI 11229529
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE EMERGING FROM THE VENTS ON THE DASHBOARD. AFTERWARDS, SMOKE STARTED TO EMERGE FROM THE SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 4, 2019Steering, Electrical systemODI 11217720
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE EMERGED FROM BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE BEGAN ON APRIL 1, 2019. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,045.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 8, 2019Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11194720
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT DETECTED A BURNING ODOR. ALSO, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING TURNED OFF AND THE RADIO SIGNAL WAS LOST. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GRAY-DANIELS CHEVROLET (601-863-8466, LOCATED AT 6080 I-55, JACKSON, MS 39211), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE SAME DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 17, 2019Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11170651

Showing 6 of 141 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.