What's Wrong with the 1st Generation Equinox?

Front 3/4 view of a Chevrolet Equinox

The 1st generation Equinox started in 2005 and runs to 2009.

Its PainRank™ score of 36.18 ranks 74th out of 80 eligible generations in reliability. The score is based on relative complaint analysis of the 1019 owners complaints on CarComplaints.com. A majority of the complaints are about hvac problems..

Compare With Other Equinox Generations

The Worst 2005-2009 Equinox Problems

Passlock Security

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One of Chevrolet’s solutions for stopping thieves from driving away with a car is, coincidently, doing the same thing to the actual owner.

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Takata Recalls

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A large number of Chevy vehicles have been recalled because they contain dangerous airbag inflators made by Takata. The shrapnel-hurling inflators have been recalled in over 37 million vehicles (and counting).

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Heater Blows Cold Air

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The most frequently complained about component of the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox is an unreliable climate control unit that doesn't warm the car or defrost the windows.

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What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

Worst Topics

Worst Years

By the Numbers

  1. 5 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 1,019 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 74th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 80 eligible generations.