Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||||
| 060232002 | 12/01/2006 | 060232002B | 10019478 | Normal operating characteristics of electric power steering (eps) system during extended lock-to-lock (maximum steering wheel rotation) usage. *tt | 03/16/2006 |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 02/01/2010 | 23000 | 1 | |
| My 2006 chevy equinox had four problems that were fixed by replacing the steering column and motor: * several incidents where i could not turn the key in the ignition until i jerked the steering wheel back and forth (out of frustration). * several incidents where i could not move the steering wheel after starting the engine on a hot day. turning engine off and restarting a few times finally engaged power steering assist. * several incidents where i lost power steering assist while turning corners and required assistance from the passenger to turn the steering wheel. * several incidents where i completely lost power steering and engine power while driving in rain. steering column was smoking, shaking side to side and up and down, and felt like the whole steering column was falling apart under my hands. the car slowed down and did not respond to the gas pedal, even though the engine was running. three times the escondido dealer said nothing was wrong because there were no failure codes. i thought it was wrong that i almost died and there is no error code for that, but realized i was talking to a wall. my problems continued and i went to the poway dealer who said the overheated steering motor was forcing the engine into protective mode. they asked me to leave my car and replaced the entire steering column and motor on gm warranty. none of the described incidents have recurred since replacing the steering column and motor. my problems seem similar to those stated in these complaint odi numbers: 10168607, 10181373, 10195505, 10207818, 10210502, 10245868, 10248789, 10250004, 10321311, 10364217, 10383115, 10383313, 10410417, 10419886, 10440553. these are very dangerous problems. i could have died several times and could have killed people in other cars on the road with me. i bought this car b/c my dad was a lifelong chevy fan. this is not my father's chevy. *tr | |||
| 02/01/2010 | 23000 | ||
| My 2006 chevy equinox had four problems that were fixed by replacing the steering column and motor: * several incidents where i could not turn the key in the ignition until i jerked the steering wheel back and forth (out of frustration). * several incidents where i could not move the steering wheel after starting the engine on a hot day. turning engine off and restarting a few times finally engaged power steering assist. * several incidents where i lost power steering assist while turning corners and required assistance from the passenger to turn the steering wheel. * several incidents where i completely lost power steering and engine power while driving in rain. steering column was smoking, shaking side to side and up and down, and felt like the whole steering column was falling apart under my hands. the car slowed down and did not respond to the gas pedal, even though the engine was running. three times the escondido dealer said nothing was wrong because there were no failure codes. i thought it was wrong that i almost died and there is no error code for that, but realized i was talking to a wall. my problems continued and i went to the poway dealer who said the overheated steering motor was forcing the engine into protective mode. they asked me to leave my car and replaced the entire steering column and motor on gm warranty. none of the described incidents have recurred since replacing the steering column and motor. my problems seem similar to those stated in these complaint odi numbers: 10168607, 10181373, 10195505, 10207818, 10210502, 10245868, 10248789, 10250004, 10321311, 10364217, 10383115, 10383313, 10410417, 10419886, 10440553. these are very dangerous problems. i could have died several times and could have killed people in other cars on the road with me. i bought this car b/c my dad was a lifelong chevy fan. this is not my father's chevy. | |||
| 07/12/2011 | 6015 | ||
| I've had three incidents while driving that i completely lost control of my steering. after turning the car off a mechanic started it up to check it out and it did not have a problem. it seems that after i turn the ignition off it resets itself. it has happened this way several times now that i was in a safe area but i do not feel safe driving it far from home.. | |||
| 08/31/2011 | 145000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet equinox. while driving approximately 65 mph, the contact drove over an uneven road surface and a popping sound was heard in the steering column. the steering wheel became loose and difficult to maneuver. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostics where the mechanic stated that the components in the steering column failed. the mechanic advised that the steering column would have to replace. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 145,000. kmj | |||
| 08/31/2011 | 145000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet equinox. while driving at approximately 65 mph the contact drove over an uneven surface in the road when there was a popping sound in the steering column. the steering wheel became loose and it became difficult to maneuver the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostics. the mechanic stated the components in the steering column had failed. the mechanic stated the steering column would have to replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 145,000. ds | |||
| 08/15/2011 | 76670 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet equinox. the contact stated while parking the vehicle the steering wheel malfunctioned, and the contact was unable to move the vehicle. the contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer. the dealer stated the steering column disconnected from the steering rack. the dealer stated the vehicle needed a new steering rack. the contact stated if the vehicle was driving at high speeds the vehicle could have caused a crash. the failure mileage as 76.670. vf | |||
| 08/15/2011 | 76670 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet equinox. the contact stated while parking the vehicle the steering wheel malfunctioned. the contact stated the vehicle was unable to move. the contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer. the dealer stated the steering column disconnected from the steering rack. the dealer stated the vehicle needed a new steering rack. the contact stated if the vehicle was driving at high speeds the vehicle could have caused a crash. the failure mileage as 76.670. jo | |||
| 06/30/2011 | 61450 | ||
| 2006 chevy equinox has steering column shudder, noise, vibration while turning and slowing from 45-5 mph. feels as if the entire steering column will fall apart in your hands. i have heard this may be a carrier bearing/intermediate shaft/steering column replacement issue. | |||
| 02/18/2011 | 54000 | ||
| I took my 2006 chevy equinox to dealership for power steering failure. we were losing steering functionality while driving. dealer did not find anything wrong. problem continued and after 2nd visit i was informed the entire steering column and motor needs to be replaced. i see from internet message boards this is a common problem with this vehicle. dealer and gm does not consider this a safety issue and requires auto owners to repair the vehicle at our cost. | |||
| 09/30/2010 | 107147 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet equinox. the contact stated the steering column wiring started to smoke causing the steering to fail. the vehicle was driven to the dealer who replaced the entire steering column. the repairs was not warranted the cost was $2,195. the manufacturer was not contacted. the failure mileage was 107,147...mw | |||
| 02/18/2011 | 54000 | ||
| I took my 2006 chevy equinox to dealership for power steering failure. we were losing steering functionality while driving. dealer did not find anything wrong. problem continued and after 2nd visit i was informed the entire steering column and motor needs to be replaced. i see from internet message boards this is a common problem with this vehicle. dealer and gm does not consider this a safety issue and requires auto owners to repair the vehicle at our cost. | |||
| 09/30/2010 | 107147 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet equinox. the contact stated the steering column wiring started to smoke causing the steering to fail. the vehicle was driven to the dealer who replaced the entire steering column. the repairs was not warranted the cost was $2,195. the manufacturer was not contacted. the failure mileage was 107,147...mw | |||
| 11/23/2008 | 28000 | 1 | |
| 2006 chevy equinox. upon turning on the car, in cool weather(25degreesf),the power steering failed to provide power assist. drove approximately 5 miles like this. later that evening around 1 hour later, went out and power steering worked properly. first and only time it happened to date. went to dealer to have it checked and they found nothing wrong, no failure or codes. warranty expires in 2 weeks. *tr | |||
| 11/01/2007 | 2 | 07/31/2007 | |
| 2006 chevy equinox problem with front end. consumer stated that the vehicle is making a noise in the front end. she states that the engine revs. *kb the consumer stated the steering froze twice.*jb | |||
| 09/23/2006 | 10200 | 1 | 07/01/2006 |
| I nearly ran off the road at 70 mph as i reached to turn on the defroster. i was saved by the sleep strip, which slowed the car down enough to regain control. this car has very loose and erratic steering and wobbles when changing lanes. i must slow down significantly to go around curves, even on the interstate. i had taken it in for warranty repairs 3 times prior to the incident. the dealer states that it is the electronic steering on this model car. after the incident, i took it in again and was told it was a characteristic of front wheel drive vehicles. i feel that the electronic steering in this car is not safe. *nm | |||
| STEERING - ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 11/15/2009 | 46000 | 1 | |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet equinox. the contact started her vehicle and all of the warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. she then tried to move the steering wheel and it was locked. the contact was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that they could not duplicate the failure. the contact started the vehicle a few months later and experienced the identical failure when she started the vehicle. the contact turned the vehicle off and back on and the steering failed to reset and function properly. the contact was driving 25 mph when she heard a clicking sound and after driving approximately 5 to 6 miles the power steering began to function. the vin was not available. the approximate failure mileage was 46000. the current mileage was 48000. updated 05/10/10 *bf the consumer stated the problem with the electric power steering has been fixed. the problem was determined to be a loose ground wire. updated 05/12/10. *jb | |||
| 11/03/2007 | 3 | 07/04/2006 | |
| Power steering failure. *tr | |||
| 07/14/2006 | 3400 | 3 | 05/22/2006 |
| On friday july 14, 2006 my wife came out of work at around 4:00 pm on a very hot day and attempted to start her equinox & when it started, the power steering was not engaged. i left in the middle of a game of golf and went to her aid. when i got there and started the car, the steering worked fine. we left it a the dealer for the next week where they could not reproduce the problem even though they did recover an error code indicating something failed in the ignition. they replaced the ignition. this problem again occurred on friday sept. 18, 2006 at approximately 4:00 pm on another very hot day. i called to get it towed & when they arrived approximately 2 hrs later, the problem again was not apparent. i had it towed once more to the dealer and informed them that i felt it was related to a very hot interior. they had it the entire next week and again found no problems, however, they replaced all of the electronics in the steering column that had to do with the electric power steering. sunday sept 17, 2006 after having the car 2 days, it froze up twice again while sitting in my driveway. all problems occurred on hot days where the car was closed up. the dealer currently has the car again and is telling me that he sees no problem. i am wondering why i bought the vehicle & why my car company is appearing to be of little or no help. *jb | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP | |||
| 07/03/2007 | 7500 | 2 | 09/06/2006 |
| After starting the vehicle, the power steering pump was at a complete failure. since then, the pump fails during some turns, and causes a very hard pull towards to outside of the turn. it requires a lot of strength to safely correct the problem. *tr | |||