8.8
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $900
- Average Mileage:
- 79,400 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 121 complaints
Most common solutions:
- have GM recall part (41 reports)
- not sure (32 reports)
- replace the broken blend door (19 reports)
- fix door in vent system (12 reports)
- had problem fixed (6 reports)
- replace heater core (5 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
this is a serious problem in the winter. When you cannot defog your window
- Mark M., Charleston, Illinios, US
No heat to defog or de-ice the windows or to warm the interior.( a major safety issue) because of a defective cheap part, that requires totally dismantling the entire dash to get to it to replace it is absurd ! Come on GM, We have been very dedicated GM buyers, Our last 4 New vehicles were Chevys.., Not so sure next time
- Bill C., Lake Ozark, MO, US
it looks like i not the only person with this problem. i hear that it hs a poorly designed actuator and blend door. i emailed gm on line. no answer yet. there is no recall of this. this is bull! step up to the plate gm! if i don't get any satisfaction on this issue gm can kiss me goodbye as a customer forever!!!!!
- Guy V., Murrysvile, PA, US
Purchased my 2006 Chevy Equinox on valentines day 2011. Did not have to run the heat too much then but come the end of 2011 and very cold weather in Northwest Indiana I had no heat at all. Chevy dealer said it would cost over 1200.00 dollars to fix the problem because the extended warranty did cover this problem. I have to let you know that it is unbelievable that Chevy doesn't want or think they need to recall the heater door problem. I didn't build the car, and have been a lifelong Chevy owner, they did so if our government can help you to stay in business than maybe you should keep your customers happy. Don't make this problem the down fall of your reputation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Debra L., Porter, IN, US
The heater is blowing cold air!!! And winter is almost here!!!! Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- lury, Allentown, PA, US
My heater blend door had to be replaced to the tune of over $1000 and I was told there was no recall although this problem is typical of the 2006 Equinox. Anyway, I begrudgingly paid the fee. Three weeks later I received a letter from GRMC that if I filled out the form they included and took it to the dealer who fixed my problem I could request a refund of the amount I paid to have this part fixed. I did so, and am now waiting for a refund or a reject letter. Maybe life is fair and I will get my money back for a situation that should be taken care of by the manufacturer.
- Kathy E., Marshalltown, IA, US
After owning this vehicle for 6 years and 119,000 miles - The dealership FINALLY repaired this problem. I am really disappointed with the service I received
- debbiefor, Mount Vernon, TX, US
I was having this problem with the heater. It was only blowing cold are. Then I received a recall notice in the mail about the temperature control valve being recalled by GM. The only problem is that they are only warrantying the recall for 100,000 miles or five years, which ever comes first. But my vehicle has over 100,00 miles. I guess I am out of luck.
- Jack A., San Diego, CA, US
Having the heater blow cold air is extremely annoying, as well as, dangerous in the middle of winter! My heater decided to start blowing cold air in the middle of December. GM please recall the blend door so I can defrost my windows on icy mornings!
- jene4anaya, New Braunfels, TX, US
It is ridiculous that with so many having the same problem with this issue there is no recall. It is TOTALLY UNSAFE....it keeps your windows fogged up and happens when least expecting it. It is not a plastic door problem really it is the actuator malfunctioning, therefore it causes the plastic door to go to far and breaks it. So you not only replace the door you have to replace the actuator. BE SURE NEVER TO TURN AIR OR HEAT ON FULL BLAST....that will cause this to happen...always stay back from full about one or two notches!! It is too late for mine. Now they want almost $1500 to fix it!! I don't have that money laying around...not many do. So what am I supposed to do? TO fix this it entails taking the entire dash apart, all the electrical stuff apart...you would have to be a VERY ORGANIZED person as not one clip or screw is interchangeable therefore you HAVE to keep in exact location when replacing....a real hard job. THEY NEED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES or WE NEED TO SUE GM!!!!
- teej4601, Colcord, OK, US
cold air blowing from the heater of my 2006 Equinox just paid for who would of thought now this 800.00 to fix, I'm a single Mother where is the money going to come from have to drive like this until i can come up with money to have fix, it should be a recall so many complaints its happening to ALL 2006 Equinox!
- Leona S., Rockford, IL, US
So it's pretty cold outside and my heat doesn't work. Windows won't defrost or anything. It's a good thing I have 15 month old twin boys and this is our kid friendly vehicle. Looks like were stuck inside for the winter unless I spend like 1500 to fix it
- Chuck G., Cincinnati, OH, US
Absolutely ridiculous that this part would break and Chevrolet will not take responsibility. They have to completely take apart the dashboard to get to the vent door to replace and it costs $1,000.
- Sharon L., Kennesaw, GA, US
my heat went on my 2006 Equinox Ls. I took it to the dealer where i bought it and the just punched up what i said and didn't even look at it. He told me to hang on and said he was going to talk to someone else about the problem. He came back and printed out a service quote and it was a doozie. 1799.40 + Taxes. Thought he was crazy. Then thought he was just sayin a large price cause i'm a woman. Well all i got to say is that i think they should fix the problem, waranteeee or not. Are you with me people. FIX MY RIDE NOW!!!!!!!
- shelleymanitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
I just bought a 2006 Chevy Equinox. Days after buying it, the temperature outside lowered, and I had to use my defrosters, only to find that they did not work. I called the car dealer that I had bought the car from and they said that because it was a used car, My warranty is a power train warranty, so this is not a problem that will be covered. I looked it up on the internet, only to see that this is a common problem with the this car, and I do not know why this part has not been recalled by Chevrolet. This is a hazard on the car, it is unsafe to drive without a defroster. In researching some more, I see that the 2010 Chevy Equinox heater has been recalled.
- Jennifer B., Clovis, CA, canada
My heater in my 2006 equinox started blowing cold air on Oct. 22, 2011.Took it to a mechanic and paid $400 to have it fixed. Shortly after picking it up the heater started blowing cold air again. Took it back a second time and the mechanic went through a check list and reset everything and it still doesn't work. Now the mechanic is telling me it could cost up to $1000 to fix this problem. Since there are so many complaints with this (manufacturer) why has GM not had a recall? I'd like to know what GM is going to do about this? They need to fix this and make it right. If not, I will never buy another GM vehicle or recommend anybody else buy one also.
- grebe, Logan, W. VA, US
Bought the car used and had it one day and the heater started blowing cold air. Took it back to the dealer and they had to order the part. I had purchased the extended warranty hopefully it won't cost anything. I heard about this problem on the 2007 models and just found out about it on the 2006 models.
Update from Nov 30, 2011: Still waiting for the car to be fixed. Dealer ordered the part Monday, called me Tuesday and said the car wont be ready today, Wednesday no call from the dealer and obviously the car still isnt fixed.
- Don K., Lorain, OH, Denmark
This is some bullcrap. I have had 3 different people look at my car and the price is outrageous. They want $600+ to replace the blend door. As I am searching online, I'm finding many other complaints from people about the same issue. Why hasn't GM recalled this part??? They are just making money off of us and they have to know this is a problem. I called and filed a complaint with the company and I'm sure I wasn't the first. I just want some freaking heat, is that too much to ask for. You still want your money every month! I have children and this is a safety hazard. I can't defrost my windows. And it is getting colder and colder here in Michigan! I will not buy another GM vehicle!
- Jennifer W., Ann Arbor, Michigna, US
GMC is not really willing to help people with this problem.
- noribel, Tacoma, WA, US
So it is the end of January, one of the coldest days of the year and my wife has to drive our car with no heat around with our 3 month old baby. And now I find out that the proposed problem of why we don't have any heat or defrost in the car is going to cost between 800 -1000 dollars. And this is after I just had 2 o2 sensors replaced for an outrageous price and I also now need to have the catalytic converter replaced as well. How many 1000 dollar repairs will I need to do. Anyway, the sensors and catalytic convert issues are a separate problem. I'm focused on the NO HEAT issue now and why there is not a recall for a problem that is clearly a big issue if you spend 5 minutes on line researching.
- Jeffrey O., Plymouth Meeting, PA, US