AI Damage2006 Chevrolet Uplander: common problems
Owners of the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander filed 158 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and structure. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 158
- involving a crash
- 7
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 27% of all complaints
- 2 Structure 22% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 17% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 16% of all complaints
- 5 Suspension 13% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 10% of all complaints
- 7 Latches, locks, linkages 9% of all complaints
- 8 Tires 8% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 42 complaints (27% of all).
- Structure: 34 complaints (22% of all).
- Steering: 27 complaints (17% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 25 complaints (16% of all).
- Suspension: 20 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 3.9 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 158 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 42 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 34 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 27 | 3 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 25 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 20 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 16 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 13 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Air bags failed to deploy when a dump truck driver ran a red light on the highway at 50+mph without hitting his breaks at all. I was at the intersecting light that was green so I had just started to pull into the intersection to cross over the highway.the front driver's side quarter panel is smashed to the motor, hood…
The air bags did not deploy. The contact was transported to the hospital by ambulance as the contact sustained knee and body pain. The contact stated that her front seat passenger, rear seat passenger, and a baby in a child seat later sought medical attention at the emergency room however, their injuries were unknown.
The air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained injuries to his bones, head, and eye sockets. The passenger sustained a fractured collar bone, scratches, and bruises. Both occupants required medical attention. A police report was filed.
I was hit from behind on february 4, 2012 on campcreek pkwy in college park ga, because my vehicle stalled when I pressed the gas to take off from the red light, it clunks when making turns, it sounds as if something is loose on the front end, and has made these sounds since I've had it, I have had to repair the…
I was driving my uplander when the vehicle jerked to the left. It resulted in my driving over a concrete median and causing $4000.00 of damage to vehicle. I did not realize until I picked the van up from repair that this may possibly not be my fault.
The check fuel cap warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed. The vehicle had not repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 200,050.
No warning lights or any issues indicating something was wrong prior to this incident. Vehicle is available for inspection
This has happened several times me and my grand daughter are headed out shopping on highway 26 in oregon summit hiway the rig just shuts down ckicking the doors windows made funny noise and gas doesn't read full when full ,lights dime at night dash lights go out you have to wiggle the little dash board thing to make…
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 2,523 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 7% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Uplander has 117 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 158, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, structure, steering. Total complaints: 158. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (11%), knocking, grinding or other noise (11%), headlights and tail lights (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2006 Chevrolet Uplander from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2006 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.