2006 Chevrolet Express Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2006 Chevrolet Express has a Complaint Index of 42 and ranks 12th of 20 model years, with 12 complaints and 16 recall campaigns. NHTSA caps its verdict at Caution because of those 16 recalls, mostly for wheelchair-lift compliance issues, despite a below-average complaint index.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 42/100
- #12 of 20 Express years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 12
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 16
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 14.5
- 13 city / 17.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2006 Chevy Express problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags2 (17%)
- Brakes2 (17%)
- Electrical System2 (17%)
- Engine2 (17%)
- Structure & Body2 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (17%)
- Other1 (8%)
- Seat Belts1 (8%)
- Steering1 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (8%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report losing steering control at low speed, in one case leading to a crash into a roadside pole with a blown front tire.
- Airbag sensors reportedly fail to detect passengers, meaning the front passenger airbag would not deploy in a crash.
- Owners describe the ABS system activating without cause, greatly extending stopping distance at low mileage.
- Some report the vehicle jerking and stalling at highway speed with an ignition that needed repeated repair.
- Owners describe severe vibration at 30 mph tied to brake application that independent mechanics could not diagnose.
- Flywheel wear was reported as a recurring transmission issue, with owners saying redesigned parts wore out again.
2006 Chevrolet Express recalls
16 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 09V303000Jul 29, 2009Other8 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Van products is recalling 8 vans equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. The lift fails to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installations on motor vehicles." the threshold warning system may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.
Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
Remedy: Van products is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lift free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000.
- NHTSA 09V304000Jul 29, 2009Other8 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Van products is recalling 8 vans equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "platform lift system accessible for motor vehicles," the anti-stow interlock may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or something is still on the lift.
Risk: A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.
Remedy: Van products is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000.
- NHTSA 09V306000Jul 29, 2009Other6 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Customizers is recalling 6 vans equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installations on motor vehicles." the threshold warning system may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.
Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
Remedy: Customizers is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lift free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000.
2006 Chevrolet Express fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 13 MPG
- Highway
- 17.5 MPG
- Combined
- 14.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,475
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other Express years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Chevrolet Express reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 12 complaints and a Complaint Index of 42, ranking it 12th out of 20 model years for the Express, with a Caution verdict.
- Why is the 2006 Chevrolet Express rated Caution instead of Good?
- Its complaint index alone would suggest a better standing, but NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit, mostly for noncompliant Ricon wheelchair lifts, which caps the verdict at Caution.
- Does the 2006 Chevrolet Express have a wheelchair lift recall?
- Yes. Multiple 2009 recall campaigns cover Ricon platform-style wheelchair lifts installed on 2006 Express vans that failed federal lift installation and accessibility standards.
- What is the top problem area for the 2006 Chevrolet Express?
- Airbags is the top problem area, accounting for 17% of complaints, including a case where owners reported a near-fatal crash involving the airbag system.
- How does the 2006 Express compare to other years?
- With a Complaint Index of 42, the 2006 model sits in the middle of the range; 2011 and 2015 score better as Best years, while 2009, 2010, 2012, 2020, and 2021 rank worse as Avoid years.