2005 Chevrolet Uplander Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Chevrolet Uplander has a complaint index of 100, the highest of the 5 model years with data, and ranks worst (1 of 5). It carries an Avoid verdict, driven mainly by Structure & Body complaints (46% of total) and Electrical System issues (33%).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 5 Uplander years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 196
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 31
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17.5
- 15.5 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 31 / 1
Top 2005 Chevy Uplander problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body90 (46%)
- Electrical System65 (33%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires20 (10%)
- Brakes18 (9%)
- Engine15 (8%)
- Fuel System11 (6%)
- Other10 (5%)
- Steering9 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain9 (5%)
- Seat Belts8 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Power sliding doors jam, stick partially open, or require repeated motor and cable replacement.
- Headlights and interior lights flicker, sometimes traced to a wiring harness cut by the windshield wiper actuating bar.
- Airbags fail to deploy in crashes, including side impacts and rollovers at highway speed.
- Vehicle stalls when the fuel level drops below half a tank, especially on hills.
- A headlamp bulb holder loosened and melted surrounding wiring and housing, leading to a reported fire.
- A steering knuckle failure caused the wheel to jerk suddenly and the vehicle to strike a parked car.
2005 Chevrolet Uplander recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 10V110000Mar 19, 2010Suspension, Wheels & Tires5,375 vehicles
Suspension:rear
The braun corporation has notified NHTSA about a defect in certain model year 2005-2008 general motors mobility conversion, handicapped accessible low floor minivans. During conversion, the driver or passenger side trailing arm modification may not have been adequately welded.
Risk: A squeaking or clunking noise may develop. The trailing arm bushings may prematurely wear and the trailing arm may fracture or separate, allowing the rear axle to become partially separated from the chassis increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and will have a supply of retrofit parts available to remedy the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on june 4, 2010. Owners may contact braun at 1-800-488-0359.
- NHTSA 05V287000Jun 20, 2005Brakes14,600 vehicles
Parking brake
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, 'passenger car brake systems.' to meet the standard, the vehicle must not move for five minutes when stopped on a steep hill with the parking brake applied and the vehicle in neutral (n). Some of these vehicles failed this test.
Risk: When the parking brake is released, the driver may notice unintended braking when accelerating, decelerating, or coasting, and a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. Unintended vehicle movement could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for parking brake lever slippage at each rear brake caliper and replace the caliper if lever slippage is identified. The recall began on november 14, 2005. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or saturn at 1-800-972-8876.
- NHTSA 05V061000Feb 18, 2005Structure & Body18,850 vehicles
Seats:mid/rear assembly
On certain minivans, the outboard release handle on the impact-side second-row bucket seat may be actuated and the rear latches may unlatch early in a side impact crash. This was discovered in a side impact test run by gm, under conditions similar to NHTSA's new car assessment program (ncap) side impact test.
Risk: If the rear latches of the seat release early in a severe side impact, the front outboard latch may disengage and increase the potential for injury to the occupant of the seat.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the seat latch release handle and install a black plastic cap over the exposed metal stud to eliminate the side impact safety concern free of charge. The recall began on april 5, 2005. Owners may contact saturn at 1-800-972-8876, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, and pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.
2005 Chevrolet Uplander fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15.5 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 17.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,700
- 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.
2005 compared with other Uplander years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Chevrolet Uplander reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Uplander has a complaint index of 100, the worst among the 5 model years with data, and carries an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Uplander?
- Structure & Body complaints make up 46% of all complaints, largely tied to power sliding door failures, followed by Electrical System issues at 33%, often involving flickering lights and wiring harness damage.
- Does the 2005 Chevrolet Uplander have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2005 Uplander, covering brakes (parking brake caliper slippage), structure/body (second-row seat latch release), and suspension components on mobility conversion vans.
- How does the 2005 Uplander compare to other Uplander years?
- The 2005 model has a complaint index of 100, higher than 2006 (75), 2008 (50), and 2007 (25), which is rated Good. The 2005 ranks worst of the 5 years with data.
- What is the median mileage for Uplander complaints?
- Across all problem areas for the 2005 Uplander, median mileage at failure ranges from 26,773 miles for brakes to 77,500 miles for engine issues, with the overall median at 40,000 miles.