2006 Chevrolet Uplander Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2006 Chevrolet Uplander ranks 2nd worst of 5 model years with a complaint index of 75 and 158 complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Top problem areas are the electrical system and structure/body, each at 30% of complaints, with a median failure mileage as low as 30,000 on body issues.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #2 of 5 Uplander years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 158
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 14
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 14 / 0
Top 2006 Chevy Uplander problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System48 (30%)
- Structure & Body47 (30%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires31 (20%)
- Brakes30 (19%)
- Steering27 (17%)
- Fuel System20 (13%)
- Engine10 (6%)
- Other10 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain10 (6%)
- Airbags7 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering can jerk suddenly to one side while driving, leading to loss of control.
- Rear window wiper motor wiring harness has caught fire, knocking out doors, locks, and windows at the same time.
- Power sliding doors close partway then reopen and beep repeatedly, a problem that resists dealer cleaning and lubrication fixes.
- Vehicle stalls unexpectedly when accelerating from a stop or while on the highway, sometimes accompanied by clunking noises from the front end.
- Airbags have repeatedly failed to deploy in moderate to severe crashes, including rear-end and side impacts.
- Headlights and interior lights flicker or dim on their own, independent of acceleration or accessory use.
2006 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 06V051000Feb 15, 2006Other291 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
Certain cargo vans fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standards no. 110, "tire selection and rims" and no. 120. "tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars." these cargo vans were shipped without a tire and loading information labels because they were incorrectly designated as incomplete vehicles.
Risk: Without the proper labels, owners may be unaware of the correct tire size and may overload these vehicles.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with new tire and loading information labels and certification labels. At the customer's option, a dealer can perform the installation for them. The recall began on march 15, 2006. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.
- NHTSA 05V552000Dec 7, 2005Other32,068 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
Certain trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were shipped with tire and loading information labels listing an inacccurate vehicle capacity weight.
Risk: A misprinted label could lead to improper vehicle loading specifications or tire inflation which could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with corrected labels and installation instructions. At the customer's option, a dealer can install the label for them. The recall began on march 31, 2006. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, hummer at 1-800-732-5493, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, saturn at 1-800-972-8876, or isuzu at 1-800-255-6727.
2006 Chevrolet Uplander fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,400
- 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 Uplander years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander reliable?
- It ranks 2nd worst among 5 model years of the Uplander, with a complaint index of 75 and 158 NHTSA complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Uplander years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander?
- NHTSA data shows the Electrical System (30% of complaints) and Structure & Body (30%) are the top problem areas, followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires (20%) and Brakes (19%).
- Does the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2006 Uplander, covering suspension/wheel issues on mobility conversion vans and tire label labeling defects; none are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2006 Uplander compare to other years?
- The 2005 Uplander has a higher complaint index of 100 and is also rated Avoid, while 2007 (index 25) is rated Good and 2008 (index 50) is rated Caution.
- At what mileage do 2006 Uplander problems usually show up?
- Median mileage at failure for this model year is 37,000, though structure/body issues showed up at a median of 30,000 miles and steering issues at 25,337.