Is the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander a bad year?
158 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Uplander years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander are in line with other Uplander years.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2006 Uplander owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 32,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 42 (27%) | 5k–64k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Body structure | 34 (22%) | 14k–69k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 27 (17%) | 18k–50k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Brakes | 25 (16%) | 22k–79k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Fuel system | 20 (13%) | 28k–76k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Suspension | 20 (13%) | 23k–95k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Latches and locks | 15 (9%) | 10k–54k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 12 (8%) | 10k–88k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 10 (6%) | 36k–104k miles · ahead | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 5 (3%) | 49k–114k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Tires | 13 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 8 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 32,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 158 complaints: 7 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 7 report an injury · 4 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Nov 2023.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander: 4
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. 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.
A potential material or design defect could result in the steering knuckle breaking in the hub area. A broken steering knuckle could result in loss of steering control and a possible crash without warning.
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." Without the proper labels, owners may be unaware of the correct tire size and may overload these vehicles.
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. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 208
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Power sliding door
Power sliding door opening
Neighbouring years
2005 Uplander: 196 complaints, keep it · 2007 Uplander: 109 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Uplander year
2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · All Uplander years side by side
Other Chevrolet models: Chevrolet Astro · Chevrolet Avalanche · Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 · Chevrolet Aveo · Chevrolet Blazer · Chevrolet Bolt EV · Chevrolet Camaro · Chevrolet Captiva · Chevrolet Cavalier · Chevrolet Cobalt · Chevrolet Cobalt SS · Chevrolet Colorado · Chevrolet Corvette · Chevrolet Cruze · Chevrolet Equinox · Chevrolet Equinox EV · Chevrolet Express · Chevrolet HHR · Chevrolet Impala · Chevrolet Malibu · Chevrolet Malibu Classic · Chevrolet Malibu Maxx · Chevrolet Monte Carlo · Chevrolet S10 · Chevrolet Silverado · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD · Chevrolet Silverado 2500 · Chevrolet Silverado 3500 · Chevrolet Sonic · Chevrolet Spark · Chevrolet Suburban · Chevrolet Suburban 1500 · Chevrolet Tahoe · Chevrolet Tracker · Chevrolet Trailblazer · Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT · Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT 370 · Chevrolet Traverse · Chevrolet Trax · Chevrolet Venture · Chevrolet Volt. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander a bad year?
158 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Uplander years. At 32,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (42), body structure (34), steering (27), brakes (25), fuel system (20).
How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 10V-110), Steering (NHTSA 09E005000), Equipment (NHTSA 06V-051), Equipment (NHTSA 05V-552). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.