The Lemon Index
200520071st generation
Not enough data. Only 19 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.
19 owner complaints, first 3 years 14–15 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 14 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 14V706000 (equipment adaptive/mobility) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Do all the seat belts latch and retract?
- Chevy sent dealers 818 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “This SKU is a Pitman Arm”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 19 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 41K miles (0K to 66K km) on the car (14 of all 19 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Drag link snapped left me without steering left rd. Slammed into phone box.
2006 Chevrolet Express owner · NHTSA complaint 10256219
More owner reports
2006 Express 3500 chevy van with slight knock in the front end when making turns customer wants the matter looked into*
NHTSA complaint 10195718
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 16.4M views · 1996–2024 Chevrolet Express
- Intake, EGR & engine sensors641K views
How to Replace Crankshaft Position Sensor 2003-2021 Chevy Express 3500TRQ · 185K views · 6 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door607K views
How to Replace Main Temperature Blend Door Actuator 2003-2021 Chevrolet Express 3500TRQ · 132K views · 10 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors420K views
How to replace the handle on a sliding door of a 2007 Chevy Express VanPriesty Boys · 175K views · 6 videos - Cooling system392K views
How to Replace Water Pump 2003-2021 Chevrolet ExpressTRQ · 122K views · 6 videos
Show 3 more
- Infotainment, battery & electrical374K views
How to Replace Starter 2003-2021 Chevy Express Van 3500TRQ · 103K views · 8 videos - Steering & suspension186K views
How to Replace Upper Ball Joint 2003-2021 Chevrolet ExpressTRQ · 65K views · 3 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank173K views
How to Replace Fuel Pressure Regulator 2003-2021 Chevrolet Express 3500TRQ · 83K views · 3 videos
Before you buy, watch
2003 CHEVY EXPRESS TURN SIGNAL PROBLEMSJoe Dixon · 162K views
Top 5 Problems Chevrolet Express 2500 Van 2003-2025 2nd Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 52K views
How Reliable is a 2004 Chevrolet Express 2500 Cargo Van POV Test DrivePOV Nelson · 20K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2006 is the same generation.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 818 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This SKU is a Pitman Arm
- All applicable vehicle applications are without electronic accessory control system option
- Steering noise when turning left
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2014
The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Chevrolet Express recall, all years · All Chevrolet recalls
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side — · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,000–$4,300 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.3L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Express year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 1 older years (2003–2003, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 3 Chevrolet Express years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2006 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-express/?y=2006" title="Chevrolet Express reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-express/2006/">Lemon Index</a> (2006 Chevrolet Express reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2006 Chevrolet Express reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 19 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2006 Chevrolet Express problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (26%), seat belts (16%) and doors, locks & latches (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet Express have?
1 safety recall (latest: equipment adaptive/mobility). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Chevrolet Express get?
14 to 15 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2006 Chevrolet Express have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2006 Chevrolet Express cost in fuel a year?
About $4,000 to $4,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Chevrolet Express have?
4.3L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Express year is better than the 2006?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2011 drew the fewest (less than a sixth as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works