The Lemon Index
200520071st generation
Avoid · most complaints: electrical
76 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2006 Kia Sedona 2042006 Mazda MPV2006 Nissan Quest 149
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,000 and 32,000 miles (6,400–51,000 km) (the middle half of the 56 complaints, of all 76 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 10V110000 (suspension), 09E005000 (steering) and 06V051000 (equipment) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Chevy sent dealers 705 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Intermittent no crank, no start and/or dead battery”?
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 76 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 4K to 32K miles (6K to 51K km) on the car (56 of all 76 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
2006 Uplander mini cargo van head lights and dash light rapidly change intensity, or flutter.
2006 Chevrolet Uplander owner · NHTSA complaint 10156217
More owner reports
Dt*: the contact stated at various speeds, the head lights and the dash lights intermittently failed without warning. The dealer replaced the voltage regulator however this did not correct the problem.
NHTSA complaint 10166217
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 3.7M views · 2005–2009 Chevrolet Uplander
Most-watched topics
- Transmission & shifter195K views
2008 Chevrolet Uplander Transmission FlushDon Smith · 90K views · 5 videos - Brakes & ABS189K views
Brief 2007 Chevy Uplander Info with ABS issueTurbo231 · 95K views · 11 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical151K views
2005 uplander battery replacement and diag for charging system alternator testD Sweet Designs · 33K views · 10 videos - Cooling system148K views
2005 Chevy Uplander 3.5L bad water pump.Fixers Automotive · 60K views · 5 videos
Show 4 more
- Steering & suspension105K views
2005 Chevy Uplander Strut Replacementtravisgrindal · 60K views · 5 videos - Oil leaks & gaskets82K views
Fix It Right! :: Intake Manifold Gaskets - 2005 Chevy Uplander 3 5L :: Part ONEOneSourceAutomotive · 56K views · 3 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors52K views
2007 Chev Uplander Door Lock Repair - Doors won't Lockimabushwacker · 28K views · 3 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring46K views
2006 Uplander 3.5L Electrical Problem - DansDan Woods · 29K views · 3 videos
Before you buy, watch
2008 Uplander Power Sliding Door problemsDon Smith · 66K views
2005-09 Chev Uplander Headlamp Change and a few other problems along the way!!!!Quebec Garage · 3K views
2008 Chevrolet Uplander LT Review, Start up and WalkaroundJustins Car Reviews · 149K 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.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 705 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittent no crank, no start and/or dead battery
- Power steering clunk, knock noise
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Suspension · recall issued 2010
THE BRAUN CORPORATION HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA ABOUT A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 GENERAL MOTORS MOBILITY CONVERSION, HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE LOW FLOOR MINIVANS.
- Steering · recall issued 2009
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIO…
- Equipment · recall issued 2006
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." THE…
Show all 4 recalls
- Equipment · recall issued 2005
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 LAB…
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
Government investigations
- ClosedPower sliding door2007–2009
- ClosedPower sliding door opening2007
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,150–$3,550 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.9L 6-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Uplander year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 1 older years (2009–2009, 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 5 Chevrolet Uplander years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-uplander/?y=2006" title="Chevrolet Uplander reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" 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-uplander/2006/">Lemon Index</a> (2006 Chevrolet Uplander reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 205; 100 is average, lower is better). The Chevrolet Uplander year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2007.
What are the most common 2006 Chevrolet Uplander problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (29%), steering (18%) and tires (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander have?
4 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander get?
17 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Uplander problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,000 and 32,000 miles (6,400–51,000 km) (the middle half of the 56 complaints, of all 76 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2006 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 to $3,550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander have?
3.5L 6-cyl, 3.9L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet Uplander year is better than the 2006?
Nearby, the 2007 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about two-thirds 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