NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 158 owner complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander. Most complaints involve electrical system (42) and structure (34). The EPA rates it 17–19 mpg combined.
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.
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 VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES ME AND MY GRAND DAUGHTER ARE HEADED OUT SHOPPING ON HIGHWAY 26 IN OREGON SUMMIT HIWAY THE RIG JUST SHUTS DOWN CKICKING THE DOORS WINDOWS MADE FUNNY NOISE AND GAS DOESN'T READ FULL WHEN FULL ,LIGHTS DIME AT NIGHT DASH LIGHTS GO OUT YOU HAVE TO WIGGLE THE LITTLE DASH BOARD THING TO MAKE THEM GO BACK ON SIDE MIRRORS WON'T ADJUST WITH PANEL IN DOOR ,AND JUST THIS PAST WEEK STARTED DOING SAME THING SHUT DOWN COME BACK ON OFF BY ITSELF SO HAD PULLED STARTER,BRAND NEW BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR ALL GOOD THIS HAS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SEEINGS HOW I LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS ON A VERY CURVY ROADS”
“The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Uplander. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal noise and noticed that the rear driver’s side door had intermittently became inoperable. The check fuel cap warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed. The vehicle had not repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 200,050. The VIN was not provided.”
“I LOOKED UP EVERY PROBLEM AN RECALL FOR THE 2006 CHEVY UPLANDER CAUSE WE BOUGHT THE VAN WHEN IT HAD 40,000 MILES SINCE WE GOT IT IT WAS IN AN OUT GETTING FIXED THE SIDING DOORS WOULD JUST OPEN THE ELECTRICAL WAS AN IS ALL MESSED UP THE BACK SUSPENSION MAKES A CLICKING SOUND WE HAD TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION THE STEERING KNUCKLE BROKE ARE VAN HAS EVERY PROBLEM AN RECALL THAT IS LISTED ABOUT THIS VAN BUT WHEN I BUT THE VIN IT SAID THAT IT HAS NONE THAT'S BULL IT'S HAS MORE THEN THEN EVEN HAVE LISTED THIS VAN WAS AN IS A LEMON SINCE WE GOT IT AN EVERYONE FROM THE BEGINNING DIDN'T WANT TO HEAR IT NOW IT BROKE DOWN AGAIN THE LIGHTS ARE GOING OFF AN ON, THE TEMP SHOOT TO HOT AN IT SHUT OFF PLEASE HELP ME AN MY WIFE WE HAVE THREE KIDS AN THIS VAN IS ALL WE HAVE WE PAID FOR ALMOST EVERYTHING OUT OF POCKET AN NOW WE CAN'T TO ME GM SHOULD FIX EVERYTHING THAT IS WRONG WITH IT AN ADD THE RECALLS THAT IT HAS OR IS THIS THE TYPE OF VAN THEY SELL I JUST DON'T NO HOW THIS MUCH CAN GO WRONG WITH ONE VAN THAT HAS NO RECALLS WE WHERE DRIVING IT WHEN THE STEERING WENT I DON'T NO HOW WE ARE STILL LIVING AN DID NOT WRECK SAME WITH TONIGHT WHEN ALL THE LIGHTS INSIDE AN OUT JUST WENT…”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uplander FWD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| Uplander FWD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| Uplander AWD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,650 | 523 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
4 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 158 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (42), structure (34), steering (27). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander at 17–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).