Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 158 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 18 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 14 | 9% |
| Fuel system | 7 | 4% |
| Air bags | 6 | 4% |
| Suspension | 6 | 4% |
| Tires | 6 | 4% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 6 | 4% |
| Power train | 4 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 c
NHTSA complaint: Structure
While driving on highway, car suddenly shifted into neutral and I was unable to get it back in gear. Garage said it needs a new transmission. I was almost hit from car behind because I suddenly had lose of power. No warn
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Uplander. The contact stated while having the vehicle serviced at an independent mechanic, she was informed of a unibody construction failure, and that the vehicle was not safe to drive.
NHTSA complaint: Structure
Have a Braun van where I was sold a unit that the rails and floor are rust out and van is getting ready to split in half was not disclosed that it was ther and the unit had a recall in 2016 purchased ot in 2018
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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 FUL
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN A DUMP TRUCK DRIVER RAN A RED LIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY AT 50+MPH WITHOUT HITTING HIS BREAKS AT ALL. I WAS AT THE INTERSECTING LIGHT THAT WAS GREEN SO I HAD JUST STARTED TO PULL INTO THE INTERSE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE UPON ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT, SHE CROSSED THE INTERSECTION AND ANOTHER VEHICLE RAMMED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF HER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
LESS THAN 150,00 MILES WE NEEDED A BRAKE JOB DONE ON OUR VAN AND WAS TOLD BY THE REPAIR SHOP AND I QUOTE"THE VEHICLE IS SO ROTTED AND NEEDS TO BE JUNKED.THE BRAKES ARE NOT UNSAFE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT MY 1995 CHEVY C1500
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
Risk: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT D
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 BECAUS
Risk: WITHOUT THE PROPER LABELS, OWNERS MAY BE UNAWARE OF THE CORRECT TIRE SIZE AND MAY OVERLOAD THESE VEHICLES.
Fix: 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,
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
Fix: 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.
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.
Fix: 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 CONTA
| Reliability raw | 68 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 68 | good |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 33 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 158 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 18 of them (11%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 68/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.