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2006 Chevrolet Uplander Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2006 Chevrolet Uplander has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Power sliding door opens unexpectedly or fails to latch.” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander.

Reported to NHTSA

Power sliding door opens unexpectedly or fails to latch

STRUCTURE

35 NHTSA complaints · 2006-08 → 2023-11

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR SLID SHUT AS THE CONTACT'S CHILD ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS WALKING AROUND TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, WHEN THE SLIDING DOOR SLID SHUT PINNING THE CHILD TO THE DOOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10164110
“WE PURCHASED A 2006 CHEVY UPLANDER ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. MY HUSBAND WORKS THIRD SHIFT AND AS HE WAS LEAVING WORK HE NOTICED THE DOOR WAS WIDE OPEN. HE SHUT IT THINKING HE MUST HAVE FORGOTTEN TO DO SO BEFORE AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE HOME. ON HIS WAY HOME AT ABOUT 45 MPH THE DOOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10339650
“I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY UPLANDER, ALMOST FROM THE BEGINNING I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC DOORS. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THEY WOULD "DO ALL THEY COULD" BY CLEANING THE TRACK AND LUBRICATING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10278311

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering and front suspension component failure

STEERING

21 NHTSA complaints · 2006-09 → 2019-06

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET UPLANDER.THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL SOUND FROM THE FRONT END. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A FRACTURED TIE ROD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10454390
“ME AND MY WIFE BOUGHT A 2006 CHEVY UPLANDER FROM KARMART WHEN WE TEST DROVE IT WE NOTICED A NOISE IN THE FRONT END. WE ASKED THE SALESMAN WHAT IT COULD BE HE SAID OUR CARS ARE INSPECTED 100 PERCENT AND IT IS NOT ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10242028
“TL*-THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PURCHASED THE 2006 CHEVROLET UPLANDER TRUCK ON 04/2006. HE WOULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED ZIG ZAGGING ACROSS THE ROAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10184850

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

ABS warning light and brake system failure

SERVICE BRAKES

18 NHTSA complaints · 2007-04 → 2018-08

“THE PLACEMENT OF THE REAR BRAKE LINES ON THIS VAN ARE RIGHT UNDER THE FRAME, SO WHEN IM DRIVING AND THE VAN IS GOING UP AND DOWN DUE TO BUMPS IN THE ROAD THE FRAME CUTS INTO THE BRAKE LINE AND EVENTUALLY BRAKES THE LINE CAUSING THEM TO LEAK AND ME HAVING HORRIBLE BRAKES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10512999
“I OWN A 2006 CHEVY UPLANDER I NOTICED THAT WHEN COMING FROM STOP IT WOULD PULL AND WOULD POP TO GO SO I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED NUMEROUS TIMES HAVE REPLACED C.V JOINTS, STRUT MOUNDS STRUTS SHOCKS AND STILL WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM SO THEN I WENT AND REPLACED ALL BRAKES AND ROTORS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10533428
“SERVICE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON.WE HAVE HAD THE VAN IN FOR SERVICE NOW OVER SEVEN TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM,THE LAST ONE BEING TODAY...08/21/2009. IT STILL IS NOT FIXED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10281362

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tire tread separation and sidewall cracking

TIRES

6 NHTSA complaints · 2006-08 → 2014-12

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT 65MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, DURING CLEAR, DRY CONDITIONS, A THREE INCH SECTION OF TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE CENTER OF THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE, EXPOSING THE BELT BENEATH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10165399
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL CONTITOURING TIRES, SIZE A/S P225-60R17 (NA). WHILE PERFORMING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE TIRES WERE CRACKING BETWEEN THE TREAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10278053
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET UPLANDER EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR ASSURANCE TIRES, SIZE P225/60R17. THE CONTACT STATED THAT 3/4 OF THE TIRE SIDEWALLS COLLAPSED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10663700

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission slipping or failing to engage gear

POWER TRAIN

6 NHTSA complaints · 2006-12 → 2022-01

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11446864
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO THE DRIVE POSITION, THE GEAR FAILED TO ENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10871661
“THE 2005 CHEVROLET UPLANDER VAN I PURCHASED MAKES A BAD GROWLING/FRICTION NOISE ORIGIINATING FROM THE REAR DRIVETRAIN/WHEEL AREA WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. THERE IS APPROX. 22,000 MILES ON THE VAN AND STILL IS UNDER WARRANTY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10177348

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical voltage fluctuation dims or flickers lights

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

21 NHTSA complaints · 2006-02 → 2021-01

“2006 CHEVY UPLANDER PURCHASED BRAND NEW 2 MONTHS AGO. THE HEADLIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY FLICKERING/DIMMING, WITH OR WITHOUT ACCELERATION AND WHILE RADIO, AND HEATER ARE OFF. OTHER DRIVERS ARE BLOWING THEIR HORNS AT ME AND I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10151458
“I BOUGHT A 2006 CHEVROLET UPLANDER USED IN AUGUST AND EVER SINCE I GOT IT THE LIGHTS FLICKER AND DIM. YOU CAN HEAR THE FANS GO DOWN IN SPEED. IF YOU WATCH THE VOLTAGE IT WILL GO FROM AROUND 15 VOLTS DOWN TO 11.9 VOLTS AND THEN JUMPS RIGHT BACK UP TO 15 VOLTS OR SO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10304319
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11387796

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel gauge inaccurate reading and unexpected stalling

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

11 NHTSA complaints · 2006-08 → 2017-03

“REMEMBER TO KEEP YOUR UPLANDER'S GAS TANKS AT LEAST HALF FULL! UPLANDER FUEL GAUGE SHOWS GAS TANK IS A QUARTER FULL, HOWEVER, VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY RUNS OUT OF GAS WHENEVER ON A DOWNHILL SLOPE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10723372
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT NO FUEL WAS PRESENT WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10249394
“THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE GAS TANK FILLER NECK, THE FLAP AT THE NECK IS MISSING AND MAY HAVE FALLEN IN THE GAS TANK. UPLANDER VAN HAS 7,800 MILES ON VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10167125

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbags failed to deploy in crash

AIR BAGS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2017-03 → 2020-11

“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 INTERSECTION TO CROSS OVER THE HIGHWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11374804
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER FIVE TIMES AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11132767
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10968912

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

On 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid every 45,000 miles — sooner if towing or off-roading. Use GM Auto-Trak II fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

82 crashes 1990–2024

How the 82 occupant deaths break down

48

driver deaths

34

passenger deaths

82

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2006 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

7

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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