Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Chevrolet Uplander owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 …
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
Our ABS light is on bought it that way lady said she had the ABS hub replaced but it still won't go off. Sometimes when your driving the traction control trying to kick in but in the middle of the road or highway is not the place for your car to jerk out of no where scaring the crap out of you especially when your surrounded by cars on all sides.these 2 lights stay on they will not go off I don't feel I should have to go through all of thy his again because of a manufacturer mess up. This has happened more than once but I'll list the last time below.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Uplander. While the vehicle was stationary, the fuel gauge stopped working and displayed "empty" even when the tank was filled with fuel. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 129,000.
The day we purchases our Chevy Uplander there was a problem with the air conditioning. The dealership replaced the o ring on the compressor and recharged the freon. After 2 and a half weeks of owning the vehicle and 750 miles on the vehicle I went on a trip to houston, tx with my 2 year old. The air began to blow steam and stopped working. I called my dealership and they advised me to call on star. They advised me where the closest dealership was I stopped there and they said they thought it was the actuator and they reset the computer and the air was working again. Two more times the air stop working on my trip. I stopped the car at my grandfather's house and a gas station and it reset it's self and the air began to work. I brought it to tomball parkway Chevy. And after 2 days of driving short distances they could not duplicate the problem. …
I have a 2006 Chevy Uplander lt and I started to have problems around 3,000 miles of ownership. It started with electrical issues (hard drive entertainment system, gas gauge, dimming lights, radio losing settings, hard starts, service ABS, and service traction control) and gradually moved to mechanical issues (clucking noises ? Front end, vibrations ? Front end, steering binding, and grinding noises from the front end). What has been replaced in hopes of fixing the issues are the hard drive to the entertainment system, main computer module (twice and reprogrammed several times), steering column, steering box, rack and pinion, front stabilizing control arms, front brake, front rotors resurfaced, ABS control module (never fixed the service ABS and service traction control). …
Vehicle has occasional flickering headlights. There are other occasional electrical system problems that last for one day only, but all day, and the next day are gone, until they repeat, but only for one day, every time. These are: the radio will not work; the alarm audible signal and dash indicator light for the parking brake being on will sound when driving, even though parking brake is not on; and the rear heater fan will come on and stay on at high speed even though it is switched off at the dash. Have taken the van to two dealers and they could not duplicate. Took vehicle to dealer service manager while the rear fan was blowing on its own. He observed the problem, but I had to make an appointment for the next week, and then, of course, the fan was not blowing. …
I kept getting false codes when using test meter to diagnose and repair vehicle after replacing fuel pump EVAP canister gas cap plugs wires brakes rotors the ECM had it reprogrammed to car I was still having the same problems after careful inspection I found under the drivers side passenger seat a series of lines that just simply plug through the vehicle exposed to all elements when driving I carefully unplugged the wires and noticed that they were all corroded and not functional while noticing this I had noticed its proximity to the fuel tank and fuel rails just days prior to my repairs I had smelled some burning smell it is to my opinion that this is not only a safety issue because its closeness to fuel rails and tanks but it is poor design in the manufacturing of the vehicle I now have a vehicle that sits in my driveway that I am afraid to put my family in because of the opportunity …
Purchased a 2006 Chevrolet Uplander lt in August 2006. Currently have 45,000 miles and is out of warranty. Since it was purchased, we have had two recurring problems. 1)interior and exterior lights "flicker" at night to the degree that it is a driving distraction and appear to represent the driver flashing their lights. This was taken to the dealer multiple times, and only once under warranty was a part replaced which did not resolve the problem. Now dealer continues to state that they cannot replicate the problem. 2)automatic sliding doors will not open or stay closed. This is a safety hazard as they also will no longer close completely. We have taken to the dealer numerous times and it is apparent that they no longer know what to do. We have replaced several parts trying to resolve the problem. Their last resolution was to turn off the automatic door feature. …
I bought my Uplander at dealership milage was at 24,000. The door would open and not close we finally got this fixed I hope. Just yesterday at milage 45,000 we had to replace tie rod on passenger side. Found out that it did not have grease pin on it called manufactor and they say someone had to have replaced it. I do not believe it had ever been replaced and this is what is causing tire wear and vibrations in the uplanders which also could cause accidents even deaths. Also when driving all lights will go off until you hit brakes I have had diagnotics checked to see if anything would show up. Nothing does. So this is a major concern also . There seems to be the same problems listed from almost everyone and some of these things could cost consumers their life or their families. …
Electrical complaints in other Uplander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the electrical system of the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander, 27% of the model year's 158 complaints. The component named most often is alternator/generator/regulator (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Uplander electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Uplander electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 30,000 miles, and 44% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.