Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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 …
A deer ran across the road. In an effort to avoid a collision, my wife swerved but the vehicle began to spin around and she could not control it by counter steering. My wife struck a post sideway on driver side. The vehicle was declared a total lost by california insurance who has the vehicle.
Purchased in jan 06. By sept 11, 2006 steering wheel became tight and heard noise under car when driving. Steering shaft was binding and had to be replaced; could not locate noise. Said May be related to steering shaft. Sept 20, 2006, took car back to dealership for noise under van again; was told e-brake cable was hitting rear suspension. February 11, 2007, had to replace front worn tires with only 23, 275 miles on car and have an alignment. March 9, 2007, traction control and ABS lights coming on as well as vehicle shaking. Was told front brakes were 100% worn and back brakes were 80% worn and would not be replaced under warranty because this was normal wear and tear.(only had 23,989 miles on van). April 19, 2007, heard noised while driving, heard something like a spring pop, service engine light was coming on, and it was stalling when trying to start. …
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). …
Our 2006 Chevy Uplander first starting having problems at about 20,000 miles when our tires (continental brand that came installed on brand new vehicle from dealer) needed to be replaced due to severe cupping on all 4 tires. We were told it was an alignment issue, so we had the tires replaced and had a 4 wheel alignment. Tires needed to be replaced again at 45,000 miles due to same cupping issue. Again, another 4 wheel alignment was performed. Fuel sensor was reading empty on a full tank of gas and the float was replaced at 16,000 miles. Now at 50,000 miles, sensor reads consistently empty again on a full tank of gas. Severe rattling/vibration from under the vehicle at highway speeds that resonates from between the front driver and passenger seats. (possibly e-brake cable or heat shield?) both front and rear shocks and struts needed to be replaced at 54,000 miles. …
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. …
Tl contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Uplander. While driving 50 MPH, the steering column shook violently. The contact had to firmly hold the steering wheel. There were no warning lights illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the front brakes and rotors failed. The vehicle was repaired at the cost of $122.07. Seven months later, the failure recurred. The contact managed to safely maneuver the vehicle to her destination. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the two front tires were failing. In addition, the vehicle failed the road force diagnostic test. The failure still persists and has not been remedied. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that no compensation would be provided because there were no current recalls. The failure mileage was 23,000 and current mileage was 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Uplander. The contact stated that while driving at any speed, there was a loud clunking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The failure was recurring the vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the intermediate shaft, rack and pinion would need replacing. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The repair was made three times but to no avail. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that they would be liable for the repairs if they found that the exact same repair was needed to correct the failure. The vehicle was inspected again and the dealer stated that the bushings were what needed to be replaced. The bushings were replaced however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure multiple times. The approximate failure mileage was 3000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Uplander. While driving approximately 5 MPH on normal road conditions, the anti-lock braking system began to fully engage for a brief moment unexpectedly. The contact stated that the traction control, ABS and vehicle stability control warning indicators would illuminate intermittently. In addition, the driver and passenger automatic sliding door would not operate properly. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer numerous times for the failures where the sliding doors, steering shaft, yaw sensor, sir module and hub bearings were replaced yet all except the sliding door failure recurred. Most recently, the contact stated that when driving the automatic sliding door chime would activate continuously. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 14,873.
Tl* - the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Uplander with a current and failure mileage of 34,000. The contact stated that sometimes when the vehicle was parked or when driving she would feel the vehicle vibrating. The vibrations were more pronounced on the driver's side. Every time the vehicle went over a bump she heard a rattling noise from under the front of the vehicle, and it sounded like something was loose. The contact had the dealer look at the vehicle , and was told that the wheel bearing needed to be replaced. The contact had the wheel bearing replaced , but the problem recurred. The dealer reprogrammed the power train control module, and replaced power steering. The lights would become dim at times. The dealer replaced the generator voltage regulator. Update 05/22/07
Steering complaints in other Uplander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander, 17% of the model year's 158 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Uplander steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 27,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.