Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Uplander. While driving 20 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 10V110000 (suspension). The vehicle was taken to rydell Chevrolet (located at 1325 e san marnan dr, waterloo, ia 50702, [phone]) to be diagnosed, but they were unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 62,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Uplander. While driving highway speeds, the contact heard an abnormal noise under the vehicle and noticed a bar hanging under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lower front body tie bar needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 61,000.
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.
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). …
The drivers side trailing arm failed on my 2006 Chevrolet Uplander. As a result of this failure, my van was unable to be driven and required a tow to the shop. This vehicle had been involved in a rear end collision November 2010. The driver's side rear bumper and wheel area took the impact, and part of the motorcycle went under my van. We in live in phoenix, arizona where the climate is fairly dry, no salt on the roads, and no freeze/thaw. I do believe if we lived in a area that experienced more moist, freeze/thaw or exposed to salt this part would have failure sooner than 5 months after the accident. According to the insurance company, they do not feel the accident had anything to do with the part failing since I had my van back in my possession for approximately 5 months. They feel it is a failure of the part or defective part. …
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* 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
Tl contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Uplander. The ABS light illuminated and the contact took the vehicle to the dealer. She stated that the dealer did not inspect the vehicle, but only attempted to sell her another one. She took her vehicle to another mechanic and was informed that the front struts and rear shocks needed to be replaced, the rear tires were wearing and cupping badly, 25% remained on the front brake pads, 30% remained on the rear brake pads, and the rotors could not turn. The vehicle was previously taken to the dealer prior to the failures because the rear tires were making noise. The contact believes that the dealer knew something was wrong with her vehicle and waited for the warranty to expire. The current and failure mileages were 50,632.
Related recalls
Suspension › Rear
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.
Remedy: 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.
Suspension complaints in other Uplander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the suspension of the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander, 13% of the model year's 158 complaints. The component named most often is front (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Uplander suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-110 (rear, Mar 19, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Uplander suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 29,000 miles, and 44% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to suspension 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.