2006 Chevrolet Express: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2006 Chevrolet Express: 16 recalls, 12 owner complaints and up to 15 mpg combined.
Recalls
16 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Steering Vehicle recall #05V455000 · 2005 · 123,592 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain passenger vehicles May have been built with a power steering hose that is not to specification. Under extreme steering maneuvers, such as turning the steering wheel fully to the left or right while braking, the hose May fracture and leak fluid.
Why it matters: If this were to occur, power steering assist would be lost and increased steering effort would be required. On vehicles equipped with hydro-boost power brakes, it could also result in loss of power brake assist and increased braking effort would be required. If the power steering fluid spray were…
The fix: Dealers will inspect the power steering hose(s) for two suspect date codes and replace them if required. The recall will begin on October 14, 2005.
Equipment Vehicle recall #05V552000 · 2005 · 32,068 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #05V558000 · 2005 · 425,593 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain full-size passenger, cargo, or cutaway vans, the front and rear seat belt buckles will not latch or will not unlatch.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, a seat occupant May not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the buckles and, if found to be inoperative, the entire buckle assembly would be replaced. For buckles found to be operative, dealer will replace only the upper buckle cover. The recall will be conducted in phases. The first phase mailing began during March 2006.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #08V238000 · 2008 · 4,003 vehicles
What's wrong: The front and rear seat belt buckles will not latch or will not unlatch.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, a seat occupant May not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the buckles and, if found to be inoperative, the entire buckle assembly would be replaced. For buckles found to be operative, dealer will replace only the upper buckle cover. The recall began on April 30, 2008.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility Vehicle recall #08V488000 · 2008 · 18 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 404, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the threshold warning system May not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.
Why it matters: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
The fix: Quality van sales is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095).
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility Vehicle recall #08V489000 · 2008 · 18 vehicles
What's wrong: These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 403, "platform lift systems for motor vehicles." the anti-stow interlock May not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or something…
Why it matters: A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.
The fix: Quality van sales is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095).
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility Vehicle recall #08V569000 · 2008 · 42 vehicles
What's wrong: These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 403, "platform lift systems for motor vehicles." the anti-stow interlock May not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or something…
Why it matters: A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.
The fix: Cummings is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097).
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility Vehicle recall #08V568000 · 2008 · 42 vehicles
What's wrong: These buses fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 404, "platform lift installation in motor vehicles." the threshold warning system May not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.
Why it matters: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
The fix: Cummings is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095).
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility Vehicle recall #09V038000 · 2009 · 3 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 404, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the threshold warning system May not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.
Why it matters: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
The fix: Obs is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095).
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility Vehicle recall #09V050000 · 2009 · 43 vehicles
What's wrong: These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 403, "platform lift system accessible for motor vehicles." the anti-stow interlock May not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or…
Why it matters: A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.
The fix: Mobility is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097).
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility Vehicle recall #09V049000 · 2009 · 86 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 404, "platform lift installations on motor vehicles." the threshold warning system May not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.
Why it matters: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
The fix: Mobility is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095).
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility Vehicle recall #09V272000 · 2009 · 185 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 403, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the anti-stow interlock May not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or…
Why it matters: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
The fix: Main mobility is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097).
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility Vehicle recall #09V270000 · 2009 · 185 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 404, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the threshold warning system May not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.
Why it matters: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
The fix: Main mobility is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095).
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility Vehicle recall #09V303000 · 2009 · 8 vehicles
What's wrong: The lift fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 404, "platform lift installations on motor vehicles." the threshold warning system May not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.
Why it matters: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
The fix: Van products is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lift free of charge (please see 07e095).
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility Vehicle recall #09V304000 · 2009 · 8 vehicles
What's wrong: These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 403, "platform lift system accessible for motor vehicles," the anti-stow interlock May not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or…
Why it matters: A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.
The fix: Van products is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097).
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility Vehicle recall #09V306000 · 2009 · 6 vehicles
What's wrong: These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 404, "platform lift installations on motor vehicles." the threshold warning system May not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.
Why it matters: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
The fix: Customizers is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lift free of charge (please see 07e095).
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Airbags (2): the most common themes are fails to deploy (2).
- Electrical (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Steering (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2006 Chevrolet Express has 12 owner complaints, ranking #21 of 31 Express model years for complaints (well below the 21 average). Complaints peaked in 2011 (3 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 62,529 miles. Neighboring years: 2005 (23 complaints, 8 recalls), 2007 (17 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | Regular |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2006 Chevrolet Express.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2006 Chevrolet Express have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 16 vehicle recalls for the 2006 Chevrolet Express. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2006 Chevrolet Express problems?
Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (2), airbags (2), electrical (2).
What gas mileage does the 2006 Chevrolet Express get?
EPA ratings run up to 15 mpg combined (4.3 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2006 Chevrolet Express repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.