RoadVitals

2006 Chevrolet Express 3500 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Apr 3, 2017
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
12
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 Chevrolet Express 3500, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Steering317.6%
  • Seat belts211.8%
  • Brakes211.8%
  • Interior & seats211.8%
  • Other / unspecified15.9%
  • Powertrain (other)15.9%
  • Tires & wheels15.9%
  • Body & structure15.9%
  • Transmission15.9%
  • Electrical15.9%
  • Engine15.9%
  • Fuel system15.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS PREMATURE WEAR OF THE STEERING DUE TO THE PITMAN ARM ROLLING AGAINST THE OUTER AND INNER TIE ROD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. *TR

NHTSA ID 10524218 · filed Jul 10, 2013

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING CENTER LINK UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH CONNECTS THE TIE RODS TO THE WHEEL, MOVES ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE CAUSES THE TIRE TREAD TO WEAR EXCESSIVELY. ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED IN SLIPPERY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID 10227086 · filed May 8, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED THAT SEAT BELTS FAILED. THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW MIDDLE SEAT BELTS WERE INSERTED BACKWARDS INTO THE BUCKLE. THE SEAT BELT LOCKED IN THE BUCKLE AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE SEAT BELT WAS CUT TO RELEASE THE PASSENGER. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY THE DEALER, WHO ORDERED THE APPROPRIATE PARTS FOR REPAIRS. THE PARTS HAVE NOT ARRIVED. THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK UPDATED 03/09/06. *JB

NHTSA ID 10145266 · filed Dec 15, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT A SEAT BELT FAILURE. THE REAR PASSENGER MIDDLE SEAT BELT WAS INSERTED BACKWARDS INTO THE BUCKLE. THE SEAT BELT LOCKED IN THE BUCKLE AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE SEAT BELT WAS CUT TO RELEASE THE PASSENGER. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY THE DEALER, WHO ORDERED THE APPROPRIATE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR. THE PARTS HAVE NOT ARRIVED. THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK

NHTSA ID 10145265 · filed Dec 15, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EXPRESS CUTAWAY G3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 6 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY. HE QUICKLY APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, WHICH WAS ABLE TO IDLE THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A BRAKE FLUID LEAK. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE WARRANTY COMPANY. THE WARRANTY COMPANY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THIS ISSUE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

NHTSA ID 10397528 · filed Apr 26, 2011

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON DRY PAVEMENT APPROACHING A RED LIGHT A, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH TO INDICATE A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. AFTER KICKING THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD A COUPLE OF TIMES, THE PEDAL RELEASED ENOUGH TO SLOWLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT DETERMINED THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID 10164538 · filed Aug 4, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVERS SEAT WAS LOOSE AND ON INSPECTION DEALER FOUND THAT THE RAIL WAS BROKEN, THE VAN ONLY HAS 72785 MILES. IF THE SEAT HAD COME LOSE WHILE VAN WAS IN MOTION, IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED AND ACCIDENT. I NOTICED IT WHEN I TOOK THE VAN FOR INSPECTION.

NHTSA ID 10970323 · filed Apr 3, 2017

WE PURCHASED A CHEVY EXPRESS 15-PASSENGER VAN IN APRIL 2006. SINCE THAT TIME, THERE HAVE BEEN ABOUT THREE FAILURES OF THE FRONT, SIDE "BARN DOOR." A MODERATE AMOUNT OF WIND CAN CATCH THE DOOR AND STRETCH IT TOWARD THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHERE IT CAN AND HAS COLLIDED WITH THE FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR EDGE CAUSING A DENT IN THE BARN DOOR. IT APPEARS THAT A STRAP OR ANCHOR WITHIN THE BARN DOOR IS STRETCHED OUT OF SHAPE. A SAFETY HAZARD OCCURS WHEN A PERSON WALKS BETWEEN THE FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR AND THE FRONT BARN DOOR. THIS IS THE POINT OF IMPACT. THIS BEGAN SOON AFTER THE PURCHASE OF OUR VAN AND HAS RECURRED AT LEAST TWICE. OUR CHEVY DEALERSHIP REPAIRED IT ONCE BUT REFUSED TO REPAIR IT AGAIN IN JULY 2007. IT REMAINS UN-REPAIRED. *JB UPDATED 10/11/07. *JB

NHTSA ID 10202477 · filed Sep 11, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

PAINT (WHITE) IS FALLING OFF VAN AT HOOD, SIDES AND MOSTLY ON AREAS WHERE THESES WELDED AREAS...DEALER SAID THEY NEVER SEEN THIS ISSUE?? I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF THE SAME ISSUE ON OTHER VANS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10504434 · filed Mar 25, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WE PURCHASED AN EXPRESS VAN IN THE SPRING OF 2006. TRUCK ENGINE BLEW UP AT 6000 WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. IN JANUARY 2014, WE TOOK THE CAR INTO A DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT STALLED 3 TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VAN. APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS LATER, ON FRIDAY THE 24TH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WE THEN TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AT THIS POINT THEY TOLD US THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS THE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAD JUST OVER 32,000 MILES WHEN TRANSMISSION BLEW UP IN JANUARY OF 2014. AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THE CAR CONTINUED TO STALL AND WAS TAKEN BACK INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT HAD A BUSHING BROKEN IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THIS VAN CONTINUES TO STALL AND AT TIMES FAILS TO START. WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE STALLING PROBLEM THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING IS THE SAME AS THE CARS THAT ARE PART OF THE RECALL AND EXPRESS VANS SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE LIST OF RECALLED VEHICLES. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 33,000 MILES ON IT AS OF MARCH 2014. *TR

NHTSA ID 10567711 · filed Mar 6, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VALVE STEMS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE STEMS WERE ROTTED. THE VALVE STEMS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 10682974 · filed Feb 12, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

PAINT (WHITE) IS FALLING OFF VAN AT HOOD, SIDES AND MOSTLY ON AREAS WHERE THESES WELDED AREAS...DEALER SAID THEY NEVER SEEN THIS ISSUE?? I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF THE SAME ISSUE ON OTHER VANS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10504434 · filed Mar 25, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2006 CHEVY EXPRESS 3500 CARGO VAN WITH DURAMAX ENGINE AND 4L80 TRANSMISSION MADE A 'WHINING' NOISE AT SLOW SPEEDS SINCE IT WAS BRAND NEW. AT ABOUT 31,000 MILES I FINALLY CONVINCED THE DEALERSHIP SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. IT HAD SOME KIND OF BAD BEARING AT THE REAR OF TRANSMISSION. THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION WITH A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION. 7,000 MILES LATER THE VAN SUDDENLY LOST REVERSE GEAR AND I HAD TO GET IT PUSHED IN ORDER TO BACK UP. GM IS REPLACING SOME PARTS, BUT NOT THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION. FROM OTHER POSTS ON YOUR WEBSITE THIS TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE AN UNSAFE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID 10223772 · filed Apr 9, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 45-60 MINUTES, IT WAS FOUND SMOKING AND ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. THERE IS CURRENTLY AN OPEN INVESTIGATION (NUMBER PE08010) FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 10,000. UPDATED 3/19/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED INSURANCE ADJUSTER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE DETERMINED THAT IT WAS EXTENSIVE ENOUGH DAMAGE TO BE DEEMED AS TOTALED. UPDATED 03/19/08 *TR

NHTSA ID 10217801 · filed Feb 12, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WE PURCHASED AN EXPRESS VAN IN THE SPRING OF 2006. TRUCK ENGINE BLEW UP AT 6000 WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. IN JANUARY 2014, WE TOOK THE CAR INTO A DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT STALLED 3 TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VAN. APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS LATER, ON FRIDAY THE 24TH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WE THEN TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AT THIS POINT THEY TOLD US THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS THE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAD JUST OVER 32,000 MILES WHEN TRANSMISSION BLEW UP IN JANUARY OF 2014. AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THE CAR CONTINUED TO STALL AND WAS TAKEN BACK INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT HAD A BUSHING BROKEN IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THIS VAN CONTINUES TO STALL AND AT TIMES FAILS TO START. WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE STALLING PROBLEM THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING IS THE SAME AS THE CARS THAT ARE PART OF THE RECALL AND EXPRESS VANS SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE LIST OF RECALLED VEHICLES. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 33,000 MILES ON IT AS OF MARCH 2014. *TR

NHTSA ID 10567711 · filed Mar 6, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

PERSON WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE 2006 GM CHEVROLET TRUCK EXPRESS SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT A TREE. THE CAR HAD BEEN BROUGHT IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOTHING WAS DONE AT THE DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ID 10332174 · filed May 25, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .