RoadVitals

2005 Chevrolet Uplander Suspension Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Suspension reportsComplaints 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.
13
Latest Mar 5, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 196 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Chevrolet Uplander submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 13 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming suspension

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structureSuspension
Filed Mar 5, 2019

WHILE DRIVING DOWN I-75 IN MICHIGAN DOING ~75MPH, I FEEL A SHARP TUG THEN A SWAY. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME AND INSPECTED IT. THE WELDS ON THE BODY TO THE ATTACHING POINT OF THE REAR AXLE HAD BROKEN AND THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WAS TRACKING SIDEWAYS. THANK GOD NOTHING BAD HAPPENED, WE HAD ALL SIX OF OUR KIDS WITH US WHEN IT WENT OUT AT 75MPH.

NHTSA ID
11184428
Incident
Feb 23, 2019
Mileage
250,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Mar 20, 2018

2005 CHEVY UPLANDER LT. UNDERCARRIAGE RUSTED ON BACK PASSENGER SIDE WITHIN 9 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, CAUSING SEPARATION OF THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL FROM THE BODY OF VEHICLE. WHEN DRIVING, YOU CAN HEAR/FEEL CLUNKING/SQUEAKING NOISE WHICH SOUNDS LIKE THE TIRE IS GOING TO COME COMPLETELY OFF THE CAR. AREA AFFECTED CANNOT BE REPLACED NOR WELDED AS THIS CAN BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE IMAGES THAT CAN BE SENT VIA EMAIL.

NHTSA ID
11080389
Incident
Feb 8, 2018
Mileage
198,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jun 22, 2017

TAMARA RECALL AS I WAS DRIVING WITH MY WHOLE FAMILY IN OUR VAN, THE LEFT TRAILING ARE BROKE OFF. THEREFORE, MY AXLE STARTED TO FALL OFF. I COULD NOT STOP US. MY BREAKS DIDN'T WORK, SINCE IT SNAPPED MY BREAK LINE TOO. I WAS ONLY GOING 25MPH. ONCE WE CAME TO A STOP, WE GOT OUT, AND MY LEFT BACK TIRE WAS UNDER MY BUMPER.

NHTSA ID
11000594
Incident
Jun 21, 2017
Mileage
113,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Apr 7, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRAILING ARM OR THE TRAILING ARM BUSHING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V110000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 05/26/16*LJ

NHTSA ID
10854101
Incident
Feb 5, 2016
Mileage
100,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jan 20, 2012
Crash reported

ON DECEMBER 15, 2011, A 2005 CHEVROLET UPLANDER WAS DRIVEN ON A SIDE STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. WITHOUT WARNING, THE WHEEL JERKED OUT OF THE DRIVER'S HAND AND THE VEHICLE STRUCK A PARKED VEHICLE AND CAME TO A STOP. NO ONE WAS INJURED. A FORENSIC ENGINEERING INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FAILURE OF THE RIGHT STEERING KNUCKLE WAS THE SOLE CAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT. THE PART NUMBER ON THE FRONT OF THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE STEERING KNUCKLE IS "INTERMEDIATE 0472 98 U/W R". THE CASTING NUMBER ON THE REAR OF THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE STEERING KNUCKLE IS "0800 561 220". NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09E005000 REFERS TO FAILURE OF STEERING KNUCKLES MANUFACTURED BY DORMAN PRODUCTS, INC. THIS RECALL STATES THAT, "A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA." THE HUB AREA IS ALSO THE AREA WHERE THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING KNUCKLE FRACTURED IN THIS INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10444678
Incident
Dec 15, 2011
Mileage
99,261 mi
BrakesSuspension
Filed Feb 15, 2010

THE ABS LIGHT ON THE VEHICLE CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. THE LIGHT STARTED GOING ON AND OFF REGULARLY SO THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE DEALER SAID THE FRONT WHEEL HUB BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT THESE WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. BOTH FRONT WHEEL HUB BEARINGS WERE REPLACED AT OUR OWN EXPENSE BUT THEN THE LIGHT STARTED GOING ON AND OFF AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THIS TIME THEY SAID THE COMPUTER & WIRING SYSTEM WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO INDICATED THAT THIS HAD BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL BUT NOT ENOUGH CONSUMERS WERE AFFECTED TO GENERATE A RECALL SO WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR OURSELVES AS WELL. THE DEALER HAS INSTRUCTED US THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE REPAIRS ARE MADE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10310477
Incident
Jun 1, 2009
Mileage
70,200 mi
BrakesElectricalInterior & seats+1 more
Filed Oct 23, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WOULD NOT STAY LATCHED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT SHE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR HAVING THE DOOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SIX TIMES NOW FOR THE LATCH FAILURE AND THE DOOR OPENING ON ITS OWN. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS RETRIEVED FROM THE DEALER, THEY STATED THAT IT WAS REPAIRED WHEN IT WAS NOT. WHEN THE BUTTON WAS PRESSED TO CLOSE THE DOOR, IT WOULD BEGIN TO SHUT AND AN ALARM WOULD SOUND; HOWEVER, IT WOULD NOT SHUT AND FLEW OPEN WHILE DRIVING. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DOES NOT INDICATE THAT THE DOOR IS AJAR. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR IS BEGINNING TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME FAILURE. NEITHER THE WEATHER NOR THE SPEED WERE FACTORS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,043. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, CHECK BRAKE CONDITION, AND HUMMING NOISE LEFT FRONT HUB AREA. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

NHTSA ID
10206612
Incident
Aug 15, 2007
Mileage
49,043 mi
ElectricalFuel systemInterior & seats+2 more
Filed Aug 25, 2007
1 injury reported

THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY TRIES TO START THE CRANK KEEPS TURNING BUT DOES NOT START. AS WELL AS I WAS TRAVELING ON FREEWAY WITH A BIG RIG ON THE SIDE OF ME AND THE CAR STALLED AND STEERING LOCKED. THANK GOD I MANAGED TO GLIDE OVER TO THE EXIT LANE. I WAS TERRIFIED AS WAS MY PASSENGER. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE GAUGES I NOTICED I WAS OUT OF GAS, BUT I HAD JUST PUT IN $20 . CHEVY SENT OUT TOW TRUCK TO GIVE ME GAS, BUT CAR STILL WOULD NOT START. FINALLY HOURS LATER CAR WAS TAKEN TO CHEVY. WHEN UPLANDER WAS FINISHED THEY SAID IT WAS ELECTRICAL SHORT DUE TO WATER IN LINES. WEATHER WAS GREAT NO RAIN OR PUDDLES ANYWHERE. UPLANDER ALMOST STALLED ON ANOTHER NIGHT LIGHTS DIMMED AND TIRES STOPPED ,BUT THEN IT WORKED FINE. STRANGE VERY!!! DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR OPENS OR SHUTS WHEN IT WANTS. MY DAUGHTER WAS IN HER CAR SEAT AND I PUSHED BUTTON TO CLOSE DOOR SHE PUT HER FOOT UP TOWARDS DOOR AND IT SHUT AND LOCKED. LUCKILY HER TENNIS SHOES WERE A LITTLE BIG SO ONLY MINOR BRUISING OCCURRED. HOWEVER MY DAUGHTER IS TERRIFIED OF CAR. ALSO I HAVE ALREADY PUT 6 NEW TIRES ON CAR BECAUSE THEY WERE BALD AT 13,000 MILES FIRST TIME. TIRES IN FRONT ARE BALD AGAIN. UPLANDER IS NOT STABLE TO DRIVE ON HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10200759
Incident
Jul 1, 2006
Mileage
11,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalSuspension
Filed May 21, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, THE ALERT BELL BEGAN TO RING AND THE DOOR FAILED TO SHUT. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUSH THE BUTTON TO RELEASE THE DOOR. ONCE THE DOOR OPENED, IT WAS FINALLY ABLE TO BE CLOSED. THE VEHICLE'S HORN DOES NOT WORK. IN ADDITION, THE STARTER IS BAD. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNS THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE FAILS TO START. SHE MUST DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION IN ORDER FOR IT TO START. THE RIGHT WINDOW REMAINS OPEN WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE IT WITH THE OVERHEAD BUTTON. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTS. WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT HEARS A NOISE COMING FROM THE SUSPENSION. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 18,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12. THE CONSUMER STATED WATER NOW LEAKS INTO THE VEHICLE WHEN IT RAINS AND VEHICLE IS VERY WET BEHIND 3RD ROW. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

NHTSA ID
10191384
Incident
Apr 26, 2007
Mileage
12 mi
Suspension
Filed Apr 6, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS RANGING FROM 45 AND HIGHER THERE WAS A LOUD RATTLING NOISE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE DEALER LUBRICATED THE FRONT SUSPENSION , AND STATED THAT DUE TO A MANUFACTURER'S INVESTIGATION THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO . THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 11500. *AK

NHTSA ID
10187217
Incident
Dec 1, 2006
Mileage
11,500 mi
Interior & seatsSteeringSuspension+1 more
Filed Mar 2, 2007

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2005 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENED AND CLOSED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES. THE DEALE ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT EITHER THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR THAT THEY HAD REPAIRED IT. ON ONE OCCASION, THE DEALER REINSTALLED A LOOSE LOCK ROD. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE SLIDING DOOR MODULE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. WHEN THE DOOR MALFUNCTIONED THE WARNING INDICATOR WAS A BELL ALERTING HER THE DOOR OPENED, THERE WERE NO OTHER WARNING INDICATORS. THE FRONT TWO TIRES WERE REPLACED AT 14,000 MILES DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. THE BACK TWO TIRES WERE REPLACED AT 24,000 DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. THE CONTACT STATED AT 37,000 MILES, THE VEHICLE NEEDED FOUR NEW TIRES DUE TO WEAR. THE DEALER SAID THE CAUSE WAS DUE TO THE TIRES NOT HAVING BEEN ALIGNED WHEN THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES HAVE HAD TO BE RESURFACED TWICE. SHE HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOUR TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED TWO STEERING GEARS IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DEALER REPLACED STRUTS AND THE STABILIZER BAR, HOWEVER THE KNOCKING NOISE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT HAD THE REPAIR. INVOICES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37000.*AK

NHTSA ID
10184034
Incident
Jul 6, 2006
Mileage
24,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingSuspension+1 more
Filed Nov 28, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT SUSPENSION PULLED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SUSPENSION WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED A FRONT ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED. AFTERWARDS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED ALL FOUR TIRES WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE CONTINENTAL P225/60R17. ADDITIONALLY, THE DASH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED ON AND OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN IDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE SENSOR FOR THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRES AND LIGHTING SENSORS, THE PROBLEMS PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA ID
10174574
Incident
Nov 28, 2006
Mileage
26,000 mi
EngineSuspension
Filed Jan 6, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACTED STATED THE VEHICLE MAKES NOISE AND VIBRATES EXCESSIVELY WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL OR TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. VEHICLE SPEED DOES NOT AFFECT THE SOUND OR VIBRATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR INSPECTION. THE LOCAL DEALER NEVER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. SO THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AND NOTED THEM ON A SERVICE INVOICE "RUB MARKS ON THE LEFT DRIVE AXLE, THE REAR MOTOR MOUNT IS NOT HOLDING THE ENGINE SOLID AND THE ENGINE IS MOVING EXCESSIVELY ON THE CRADLE." THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SUSPECTS THE CASTER OR CAMBER MAY BE OUT CAUSING OUTER TIRE WEAR ON BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE TIRES. THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP ONLY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND THEY NEVER MADE ANY REPAIRS, AS THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHO NEVER DIAGNOSED A SPECIFIC PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIRES, STRUTS, HUBS AND SOME UNDERCARRIAGE PARTS. THE CONTACT FINALLY RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE MANUFACTURER OFFERING TO PROVIDE THE CONTACT WITH A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE OF DAMAGE TO THE UNDER CARRIAGE, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER NEVER SPECIFIED HOW THEY CAME TO THIS CONCLUSION.*AK

NHTSA ID
10147093
Incident
Dec 20, 2005
Mileage
11,000 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .