RoadVitals

2006 GMC Savana

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
7
Latest Apr 25, 2017
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
7
Latest Apr 6, 2023
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 GMC Savana, most frequently naming the engine, body & structure and brakes categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 805 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine225.0%
  • Body & structure112.5%
  • Brakes112.5%
  • Airbags112.5%
  • Steering112.5%
  • Tires & wheels112.5%
  • Electrical112.5%

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

Safety recalls

7 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Apr 6, 2023
150,830 units potentially affected
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. When the HVAC blower motor circuit is left unused with exposed connectors and wiring, the circuit can corrode and overheat.
The risk: An overheated electrical circuit increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will properly seal the rear HVAC blower motor circuits at the left side B-pillar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222386050.
General Motors, LLCManufacturer number N222386050View on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Jul 6, 2009
185 units potentially affected
The defect: MAIN MOBILITY IS RECALLING 185 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VANS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1, 2005 AND JUNE 25, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. 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.
The risk: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.
The remedy: MAIN MOBILITY IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR MAIN MOBILITY AT 1-716-759-6811.
MAIN MOBILITY, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Jul 6, 2009
185 units potentially affected
The defect: MAIN MOBILITY IS RECALLING 185 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VANS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1, 2005 AND JUNE 25, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. 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 SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.
The risk: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.
The remedy: MAIN MOBILITY IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR MAIN MOBILITY AT 1-716-759-6811.
MAIN MOBILITY, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Apr 25, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC SAVANA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN PROMPTED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE...UPDATED 09/11/17 *BF

NHTSA ID
10980453
Incident
Apr 4, 2017
Mileage
72,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 23, 2015

TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC BECAUSE IT WAS MAKING A NOISE,HE LOOKED AT IT AND FOUND 5 EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKEN,CHECKED THE INTERNET TO FIND THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES WITH GM V8 MOTORS HAVE THIS PROBLEM.THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR BEING PASSED ON TO CONSUMERS BY A LARGE CORPORATION WELL AWARE OF THIS DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10701130
Incident
Mar 23, 2015
Mileage
70,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 18, 2014

OUR TECHNICIAN WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE AIRBAG SIGNAL CAME ON IN THE LOWER LEFT CORNER OF THE DASH AND WAS ON FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS, TECH SMELT AN ODOR SIMILAR TO SOMETHING SHORTING OUT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE HE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE ENTIRE PROCESS LASTED ABOUT 30-40 SECONDS FROM THE TIME THE LIGHT CAME ON UNTIL THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10658835
Incident
Nov 18, 2014
Mileage
195,559 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 23, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC SAVANNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL TO START AND THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN BRAKING. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE ABNORMALLY WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND WAS ADVISED THAT A HOSE WAS LEAKING FROM THE HYDRAULIC ASSIST FROM THE POWER STEERING. THE MECHANIC ALSO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD ALSO CAUSE AN ISSUE WITH BRAKING. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V455000 (STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST: HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 05/31/12*LJ

NHTSA ID
10456089
Incident
Apr 17, 2012
Mileage
110,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 24, 2009

THE 2 SIDE DOORS FOR PASSENGERS FAIL TO OPEN PROPERLY BECAUSE THE HINGES FAIL TO OPERATE CORRECTLY AND STOP THE DOORS FROM OPENING PROPERLY. SO WHEN OUR CHILDREN ARE IN THE VAN, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE DOORS TO ALLOW THEM TO EXIT BECAUSE THE HINGES LOCK UP. WE HAVE ALREADY HAD THE HINGES REPLACED 4 TIMES BY THE DEALERSHIP AND NOW THEY ARE DOING IT AGAIN. EVENTUALLY, IF WE PUSH HARD ENOUGH WE CAN BREAK THE HINGE AND THE DOOR WILL THEN SWING OPEN. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 2 OTHER OCCASIONS. THE PROBLEM NOW IS WE CAN ONLY OPEN THE DOORS ABOUT 8-10 INCHES BEFORE THEY GET STUCK. THEN THE DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY WITH SLAMMING IT. THE REASON THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IS IF OUR VEHICLE IS IN AN ACCIDENT OR WE NEED TO EXIT QUICKLY WE ARE UNABLE TO DO SO BECAUSE OF THE MANUFACTURERS DEFECTIVE HINGES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10293447
Incident
Nov 24, 2009
BrakesTires & wheels
Filed May 15, 2008

GMC SAVANA 2006 WITH ONLY 9,300 MILES ON IT. HAD DEALER IN FL CHECK VEH BEFORE WE LEFT ON VAC TO NJ. ON WAY TO NJ WE KEPT HEARING THINGS HITTING UNDER THE CARRIAGE NOISES. TOOK TO DEALER HERE IN NJ AND THEY CHECKED AND SAW THAT ALL THE WEIGHTS HAD COME OFF THE RIMS/TIRES. THE TIRES ARE P275R45/20 WITH CHROME RIMS ON A CUSTOM HANDICAPPED VAN WITH LIFT. DEALER IN NJ STATED THEY REPLACED THE WEIGHTS THAT WERE MISSING AND ALSO TOLD US WE NEEDED TO HAVE ROTORS CUT DOWN. COST OF $60.00 FOR WEIGHTS AND ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY. NOT EVEN 2 MILES UP ROAD AND THE WEIGHTS CAME OFF AGAIN. THIS TIME I CALLED TO DEALER IN FL. THEY TOLD US TO GO TO REPUTABLE TIRE CO AND HAVE IT CHECKED BECAUSE THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE WEIGHTS WERE PLACED ON PROPERLY AND SECURED NOT TO FALL OFF AGAIN ON TRIP HOME TO FL. WE TOOK TO GOOD YEAR DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE 2 TIRES BUT THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT THE TIRES WERE ALL ROTTING AND SLICES WERE ALL OVER THE SIDEWALLS THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN THERE. HE ALSO TOLD THEM THAT THE TIRES WERE ALL FROM THE SAME LOT AND CUT AND CONSECUTIVE NUMBERS ALSO. HE RECOMMENDED TO CORP THAT THEY AGREE TO REPLACE ALL 4 BECAUSE HE WAS NOT SURE THAT WE WOULD NOT HAVE TROUBLE ON THE WAY HOME. WE AGAIN WERE CHARGED FOR THE BALANCE AND WEIGHTS AND LABOR BUT NOT CHARGED FOR THE TIRES EXCEPT FOR THE TRADE OF 50.00 EACH TIRE FOR THE WORN TREAD OF 9,300 MILES WEAR AND TEAR. I FELT THAT IT WAS AGREED THAT THESE TIRES IN THE LOT NUMBERS SHOULD BE RECALLED TO THE PUBLIC FOR SAFETY REASONS. WE ALSO HAD THE NITRO IN THE TIRES WHICH COULD HAVE EXPLODED FROM THE PRESSURE OF THE TIRE PROBLEM. WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED FROM THIS DEFECT. THE PUBLIC HAS THE RIGHT TO KNOW THAT THIS LOT OF EAGLE TIRES : EAGLE GT 2 : P275R45/20 ARE SERIOUS DEFECTS. TIRES CAN BE REPLACED BUT LIVES CAN NOT . *TR

NHTSA ID
10227840
Incident
May 14, 2008
Mileage
9,300 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 30, 2008

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC SAVANNA CARGO VAN WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 26,000 MILES. THE HORN ON THE VEHICLE DOES NOT WORK. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (DON MACKEY GMC) FOR REPAIR WHICH WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE DEALER REFUSE TO FIX THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD TO GO BY WHAT THE DEALER STATED AND HE HAS TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH THEM. THE DEALER CLEANED THE CONTACT POINTS OF THE HORN, BUT THAT DID NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE. . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000. UPDATED 02-25-08 *BF

NHTSA ID
10216507
Incident
Jan 30, 2008
Mileage
26,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

23-NA-001

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.

PIP5358D

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

GMC Savana by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026030
2025040
2024000
2023020
2022221
2021231
2020020
2019550
2018371
2017661
2016671
2015240
2014170
2013290
2012370
2011150
2010340
2009280
2008370
2007630
2006Viewing770
2005125039.8
2004127054.8
20032211054.0
2002120137.5
2001190035.6
2000492155.7
1999492046.4
1998332042.3
1997462049.9
1996353043.1
1995200
1994100
1993000

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.