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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2006 Chevrolet Express 3500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
2about this part
Share
13%of 15 total for the year
Median mileage
3,050miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 Chevrolet Express 3500, 13% of the 15 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 3,050 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10567711, filed 2014-03, 6,000 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10223772, filed 2008-04, 100 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2008218%
200719%
2006213%
200516%

Other parts of the 2006 Chevrolet Express 3500

Steering
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2006 Chevrolet Express 3500

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology