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Chevrolet ExpressModel year report

2006 Chevrolet Express Problems

Complaints
12filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
62,529miles, 9 complaints with mileage
Recalls
16campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
15 mpgcombined, 4.3L 6-cyl RWD · 13 city / 18 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 Chevrolet Express (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet Express. The part named most often is air bags, with 2 complaints (17% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and transmission and drivetrain (2). 9 of the complaints include a mileage, and 44% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 62,529 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns and 798 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 155 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Steering (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “On april 29, 2011, a passenger and I were involved in a very serious near-fatal motor vehicle accident. I was the driver of the vehicle, which was a 2006 chevy Express cargo van. We were driving from medford, oregon to klamath falls, oregon on hwy 140 east. The accident occurred near mile marker 59 at approximately 8 a.m. This stretch of highway runs parallel to klamath lake. The vehicle spun out of control when we drove over a patch of unseen black ice. …”

NHTSA complaint #10441629, filed 2011-12, 64,500 miles

Electrical system: “Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Express. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 178,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 394,745.”

NHTSA complaint #11723693, filed 2026-03, 394,745 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “I bought a Chevrolet van Express with a 6.0 v8 engine a year ago with only 37000 miles. Approximately 2 months after purchase, I began having trouble with the engine and stabilitrak system in addition to the low beam headlight failure detailed below same across the entire v8 6.0 engines produced by Chevrolet. The van vehicle shook violently stressing all the occupants. While traveling on the highway my check engine and traction light illuminated simultaneously. I was also alerted that engine power was reduced and my vehicle shut down two times in a 30 minute span of time. …”

NHTSA complaint #10887623, filed 2016-07, 41,000 miles

Brakes: “The ABS braking system activates for no reason and greatly extends the stopping distance. This has put our drivers in very dangerous situations. We have several GM light duty vans and trucks and this has been a problem with almost all of them. The wheel sensor mechanism is a faulty design and causes a very dangerous situation for the drivers. Gm should recall and replace all of these with a newly designed unit that work safely.”

NHTSA complaint #10434425, filed 2011-11, 25,620 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

44% of the 9 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 40,000 and 70,000 miles.

11%0–100%10–2533%25–5033%50–7511%75–1000%100–15011%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (9 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 62,529 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2006201020113201420162026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Chevrolet Express. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Express · sedan RWDnot rated5 / 5———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2006 Chevrolet Express version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Express 1500/2500 2WD4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic131815$4,450
Express 1500/2500 2WD5.3L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131714$4,800

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 16 recalls for the 2006 Chevrolet Express → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 798 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 798 bulletins →

Other model years of the Chevrolet Express

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20211311,5002———Not enough data
20201762,3761———Rising
201985,3924———Not enough data
2018119,9426———Not enough data
20172118,0006—13—Rising
20161521,2536—13—Stable
2015824,0003—13—Not enough data
20141430,9507—13—Not enough data
20132219,6628—14—Falling
20121338,5006—13—Not enough data
20111294,0365—12—Not enough data
20101547,8505———Falling
20091051,0007———Not enough data
20081442,47510—14—Not enough data
20071865,0004—15—Falling
20061262,52916—15—Not enough data
20052385,9348—15—Falling
20042187,0006—15—Falling
20035946,82410—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20025633,0000—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20014545,0002—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20008455,8751—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19996868,6121—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19982361,1251—14—Stable
19972982,0001—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19961558,5002—14—Stable

All Chevrolet Express model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 Chevrolet Express have?

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet Express as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2006 Chevrolet Express is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 2 complaints (17% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.

Has the 2006 Chevrolet Express been recalled?

NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Chevrolet Express get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Chevrolet Express (Express 1500/2500 2WD, 4.3L 6-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 13 city and 18 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2006 Chevrolet Express reported?

Among the 9 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 62,529 miles and the middle half falls between 40,000 and 70,000 miles; 44% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.