2006 Chevrolet Uplander: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Apr 9, 2014 · Steering · 59,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet uplander. The contact stated that the tires would require replacement every year. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to determine the cause of the recurring failure. The mechanic stated that the tie rod end needed to be replaced. The tire rod end was replaced however, the failure recurred two years later. The tie rod end was replaced a second time but to no avail. The tie rod end was consistently replaced every year over the course of four years. The failure mileage was 59,000.

Filed Jun 18, 2012 · Body, Electrical · 4,200 miles · FL

I bought my uplander at dealership milage was at 24,000. The door would open and not close we finally got this fixed I hope. Just yesterday at milage 45,000 we had to replace tie rod on passenger side. Found out that it did not have grease pin on it called manufactor and they say someone had to have replaced it. I do not believe it had ever been replaced and this is what is causing tire wear and vibrations in the uplanders which also could cause accidents even deaths. Also when driving all lights will go off until you hit brakes I have had diagnotics checked to see if anything would show up. Nothing does. So this is a major concern also . There seems to be the same problems listed from almost everyone and some of these things could cost consumers their life or their families. While I like the uplander I am concerned that the safety issues are not being handled by manufactor and no one seems to care. What will it take to make this vehicle safe.

Filed Apr 6, 2012 · Brakes, Steering · 61,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet uplander.the contact stated that while driving 5 MPH the vehicle exhibited an abnormal sound from the front end. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the failure as a fractured tie rod. The contact also stated that the rear brakes would malfunction at low speeds, increasing the stopping distance. The dealer repaired the front suspension and the rear brakes. The failure and current mileage was 61,000. Updated 05/10/12

Filed May 31, 2009 · Visibility · 90,000 miles · OH · fire

My rear window wiper motor wiring harness caught on fire on my 2006 chevrolet uplander which in turn caused all other electrical items ex. Electric doors, locks, all windows to stop operating which made us stuck in the vehicle with a load of children while it was burning! If it wasn't for a prison guard going down the road we could have burnt up if he wasn't there to help us! Other things in the past that have occurred with this vehicle are.. Have had to replace each wheel hub twice which has caused tie rod ends to break, the tires to wear out quickly and this vehicle has cost me over $5000 in 2 months because of the obvious poor manufacturing.

Filed Sep 12, 2008 · Steering · 30,000 miles · WA

Me and my wife bought a 2006 chevy uplander from karmart when we test drove it we noticed a noise in the front end. We asked the salesman what it could be he said our cars are inspected 100 percent and it is not anything to worry about. The car had very low miles on it about 3,600 miles. We drove the car until it had about 33,000 the warranty expires at 36,000 we noticed another loud knock in the front end and it would start shaking really bad when you put on the brakes and I mean scary bad.the lights we also doing a flashing from a really low dim to back to normal that was also something we noticed from time we bought it. We called up speedway chevrolet in monroe and made an appointment. They took the car in and said it needed a new tie rod and a frontend the alignment was way out.they also replaced the voltage regulator. We went back to pick the car up and they said the front brakes were needing to be replaced and they were wearing uneven I asked him if this could be from the front end problem he said no. I also noticed the tires were wearing uneven and it looked like they were wearing on the outside more. We noticed the same noise was still there as from karmart.so we took it to les schwab and had the brakes replaced hoping it would fix the problem. It didn't fix the noise so we drove the car another 1,000 miles and started hearing another loud knock. The noise from the dealership was different from the loud knocks that started up. We made another appt. With speedway cheverlet and this time they said there was a recall on the steering box and the bearings on the axles were bad. They replaced the steering box and said it would be a while before they could replace the bearings. The bearing makers were on strike so we waited from july 26 til aug 13 or 14th to pick it up. We went the whole time with one car and really had a hard time doing so. I feel there was some major safety issues overlooked and they were hoping the warranty would run out.

Filed Jun 1, 2008 · Body · 20,000 miles · VA

Bought a 2006 uplander from royal chevrolet in richmond va. Vehicle was sold to us in july 2007 as new. Starting in oct-nov vehicle engine light comes on, in november tie rods and sway bars had to already be replaced, vehicle vibrates while sitting still,vehicle steering column creaks, clanks and screeches, vehicle sways to right and I have to "overdrive" to keep it on road safely, shakes while sitting still, rattling noise from right side back passenger area, headlight dim on their own while driving at night, rpms rev up with normal driving,gas reads empty with 1/4 tank in it and will not start if parked on downward incline. The only thing taken seriously was the tie rod and sway bars, they were fixed but van still shakes and does not feel safe. I wrote letters to the manufacturer and many weeks have gone by with no contact from them to help me fix my problems.

Filed May 6, 2008 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 13 miles · NJ

I have a 2006 chevy uplander lt and I started to have problems around 3,000 miles of ownership. It started with electrical issues (hard drive entertainment system, gas gauge, dimming lights, radio losing settings, hard starts, service ABS, and service traction control) and gradually moved to mechanical issues (clucking noises ? Front end, vibrations ? Front end, steering binding, and grinding noises from the front end). What has been replaced in hopes of fixing the issues are the hard drive to the entertainment system, main computer module (twice and reprogrammed several times), steering column, steering box, rack and pinion, front stabilizing control arms, front brake, front rotors resurfaced, ABS control module (never fixed the service ABS and service traction control). The dealer still can?t explain the grinding noise and is trying to convince me that it is normal characteristics of the van (they actually wrote that in the service report). They can not resolve the service ABS and traction control errors. They can?t resolve the hard starts. The dealer has taken a position that no more diagnostic work will be performed to the front end until I replace a cupped tire (their opinion). I have hired a lemon law attorney to help with my problem.

Filed Apr 11, 2008 · Brakes, Electrical · 23,666 miles · ME

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet uplander. A few days after purchasing the vehicle, the contact began experiencing failures with her vehicle. She had to have all the front end components replaced, including the brakes, alternator, axle, swaybar link, wheel bearings, tie rod, and tires. The dealer repaired the failures, but they are recurring. The failures were covered under warranty; however, the contact had to pay a $50 deductible. The failure mileage was 23,666 and current mileage was 49,376.

Filed Mar 12, 2007 · Locks, Steering · 395 miles · IL

Tl*-the contact stated that he purchased the 2006 chevrolet uplander truck on 04/2006. He would lose control of the steering. He stated that the vehicle started zig zagging across the road. The contact stated that he took the vehicle to the dealership, and they rotated the tires, and replaced the console assembly. The contact stated that continental tire with size p225/60r17, with dot# ac794blt5005 was taken to sears ,and they informed him that the tread on the tires was deteriorating and splitting. The dealership did replace the first tire, but not the other tires, which were having the same problem. The vehicle started making a grinding noise and when turning the steering wheel there would be a loud noise, the contact took the vehicle once again to the dealership and they replaced the steering shaft. The contact stated that they realigned the hood and the hood latch assembly. He also had problems with the power doors. The failure mileage was 395 miles, and the current mileage was 13700. *ak several days ago an article stated that there were defective tires and the tire tread may cause deadly accidents. There have been problems with the vehicle since he purchased it april 1, 2006. He has an extended warranty, continental advised him to take the tires to their independent tire dealers; however, the dealer will not replace the remaining defective tires. The tie rod was replaced on december 19, 2007, the driving shaft was replaced on two occasions and the inner tie rod boot was also replaced on october 9, 2006. The bearing and the hub assembly was also replaced on june 21, 2007. The front passenger tire currently has a blister on it. He has also notified general motors and they have not offered him any assistance. The current mileage was 30,000.