FaultScore report
Owners have filed 17 complaints about the 2006 Chevrolet Express 3500 with NHTSA between 2005 and 2017. The largest single group is the steering. Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 8 worst.
FaultScore 75/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Chevrolet Express 3500.
How this is worked out17
Complaints
1
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
8,000 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
71%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 82,000 miles
Median failure at 2,013 miles
Median failure at 6,050 miles
Median failure at 3,050 miles
Median failure at 500 miles
Median failure at 85,000 miles
Median failure at 30,000 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 36,000 mi
Median failure at 85,000 miles
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 10,000 mi
Median failure at 6,000 miles
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
PERSON WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE 2006 GM CHEVROLET TRUCK EXPRESS SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT A TREE. THE CAR HAD BEEN BROUGHT IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOTHING WAS DONE AT THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10332174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 45-60 MINUTES, IT WAS FOUND SMOKING AND ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. THERE IS CURRENTLY AN OPEN INVESTIGATION (NUMBER PE08010) FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 10,000. UPDATED 3/19/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED INSURANCE ADJUSTER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE DETERMINED THAT IT WAS EXTENSIVE ENOUGH DAMAGE TO BE DEEMED AS TOTALED. UPDATED 03/19/08
NHTSA complaint #10217801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
SEATS
DRIVERS SEAT WAS LOOSE AND ON INSPECTION DEALER FOUND THAT THE RAIL WAS BROKEN, THE VAN ONLY HAS 72785 MILES. IF THE SEAT HAD COME LOSE WHILE VAN WAS IN MOTION, IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED AND ACCIDENT. I NOTICED IT WHEN I TOOK THE VAN FOR INSPECTION.
NHTSA complaint #10970323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:VALVE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VALVE STEMS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE STEMS WERE ROTTED. THE VALVE STEMS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10682974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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. AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THE CAR CONTINUED TO STALL AND WAS TAKEN BACK INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT HAD A BUSHING BROKEN IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THIS VAN CONTINUES TO STALL AND AT TIMES FAILS TO START. WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE STALLING PROBLEM THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING IS THE SAME AS THE CARS THAT ARE PART OF THE RECALL AND EXPRESS VANS SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE LIST OF RECALLED VEHICLES. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 33,000 MILES ON IT AS OF MARCH 2014.
NHTSA complaint #10567711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
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. AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THE CAR CONTINUED TO STALL AND WAS TAKEN BACK INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT HAD A BUSHING BROKEN IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THIS VAN CONTINUES TO STALL AND AT TIMES FAILS TO START. WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE STALLING PROBLEM THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING IS THE SAME AS THE CARS THAT ARE PART OF THE RECALL AND EXPRESS VANS SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE LIST OF RECALLED VEHICLES. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 33,000 MILES ON IT AS OF MARCH 2014.
NHTSA complaint #10567711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS PREMATURE WEAR OF THE STEERING DUE TO THE PITMAN ARM ROLLING AGAINST THE OUTER AND INNER TIE ROD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
NHTSA complaint #10524218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
PAINT (WHITE) IS FALLING OFF VAN AT HOOD, SIDES AND MOSTLY ON AREAS WHERE THESES WELDED AREAS...DEALER SAID THEY NEVER SEEN THIS ISSUE?? I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF THE SAME ISSUE ON OTHER VANS.
NHTSA complaint #10504434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
PAINT (WHITE) IS FALLING OFF VAN AT HOOD, SIDES AND MOSTLY ON AREAS WHERE THESES WELDED AREAS...DEALER SAID THEY NEVER SEEN THIS ISSUE?? I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF THE SAME ISSUE ON OTHER VANS.
NHTSA complaint #10504434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EXPRESS CUTAWAY G3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 6 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY. HE QUICKLY APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, WHICH WAS ABLE TO IDLE THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A BRAKE FLUID LEAK. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE WARRANTY COMPANY. THE WARRANTY COMPANY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THIS ISSUE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
NHTSA complaint #10397528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
PERSON WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE 2006 GM CHEVROLET TRUCK EXPRESS SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT A TREE. THE CAR HAD BEEN BROUGHT IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOTHING WAS DONE AT THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10332174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING CENTER LINK UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH CONNECTS THE TIE RODS TO THE WHEEL, MOVES ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE CAUSES THE TIRE TREAD TO WEAR EXCESSIVELY. ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED IN SLIPPERY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10227086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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. FROM OTHER POSTS ON YOUR WEBSITE THIS TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE AN UNSAFE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10223772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 45-60 MINUTES, IT WAS FOUND SMOKING AND ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. THERE IS CURRENTLY AN OPEN INVESTIGATION (NUMBER PE08010) FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 10,000. UPDATED 3/19/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED INSURANCE ADJUSTER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE DETERMINED THAT IT WAS EXTENSIVE ENOUGH DAMAGE TO BE DEEMED AS TOTALED. UPDATED 03/19/08
NHTSA complaint #10217801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
WE PURCHASED A CHEVY EXPRESS 15-PASSENGER VAN IN APRIL 2006. SINCE THAT TIME, THERE HAVE BEEN ABOUT THREE FAILURES OF THE FRONT, SIDE "BARN DOOR." A MODERATE AMOUNT OF WIND CAN CATCH THE DOOR AND STRETCH IT TOWARD THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHERE IT CAN AND HAS COLLIDED WITH THE FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR EDGE CAUSING A DENT IN THE BARN DOOR. IT APPEARS THAT A STRAP OR ANCHOR WITHIN THE BARN DOOR IS STRETCHED OUT OF SHAPE. A SAFETY HAZARD OCCURS WHEN A PERSON WALKS BETWEEN THE FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR AND THE FRONT BARN DOOR. THIS IS THE POINT OF IMPACT. THIS BEGAN SOON AFTER THE PURCHASE OF OUR VAN AND HAS RECURRED AT LEAST TWICE. OUR CHEVY DEALERSHIP REPAIRED IT ONCE BUT REFUSED TO REPAIR IT AGAIN IN JULY 2007. IT REMAINS UN-REPAIRED. *JB UPDATED 10/11/07.
NHTSA complaint #10202477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT
2006 EXPRESS 3500 CHEVY VAN WITH SLIGHT KNOCK IN THE FRONT END WHEN MAKING TURNS CUSTOMER WANTS THE MATTER LOOKED INTO**CC THE CONSUMER WANTS THE REPAIR TO THE IDLER ARM REPAIRED, HOWEVER HE WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND NO REPAIRS WOULD BE AUTHORIZED.
NHTSA complaint #10195718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON DRY PAVEMENT APPROACHING A RED LIGHT A, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH TO INDICATE A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. AFTER KICKING THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD A COUPLE OF TIMES, THE PEDAL RELEASED ENOUGH TO SLOWLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT DETERMINED THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10164538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT A SEAT BELT FAILURE. THE REAR PASSENGER MIDDLE SEAT BELT WAS INSERTED BACKWARDS INTO THE BUCKLE. THE SEAT BELT LOCKED IN THE BUCKLE AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE SEAT BELT WAS CUT TO RELEASE THE PASSENGER. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY THE DEALER, WHO ORDERED THE APPROPRIATE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR. THE PARTS HAVE NOT ARRIVED. THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.
NHTSA complaint #10145265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED THAT SEAT BELTS FAILED. THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW MIDDLE SEAT BELTS WERE INSERTED BACKWARDS INTO THE BUCKLE. THE SEAT BELT LOCKED IN THE BUCKLE AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE SEAT BELT WAS CUT TO RELEASE THE PASSENGER. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY THE DEALER, WHO ORDERED THE APPROPRIATE PARTS FOR REPAIRS. THE PARTS HAVE NOT ARRIVED. THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK UPDATED 03/09/06.
NHTSA complaint #10145266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.