Chevrolet Uplander Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Chevrolet Uplander options? We analyzed 5 model years (2005–2009) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
Free VIN check
Found a Chevrolet Uplander? Check that exact car.
Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Chevrolet Uplander has 583 owner complaints and 11 safety recalls across model years 2005–2009. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2005 drew the most complaints; 2007 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Chevrolet
- Model
- Uplander
- Model years analyzed
- 2005–2009 (5 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 583
- Safety recall campaigns
- 11
- Crash-related complaints
- 24
- Fire-related complaints
- 6
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2005 (196 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2007 (109 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Chevrolet Uplander: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe CHEVROLET UPLANDER has 583 NHTSA complaints and 11 recalls on record. 24 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 583 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 11 federal recall campaigns
- 24 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
11 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
STEERING
SUSPENSION:REAR
SUSPENSION:REAR
STEERING
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
SUSPENSION:REAR
STEERING
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
SUSPENSION:REAR
PARKING BRAKE
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2005–2009. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 583 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
583 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
BOTH AUTOMATIC SLIDING SIDE DOORS WOULD OPEN WITH NO WARNING TRAVELING 55 MPH, AFRAID MY TRIPLET GRAND CHILDREN OR MY 2 DOGS WOULD FALL OUT, THE DOGS DID GET OUT ONE DAY WHEN THE DOORS OPENED BY THEIR SELF, ONE OF MY DOGS RAN ACROSS THE BUSY STREET. AUTOMOBILE RAN OVER TOP OF HIM BUT LUCKY THE VEHICLE STRADDLED HIM AND HE EXCEPTED WITH OUT INJURY. I HAVE QUESTIONED SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS THAT OWNS THE SAME VAN AND THEY ALSO WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT COULD NOT GET IT SOLVED AND GAVE UP. I HAD THE VEHICLE BACK TO OUR LOCAL CHEVY DEALER IN ASHLAND, KY 41101, THE FIRST TIME IN IT WORKED FOR ABOUT A WEEK, THEN STARTED DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN, SECOND TIME IN SAID THEY COULD NOT GET THE DOORS TO MALFUNCTION, BUT THEY OPENED AGAIN BY THEMSELVES 2 DAYS LATER AFTER GETTING IT BACK FROM THE DEALER SHIP. I HAVE HAD MANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, ALL BUT 2 HAVE BEEN SOLVED, BUT THE MOST SERIOUS ONE WITH THE DOORS COMING OPEN IS STILL GOING ON AS OF TODAY JULY 12TH, 2014. *TR
SEVERAL TIMES NOW I HAVE RECEIVED A REDUCED ENGINE POWER MESSAGE, AS WELL AS PERIODIC SERVICE STABILITY TRAK AND SERVICE ABS. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN I MAKE A TIGHT TURN OR HIT A ROUGH PATCH IN THE ROAD. THE MOST RECENT TIME THIS HAPPENED, I COULD NOT GET RID OF THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND CONSEQUENT REDUCED SPEED. I FELT THAT IT WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE VAN TO THE DEALER SO I HAD IT TOWED. NOW THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT UNTIL I AM ASSURED THAT IT IS FIXED. I CAN SEE ONLINE THAT MANY GM CARS SEEM TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM, YET WHEN I CALLED THE GM CUSTOMER SUPPORT LINE, SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND A BULLETIN OR RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THIS IS DANGEROUS - I AM SO WORRIED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Uplander. The contact stated that the sliding door on the passenger’s side of the vehicle was opening independently. The contact had the vehicle modified because as a disabled driver, and had a ramp installed for the wheelchair. The contact stated that whenever the sliding door was opened, the ramp failed to fully deploy. The contact stated that the sliding door was opening at various speeds. The contact stated that he had taken the vehicle to the company that had modified the vehicle. The company advised the contact that the vehicle was nearly 20 years old, and that parts to repair the sliding door were no longer available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
MY VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A SCRUBBING NOISE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL AS I WAS DRIVING AND THIS NOISE GOT EVEN MORE NOTICABLE AS I MADE ANY TURNS .I STOPPED AND CKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND IT WAS !T FULL LEVEL.NOW IT MAKES A WOOING NOISE AS WELL. ALSO UPON STARTING OFF FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN I EXPERIENCED A TERRIBLE JERKING SENSATION WITH A KNOCK SOUND.THE VAN HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR REG MAINTENANCE OVER THE YEARS AND DEEMED MECHANICALLY OK ,OTHER THAN A FEW REG MATIENANCE ISSUES AND MY SISTER SOLD ME THE VAN IN GOOD CONDITION .I AM CONCERNED WITH THIS STEERING CONDITION NOW AS WELL AS THE SLOW START JERK/KNOCK.IT HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED THRU THE YEARS AT CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP.MAINLY IN MARION, VA.CHEVROLET.BOTH ISSUES OCCURED WHILE VEHICLE WAS ON THE ROAD AND RUNNING.I AM CONCERNED SHE ,MY SISTER MAY HAVE MISSED A RECALL NOTICE AT SOME POINT.NOW I AM THE OWNER OF THE UPLANDER 07 VAN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE WARNING MESSAGE WOULD FLASH ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AS THE VEHICLE WOULD SIMULTANEOUSLY REDUCE ITS POWER. SOON AFTER THE WARNING LIGHT DISSIPATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD RESUME NORMAL DRIVING OPERATION. THE CONTACT THEN STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EMIT A BLACK SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING. AS THE CONTACT BEGAN TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, A FLAME IGNITED FROM THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE ENGINE AND THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PARKED AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED THE AUTHORITIES AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AS A RESULT OF FIRE. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,363.*DT THE CONSUMER STATED SHE STILL HAS THE VEHICLE IN HER POSESSION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE RACK AND PINION FRACTURED MAKING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE MATERIAL USED IN THE SUSPENSION. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Read 14 more owner reports
MY 2007 CHEVY UPLANDER HAS BECOME UNSAFE. MULTIPLE MECHANICS HAVE GIVEN DIFFERENT GUESSES AS TO WHAT THE PROBLEM MAY BE. WHEN DRIVING, IF I STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT, OR EVEN DURING STOP-GO TRAFFIC, THE VAN WILL SUDDENLY JERK WHEN I GO TO ACCELERATE. SOMETIMES THE JERK IS INCREDIBLY FORCEFUL AS IF I HAVE BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. TWO MECHANICS HAVE RECOMMENDED A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT BUT SAY THAT THEY HAVE HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME MAKE/MODEL VEHICLE. BECAUSE THE VAN DOES THIS, IT IS HARD TO ACCELERATE IMMEDIATELY FROM A STOPPING POINT. THIS CAUSES UNSAFE DRIVING/TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AS I CAN NOT BE CERTAIN MY VAN WILL IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATE WHEN NEEDED. *TR
POWER STEERING WENT OUT THEN THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT HADN'T EVEN HAD THE VEHICLE 3 MONTHS
I HAVE PUT ON LESS THAN 2000 ON TIRES - EVERY TIME (FROM THE FIRST DAY) I TRAVEL GRAVEL THE TIRES BECOME PUNCTURED. I HAVE HAD NO LESS THAN 10 FLATS DUE TO THIS.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL THE SUDDEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND THEN THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER CAME ON THE DASHBOARD AND REDUCE MY SPEED I COULDN'T GET IT UP TO SPEED I PUSH ON THE GAS TO GET UP AND SPEED AND IT WON'T GET UP I HAD TO PULL OVER TURN IT OFF RESTART IT AND WHAT THEN NOT EVEN A MINUTE IT DID IT AGAIN AND I WAS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY GOING 60
ABS KICKS IN AT RANDOM INTERVALS
THE SIDE DOORS WILL NOT CLOSE
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS GO OFF ON THEIR OWN, THEN ONLY BRIGHTS WORK, AFTER A FEW MILES THOSE QUIT TOO. WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS FAIL SO DO THE TAIL LIGHTS. THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT TO MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND SHE ENDED UP IN A STEEP DITCH BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T SEE WHERE SHE WAS PULLING OVER WITHOUT LIGHTS.
THE MOTORIZED DOORS WILL NOT CLOSE. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE MOTOR IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH FOR THE DOORS TO CLOSE. THE DEALER PUT IN A NEW ONE WHEN I HAD 23,000 MILES ON AND SAID THAT THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. IT IS NOW DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN AND I ONLY HAVE 85,000 ON THE CAR NOW.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. WHILE THE CONTACT'S PARTNER WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A PINGING NOISE AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY AND ONTO A SIDE STREET WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY, BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WROTE IN HIS REPORT THAT FINE GRANULES IN THE COOLANT RESERVOIR INDICATED THAT TEMPORARY BLOCK SEAL HAD BEEN UTILIZED, WHICH INDICATED PREVIOUS FAILURES WITH THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW THE SPECIFIC CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER A STOP THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERED THEN THE VEHICLE WOULDNT GO FORWARD IN THE DRIVE GEAR SELECTION POSITION. THE VEHICLE WOULD GO IN TNE LOW GEAR POSITION 1 AND 2 BUT NOT IN DRIVE.
TAKATA RECALL 2007 CHEVEROLET UPLANDER LT WHEN YOU PULL OUT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS OR DOESN'T KICK BACK TO FIRST GEAR. ( SLIPS OUT OF GEAR). VERY DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. SO YOU WILL BE IN MOTION. ALSO WHEN YOUR IN MOTION DOING 55 MPH ON HIGHWAY AND TRY'S TO CHANGE INTO 3RD GEAR IT CHANGES HARD. ALSO IN MOTION.
VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING FAULTY FUEL GAUGE READINGS AS WELL AS FUEL RANGE READINGS, SINCE MAY OF 2009 (I PURCHASED IT IN 2008). IT HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERS SHOP 2 DEALERSHIPS, NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEMS, HAVE SUPPOSEDLY HAD THE SENSOR CHANGED 4 TIMES (UNDER WARRANTEE) AND THE FIFTH TIME, THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING SAYING THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. IT WAS AT THAT TIME OUT OF WARRANTEE. IT IS NOW IN THE SHOP AGAIN FOR THE SAME ISSUE BECAUSE SINCE THE PROBLEM HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED AND I WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH GM AND THEY BASICALLY REFUSE TO OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM OR ACTUALLY FIXING WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BUT THE CHEVY TRAILBLAZER HAS HAD THE SAME IDENTICAL ISSUE AND THERE WAS A RECALL SITING A SAFETY CONCERN. I DO HAVE PICTURES (RESENT ONES) AS TO MY CONCERN BUT I ALSO HAVE SOME PICTURES FROM YEARS AGO THAT I ACTUALLY SHOWED TO THE DEALERSHIPS, AND STILL GM AS WELL AS THE DEALERS ARE NOT WANTING TO ACTUALLY FIX THE PROBLEM. I THINK THAT I HAVE ALREADY MADE THIS COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA PREVIOUSLY BUT TO DATE NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE AND I NOTICE THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS SIMILAR IF NOT IDENTICAL TO MY COMPLAINT, WHICH WERE PUT IN AFTER MINE, AND STILL NOTHING (RECALL) HAS TAKEN PLACE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TURN SIGNALS IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WITHOUT WARNING RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, AND LACERATIONS TO THE LEFT ARM AND LEG. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Showing 20 of 583 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Chevrolet Uplander
These pages show model-year patterns across 5 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Chevrolet Uplander, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Chevrolet Uplander has 583 complaints on record across 5 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Chevrolet Uplander has 11 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 24 of the Chevrolet Uplander's 583 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Chevrolet Uplander vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Chevrolet Uplander vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Chevrolet Uplander has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
Compare
Buyers also compare
How does the Chevrolet Uplander stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Chevrolet Uplander by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Chevrolet Uplander.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Chevrolet Uplander reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Chevrolet Uplander reliable?
Poor. The Chevrolet Uplander has 583 NHTSA owner complaints and 11 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Chevrolet Uplander years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2005 (196 complaints), 2006 (158 complaints), 2008 (118 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Chevrolet Uplander problems?
Top reported issues: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (142 complaints); STRUCTURE (126 complaints); LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES (82 complaints).
Does the Chevrolet Uplander have recalls?
Yes — 11 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Chevrolet Uplander. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.