VehicleVerdict

2006 GMC Savana problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 8 complaints on file for the 2006 GMC Savana — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 7 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

8

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Savana years?

See all Savana years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 GMC Savana problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine225%
Brakes113%
Electrical System113%
Airbags113%
Steering113%
Body & Structure113%
Tires & Wheels113%

Does the 2006 GMC Savana have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V247000Electrical SystemApril 6, 2023 · 150,830 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. When the HVAC blower motor circuit is left unused with exposed connectors and wiring, the circuit can corrode and overheat.

Consequence

An overheated electrical circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will properly seal the rear HVAC blower motor circuits at the left side B-pillar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222386050.

09V270000OtherJuly 6, 2009 · 185 units

Defect

MAIN MOBILITY IS RECALLING 185 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VANS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1, 2005 AND JUNE 25, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.

Consequence

THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy

MAIN MOBILITY IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR MAIN MOBILITY AT 1-716-759-6811.

09V272000OtherJuly 6, 2009 · 185 units

Defect

MAIN MOBILITY IS RECALLING 185 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VANS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1, 2005 AND JUNE 25, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.

Consequence

THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy

MAIN MOBILITY IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR MAIN MOBILITY AT 1-716-759-6811.

08V238000Seat BeltsApril 15, 2008 · 4,003 units

Defect

GM IS RECALLING 4,003 MY 2006 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA FULL-SIZE PASSENGER, CARGO, OR CUTAWAY VANS. THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL NOT LATCH OR WILL NOT UNLATCH.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLES AND, IF FOUND TO BE INOPERATIVE, THE ENTIRE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WOULD BE REPLACED. FOR BUCKLES FOUND TO BE OPERATIVE, DEALER WILL REPLACE ONLY THE UPPER BUCKLE COVER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> . NOTE: THIS CAMPAIGN IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 05V558).

05V558000Seat BeltsDecember 19, 2005 · 425,593 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN FULL-SIZE PASSENGER, CARGO, OR CUTAWAY VANS, THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL NOT LATCH OR WILL NOT UNLATCH.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLES AND, IF FOUND TO BE INOPERATIVE, THE ENTIRE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WOULD BE REPLACED. FOR BUCKLES FOUND TO BE OPERATIVE, DEALER WILL REPLACE ONLY THE UPPER BUCKLE COVER. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES. THE FIRST PHASE MAILING BEGAN DURING MARCH 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

05V552000OtherDecember 7, 2005 · 32,068 units

Defect

CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABELS LISTING AN INACCCURATE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT.

Consequence

A MISPRINTED LABEL COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. AT THE CUSTOMER'S OPTION, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.

05V455000SteeringOctober 5, 2005 · 123,592 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A POWER STEERING HOSE THAT IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION. UNDER EXTREME STEERING MANEUVERS, SUCH AS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FULLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE BRAKING, THE HOSE MAY FRACTURE AND LEAK FLUID.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD BE LOST AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRO-BOOST POWER BRAKES, IT COULD ALSO RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. IF THE POWER STEERING FLUID SPRAY WERE TO SPRAY ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING HOSE(S) FOR TWO SUSPECT DATE CODES AND REPLACE THEM IF REQUIRED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC BECAUSE IT WAS MAKING A NOISE,HE LOOKED AT IT AND FOUND 5 EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKEN,CHECKED THE INTERNET TO FIND THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES WITH GM V8 MOTORS HAVE THIS PROBLEM.THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR BEING PASSED ON TO CONSUMERS BY A LARGE CORPORATION WELL AWARE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 23, 2015

OUR TECHNICIAN WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE AIRBAG SIGNAL CAME ON IN THE LOWER LEFT CORNER OF THE DASH AND WAS ON FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS, TECH SMELT AN ODOR SIMILAR TO SOMETHING SHORTING OUT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE HE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE ENTIRE PROCESS LASTED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 18, 2014

THE 2 SIDE DOORS FOR PASSENGERS FAIL TO OPEN PROPERLY BECAUSE THE HINGES FAIL TO OPERATE CORRECTLY AND STOP THE DOORS FROM OPENING PROPERLY. SO WHEN OUR CHILDREN ARE IN THE VAN, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE DOORS TO ALLOW THEM TO EXIT BECAUSE THE HINGES LOCK UP. WE HAVE ALREADY HAD THE HINGES…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · November 24, 2009

GMC SAVANA 2006 WITH ONLY 9,300 MILES ON IT. HAD DEALER IN FL CHECK VEH BEFORE WE LEFT ON VAC TO NJ. ON WAY TO NJ WE KEPT HEARING THINGS HITTING UNDER THE CARRIAGE NOISES. TOOK TO DEALER HERE IN NJ AND THEY CHECKED AND SAW THAT ALL THE WEIGHTS HAD COME OFF THE RIMS/TIRES. THE TIRES ARE P275R45/20…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · May 14, 2008

GMC SAVANA 2006 WITH ONLY 9,300 MILES ON IT. HAD DEALER IN FL CHECK VEH BEFORE WE LEFT ON VAC TO NJ. ON WAY TO NJ WE KEPT HEARING THINGS HITTING UNDER THE CARRIAGE NOISES. TOOK TO DEALER HERE IN NJ AND THEY CHECKED AND SAW THAT ALL THE WEIGHTS HAD COME OFF THE RIMS/TIRES. THE TIRES ARE P275R45/20…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 14, 2008

2006 GMC Savana — common questions

Is the 2006 GMC Savana reliable?

The record is thin — 8 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 7 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2006 GMC Savana have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 GMC Savana. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which GMC Savana years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Savana years to avoid are 2000, 1999, 1997, 1996, 1998. The cleanest record among Savana years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.