2005 Chevrolet Uplander
The Verdict
The 2005 Chevrolet Uplander has 196 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (99 complaints) and electrical (51 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 55/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Chevrolet Uplander, consider the 2009 model year which has 98% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2009 has 98% fewer complaints
View the 2009 Chevrolet Uplander dashboard →
Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution
About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 1
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE OUTBOARD RELEASE HANDLE ON THE IMPACT-SIDE SECOND-ROW BUCKET SEAT MAY BE ACTUATED AND THE REAR LATCHES MAY UNLATCH EARLY IN A SIDE IMPACT CRASH. THIS WAS DISCOVERED IN A ...
Risk
IF THE REAR LATCHES OF THE SEAT RELEASE EARLY IN A SEVERE SIDE IMPACT, THE FRONT OUTBOARD LATCH MAY DISENGAGE AND INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT OF THE SEAT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE SEAT LATCH RELEASE HANDLE AND INSTALL A BLACK PLASTIC CAP OVER THE EXPOSED METAL STUD TO ELIMINATE THE SIDE IMPACT SAFETY CONCERN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 5...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Uplander. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle was drifting and would not drive in a straight line. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who performed a wheel alignment and changed the tires, but the failure persisted. The mechanic later diagnosed that the surface of all four alloy wheels had begun to deteriorate and was out of round. The contact was advised not to drive the vehicle until the wheels were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 80,000.
MY VAN HESITATES BETWEEN 2 AND 3 RPM'S. ESPECIALLY GOING UP A HILL, THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL BLINK FOR A FEW SECONDS. THEN ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY ON..THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IS MALFUNCTIONING.. WHEEL BEARING IN THE REAR NEED REPLACEMENT.. AND THERE DOES APPEAR TO BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE.. RADIO SKIPS, INTERIOR LIGHTS DON'T WORK AT ALL.. THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT DOESN'T HEAT. THERES BARELY ANY HEAT EVEN WHEN GAUGE READS THE ENGINE IS NORMALLY WARM..
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT BUCKLE INTO THE LATCH. THERE'S A METAL PIECE INSIDE THE LATCH BLOCKING IT FROM SLIDING IN AND SNAPPING IN. THIS STARTED HAPPENING A FEW DAYS AGO, PREVENTING ME FROM DRIVING THE VAN SINCE I CAN'T USE MY SEAT BELT.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN I-75 IN MICHIGAN DOING ~75MPH, I FEEL A SHARP TUG THEN A SWAY. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME AND INSPECTED IT. THE WELDS ON THE BODY TO THE ATTACHING POINT OF THE REAR AXLE HAD BROKEN AND THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WAS TRACKING SIDEWAYS. THANK GOD NOTHING BAD HAPPENED, WE HAD ALL SIX OF OUR KIDS WITH US WHEN IT WENT OUT AT 75MPH.
DRIVING THE VEHICLE ALONG THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH AT NIGHT, THE IGNITION SWITCH RUN POSITION ROTATED TO OFF AND THE ENGINE AND ALL HEADLIGHTS, DASH, ETC, SHUTDOWN ALONG WITH THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THE INCIDENT HAS JUST STARTED HAPPENING AND 340,000 MILES ON IT. ONLY WAY TO GET ROLLING IS TO PUT THE AUTO TRANS LEVER TO NEUTRAL AND TWIST THE IGNITION KEY TO CRANK POSITION AND LET KEY SETTLE TO RUN POSITION. THE IGNITION SWITCH ITSELF HAS A SPRING DETENT AND IT SETS IN A POCKET AT RUN. SO THIS SWITCH HAS A SPRING THAT OVER TIME WEAKENS AND ALLOWS THE WHOLE KEY CYLINDER ANS SWITCH TO DROP OUT OF RUN AND SHUT OFF THE ELECTRICAL. SOLUTION WAS TO PUT IN A NEW SWITCH OR JUST USE A SINGLE KEY INSTEAD OF A FULL SET OF KEYS HANGING FROM THE KEY SLOT.. THE FULL REPLACEMENT OF THE SWITCH RUNS 350$, PRTS AND LABOR.
I WAS HEARING ABOUT THE RECENT RECALL ACTIONS ABOUT CHEVY SUVS WITH WIPER BLADES. BUT, I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WHERE MY WIPER WOULD STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. MY VEHICLE WAS NOT IN THE RECALL, BUT, JUST MADE ME THINK, AND I WANTED TO SHARE. I PURCHASED A NEW ARM FROM GM AT MY LOCAL DEALER IN AUGUST OF 2018. SO, I THINK THAT I AM OK.
THE BACK REAR HATCH WHEN I LIFTED DROPPED! I GOT MY HANDS UP FAST ENOUGH TO STOP IT AND WAS NOT INJURED THOUGH
THE CHASSIS HAS A SERIOUS RUST ISSUE AS I'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE. THE RUST ISSUE IS ONE THAT YOU WOULD NOT EVEN SEE ON A 60 YEAR OLD CAR. IT CAUSED THE REAR WHEEL AND ALL OF ITS COMPONENTS TO BREAK FREE. I DO HAVE PICTURES (IT'S DARK OUT RIGHT AT THE MOMENT BUT I CAN BY MORNING) I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND A SOLUTION FOR THIS FOR QUIET A WHILE NOW.
2005 CHEVY UPLANDER LT. UNDERCARRIAGE RUSTED ON BACK PASSENGER SIDE WITHIN 9 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, CAUSING SEPARATION OF THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL FROM THE BODY OF VEHICLE. WHEN DRIVING, YOU CAN HEAR/FEEL CLUNKING/SQUEAKING NOISE WHICH SOUNDS LIKE THE TIRE IS GOING TO COME COMPLETELY OFF THE CAR. AREA AFFECTED CANNOT BE REPLACED NOR WELDED AS THIS CAN BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE IMAGES THAT CAN BE SENT VIA EMAIL.
MY ELECTRICAL WILL GO OUT AS I AM DRIVING. THE CAR HAS STOPPED COMPLETELY AND THE ELECTRICAL AS I WAS DRIVING. MY CAR WILL TURN ON AND THEN OFF, AND I HAVE TO DO IT ABOUT 5 TIMES BEFORE I CAN EVEN GET IT TO STAY ON AND DRIVE. SOMETIMES THE ELECTRICAL WILL STOP AFTER THAT BUT I CAN STILL DRIVE. THIS IS NOT SAFE. IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME.
THE IGNITION SLIPS INTO THE OFF MODE WHILE VEHICLE IS RUNNING, THUS DISABLING EVERYTHING, INCLUDING POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. I HAVE HAD IT HAPPEN WHILE MOVING OUT OF PARKING SPOTS ON A PUBLIC STREET, AND MANY TIMES AFTER START UP WHEN I'M NOT MOVING. I HAVE QUIT DRIVING IT UNTIL I CAN GET IT REPAIRED DUE TO SAFETY CONCERN.
TAMARA RECALL AS I WAS DRIVING WITH MY WHOLE FAMILY IN OUR VAN, THE LEFT TRAILING ARE BROKE OFF. THEREFORE, MY AXLE STARTED TO FALL OFF. I COULD NOT STOP US. MY BREAKS DIDN'T WORK, SINCE IT SNAPPED MY BREAK LINE TOO. I WAS ONLY GOING 25MPH. ONCE WE CAME TO A STOP, WE GOT OUT, AND MY LEFT BACK TIRE WAS UNDER MY BUMPER.
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY CAR WITH THE HEATED SEATS ON. SHE FELT IT GET EXTREMELY HOT. SHE TURNED OFF SEAT WARMERS. WHEN SHE GOT OUT OF CAR, THE SEAT HAD MELT/BURN MARKS AND HER LEGGINGS AND SKIN HAD BURN/RED MARKS. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK INTO THIS AND HE SAID DO NOT USE SEAT WARMERS-IT WILL CAUSE A FIRE. NEW SEAT IS AT LEAST $500 WITHOUT LABOR. MAKES ME QUESTION ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. IN ADDITION, YOU HAVE CONNECTED SO MANY THINGS TOGETHER, THAT REPLACING ONE THING MEANS REPLACING A WHOLE CONSOLE. I AM A TRUE CHEVY PERSON- USED TO OWN? BE ASSOCIATED WITH A CHEVY BERETTA, 1964 CORVAIR, CITATION, MALIBU... LOOKING TO BUY AGAIN, BUT THIS BURNING WAS SCARY!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED, CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL, AND FLIPPED OVER SEVERAL TIMES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE RADIO BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,000.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE MY UPLANDER SHUTS OFF FOR NO REASON OR WARNING. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON. I HAD ONSTAR RUN A TEST AND NOTHING IS FOUND.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRAILING ARM OR THE TRAILING ARM BUSHING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V110000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 05/26/16*LJ
SEVERAL TIMES SINCE PURCHASING MY 2005 CHEVY UPLANDER, THE IGNITION HAS JUST SHUT OFF. NORMALLY THIS WAS WHEN IDOLING SO I WASN'T TOO SURE. HOWEVER, IT JUST TURNED OFF WHEN I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH ON A MAJOR EXPRESSWAY IN CHICAGO. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. THIS IGNITION SWITCH IS THE SAME ONE THAT IS CURRENTLY IN THE GM RECALL, YET IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED YET. PLEASE RECALL ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS IGNITION SWITCH AS MOST VEHICLES HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECALLED. WHY WAIT ON THE RECALL UNTIL MORE PEOPLE ARE IN ACCIDENTS AND POSSIBLY DIE? IT ISN'T WORTH THE RISK.
AS I AM DRIVING THE ELECTRONIC SLIDING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE STARTS TO BUZZ LIKE IT DOES WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENING AND I CAN HEAR IT CLICKING AS IF IT IS GOING TO OPEN. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. I AM AFRAID I WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE DOOR WILL OPEN. *TR
WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK, AND WITHOUT ANY SORT OF ISSUE TO PROVOKE IT, THE IGNITION CAME OUT OF THE RUN OR ON POSITION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ABRUPTLY SHUT OFF. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS WAS THE SAME IGNITION AS ALL THE OTHER VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED, YET THIS ONE WAS NOT ON THE LIST. LUCKILY SHE HAD HER WITS ABOUT HER AND PULLED INTO THE CENTER TURN LANE. BUT THE ISSUE PERSISTED, GENERALLY ONLY WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE OR WHEN SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO DIFFERENT GEARS (PARK, REVERSE, DRIVE, ETC.). IT COST ME $312 TO FIX THIS ISSUE BETWEEN PARTS AND LABOR *TR
196 total