The 2006 GMC Savana has 10 NHTSA owner complaints and 7 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 3 complaints, typically surfacing around 45,151 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
7
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2006 Savana?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
7 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2006 GMC Savana? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
steering — 3 owner reports
· tends to show around 45,151 mi · ~$700 to fix
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 7 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
steering (~$700) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2006 Savana· body
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…
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…
The power steering hose was rubbing against the power steering pulley. The rubbing cause the hose to fail and leak power steering fluid on the pulley, serpentine belt and nearby components. I did not see any clamps to hold the hose away from any moving parts. *tr
Had problems with tie rods in GMC savana 2006 and they have been replaced for the third time. Someone should be checking into why these tie rods are breaking, cracking, loosening up causing vehicle to lose control and pull to one side of the road. This is also a custom…
Had a problem with your 2006 GMC Savana?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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
An overheated electrical circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
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
The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
Fix: 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.
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
The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
Fix: 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.
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 GMC Savana is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2006 GMC Savana?
The 2006 GMC Savana is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average; 7 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2006 GMC Savana?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 3 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 45,151 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2006 GMC Savana a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 10 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 45,151 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2006 GMC Savana?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 3 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 45,151 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 45,151 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my GMC Savana has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2006 GMC Savana?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 10 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 6 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/GMC/Savana.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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