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Chevrolet Uplander VIN Check

NHTSA holds 481 owner complaints on the Chevrolet Uplander from 177 production runs; the worst run has 13, the typical one 2.7.

NHTSA complaint records · 481 complaints · 177 runs · 2005–2009 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported Uplander run is 1GNDV23L55D (2005 builds) with 13 complaints, 4.8× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 23% of reports; 2005 is the worst model year at 3.9 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for Uplander model years 2005–2008.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Chevrolet Uplander has 177 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 11% of every Uplander complaint on file.

FIG.01·Chevrolet Uplander — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
1GNDV23L55D••••••200513——
1GNDV23L15D••••••200512——
1GNDV23L85D••••••200591—
1GNDV23L75D••••••200591—
1GNDV23L05D••••••200591—
1GNDV33L36D••••••200691—
1GNDV23L25D••••••200591—
1GNDV23W38D••••••20089——
1GNDV33LX6D••••••20068——
1GNDV23LX5D••••••200571—
1GNDV33LX5D••••••20057——
1GNDV23L45D••••••20057——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 165 Uplander runs has 7 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 10 Uplander VINs so far, most often 2008, 2007, 2006 builds.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Chevrolet Uplander the gap between build years is 2×: a 2005 car draws 3.9 complaints per run, a 2008 one 2.

FIG.02·Chevrolet Uplander — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20082105537
20072.183392
20062.7129475
20053.9162426
ROWS 4·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2005 at 3.9 complaints per run; lightest is 2008 at 2.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 23% of everything Chevrolet Uplander owners report: Electrical System, 117 of 481 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Chevrolet Uplander — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Electrical System11722
Structure1051—
Latches/locks/linkages66—1
Service Brakes61——
Steering473—
Suspension472—
Power Train362—
Fuel System322—
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 6 recall campaigns on the Chevrolet Uplander; the 6 below cover build years 2005 to 2008. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Chevrolet Uplander — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
10V110000Suspension:rear2005–2008
09E005000Steering2005–2007
06V051000Equipment:other:labels2006
05V552000Equipment:other:labels2006
05V061000Seats:mid/rear Assembly2005
05V287000Parking Brake2005
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

10V110000 was opened in 2010 on cars built from 2005: 5 years on the road before the recall.

The Uplander against its rivals

The Uplander draws 2.7 complaints per production run; the Ford Freestar 5.5, the Hyundai Entourage 8.6 and the Pontiac Montana 2.8. That is the lowest rate of the 4.

FIG.05·Chevrolet Uplander VIN check vs rivals
ModelComplaintsRunsPer runInvolved a crash
Chevrolet Uplander4811772.74.2%
Ford Freestar2,1273905.51.2%
Hyundai Entourage249298.63.6%
Pontiac Montana8072872.86.3%
ROWS 4·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

Of the 481 reports on the Chevrolet Uplander, 4.2% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.

FIG.06·Chevrolet Uplander — complaint severity
OutcomeChevrolet UplanderAll vehicles
Complaints filed4811,115,966
Involved a crash20 (4.2%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire4 (0.8%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported4858,013
Deaths reported12,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Chevrolet Uplander share of that is 481 complaints over 177 runs, 0.04% of everything on record.

Everything on the Chevrolet Uplander
Recalls12 campaignsFuel economy19 mpg bestReliability4.0/5Common problems584 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsUsed prices162 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2005–2009

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Chevrolet Uplander VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 481 NHTSA complaints from 177 Uplander runs and 6 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which Uplander production run has the most complaints?

1GNDV23L55D, a 2005 build, with 13 complaints. The typical Uplander run has 2.7.

Which Uplander years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2005 is heaviest at 3.9 complaints per run and 2008 lightest at 2.

Does the Uplander get more complaints than the Ford Freestar?

No: 2.7 complaints per production run for the Uplander against 5.5 for the Ford Freestar.

How many Uplander complaints involve a crash?

4.2% of 481 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 4 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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