CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 · model year

2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500

60 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006CHEVROLETSILVERADO 3500 carries 60 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 3 fires, 5 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 SILVERADO 3500 is service brakes with 10 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (5) and service brakes, hydraulic (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2006 SILVERADO 3500, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

60
Complaints
7
Crashes
3
Fires
5
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

60 filings

Crashes Reported

7 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES10
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC4
AIR BAGS4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
ENGINE3
TIRES:VALVE2
STEERING2
TIRES2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
WHEELS2
STRUCTURE1
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST1
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM1

Recent Complaints

20250907AIR BAGS

on 7SEP 2025 @ 1100 While backing out of my driveway in my 2007 Chevy 3500, the vehicle’s airbag suddenly and unexpectedly deployed without any collision. The airbag struck me in the chest and left forearm, causing immediate injury. Since the incident, I have been experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath. Prior to this incident, I had taken my truck in for service due to concerns about the airbag recall affecting certain GM vehicles. At that time, I was informed by the dealership that my truck was not included in the recall year range. Despite this, the airbag has now malfunctioned in a way that has caused me injury. I attempted to contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the GM/Chevy Safety Office to report the matter, but both offices were closed at the time.

20250724CrashWHEELS

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while driving at a low rate of speed, the contact heard an abnormal, thud-like noise emitted from the vehicle. The contact pulled into an independent tire shop and inspected the tires. The contact found no defect with the tires and chose to proceed with driving the vehicle. While driving at approximately 40 mph, the front passenger-side tire detached from the vehicle without warning. Due to the failure, the vehicle crashed into a ditch. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and the contact sought medical attention for pain in her back. The contact was diagnosed with a sprain to the right side of her neck and right side of her back. The vehicle was then towed to a different independent mechanic, where they determined that the wheel assembly hub had detached from the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 07E

20200817TIRES

DURING A TRIP WITH 6 MONTH OLD TIRES, TWO OUT OF 6 TIRES FAILED. ONE WAS A DEEMED A ROAD HAZARD BY THE MANUFACTURER. GIVEN THESE TIRES WERE PURCHASED AND INSTALLED ON A TOW VEHICLE WITH RATINGS FOR THE VEHICLE AND FAILED ON A 75 DEGREE DAY WITH A LIGHT MIST. I WOULD SUSPECT THAT THE TIRES ARE NOT CAPABLE OF MEETING THE RATED SPECS. THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED JANUARY FROM TREADWRIGHT CORP.

20191106SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS TURNING INTO HIS DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH, THE BRAKE LINE FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT IT FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NOT APPLIED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.

Mileage: 42,000

20190523AIR BAGS

TAKATA INFLATORS: MY 2006 CHEVY 3500 DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED OVERNIGHT WHILE THE TRUCK WAS LOCKED, NOT RUNNING, AND HAD NO KEYS IN IT IN MY DRIVEWAY. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! THE TRUCK WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT. THANKFULLY I WASN'T DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN IT DEPLOYED, OR I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. 2006 SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. MY TRUCK WAS MANUFACTURED 5/2006 AND THE RECALL INCLUDES TRUCKS MADE 12/2006 AND NEWER. WHAT CAN BE DONE BY CHEVY TO PAY FOR MY REPAIR? ADDITIONALLY, THE NIGHT BEFORE THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED ON ITS OWN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. AGAIN IT WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY LOCKED NOT RUNNING, KEYS NOT IN IT!

Mileage: 282,000

20190523UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TAKATA INFLATORS: MY 2006 CHEVY 3500 DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED OVERNIGHT WHILE THE TRUCK WAS LOCKED, NOT RUNNING, AND HAD NO KEYS IN IT IN MY DRIVEWAY. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! THE TRUCK WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT. THANKFULLY I WASN'T DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN IT DEPLOYED, OR I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. 2006 SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. MY TRUCK WAS MANUFACTURED 5/2006 AND THE RECALL INCLUDES TRUCKS MADE 12/2006 AND NEWER. WHAT CAN BE DONE BY CHEVY TO PAY FOR MY REPAIR? ADDITIONALLY, THE NIGHT BEFORE THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED ON ITS OWN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. AGAIN IT WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY LOCKED NOT RUNNING, KEYS NOT IN IT!

Mileage: 282,000

20170309CrashAIR BAGS

RAILROAD HYRAIL VEHICLE EQUIPPED, AFTER MARKET, WITH HYRAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLIES WHICH ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO OPERATE ON RAILROAD TRACKS. ONCE HYRAIL (FLANGED) WHEELS ARE RETRACTED, THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED OVER THE HIGHWAYS AND PUBLIC ROADS LIKE ANY OTHER VEHICLE. ON 3/16/12 A BNSF EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING THE HYRAIL VEHICLE ON HWY 34 NEAR TRENTON, NE. A SEMI PULLED OUT IN FROM OF HIM, CAUSING HIM TO REAR END THE SEMI AT ABOUT 65 MPH. DELAYED AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT LED TO HIM HAVING EXTENSIVE INJURIES, INCLUDING LACERATIONS TO HIS FOREHEAD, COLLAPSED LUNGS, SPINE FRACTURES AND RIB FRACTURES. CONCERN IS THAT THE INSTALLATION OF HYRAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLIES MIGHT BE IMPACTING THE AIRBAG SENSOR. THE HYRAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLIES EXTEND APPROX. ONE FOOT OF STEEL FRAMEWORK AHEAD OF THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS. THE PLACEMENT OF THESE ASSEMBLIES MIGHT INADVERTENTLY BE AFFECTING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT IN CRASHES ON THE RAILROAD TRACK AND ON PUBLIC ROADS.

20160820FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

PLUGGED IN MINI VAC TO CIG LIGHTER AND CIG LIGHTER SHORTED TO GROUND CAUSING WIRES TO MELT AND SMOKE INCLUDING POWER OUTLET WIRES.

Mileage: 128,000

20160815SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEEL BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,110.

Mileage: 109,110

20160503CrashSERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20160321STEERING:RACK AND PINION:PINION SHAFT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING UP A MOUNTAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE INTENDED TURN. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WANDERED OFF THE ROAD UNCONTROLLABLY. THERE WAS ALSO A LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BOLTS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 308,000.

Mileage: 308,000

20160321SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING UP A MOUNTAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE INTENDED TURN. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WANDERED OFF THE ROAD UNCONTROLLABLY. THERE WAS ALSO A LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BOLTS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 308,000.

Mileage: 308,000

20150709SERVICE BRAKES

ANTI-LOCK SENSORS DEVELOP RUST AND FAIL. AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES THEY PULSE AND TAKE EXTRA TIME AND DISTANCE TO STOP

Mileage: 99,000

20150513SEATS

THE DRIVERS HEATED SEAT COMES ON AND CHANGES SETTINGS AT WILL, AND WHEN IT WILL TURN ITSELF ON IT GOES TO EACH LEVEL OF HEATING LEVELS. I.E, ( LOW/MED/ HIGH) ,AND STAY ON EVEN IF I TURN IT OFF. THEN COMES BACK ON WITH -IN A FEW MUNITIES AS IT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DOES NOT MATTER IF IT IS RAINY, SNOWY OR FOGGY, OR SUNNY, THE DRIVERS HEATED SEAT WILL COME ON, OFF, AND CHANGE SETTINGS CONSTANTLY, THAT I HAVE TO PULL OVER BECAUSE THE SEAT GETS SO HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

Mileage: 65,000

20141003VISIBILITY/WIPER

AC/HEATER FAN BLOWER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING. WINTER STARTED TRUCK TO DEFROST WINDSHIELD BLOWER WOULD NOT WORK TOOK TO DEALER REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER VEHICLE WARRANTY. SEPTEMBER 24, 2014 (MILES 94000)STOPPED WORKING AGAIN REPLACED BY DEALER AT NO COST. I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM CHEVROLET STATING I HAD 10 YEARS FROM DATE OF PURCHASE OR 150000 MILES TO BE ABLE TO BE REPAIRED AT NO COST. NOT SURE WHY IT IS NOT LISTED HERE ON THIS WEBSITE. *TR

Mileage: 12,000

20141003FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2006 DURAMAX LBZ. FROM NEW TRUCK INTERMITTENTLY HAS CODE P003A - TURBOCHARGER BOOST CONTROL POSITION NOT LEARNED, P0087 LOW FUEL PRESSURE AND CHANGE FUEL FILTER DISPLAY ON DASH. TRUCK IS TOTALLY STOCK. FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN AT DEALER THEY WOULD DO DIAGNOSTICS AND CHANGE FUEL FILTER SAYING THAT WAS IT AND THEY WOULD RESET ALL CODES. NO DRIVABILITY ISSUES WHEN THIS HAPPENED. RECENTLY (AUGUST 5, 2014) WHILE TRAVELING PULLING A TRAILER TRUCK WENT INTO DERATE/LIMP MODE (FIRST TIME) ALL CODES RETURNED. TOOK TO DEALER, CHANGED FUEL FILTER AND RESET CODES NOW IT IS HAPPENING ABOUT WEEKLY OCTOBER 1, 2014 TOOK TO DEALER RESET CODES DID NOT CHANGE FILTER AS IT WAS JUST DONE AND THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH FUEL. (MILES 94000) DEALERSHIP SAID EVERYTHING CHECKS NORMAL AND CHEVROLET DOES NOT SHOW AND BULLETINS FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 2,500

20141003ENGINE

2006 DURAMAX LBZ. FROM NEW TRUCK INTERMITTENTLY HAS CODE P003A - TURBOCHARGER BOOST CONTROL POSITION NOT LEARNED, P0087 LOW FUEL PRESSURE AND CHANGE FUEL FILTER DISPLAY ON DASH. TRUCK IS TOTALLY STOCK. FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN AT DEALER THEY WOULD DO DIAGNOSTICS AND CHANGE FUEL FILTER SAYING THAT WAS IT AND THEY WOULD RESET ALL CODES. NO DRIVABILITY ISSUES WHEN THIS HAPPENED. RECENTLY (AUGUST 5, 2014) WHILE TRAVELING PULLING A TRAILER TRUCK WENT INTO DERATE/LIMP MODE (FIRST TIME) ALL CODES RETURNED. TOOK TO DEALER, CHANGED FUEL FILTER AND RESET CODES NOW IT IS HAPPENING ABOUT WEEKLY OCTOBER 1, 2014 TOOK TO DEALER RESET CODES DID NOT CHANGE FILTER AS IT WAS JUST DONE AND THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH FUEL. (MILES 94000) DEALERSHIP SAID EVERYTHING CHECKS NORMAL AND CHEVROLET DOES NOT SHOW AND BULLETINS FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 2,500

20140809SERVICE BRAKES

IN THE PROCESS OF EXITING FROM OUR HOME, WHILE TOWING A LARGE BOAT, A BRAKE LINE RUPTURED RELEASING THE BRAKE FLUID AND CAUSING A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. I INSPECTED THE RUPTURED AREA AND FOUND THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND READY TO FAIL AT ANY TIME IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY TO HAVE THE BRAKE LINES REPLACED. ESTIMATED COST IS $950. HAD THIS FAILURE HAPPENED ONE MINUTE LATER THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC! *TR

Mileage: 81,610

20140630ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE AS NORMAL. AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF, THE CONTACT REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN THE DRIVE GEAR. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

Mileage: 175,000

20140630ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE AS NORMAL. AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF, THE CONTACT REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN THE DRIVE GEAR. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

Mileage: 175,000

Compare 2006CHEVROLETSILVERADO 3500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 have?
The 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 has 60 NHTSA complaints, 7 crashes, 3 fires, 5 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500?
The most-complained component for the 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 is SERVICE BRAKES with 10 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Is the 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.