GMC SIERRA 1500 · model year

2006 GMC SIERRA 1500

182 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006GMCSIERRA 1500 carries 182 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 5 fires, 6 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 SIERRA 1500 is service brakes with 40 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic (21) and electrical system (19). 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. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2006 SIERRA 1500. 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.

182
Complaints
12
Crashes
5
Fires
6
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

182 filings

Crashes Reported

12 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 BRAKES40
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC21
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM19
POWER TRAIN8
AIR BAGS8
TIRES6
WHEELS6
STEERING6
ENGINE5
SUSPENSION4
STRUCTURE:BODY4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
STRUCTURE3

Recalls (2)

07E10600017/12/2007

WHEELS:HUB

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO M

06E05000006/06/2006

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL NATIONAL AND CARQUEST AFTERMARKET HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/N 515058, SOLD FOR USE ON 2001-2006 GENERAL MOTORS 1500 AND 2500 4WD TRUCKS. ON THE SUBJECT HUB ASSEMBLIES, THE ABS SENSOR CORD DEPARTS FROM THE HUB ASSEMBLY AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. AS A RESULT, THERE IS A FIT ISSUE WITH THE B

Recent Complaints

20250318SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS SOLD AN UNSAFE VEHICLE FOR WORK/COMUTE FAMILY. THE DEALERSHIP MISLEAD ME AND LIED TO ME ABOUT WARRANTY AND EVEN AFTER I PAID $10,0000 CASH I WAS WRONGFULLY DONE BY THIS BUSSINESS BY NO MEANS WAS THE BUSSINESS TRYING TO CONDUCT GOOD BUSSINESS WITH ME AND I ALSO HAVE A DISSABILITY AND A CHILD WITH A DISABILITY. Incident Date: 5/9/2024 Description: I PURCHASED A 2006 GMC SIERRA $10,000 CASH WAS GIVEN AND PAID OFF BUT I WAS SCAMMED BY THE DEALERSHIP. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT I WAS BEING SOLD A GOOD SAFE VEHICLE FOR WORK AND MY FAMILIES NEEDS ARE ALSO A PRIORITY. I NEVER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE TILL I DROVE HOME AFTER PURCHASING IT. NOT EVEN 4 MINS ON THE ROAD AND I NOTICED THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT AND THE FRONT BRAKES BEGAN TO SMOKE. I CONTACTED THE DEALSHIP BUT WAS DISREGARDED AND NOT OFFERED AN EXCHANGE OR ANY TYPE OF SOLUTION FOR MY PROBLEM I EVEN EXPLAINED MY JOB REQUIRED ME TO USE MY VEHICLE FOR TRANSPORTING MATERIAL FOR WOR

20250318WHEELS

I WAS SOLD AN UNSAFE VEHICLE FOR WORK/COMUTE FAMILY. THE DEALERSHIP MISLEAD ME AND LIED TO ME ABOUT WARRANTY AND EVEN AFTER I PAID $10,0000 CASH I WAS WRONGFULLY DONE BY THIS BUSSINESS BY NO MEANS WAS THE BUSSINESS TRYING TO CONDUCT GOOD BUSSINESS WITH ME AND I ALSO HAVE A DISSABILITY AND A CHILD WITH A DISABILITY. Incident Date: 5/9/2024 Description: I PURCHASED A 2006 GMC SIERRA $10,000 CASH WAS GIVEN AND PAID OFF BUT I WAS SCAMMED BY THE DEALERSHIP. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT I WAS BEING SOLD A GOOD SAFE VEHICLE FOR WORK AND MY FAMILIES NEEDS ARE ALSO A PRIORITY. I NEVER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE TILL I DROVE HOME AFTER PURCHASING IT. NOT EVEN 4 MINS ON THE ROAD AND I NOTICED THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT AND THE FRONT BRAKES BEGAN TO SMOKE. I CONTACTED THE DEALSHIP BUT WAS DISREGARDED AND NOT OFFERED AN EXCHANGE OR ANY TYPE OF SOLUTION FOR MY PROBLEM I EVEN EXPLAINED MY JOB REQUIRED ME TO USE MY VEHICLE FOR TRANSPORTING MATERIAL FOR WOR

20250318STEERING

I WAS SOLD AN UNSAFE VEHICLE FOR WORK/COMUTE FAMILY. THE DEALERSHIP MISLEAD ME AND LIED TO ME ABOUT WARRANTY AND EVEN AFTER I PAID $10,0000 CASH I WAS WRONGFULLY DONE BY THIS BUSSINESS BY NO MEANS WAS THE BUSSINESS TRYING TO CONDUCT GOOD BUSSINESS WITH ME AND I ALSO HAVE A DISSABILITY AND A CHILD WITH A DISABILITY. Incident Date: 5/9/2024 Description: I PURCHASED A 2006 GMC SIERRA $10,000 CASH WAS GIVEN AND PAID OFF BUT I WAS SCAMMED BY THE DEALERSHIP. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT I WAS BEING SOLD A GOOD SAFE VEHICLE FOR WORK AND MY FAMILIES NEEDS ARE ALSO A PRIORITY. I NEVER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE TILL I DROVE HOME AFTER PURCHASING IT. NOT EVEN 4 MINS ON THE ROAD AND I NOTICED THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT AND THE FRONT BRAKES BEGAN TO SMOKE. I CONTACTED THE DEALSHIP BUT WAS DISREGARDED AND NOT OFFERED AN EXCHANGE OR ANY TYPE OF SOLUTION FOR MY PROBLEM I EVEN EXPLAINED MY JOB REQUIRED ME TO USE MY VEHICLE FOR TRANSPORTING MATERIAL FOR WOR

20250130FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

something shorted on or behind the dash on the drivers side and caught fire

20210309WHEELS

MY PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BROKE AND WENT SIDEWAYS WHEN I TURN OFF THE HIGHWAY IN MONTZUMA ONLY GOING ABOUT 30MPH

Mileage: 180,000

20200819STRUCTURE:BODY

I HAD A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD AND WHEN THEY REPLACED IT THE TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS SO RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE THAT IF ANYTHING HAPPENED AGAIN THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT HE HAD TO REALLY DO SOME WORK AROUNDS HE SAID TO EVEN REPLACE THIS ONE. THAT MAKES ME FEEL THAT THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE IF WE WERE TO GET IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THERE IS NO RUST ON THE OUTSIDE AROUND THE WINDSHIELD AT ALL. SO I WAS VERY SURPRISED WHEN THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT.

Mileage: 230,000

20200819UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I HAD A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD AND WHEN THEY REPLACED IT THE TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS SO RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE THAT IF ANYTHING HAPPENED AGAIN THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT HE HAD TO REALLY DO SOME WORK AROUNDS HE SAID TO EVEN REPLACE THIS ONE. THAT MAKES ME FEEL THAT THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE IF WE WERE TO GET IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THERE IS NO RUST ON THE OUTSIDE AROUND THE WINDSHIELD AT ALL. SO I WAS VERY SURPRISED WHEN THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT.

Mileage: 230,000

20200601ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATER BLOWER RELAY SWITCH WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN A STAND STILL, AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER, THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATER BLOWER REPLAY SWITCH AND HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED IN 2015 THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED, BUT IN 2020 IT WAS REPLACED AGAIN ALONG WITH THE MELTER WIRE HARNESS. *AS

Mileage: 90,000

20200527SERVICE BRAKES

EVEN THOUGH MY TRUCK HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGE KEPT AND ONLY HAS 30 THOUSAND MILES ON IT, MY BRAKING SYSTEM WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE MY METAL BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED . *TR

Mileage: 30,000

20190306FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL GAGE SHOWS HALF A TANK BUT I RAN OUT OF GAS. LIGHTS BLOW ALL THETIME.

Mileage: 235,765

20190306EXTERIOR LIGHTING

FUEL GAGE SHOWS HALF A TANK BUT I RAN OUT OF GAS. LIGHTS BLOW ALL THETIME.

Mileage: 235,765

20181207SERVICE BRAKES

ABS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON WHILE DRIVING

20181202SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, ABOUT 20 MPH OR LOWER, THE BRAKE PEDAL FADES TO THE FLOOR. THERE ARE NO LIGHTS OR CODES AND BRAKE FLUID AT THE PROPER LEVEL. THIS HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY AND ANYWHERE.

Mileage: 230,000

20181113SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 8 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT CALLED CHAMPION CHEVROLET OF AVON AT 317-350-1023 (LOCATED AT 183 S COUNTY RD 525, AVON, IN 46123) AND A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS RECOMMENDED. THE TEST WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.

Mileage: 36,000

20181005CrashSTEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE DRIFTED AND CRASHED INTO THE GUARDRAIL OF A BRIDGE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A WRECKING YARD. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.

Mileage: 154,000

20180726ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FORTY TWO VOLT CHARGING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. DUE TO THE WARNING, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND IT FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO JOHN PAUL'S BUICK GMC (3615 S 108TH ST, GREENFIELD, WI 53228, (414) 208-4113) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GENERATOR STARTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE PART NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,350.

Mileage: 92,350

20180606SERVICE BRAKES

I TOOK OUR TRUCK IN FOR SERVICING AT THE O'NEILL GMC DEALERSHIP IN WARMINSTER, PA AND WAS TOLD THAT ALL OF OUR BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUSTING. WE PURCHASED OUR VEHICLE NEW FROM O'NEILL AND HAVE CONTINUED TO HAVE IT SERVICED THERE. THE TRUCK IS TREATED WITH GREAT RESPECT AND ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT. I CONTACTED GMC DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE MATERIALS OF THE VEHICLE THEY SOLD US AND THEY CLAIM THAT THIS IS NORMAL. I NOW AM STRAPPED WITH A BILL FOR $2700.00 TO REPLACE ALL FOUR DEFECTIVE, RUSTING BRAKE LINES THEIR WEBSITE SAYS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. I BELIEVE GMC SHOULD CONTRIBUTE $1700 TOWARDS THE BILL. I NOTE THAT THERE ARE OVER TEN PAGES OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET REGARDING CORROSION PROBLEMS. PLEASE HOLD GMC ACCOUNTABLE. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN GOOD FAITH AND THEY SHOULD ADMIT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR INFERIOR BRAKE LINE MATERIALS. I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH GMC'S EXCUSES AND NONSENSE. I TOLD THEM THEY SHOULD PAY $1700 OUT OF THE MONEY THEY B

Mileage: 40,000

20180401SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE LINE FAILURE, FRONT LEFT. STEEL LINE HAD RUSTED NEXT TO A PLASTIC CLIP THAT SECURED A WIRING HARNESS TO THE BRAKE LINE. BRAKE FLUID WAS SPRAYING ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE. NOTICED THE LEAK AFTER RETURNING HOME; HAD FAILED IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC.

Mileage: 101,000

20180205SERVICE BRAKES

WHEN BRAKING AT THE END OF OUR DRIVEWAY BEFORE PROCEEDING INTO THE ROAD THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATES LIKE ABS IS KICKING IN BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATES TO STOP. ALSO WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT AT LOW SPEED, CAN HEAR THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATING AND GET PULSING IN THE BRAKES AS WELL.

Mileage: 154,500

20171129SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE DRIVING ON TWO LANE ROAD,SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT FLASHED, VEHICLE WAS HARD TOO SLOW DOWN AND STOP. STOPPED VEHICLE AND SAW BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM LEFT FRONT WHEEL BRAKE LINES.

Mileage: 155,422

Compare 2006GMCSIERRA 1500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 GMC SIERRA 1500 have?
The 2006 GMC SIERRA 1500 has 182 NHTSA complaints, 12 crashes, 5 fires, 6 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 GMC SIERRA 1500?
Yes, the 2006 GMC SIERRA 1500 has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is WHEELS:HUB. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 GMC SIERRA 1500?
The most-complained component for the 2006 GMC SIERRA 1500 is SERVICE BRAKES with 40 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2006 GMC SIERRA 1500 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.