Total Complaints
65 filings
GMC SIERRA · model year
65 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2006GMCSIERRA carries 65 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 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 is service brakes with 20 filings, followed by electrical system (7) and service brakes, hydraulic (5). 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 6 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. 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.
Total Complaints
65 filings
Crashes Reported
3 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES | 20 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 7 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 5 |
| STEERING | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB | 2 |
| AIR BAGS | 2 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| TIRES:BEAD | 1 |
| VISIBILITY | 1 |
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
WHEELS:RIM
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN INCOMPLETE TIRE RIM DESIGNATION ON THE CERTIFICATION/TIRE LABEL LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR EDGE. IN ADDITION, THE LAB
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABELS LISTING AN INACCCURATE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A POWER STEERING HOSE THAT IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION. UNDER EXTREME STEERING MANEUVERS, SUCH AS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FULLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE BRAKING, THE HOSE MAY FRACTURE AND LEAK FLUID.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN 8.1L V8 (RPO L8-VIN G) ENGINE HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP MAY FRACTURE RESULTING IN INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE DAMPER.
TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE WHILE IN MOTION. CORRODED BRAKE LINE RUPTURED CAUSING IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ALL FLUID. HAD THIS HAPPENED 5 MINUTES EARLIER, I WOULD HAVE BEEN ON A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY IN BUMPER TO BUMPER CHRISTMAS TRAFFIC. AT 70 YEARS OLD I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW CATASTROPHIC AN ACCIDENT MY REFLEXES WOULD HAVE GENERATED. THE FLUID SPRAYED ON THE HOT ENGINE CREATING A CLOUD OF SMOKE. I WAS AFRAID THE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. THE FLUID COOKED OFF THE ENGINE AS SMOKE AND AGAIN LUCKILY THERE WAS NO FIRE. NOW AFTER EXTENSIVE REPAIRS, I AM VERY NERVOUS BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THIS VEHICLE. THIS VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH CORROSION SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS BLOGS ON THE INTERNET INDICATE THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR QUITE AWHILE. I HAVE ATTACHED THE INVOICE OF THE REPAIRS REQUIRED. I WAS IN THE DRIVE THROUGH OF A MCDONALDS AND HAD PLACED MY ORDER AND WAS PULLING TO THE WINDOW TO PAY WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY MOVING SLOWLY AT THAT TIME, THUS ABLE TO AVOID INJURING ANYONE OR
Mileage: 81,750
BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. BEFORE THE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON. THE SERVICE LIGHT DID COME EVENTUALLY AT WHICH TIME WE CHECKED THE MASTER CYLINDER WHICH WAS EXTREMELY LOW SO WE FILLED IT THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. THE NEXT DAY WE NOTICED BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING AND AFTER CHECKING REALIZED THAT AT LEAST ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES WERE WERE RUSTED THROUGH IN SEVERAL PLACES AND ALL OF THE OTHER LINES ARE TERRIBLY RUSTED AND PROBABLY ON THE VERGE OF LEAKING ALSO. THIS IS A TRUCK THAT WE USUALLY PULL OUR CAMPER WITH. LUCKILY WE WERE NOT PULLING IT AT THE TIME THIS OCCURRED.
Mileage: 57,000
TURNED OFF ENGINE, HVAC FAN STILL ON. WILL NOT TURN OFF. THIS IS THE DUAL CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM. HAD TO REMOVE FUSE SO THE BATTERY WILL NOT DISCHARGE. SERVICE BULLETINS WERE ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT DID NOT INCLUDE ALL VEHICLES, INCLUDING OURS.
Mileage: 135,000
TURNED OFF ENGINE, HVAC FAN STILL ON. WILL NOT TURN OFF. THIS IS THE DUAL CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM. HAD TO REMOVE FUSE SO THE BATTERY WILL NOT DISCHARGE. SERVICE BULLETINS WERE ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT DID NOT INCLUDE ALL VEHICLES, INCLUDING OURS.
Mileage: 135,000
TURNED OFF ENGINE, HVAC FAN STILL ON. WILL NOT TURN OFF. THIS IS THE DUAL CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM. HAD TO REMOVE FUSE SO THE BATTERY WILL NOT DISCHARGE. SERVICE BULLETINS WERE ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT DID NOT INCLUDE ALL VEHICLES, INCLUDING OURS.
Mileage: 135,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. UPDATED 7/23/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT IMPACT SENSOR DID NOT WORK. THE RED LIGHT WAS STILL ON. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WAS RELATED TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE DEALER HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. UPDATED 07/28/15*JB
Mileage: 10,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. UPDATED 7/23/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT IMPACT SENSOR DID NOT WORK. THE RED LIGHT WAS STILL ON. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WAS RELATED TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE DEALER HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. UPDATED 07/28/15*JB
Mileage: 10,000
DROVE FROM BALTIMORE, MD TO CLEVELAND, OH. PARKED, THE NEXT DAY ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. BRAKE LINE ON DRIVERS SIDE TOWARD THE REAR HAD RUSTED OUT, HAD TO HAVE TRUCK TOWED AND BRAKE LINE REPLACED. IN DEC. 2014, ONE YEAR LATER, TRUCK WAS PARKED FOR 4 DAYS IN DRIVE, WENT TO DRIVE BRAKE PEDAL TO FLOOR AGAIN, HAD TO HAVE TOWED, 4 LINES REPLACED. *TR
Mileage: 110,400
WAS COMING TO A STOP LIGHT AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR. HAD TO STEP ON SEVERAL TIMES TO GET STOPPED. THE FACTORY ELECTRICAL WIRE IN FACTORY LOOM IN FACTORY CLAMP HOOKED TO BRAKE LINE WORE A HOLE THROUGH BRAKE LINE TO RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. WORE THROUGH DIRECTLY UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER. LUCKILY I WAS NOT GOING AT HIGH SPEED OR THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL INCIDENT!!!!!!!!! THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COME FROM FACTORY AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR
Mileage: 39,889
IN LATE OCTOBER, 2013, I PURCHASED MY 2006 GMC SIERRA C1500 STANDARD CAB, 2WD PICKUP FROM A PRIVATE OWNER. ON OR ABOUT, DECEMBER 01, 2013, I NOTICED THAT THE "SERVICE AIR BAG" WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED INTERMITTENTLY. THE "AIRBAG" ILLUMINATED SYMBOL IN THE DASH INSTRUMENTATION AREA WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THIS WOULD RANDOMLY COME ON AND GO OFF DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. I SUBSEQUENTLY TOOK THE TRUCK TO A LOCAL GMC/CHEVROLET DEALER FOR SERVICE OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY CHARGED ME TO FIX THE ISSUE AND IT DID NOT APPEAR FOR ABOUT A WEEK AFTER THEIR REPAIR. I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER, AS THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY REPAIR PREVIOUS ISSUES ON OTHER VEHICLES THAT I HAVE HAD SERVICED THERE. THE "SERVICE AIR BAG" MESSAGE HAS BEEN ON CONSTANTLY SINCE ABOUT FEBRUARY, 2014, AS WELL AS THE ILLUMINATED ICON IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP WITH THEIR ABILITY TO REMEDY THE SITUATION AND MAY HAVE TO SEEK THIRD PARTY REPAIR FOR TH
Mileage: 114,500
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Mileage: 120,000
BRAKES FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEED, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH VERY LITTLE BRAKING. ON INVESTIGATION, BRAKE OIL WOULD SPRAY FROM THE BRAKE LINE UNDER THE TRUCK. *TR
Mileage: 87,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC SIERRA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. ..UPDATED 01/14/15 *BF UPDATED 01/15/15*JB..........UPDATED 02-02-15*BF..UPDATED 03-02/15 *BF STATUS UPDATE 03/17/15*JB UPDATED 8/31/2017*CN
Mileage: 160,000
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER RANDOMLY COMES ON. IF YOU TURN IT OFF IT COMES RIGHT BACK ON AGAIN AND CYCLES THROUGH THE VARIOUS HEAT SETTINGS. IT CREATES A DANGEROUS DISTRACTION IN THE FLORIDA HEAT. I'VE TAKEN IT TO NUMEROUS DEALERS, NONE OF WHICH CAN FIX IT. I CALL GM AND THEY WON'T EVEN CONSIDER IT UNTIL I TAKE IT BACK TO A DEALER SAYING THEY WILL ONLY GET INVOLVED IF I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A DEALER WITHIN THE LAST 30 DAYS. ONE DEALER TOLD ME THAT WAS A LIE, THERE IS NO 30 DAY REQUIREMENT. THIS ISSUE IS MORE OF A DISTRACTION THAN TEXTING. LOOKING IT UP ONLINE IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM BUT GM DENIES IT EVEN THOUGH GM DID ISSUE A TSB TO HAVE THE DRIVERS DOOR MODULE REPROGRAMMED. I HAD THAT DONE AND IT MADE THE PROBLEM WORSE. A STRAIGHT UP SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH A 2005 SUBURBAN AND FILED A COMPLAINT ON THAT ONE TOO. NOTHING CAME OF THAT EITHER SO IT APPEARS THIS SITE AND AGENCY IS NOTHING MORE THAN A SOUNDING BOARD. GM AND NHTSA CANNOT AFFORD TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM THIS
Mileage: 46,000
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER RANDOMLY COMES ON. IF YOU TURN IT OFF IT COMES RIGHT BACK ON AGAIN AND CYCLES THROUGH THE VARIOUS HEAT SETTINGS. IT CREATES A DANGEROUS DISTRACTION IN THE FLORIDA HEAT. I'VE TAKEN IT TO NUMEROUS DEALERS, NONE OF WHICH CAN FIX IT. I CALL GM AND THEY WON'T EVEN CONSIDER IT UNTIL I TAKE IT BACK TO A DEALER SAYING THEY WILL ONLY GET INVOLVED IF I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A DEALER WITHIN THE LAST 30 DAYS. ONE DEALER TOLD ME THAT WAS A LIE, THERE IS NO 30 DAY REQUIREMENT. THIS ISSUE IS MORE OF A DISTRACTION THAN TEXTING. LOOKING IT UP ONLINE IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM BUT GM DENIES IT EVEN THOUGH GM DID ISSUE A TSB TO HAVE THE DRIVERS DOOR MODULE REPROGRAMMED. I HAD THAT DONE AND IT MADE THE PROBLEM WORSE. A STRAIGHT UP SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH A 2005 SUBURBAN AND FILED A COMPLAINT ON THAT ONE TOO. NOTHING CAME OF THAT EITHER SO IT APPEARS THIS SITE AND AGENCY IS NOTHING MORE THAN A SOUNDING BOARD. GM AND NHTSA CANNOT AFFORD TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM THIS
Mileage: 46,000
BRAKES FAILED WHILE COMING TO A STOP IN LIGHT TRAFFIC. BRAKING ACTION REDUCED TO APPROX 10 TO 20 PERCENT OF NORMAL. DRIVER FELT A "POP" AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, FOLLOWED BY A 'SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM' WARNING MESSAGE. A LARGE PUDDLE OF FLUID FORMED UNDER THE TRUCK WHEN PARKED AND A QUICK LOOK UNDER THE TRUCK SHOWED LOTS OF FLUID FROM THE FRONT OF THE BED TO THE REAR OF THE TRUCK. FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWED HEAVY CORROSION ON ALL RIGID BRAKE LINES. ALL BRAKES LINES WILL BE REPLACED. THE FAILED LINE POWERED THE REAR BRAKES. THIS TRUCK IS ONLY EIGHT (8) YEARS OLD. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN LOTS WORSE IF THE BRAKES FAILED ONE WEEK EARLIER WHEN I WAS PULLING A CAMPER THROUGH THE TENNESSEE MOUNTAINS. *TR
Mileage: 67,000
I WENT TO PUT ON MY BRAKES, I FIRST STARTED TO STOP THEN MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I HIT A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE COLLISION SHOP THAT I HAD IT REPAIRED AT SAID THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION I READ A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME DEFECT IN CHEVY AND GMC TRUCKS. *TR
Mileage: 11,400
I WAS APPROACHING THE STOPLIGHT FLETCHER DRIVE AND LEE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH HEADING EAST ON LEE HIGHWAY AROUND 1600 EDT IN WARRENTON, VA. THERE WERE FOUR (4) CARS WAITING TO TURN LEFT ONTO FLETCHER DRIVE IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP. I APPLIED THE BRAKE WITH APPROXIMATELY 2 CAR LENGTHS IN FRONT OF ME. THE BRAKES STARTED TO GRAB BUT THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. I PUMPED THE BRAKES AND MY TRUCK CONTINUED TO ROLL AND THEN HIT MR. [XXX] VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 5-7 MPH. I WAS UNABLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP UNTIL MAKING CONTACT WITH [XXX] CAR. I ASKED IF HE WAS OK OR HURT AND HE REPLIED YES, I AM OK. WHY DIDN'T YOU STOP?? I EXPLAINED THAT I TRIED. I THEN SUGGESTED THAT BOTH OF US PULL INTO THE FAUQUIER BANK PARKING LOT AND EXCHANGE INSURANCE INFORMATION. AT THIS TIME, I NOTICED MY BRAKES HAD COMPLETELY FAILED AND THE TRUCK WAS LEAKING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID ONTO THE PARKING LOT (COFFEE CAN OR M
Mileage: 57,000
GRINDING NOISE AND BRAKING DIMINISHED ALONG WITH SMOKING WHEEL. FRONT WHEEL BEARING HUB ASSEMBLY IS COMING APART INSIDE WITH ONLY 36000 MILES. *JS
Mileage: 36,000
GRINDING NOISE AND BRAKING DIMINISHED ALONG WITH SMOKING WHEEL. FRONT WHEEL BEARING HUB ASSEMBLY IS COMING APART INSIDE WITH ONLY 36000 MILES. *JS
Mileage: 36,000
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.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.