2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 177 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes (24% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 177 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“On 31 Dec 21, I drove the vehicle to the car wash, after the wash was completed, I drove the vehicle approx. 1/2 mile down the road. I pulled in to a fast food lane to order a meal. While I was stopped that speaker ordering the Air bags deployed. I was not moving or struck my another vehicle. If had happen when I was driving on the hi-way it may have caused injury to myself or damage to other vehicles. The vehicle is currently available for inspection. I will be taking the vehicle to the dealer for inspection on 3 Jan 22. There was no warning prior to the deployment of the airbags.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2021
“Going down a snowy gravel road and lost control. Hit a ditch/snow bank head on at approx. 30mph. Air bags did not deploy. As a result driver sustained hand injury, a broken jaw requiring surgery, and other minor bodily injuries. Vehicle had 313,000 miles”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2019
“The rear brakes failed with little or no warning. The brakes went from good to mushy without warning light. I added brake fluid to test in drive way. Pumped the brakes and the warning light came on. The rear line failed. I had the truck inspected at a general motors dealer in january of 2018 and also at the end of february. The said my vehicle is maintained in excellent condition. If this could happen to me....all gm vehicles with these brake lines are at risk. I read their was a safety bulletin 13-05-22-001. Today is 4/12/2018...because I tow a boat to florida I had the truck checked 2 times in the last 12 weeks....if the dealers can't detect faulty lines....a recall is needed.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Upon starting my truck, the oil pressure gauge immediately goes to 80 with no acceleration. At this point, there is no noise or other lights coming on to warn of other problems. This problem started a few days ago. When truck is in motion the oil pressure gauge continues to stay on 80. I know the 2006 chevy 2500 heavy duty 4x4 have had recalls on different things, but need to see if this is a problem for other chevy trucks as well. I have read several recalls about these trucks and a lot of them we have never been notified to take it to a dealer to be checked. Any help you can give us would be deeply appreciated.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2018
“Appears gm's faulty blower motor resistor has claimed my 2nd truck. Fire started while parked in parking lot. Fire occurs on passenger side around glove box and grows. This truck gave no indication of "melting wires" there was no smell or smoke when parked. This part of a special coverage #10240”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2017
“Sudden failure of brakes during low speed stop, brake line failed near frame underside in driver seat area. Was able to quickly stop vehicle with emergency brake just short of going into heavy traffic. This truck is meticulously maintained including underside washes, no body rust anywhere and was undercoat protected from new. Shocked a level of rust on what are apparently high carbon steel lines, these should be stainless steel.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet silverado 2500 equipped with cooper tires, dot number: utv6c8e4808, tire line: cooper discoverer atr, tire size: 265/75/r16. The contact stated that while driving at 63 mph, the contact stated that there was an abnormal vibration from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that the tread separated from the tire which caused damage to the bed of the vehicle. The failure occurred on the rear driver side tire. The contact stated that the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The tire failure mileage was unknown. The failure mileage on the vehicle was 114,900.”Owner report · Tires · Mar 2017
“When normal stopping ABS activates and keeps activating until pedal goes to floor and brakes do no function, there are no warning lites and no indication of a problem.I was under the impression that any ABS failure would revert system to regular brake system. This is very dangerous.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2016
“Blower motor for the hvac started all by its self and ran full blast. The control panel had no effect on the system . I could not control or shut off the blower. Even when the truck was parked, in park and shut down and the keys removed the blower continued to run at full blast. Had to disconnect the battery. Later after having to drive the truck to work I followed the fuse schematic and removed the green I believe fuse breaker from the under hood fuse box. I have left this fuse removed so the battery doesn't run down.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2016
“Lost brakes while driving in residential neighborhood due to rusted brake line. Had it towed to my mechanic who did an inspection and said all the brake lines were rusted at the brackets holding the lines. My mechanic is in the process of replacing the brake lines. I talked to several other people with the same year truck and both had also experienced brake line failure from rust. Truck has only 20k miles and has only been in the salt twice as I had an older vehicle I used when it snowed. Gm needs to correct this safety defect.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 14 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
CERTAIN FABTECH AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS71000 AND FTS71001, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2001-2006 GM C/K 2500 PICK UP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE PIN LOCATED INSIDE THE PITMAN ARM CAN SHEAR OFF DUE TO A REVERSE BENDING FATIGUE CONDITION, RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Remedy: FABTECH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PITMAN AND IDLER ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FABTECH AT 909-597-7800.
How other years compare
Check your exact Silverado 2500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 reliable?
NHTSA has 177 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The most complained-about area is service brakes (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 52,000 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning steering. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.