2006 Chevrolet Suburban 1500: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 31 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (20% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The rear lock actuator became faulty and was replaced 6/13. Just short of 4yrs,the actuator became faulty again in 6/1/17. The dealer was contacted an was told sorry, the warranty (1yr) had expired. 2 things are the problem with this actuator. Because the backhatch is keyless and has no release from the inside, this poses as a safety risk if trapped inside the vehicle. There are other numerous similar complaints for the actuator becoming faulty within a short period of time, costing $700+ to replace.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2017
“I was driving with my friend and our 6 children and I applied the brakes when another car in front stopped suddenly. The brakes did not work and the pedal went to the floor. At the repair shop all the brake lines are brittle. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2014
“2006 suburban with rear door actuator failure starting may 19 2014, mileage of 68000 approximately, loud noise with locking of rear door by either remote or when engaged in driving. Periodical failure of door to open at all. *tr”Owner report · Structure · May 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tried to open rear lift gate and window. Could not access either. There is no emergency access, no key or manual entry. Took it to mechanic, checked all fuses, no failures there. Apparently, there is a separate motor for the lift gate and window. I was told by the dealer, you can not just buy the part that is failing, you must buy the whole motor, and cost is $450+ ,just for the motor !! *tr”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2014
“Driving at 60 mph and applied brakes hard to avoid hitting deer that came on to road. Vehicle began to slow then suddenly lost nearly all braking power as peddle went to floor . Went well past an uncontrolled intersection that was thankfully empty of traffic. Subsequent inspection revealed two burst brake lines where 4 lines are grouped on frame near back of front driver door. Severe rust. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2013
“Gm designed this car with a no key entry for the rear hatch. It does not have an internal manual unlocking mechanism for the hatch. If the car is in an accident, there would be no way to open the rear hatch. On top of this, the rear hatch lock actuator fails for thousands of customers. This either locks the hatch in place, or leaves it unable to be locked. Gm needs to do a recall to fix this issue. It is unsafe, and costing thousands of customers upwards of a $400 repair just to correct it at the dealer. *tr”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Oct 2013
“The rear liftgate will not unlock with key fob or interior door locks from the driver side or the passenger side doors. There is no way to manually unlock or open the liftgate from inside or outside the vehicle. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2013
“My back hatch won't open with pod and there are no other ways to get in. I can't open it from the inside or outside, and the window won't open either. This is a safety hazard, and I am finding many other people online are having the same issue as I am. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2011
“Airbag light intermittantly illuminates. Sometimes for minutes, sometimes for months. Has been happening for the last 3 years. Took vehicle into lash chevrolet, they could find nothing and reset the system. Airbag light illuminated the next day. I travel extensively, and am constantly coming in contact with gm 1500/2500 series trucks, vans and suv's with the airbag light illuminated. The owners of these vehicles have stories that mirrior my experience. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2010
“Tl*the contact owned a 2006 chevrolet suburban 1500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked in the garage, the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department was called and the fire was extinguished. There were no injuries. A fire report was available. The origin of the fire was an electrical wiring within the instrument panel. The vehicle was left on the contact's property where he was awaiting an investigation by his insurance company. The manufacturer was not contacted as of yet. The failure and current mileage was 32,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 0 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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 MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463.
How other years compare
Counts are not adjusted for time on the road here - see all Suburban 1500 years ranked fairly for the age-adjusted comparison.
Check your exact Suburban 1500 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 Suburban 1500 reliable?
NHTSA has 31 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. The most complained-about area is structure (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 71,000 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning wheels. 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.