2006 GMC Sierra 2500: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 66 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes (33% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2008
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Brakes failed "completely", with no warning. No "warning light" on the instrument panel while driving on a public road in the county. All of a sudden absolutely no brakes. Had recently hauled a car on a trailer from emporia, kansas. Was preparing to haul calves to the sale barn. Now that would have been a total disaster. Upon inspection, the brake lines are so rusted, that pinching off the line resulted in a rupture in another location. I was trying to get some braking action, so I could drive it to a repair shop. I'll have to haul it. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2020
“Brake lines busted. This is a very serious problem because I was hauling a load and got extremely extremely lucky that it busted as I was pulling in driveway. I was pulling a loaded trailer with no brakes. This is a very common issue with the 2005 and 2006 2500 trucks. I can name 6 vehicles I know of in the past 6 months that this has happened too. Mechanic says it's a very serious and common issue that gm should be recalling. If I would have been at a stoplight it would have been bad. Cheap materials is the problem with these brake lines. 2006 year model is mine.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2020
“My vehicle was totaled and I see their is a recall for the pitman arm that can cause total loss if steering and that is what happened to me”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“In the city stopping for a stoplight the brakes failed. The vehicle luckily was able to turn into a parking lot. All fluid was lost because the brake lines failed due to rust. No brakes whatsoever except emergency brake. My state even requires a safety inspection yearly. If the consumer is not going to be notified of this serious problem at least let the safety inspectors know.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2018
“Tl* the contact owned a 2006 gmc sierra 2500. While driving 65 mph, the contact's vehicle crashed into a guardrail. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the left knee, left ankle, left hip, and abdomen. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 103,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2017
“Total brake failure while trying to stop on a residential street. Vehicle towed to dealership & was told brakes had rusted out. Cost of repairs was around $2000.00”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2016
“Vehicle in motion. Brake line failure (burst) while driving on crowded city street - 30mph. Pedal sank to floor. Total loss of brakes. Used emergency brake and gear in park to stop. Near collision with bicyclist.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2015
“Brake line ruptured due to corrosion which was not visible during safety inspections. After applying brakes to stop at an intersection, brake line broke, causing a complete loss of brakes and loss of vehicle control. I had to use the transmission and the emergency brake to stop the truck. Several local mechanics commented that they are seeing an increase in the number of this type of failure on similar model years. With no failover system to stop the truck, this should be listed as a safety issue. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2014
“You can take the key out of the ignition with the motor running. To start engine you need to 'wiggle' the key or take it out and re-insert about 50% of the time. Please note; because of the past "we don't care" attitude of gm on other complaints- I personally don't want them to contact me- I'm just letting you know of this in case of others that have problems. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2014
“Total brake failure due to ruptured hydraulic brake line. No prior warning. Total failure, I thought dual master cylinder would provide some braking. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
MOBILITYWORKS IS RECALLING 133 MY 2005-2006 FORD E250, MY 2000, 2004-2006 E350, MY 2000, 2005 E450, MY 2005-2006 GMC 2500, GMC 3500, AND MY 2006 DODGE 2500 VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.
Remedy: MOBILITYWORKS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.
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 BRAKE ROTOR DUST SHIELD INTERFERING WITH THE ABS SENSOR CORD. IF THE HUB ASSEMBLY IS INSTALLED DESPITE THIS INTERFERENCE, THE GAP BETWEEN THE ABS SENSOR AND THE TONE WHEEL MAY BE ALTERED. THIS MAY WEAKEN THE OUTPUT OF THE ABS SENSOR. DIMINISHED OUTPUT COULD RESULT IN AN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS AND STOPPING DISTANCE COULD BE AFFECTED.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY ITS OWNERS AND WILL EITHER CREDIT THE CUSTOMERS ACCOUNT OR REPLACE THE UNIT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-563-8507 EXT 3530.
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 Sierra 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 GMC Sierra 2500 reliable?
NHTSA has 66 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 GMC Sierra 2500. The most complained-about area is service brakes (33% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 GMC Sierra 2500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 47,171 miles or less.
Does the 2006 GMC Sierra 2500 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment adaptive/mobility. 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.