2006 GMC Sierra: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 53 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes (36% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 53 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2015
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2015
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2014
“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”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2014
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2014
“Grinding noise and braking diminished along with smoking wheel. Front wheel bearing hub assembly is coming apart inside with only 36000 miles. *js”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2014
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2014
“Without any warnings when attempting to come to a quick stop brake pedal went to the floor and had no braking power. Avoided crash by driving onto a lawn. I have found that all the brake lines where they are attached to the frame in a plastic support under the drivers door have rotted through. Contacted gmc with no success just informing they are aware but no re-calls. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2014
“Applied brakes when on a downhill on ramp to merge into traffic. Brake pedal went to floor without slowing vehicle. Had to swerve off road to avoid a collision .had truck towed to dealer to repair rusted out brake lines $1750.00 est. Was told fuel lines also looked rusted $700.00 est. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING HOSE(S) FOR TWO SUSPECT DATE CODES AND REPLACE THEM IF REQUIRED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.
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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
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.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. AT THE CUSTOMER'S OPTION, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.
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.
Remedy: ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
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.
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 LABEL MAY ALSO BE MISSING THE TIRE LOAD RATING ON THE LABEL. ALTHOUGH THIS INFORMATION IS NOT REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD, IF A TIRE OF A LESSER LOAD RATING IS INSTALLED, THE TIRE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THE LOADS ENCOUNTERED DURING USE.
Remedy: A LABEL THAT WILL CORRECT THE LABEL ORIGINALLY INSTALLED WILL BE MAILED TO CONSUMERS ALONG WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL. THE RECALL BEGAON ON NOVEMBER 7, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2239, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, AND GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sierra 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 reliable?
NHTSA has 53 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 GMC Sierra. The most complained-about area is service brakes (36% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 GMC Sierra problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 43,500 miles or less.
Does the 2006 GMC Sierra have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections. 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.