VehicleVerdict

2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 218 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.2 times the median Silverado 2500 year — the 2006 model ranks #9 of 33 Silverado 2500 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 72 reports (33% of the total).

218

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

15

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Silverado 2500 years?

Silverado 2500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted561 complaints1994: 7 complaints1995: 6 complaints1996: 2 complaints1997: 74 complaints1998: 82 complaints1999: 95 complaints2000: 156 complaints2001: 379 complaints2002: 408 complaints2003: 561 complaints2004: 431 complaints2005: 337 complaints2006: 218 complaints2007: 253 complaints2008: 226 complaints2009: 79 complaints2010: 27 complaints2011: 128 complaints2012: 69 complaints2013: 71 complaints2014: 52 complaints2015: 245 complaints2016: 156 complaints2017: 69 complaints2018: 69 complaints2019: 101 complaints2020: 134 complaints2021: 103 complaints2022: 123 complaints2023: 64 complaints2024: 202 complaints2025: 30 complaints2026: 4 complaints
Silverado 2500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Silverado 2500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes7233%
Transmission3416%
Steering199%
Engine178%
Electrical System146%
Tires & Wheels136%
Body & Structure84%
Airbags73%
Visibility & Wipers73%
Fuel System63%
Suspension52%
Other52%
Speed Control31%
Latches & Locks21%
Trailer Hitch21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%
Seats21%

Does the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E010000SteeringFebruary 1, 2006 · 1,360 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH WITH POTENTIAL INJURY OR DEATH.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 60MPH TRAFFIC SLOWED SUDDENLY WHILE PRESSING DOWN ON BRAKES WHEN TO FLOOR I SWERVED TO AVOID SLOWING TRAFFIC AND RAN OFF SHOULDER IN TO GRASS AND SMALL TREES TO COME TO A STOP HAD TRUCK TOWED TO MY HOUSE FOUND LINE OVER GAS TANK SPLIT OPEN THEIR WAS NO PEDAL AT ALL AND NO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 4, 2014 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE THE TODDLER WAS PLACED IN THE DRIVER SEAT OF THE VEHICLE, SHE TURNED THE KEY TO THE ACCESSORY POSITION. THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE HILL AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE TODDLER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 5, 2015 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, THE BRAKES AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 11, 2013

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM THE HOOD OF THE PARKED VEHICLE. HE LIFTED THE HOOD AND FLAMES WERE PRESENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 20, 2007 · fire

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 23, 2017 · fire

2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 — common questions

Is the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 218 complaints put the 2006 model at #9 of 33 Silverado 2500 years. It is one of the Silverado 2500 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 Silverado 2500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (72 complaints), transmission (34 complaints), steering (19 complaints).

Does the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Silverado 2500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Silverado 2500 years to avoid are 2003, 2004, 2002, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2015, 2008, 2006, 2024, 2016, 2000, 2011, 2009, 2013, 2012, 2014, 2010. The cleanest record among Silverado 2500 years belongs to 1996.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.