VehicleVerdict

2006 GMC Sierra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2006 GMC Sierra is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 65 owner complaints run below the Sierra median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 42% of all reports (27 of 65), far ahead of electrical system at 7.

65

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Sierra years?

See all Sierra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 GMC Sierra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes2742%
Suspension711%
Electrical System711%
Steering46%
Airbags35%
Visibility & Wipers35%
Tires & Wheels23%
Transmission23%
Fuel System23%
Seat Belts12%
Seats12%
Latches & Locks12%
Body & Structure12%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)12%
Engine12%
Lighting12%
Other12%

Does the 2006 GMC Sierra have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

07E066000Electrical SystemAugust 28, 2007 · 175 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.

Remedy

ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.

06V307000Tires & WheelsAugust 11, 2006 · 3,227 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF A CUSTOMER REPLACES A WHEEL AND ONLY RELIES ON THE RIM SIZE DESIGNATION THAT IS INDICATED ON THE LABEL, A WHEEL THAT IS OF A DIFFERENT RIM CONTOUR DESIGNATION MAY BE INSTALLED. IT MAY BE DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO MOUNT THE TIRE ON A WHEEL WITH THE WRONG CONTOUR. IF THE TIRE IS MOUNTED ON THE WHEEL WITH THE WRONG CONTOUR, THE WHEEL AND TIRE MAY NOT PERFORM AS INTENDED, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

06V289000EngineAugust 3, 2006 · 38,439 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THE DAMPER COMES LOOSE, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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.

05V552000OtherDecember 7, 2005 · 32,068 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A MISPRINTED LABEL COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

05V455000SteeringOctober 5, 2005 · 123,592 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD BE LOST AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRO-BOOST POWER BRAKES, IT COULD ALSO RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. IF THE POWER STEERING FLUID SPRAY WERE TO SPRAY ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 21, 2014 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD SHUT OFF INDEPENDETLY AND THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR NEAR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS DEACTIVATED, THE BURNING SMELL CEASED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 13, 2008 · fire

2006 GMC SIERRA WITH A FRONT WHEEL BEARING BURN OUT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WHEEL BEARING BURN OUT WAS PRIOR TO THE TIRE WEARING OUT. GM DECIDED TO SEAL THE BEARING TO PROLONG THE LIFE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. ONCE HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · January 1, 1901 · fire

VERY DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE, TO TURN STEERING AT IDLE. DURATION OF PROBLEM APPROX. 1 YEAR. JUNE 2009 DEALER REPLACED PART IN STEERING. DEALER COLD NOT FIND A PROBLEM IN STEERING, BUT REPLACED A PART. PROBLEM CONTINUES; VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AT IDLE OR LOW SPEED. I DO NOT FEEL IT IS SAFE. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · May 1, 2009

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 16, 2014

2006 GMC Sierra — common questions

Is the 2006 GMC Sierra reliable?

It is close to typical for the Sierra: 65 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2006 Sierra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (27 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints), suspension (7 complaints).

Does the 2006 GMC Sierra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 GMC Sierra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which GMC Sierra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sierra years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2001, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003, 1998, 2004, 1994, 2005, 2014, 1993. The cleanest record among Sierra years belongs to 1979.

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.