2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
15/100
#18 most-complained of 21 Silverado 1500 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has a complaint index of 15, ranking 18th worst out of 21 model years, with a Good verdict capped due to incomplete records for 2005-2009. Brakes account for 51% of its 541 complaints.
- Complaints
- 541
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 27 / 22
- Injuries / deaths
- 19 / 5
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 15
- 14 city / 18 hwy
Top 2006 Chevy Silverado 1500 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes276 (51%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires79 (15%)
- Electrical System71 (13%)
- Engine38 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain36 (7%)
- Airbags35 (6%)
- Structure & Body34 (6%)
- Steering28 (5%)
- Fuel System26 (5%)
- Other17 (3%)
What owners report
- Front airbags sometimes failed to deploy during frontal or side-impact crashes at moderate speeds, even when occupants were belted.
- Owners reported the fan control module under the dash catching fire and burning nearby wiring, in some cases across multiple trucks in the same fleet.
- The air conditioning and heating system failed alongside other electrical components, with a melted resistor connector and wiring harness noted at 45,000 miles.
- Underhood or underbody fires occurred without warning, including one case near the fuel tank after highway driving and idling.
- A front tire was reported to shake, smoke, and catch fire while driving on the highway.
- The engine ran hot repeatedly before eventually catching fire at 30,000 miles despite multiple dealer visits.
2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 06V307000Aug 11, 2006Suspension, Wheels & Tires3,227 vehicles
Wheels:rim
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 06V289000Aug 3, 2006Engine38,439 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 05V552000Dec 7, 2005Other32,068 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
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.
Risk: 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.
2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14 MPG
- Highway
- 18 MPG
- Combined
- 15 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2006 Silverado 1500 a complaint index of 15, the 18th worst (or 4th best) of 21 model years tracked. Its verdict is Good, though it's capped because 2005-2009 complaint records are less complete.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
- Brakes are the top problem area, making up 51% of the 541 complaints filed, with a median failure mileage of 66,500 miles.
- Does the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2006 Silverado 1500, covering tire/rim labeling, a fuel rail pulse damper clip on the 8.1L V8 engine, and a power steering hose issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- Are airbags a problem on the 2006 Silverado 1500?
- Airbags account for 35 complaints (6% share) and are linked to 16 crashes, the highest crash count of any problem area, with reports of non-deployment during collisions.
- How does the 2006 Silverado 1500 compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 15 is lower than 2005 (30), 2007 (60), and 2008 (70), but its verdict is capped at Good rather than Best due to incomplete data for that era.