2006 Chevrolet Suburban Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2006 Chevrolet Suburban carries a Good verdict with a complaint index of 0, the lowest among the 21 model years with data, though NHTSA lists 56 complaints and 2 recalls. The verdict is capped to Good rather than higher because complaint records for 2005-2009 are less complete.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 0/100
- #21 of 21 Suburban years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 56
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 14
- 13 city / 17 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2006 Chevy Suburban problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body20 (36%)
- Brakes13 (23%)
- Electrical System11 (20%)
- Airbags4 (7%)
- Steering4 (7%)
- Engine3 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (5%)
- Other2 (4%)
- Seat Belts2 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Electrical wiring behind the instrument panel or in the rear of the vehicle has caught fire, in some cases while the vehicle was parked or just after driving.
- Owners describe a smoke or burning-plastic smell tracing back to a dome light fixture or relay center under the hood.
- The rear liftgate or hatch can become inoperable and unable to be opened from outside after a battery failure or lock issue, since the vehicle lacks an exterior key entry point.
- A child became entangled in a rear seat belt that locked and would not loosen, requiring the belt to be cut to free the child.
- A power window closed on a child's head after the vehicle was shut off and the door closed, without the window automatically retracting.
- A front suspension bracket was found improperly installed during a routine wheel alignment, requiring replacement and realignment.
2006 Chevrolet Suburban recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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 Suburban fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 13 MPG
- Highway
- 17 MPG
- Combined
- 14 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,650
- 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 Suburban years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 Suburban has a complaint index of 0, the best of all 21 model years with data, and carries a Good verdict.
- What problems does the 2006 Chevrolet Suburban have?
- NHTSA lists 56 complaints for 2006, led by Structure & Body issues (20 complaints, 36% share) including rear liftgate failures, followed by Brakes (13 complaints) and Electrical System issues (11 complaints, including 3 fires).
- Does the 2006 Chevrolet Suburban have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2006 Suburban: one for a fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip on 8.1L V8 engines and one for incorrect tire and loading information labels.
- Why is the 2006 Suburban rated Good instead of Best?
- The verdict is capped at Good because complaint records for the 2005-2009 model years are less complete, even though the complaint index of 0 is the lowest of any year.
- How does the 2006 Suburban compare to other bad years like 2007 or 2015?
- The 2007 Suburban has a complaint index of 95 and an Avoid verdict, and the 2015 Suburban has an index of 100 with an Avoid verdict, both far higher than the 2006 model's index of 0.