2006 Chevrolet Tahoe Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe has 114 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 0, ranking 21st of 21 (lowest complaint volume) among model years with data. Its verdict is capped to Good rather than a higher tier 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 Tahoe years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 114
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 15
- 13 city / 18 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2006 Chevy Tahoe problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body44 (39%)
- Electrical System25 (22%)
- Brakes18 (16%)
- Transmission & Powertrain8 (7%)
- Airbags7 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (6%)
- Engine6 (5%)
- Fuel System6 (5%)
- Other5 (4%)
- Steering5 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Horn and headlamp electrical faults appear intermittently, in one case a headlamp caught fire while the high beams were on.
- Owners report the brake pedal needing to be pushed hard to stop the vehicle, with dealers reportedly telling them this was normal.
- Some owners describe brake failure at low speed where the pedal did not respond and the vehicle had to be steered to the shoulder.
- A heater electrical short was reported to cause smoke and fire inside the cabin while driving.
- Structure and body rattling and heavy shaking under braking from highway speed was reported, along with a broken sway bar bracket causing knocking noises.
- An airbag reportedly did not deploy in a crash where the vehicle struck a semi truck from behind.
2006 Chevrolet Tahoe recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V070000Feb 11, 2014Electrical System22 vehicles
Electrical system
Monroe Truck Equipment (Monroe) is recalling certain model year 2006, 2008 and 2009 Chevrolet C7500 vehicles, 2005-2006 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles, and 2009 Ford F-350, and F-450 vehicles, equipped with Sure Power-brand battery equalizers or DC-DC converters containing a particular epoxy sealing, aka 'potting', compound. The specific potting compound used in the subject products for insulation was found to be capable of conducting electricity after being exposed to heat.
Risk: Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Monroe will notify owners, and Sure Power will replace the equalizers or converters, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2014. Owners may contact Monroe at 1-608-328-8127.
- 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.
- NHTSA 05V455000Oct 5, 2005Steering123,592 vehicles
Steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections
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.
Risk: 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.
2006 Chevrolet Tahoe fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 13 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 Tahoe years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?
- NHTSA lists 114 complaints for the 2006 Tahoe with a complaint index of 0, the lowest among the 21 model years with data. Its verdict is Good, though capped from a higher tier because 2005-2009 complaint records are considered less complete.
- What are the most common problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe?
- Structure & Body issues account for 44 complaints (39%), followed by Electrical System problems at 25 complaints (22%) and Brakes at 18 complaints (16%).
- Does the 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2006 Tahoe, covering the electrical system (battery equalizers/converters), tire and loading label information, and a power steering hose defect. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2006 Tahoe compare to other Tahoe model years?
- The 2006 Tahoe ranks 21st of 21 model years by complaint index, better than 2007 (complaint index 100, Avoid) and 2008 (85, Avoid), but its verdict is capped to Good rather than Best or a higher rank due to incomplete records for that era.
- Are there fire risks reported on the 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe?
- Yes, NHTSA data shows 4 fire incidents among the 114 complaints, including reports of an electrical heater fire and a headlamp fire, mostly tied to the Electrical System problem area.