2006 GMC Sierra 1500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 has a Complaint Index of 5 and ranks 20th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Good verdict, though NHTSA lists 4 recalls covering tires, engine fuel rails, and steering hoses. Brakes are the top complaint area, with 97 reports and a median failure mileage of 52,000.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 5/100
- #20 of 21 Sierra 1500 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 203
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 12
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 8
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 15
- 14 city / 18 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 1
Top 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes97 (48%)
- Electrical System32 (16%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires32 (16%)
- Transmission & Powertrain16 (8%)
- Structure & Body13 (6%)
- Airbags12 (6%)
- Fuel System11 (5%)
- Steering11 (5%)
- Engine10 (5%)
- Other7 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report brake pedals sinking to the floor with little resistance, sometimes leading to rear-end or intersection crashes at low speed.
- Some describe complete loss of braking and steering after driving through thin water on the road, resulting in a crash.
- Fuel system complaints describe white smoke or fire erupting between the bed and cab, or along the fuel line, while driving on the highway.
- Electrical complaints describe the blower motor resistor overheating and melting the wiring harness, producing smoke or burning odors inside the cabin.
- One owner reported front airbags failing to deploy after striking a deer and crashing into a tree at 45 mph.
- A transmission complaint describes a parked truck rolling backward into a river after reportedly failing to engage into park.
2006 GMC Sierra 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 GMC Sierra 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 Sierra 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2006 Sierra 1500 a Complaint Index of 5, the second-lowest among 21 model years tracked, and a Good verdict based on owner complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 GMC Sierra 1500?
- Brakes are the top complaint area with 97 reports, 48% of all complaints, and a median failure mileage of 52,000. Electrical system and suspension/wheel/tire issues follow, each with 32 complaints.
- Does the 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2006 Sierra 1500, covering incorrect tire rim labeling, a fuel rail pulse damper clip on 8.1L V8 engines, and a power steering hose that could fail under extreme steering maneuvers.
- How does the 2006 Sierra 1500 compare to other model years?
- The 2006 model ranks 20th worst out of 21 years with a Complaint Index of 5, better than 2005 (15), 2008 (50), and far better than 2021-2024 which carry Avoid verdicts with indexes from 70 to 100.
- Why is the 2006 Sierra 1500 verdict capped at Good instead of Best?
- The verdict is capped to Good because NHTSA complaint records for the 2005-2009 model years are less complete, not because of a high complaint count.