YearToAvoid

2006 GMC Sierra 2500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

35/100

#14 most-complained of 21 Sierra 2500 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2006 GMC Sierra 2500 has 66 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 35 out of 100 — #14 highest of 21 Sierra 2500 model years (verdict: Good). The most reported problem area is brakes (30 complaints, 45% of the total). Complaints report 4 crashes, 3 fires, and 2 injuries.

Complaints
66
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
4 / 3
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2006 GMC Sierra 2500 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes30 (45%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain12 (18%)
  3. Steering10 (15%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (14%)
  5. Engine5 (8%)
  6. Electrical System4 (6%)
  7. Airbags3 (5%)
  8. Fuel System2 (3%)
  9. Structure & Body2 (3%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers1 (2%)
2006 GMC Sierra 2500 complaints: complaints filed per quarter52006 Q22008 Q32009 Q42011 Q22012 Q42014 Q42016 Q32020 Q2
78 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2006 Q2 to 2020 Q4; peak 2006 Q3 (5).

2006 GMC Sierra 2500 recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 08V519000Oct 6, 2008Other133 vehicles

    Equipment adaptive/mobility

    Mobilityworks is recalling 133 my 2005-2006 ford e250, my 2000, 2004-2006 e350, my 2000, 2005 e450, my 2005-2006 gmc 2500, gmc 3500, and my 2006 dodge 2500 vans equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "platform lift systems for motor vehicles." the anti-stow interlock may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or something is still on the lift.

    Risk: A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.

    Remedy: Mobilityworks is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or mobilityworks at 1-800-769-8267.

2006 compared with other Sierra 2500 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Caution7011519
2006Good35661—
2007Caution60833—
2008Caution55633—

All GMC Sierra 2500 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 GMC Sierra 2500 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 GMC Sierra 2500 ranks #14 of 21 among Sierra 2500 model years (Complaint Index 35/100, verdict: Good). It has 66 complaints and 1 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 GMC Sierra 2500?
The most reported problem areas are brakes (30 complaints), transmission & powertrain (12 complaints), and steering (10 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 43,500 miles.
Does the 2006 GMC Sierra 2500 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2006 GMC Sierra 2500, most recently reported 2008, covering other.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.