Most common 2006 GMC Sierra 3500 problems
Share of the 11 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Sierra 3500 complaints by model year
Best Sierra 3500 years: 2012, 2014, 2013. Years to avoid: 2024, 2020, 2023, 2025, 2022. Compare all years →
What 2006 GMC Sierra 3500 owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 GMC Sierra 3500. While examining the vehicle he noticed fluid leaking from under the front passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealership and he was advised that the transmission cooling lines needed to be replaced. There were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 44000.
Transmission cooling pipes have been replace two times in last than 20 months because of fluid leaking.
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 GMC Sierra 3500. While the vehicle was stationary, the power steering fluid leaked into the braking system and caused the brakes to seize. The vehicle was repaired and all of the hoses affected by the brake fluid were replaced. The contact stated that this was the third time the vehicle was repaired for the same failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 161,108.
On March 8,2010 I took my car that I bought 2 years ago to an official emissions inspection station; the vehicle failed. At this time I was given a set of recall papers 09014 special coverage adjustment engine control module- emission related reprogramming that explained what the problem was. In the mean time I took the car to GM . They told me it would cost $125 to diagnose the problem by the time they were done I had a bill for $280 and told it would cost over $1000to fix the car so that could pass (they need to replace the steering column to receive communication I see there is a recall on that) I want to state that I showed the workers at GM the papers showing what the problem was but I was told that was not the problem and they then told me if I want it fixed I would have to pay for it.this occurred after I signed a paper allowing them to "look" at the car . …
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 GMC Sierra 3500 a good car?
Based on 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Sierra 3500 rates average: 35% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Sierra 3500 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 GMC Sierra 3500?
The transmission & drivetrain — 3 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission › cooling unit and lines. Next are the steering (3) and brakes (2).
How many recalls does the 2006 GMC Sierra 3500 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2006 GMC Sierra 3500. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Sierra 3500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2014 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2020, 2023, 2025 and 2022. See the full GMC Sierra 3500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 GMC Sierra 3500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 54,000 miles; 50% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.