Most common 2006 GMC Sierra problems
Share of the 58 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Sierra complaints by model year
Best Sierra years: 2020, 2018, 2009. Years to avoid: 1999, 2000, 1995, 1996, 1997. Compare all years →
2006 GMC Sierra recalls (4)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What 2006 GMC Sierra owners say
Brakes all 29 →
There is no warning the pedal goes to the floor and you don't stop. I had a 5th wheel trailer hooked to my 2006 GMC 2500 ext. Cab long bed Sierra p/u with 62,459 miles on it. I was able to stop it with the trailer brakes and a scratch on my front bumper from a tractor trailer that was in front of me. I have owned over 200 cars + trucks since I started driving. I do all my one work on them and I never had a brake line fail, I will be 70 this year. It is ridiculous for an 8 year old truck to have rusted brake lines to fail. The worst part of this is that nobody notified the public that this was a problem when they GMC knows about this problem. I found a garage that fixed the two front lines. So we could get home. …
Total brake failure while in motion. Corroded brake line ruptured causing immediate loss of all fluid. Had this happened 5 minutes earlier, I would have been on a four lane highway in bumper to bumper christmas traffic. At 70 years old I can only imagine how catastrophic an accident my reflexes would have generated. The fluid sprayed on the hot engine creating a cloud of smoke. I was afraid the truck was on fire. The fluid cooked off the engine as smoke and again luckily there was no fire. Now after extensive repairs, I am very nervous behind the wheel of this vehicle. This very dangerous situation with corrosion should be addressed as blogs on the internet indicate this dangerous issue has been ongoing for quite awhile. I have attached the invoice of the repairs required. …
Electrical system
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the seat belt warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000. Updated 7/23/15 the consumer stated the front impact sensor did not work. The red light was still on. The consumer was informed it was related to the driver's seat. The dealer his vehicle was not on the recall list. Updated 07/28/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that the air conditioner would shut off independetly and there was an electrical burning odor near the instrument panel and throughout the vehicle. When the air conditioner was deactivated, the burning smell ceased. The failure occurred on twelve different occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 16,000. Jcc
Suspension
Tl contact owns a 2006 GMC Sierra. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the brakes were engaged and the vehicle began to shake excessively. A rattling noise was heard in the front end of the vehicle while driving over gravel or rough road surfaces. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for routine maintenance and the technician was unable to duplicate or diagnose the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing and the front passenger side wheel hub was replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 GMC Sierra. The contact noticed the right and left front hub assembly was worn. The dealer did not offer any assistance since the warranty had expired. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who informed the contact that she would need to replace the entire hub assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was 77,465. The approximate failure mileage was 77,365. Updated 9/19/11 the hub assembly was replaced three times. Updated 12/08/11
2006 GMC Sierra engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3L 8-cyl hybrid | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 19 / 17 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 19 / 17 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl hybrid | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 18 / 16 |
| 6.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 17 / 15 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 GMC Sierra a good car?
Based on 58 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Sierra rates better than average: 45% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Sierra 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?
The brakes — 29 complaints, 50% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › wheel speed sensor/tone ring. Next are the electrical system (7) and suspension (6).
How many recalls does the 2006 GMC Sierra have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2006 GMC Sierra, the most recent from August 11, 2006 (rim). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Sierra?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2018 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 2000, 1995, 1996 and 1997. See the full GMC Sierra years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 GMC Sierra problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 49,000 miles; 52% 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.