2006 GMC Sierra problems
NHTSA has received 65 complaints about the 2006 GMC Sierra, and 42% of them involve brakes. Next are electrical system (11%) and suspension (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 65 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 42% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 3
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 41,000 miles 59 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 16 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 10 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 11 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 7 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 4 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 6 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 4 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 59 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 41,000 miles. For brakes specifically, the median reported mileage is about 45,000 miles (26 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a crash; 3 complaints mention a fire.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2006 ranks 22nd most-complained-about out of 26 model years of the GMC Sierra with enough data (34 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
2006 GMC sierra with a front wheel bearing burn out. Consumer states that the wheel bearing burn out was prior to the tire wearing out. GM decided to seal the bearing to prolong the life. The consumer stated the failure occurred while driving 70 MPH. Once he was able to stop the vehicle, the consumer discovered the brake line had broken and a fire had ignited under the vehicle. The axle and all the brake components had to be replaced.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 GMC sierra. The contact stated the vehicle caught fire while it was parked in the garage. The fire department stated the fire originated in the engine compartment. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure which was under investigation. The vehicle failure and current mileage was 36,000. Updated 03/05/12 updated 03/06/12
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
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 50 MPH, a bumping noise was heard coming from the rear of the vehicle. When the contact looked in the rearview mirror, nothing was noticed. When the vehicle was parked, the contact found the driver side taillight assembly was hanging by the wires. The dealership determined the tabs holding the taillight fractured and ordered a new taillight assembly.
I have a 2006 GMC sierra with the same ABS issues that are recalled for older vehicles. ABS engages at low speeds when coming to a stop increasing stopping distances. I took it to dealer and they replaced the rear brakes. Truck has only 41000 miles on it, I wouldn't think the rear drum brakes would be worn out. I drove it home last night and to work today. Same problem still exists. Will recall be extended to include my vehicle someday?