Model year record
2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 recalls & problems
The 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 52 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is service brakes (11 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 11 | 99,000 mi |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission; Axle assembly | 9 | 51,000 mi |
| Service brakes, hydraulicPower assist; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip | 6 | 43,395 mi |
| TiresValve | 4 | 38,500 mi |
| SteeringHydraulic power assist system; Rack and pinion › Pinion shaft | 4 | 71,447 mi |
| Electrical systemIgnition | 4 | 151,500 mi |
| Air bags | 4 | — |
| Engine | 3 | 34,843 mi |
| StructureFrame and members | 2 | — |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | — |
| Wheels | 2 | — |
| VisibilitySun/moon roof assembly | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Service brakes
Since repair work was performed on this vehicle in late 2025, it has intermittently experienced sudden, complete brake lockup on all four wheels without any pedal input. This has occurred during sharp turns and during straight, steady highway driving, both suddenly and after gradual buildup; regardless of the pattern leading up to it, the lockup itself is abrupt and unexpected. On March 25, 2026, driving approximately 70 mph on the Glendale Freeway (SR-2) between Mountain Ave and Foothill Blvd, at approximately 39,900 miles, all four brakes suddenly applied with no pedal input, causing the truck to skid toward a stop while traffic continued to pass at highway speed. Smoke was visible from…
- Air bags1 injury
on 7SEP 2025 @ 1100 While backing out of my driveway in my 2007 Chevy 3500, the vehicleâs airbag suddenly and unexpectedly deployed without any collision. The airbag struck me in the chest and left forearm, causing immediate injury. Since the incident, I have been experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath. Prior to this incident, I had taken my truck in for service due to concerns about the airbag recall affecting certain GM vehicles. At that time, I was informed by the dealership that my truck was not included in the recall year range. Despite this, the airbag has now malfunctioned in a way that has caused me injury. I attempted to contact the National Highway Traffic Safety…
- WheelsCrash1 injury
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while driving at a low rate of speed, the contact heard an abnormal, thud-like noise emitted from the vehicle. The contact pulled into an independent tire shop and inspected the tires. The contact found no defect with the tires and chose to proceed with driving the vehicle. While driving at approximately 40 mph, the front passenger-side tire detached from the vehicle without warning. Due to the failure, the vehicle crashed into a ditch. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and the contact sought medical attention for pain in her back. The contact…
- Tires
DURING A TRIP WITH 6 MONTH OLD TIRES, TWO OUT OF 6 TIRES FAILED. ONE WAS A DEEMED A ROAD HAZARD BY THE MANUFACTURER. GIVEN THESE TIRES WERE PURCHASED AND INSTALLED ON A TOW VEHICLE WITH RATINGS FOR THE VEHICLE AND FAILED ON A 75 DEGREE DAY WITH A LIGHT MIST. I WOULD SUSPECT THAT THE TIRES ARE NOT CAPABLE OF MEETING THE RATED SPECS. THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED JANUARY FROM TREADWRIGHT CORP.
- Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS TURNING INTO HIS DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH, THE BRAKE LINE FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT IT FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NOT APPLIED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.
- Air bags
TAKATA INFLATORS: MY 2006 CHEVY 3500 DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED OVERNIGHT WHILE THE TRUCK WAS LOCKED, NOT RUNNING, AND HAD NO KEYS IN IT IN MY DRIVEWAY. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! THE TRUCK WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT. THANKFULLY I WASN'T DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN IT DEPLOYED, OR I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. 2006 SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. MY TRUCK WAS MANUFACTURED 5/2006 AND THE RECALL INCLUDES TRUCKS MADE 12/2006 AND NEWER. WHAT CAN BE DONE BY CHEVY TO PAY FOR MY REPAIR? ADDITIONALLY, THE NIGHT BEFORE THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED ON ITS OWN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. AGAIN IT WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY LOCKED NOT RUNNING, KEYS NOT IN IT!
- Air bagsCrash1 injury
RAILROAD HYRAIL VEHICLE EQUIPPED, AFTER MARKET, WITH HYRAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLIES WHICH ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO OPERATE ON RAILROAD TRACKS. ONCE HYRAIL (FLANGED) WHEELS ARE RETRACTED, THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED OVER THE HIGHWAYS AND PUBLIC ROADS LIKE ANY OTHER VEHICLE. ON 3/16/12 A BNSF EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING THE HYRAIL VEHICLE ON HWY 34 NEAR TRENTON, NE. A SEMI PULLED OUT IN FROM OF HIM, CAUSING HIM TO REAR END THE SEMI AT ABOUT 65 MPH. DELAYED AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT LED TO HIM HAVING EXTENSIVE INJURIES, INCLUDING LACERATIONS TO HIS FOREHEAD, COLLAPSED LUNGS, SPINE FRACTURES AND RIB FRACTURES. CONCERN IS THAT THE INSTALLATION OF HYRAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLIES MIGHT BE IMPACTING THE AIRBAG SENSOR. THE HYRAIL…
- Electrical systemFire
PLUGGED IN MINI VAC TO CIG LIGHTER AND CIG LIGHTER SHORTED TO GROUND CAUSING WIRES TO MELT AND SMOKE INCLUDING POWER OUTLET WIRES.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.