The 2006 GMC Sierra has 6 safety recalls and 53 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes (20 complaints).
Recalls6safety recalls
Complaints53filed by owners
Crashes · fires3 · 3reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
NHTSA recall 09E025000 · May 11, 2009 · 42,540 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Equipment › Electrical
NHTSA recall 07E066000 · Aug 28, 2007 · 175 vehicles
Problem: CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
Risk: IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.
Fix: ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
Wheels › Rim
NHTSA recall 06V307000 · Aug 11, 2006 · 3,227 vehicles
Problem: 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. IN ADDITION, THE LABEL MAY ALSO BE MISSING THE TIRE LOAD RATING ON THE LABEL. ALTHOUGH THIS INFORMATION IS NOT REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD, IF A TIRE OF A LESSER LOAD RATING IS INSTALLED, THE TIRE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THE LOADS ENCOUNTERED DURING USE.
Risk: IF A CUSTOMER REPLACES A WHEEL AND ONLY RELIES ON THE RIM SIZE DESIGNATION THAT IS INDICATED ON THE LABEL, A WHEEL THAT IS OF A DIFFERENT RIM CONTOUR DESIGNATION MAY BE INSTALLED. IT MAY BE DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO MOUNT THE TIRE ON A WHEEL WITH THE WRONG CONTOUR. IF THE TIRE IS MOUNTED ON THE WHEEL WITH THE WRONG CONTOUR, THE WHEEL AND TIRE MAY NOT PERFORM AS INTENDED, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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. THE RECALL BEGAON ON NOVEMBER 7, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2239, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, AND GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463.
Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA recall 06V289000 · Aug 3, 2006 · 38,439 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: IF THE DAMPER COMES LOOSE, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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
NHTSA recall 05V552000 · Dec 7, 2005 · 32,068 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: A MISPRINTED LABEL COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
NHTSA recall 05V455000 · Oct 5, 2005 · 123,592 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD BE LOST AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRO-BOOST POWER BRAKES, IT COULD ALSO RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. IF THE POWER STEERING FLUID SPRAY WERE TO SPRAY ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: 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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.
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.
Crash test ratings
2006 GMC Sierra 2-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
18.5%
2006 GMC Sierra 4-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
18.5%
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Sierra 15 Hybrid 2WD Hybrid
17mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
Sierra 15 Hybrid 4WD Hybrid
16mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 18 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Dec 16, 2015 · 81,750 milesService brakes 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…
Jul 18, 2015 · 57,000 milesService brakes BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. BEFORE THE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON. THE SERVICE LIGHT DID COME EVENTUALLY AT WHICH TIME WE CHECKED THE MASTER CYLINDER WHICH WAS EXTREMELY LOW SO WE FILLED IT THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. THE NEXT DAY WE NOTICED BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING AND AFTER CHECKING REALIZED THAT AT LEAST ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES WERE WERE RUSTED THROUGH IN SEVERAL PLACES AND ALL OF THE OTHER LINES ARE TERRIBLY RUSTED AND PROBABLY ON THE VERGE OF LEAKING ALSO. THIS IS A TRUCK THAT WE USUALLY PULL OUR CAMPER WITH. LUCKILY WE WERE NOT PULLING IT AT THE TIME THIS OCCURRED.
May 11, 2015 · 135,000 milesVisibility/wiper TURNED OFF ENGINE, HVAC FAN STILL ON. WILL NOT TURN OFF. THIS IS THE DUAL CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM. HAD TO REMOVE FUSE SO THE BATTERY WILL NOT DISCHARGE. SERVICE BULLETINS WERE ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT DID NOT INCLUDE ALL VEHICLES, INCLUDING OURS.
Aug 6, 2013 · 10,000 milesSeat belts 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*CN 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*JB
Dec 13, 2013 · 110,400 milesService brakes DROVE FROM BALTIMORE, MD TO CLEVELAND, OH. PARKED, THE NEXT DAY ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. BRAKE LINE ON DRIVERS SIDE TOWARD THE REAR HAD RUSTED OUT, HAD TO HAVE TRUCK TOWED AND BRAKE LINE REPLACED. IN DEC. 2014, ONE YEAR LATER, TRUCK WAS PARKED FOR 4 DAYS IN DRIVE, WENT TO DRIVE BRAKE PEDAL TO FLOOR AGAIN, HAD TO HAVE TOWED, 4 LINES REPLACED. *TR
Jan 23, 2015 · 39,889 milesService brakes WAS COMING TO A STOP LIGHT AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR. HAD TO STEP ON SEVERAL TIMES TO GET STOPPED. THE FACTORY ELECTRICAL WIRE IN FACTORY LOOM IN FACTORY CLAMP HOOKED TO BRAKE LINE WORE A HOLE THROUGH BRAKE LINE TO RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. WORE THROUGH DIRECTLY UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER. LUCKILY I WAS NOT GOING AT HIGH SPEED OR THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL INCIDENT!!!!!!!!! THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COME FROM FACTORY AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR
Dec 1, 2013 · 114,500 milesAir bags IN LATE OCTOBER, 2013, I PURCHASED MY 2006 GMC SIERRA C1500 STANDARD CAB, 2WD PICKUP FROM A PRIVATE OWNER. ON OR ABOUT, DECEMBER 01, 2013, I NOTICED THAT THE "SERVICE AIR BAG" WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED INTERMITTENTLY. THE "AIRBAG" ILLUMINATED SYMBOL IN THE DASH INSTRUMENTATION AREA WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THIS WOULD RANDOMLY COME ON AND GO OFF DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. I SUBSEQUENTLY TOOK THE TRUCK TO A LOCAL GMC/CHEVROLET DEALER FOR SERVICE OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY CHARGED ME TO FIX THE ISSUE AND IT DID NOT APPEAR FOR ABOUT A WEEK AFTER THEIR REPAIR. I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER, AS THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY REPAIR PREVIOUS ISSUES ON OTHER VEHICLES THAT I HAVE…
Jul 16, 2014 · 120,000 milesAir bags TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.