2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe brake problems, particularly the anti-lock system engaging at low speed and brake lines rusting through. Electrical complaints are the next most common, including blower motor resistor connectors that overheat and melt, and intermittent lighting and stalling behavior. Many reports come at moderate mileage, though brake and frame corrosion complaints often appear on trucks with more than 100,000 miles.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS activates at low speed, longer stopping distance

   • 72 complaints (20%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (71 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $502 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2020

   Owners describe the anti-lock brakes kicking in during low-speed braking, typically below about 10 mph, with a grinding or growling noise and a pedal that pulses or travels. Complaints say the truck then travels several extra feet past the intended stop point, and some owners removed the ABS fuse to get normal braking back. Dealers and mechanics cited dirty or corroded wheel speed sensors and hub assemblies, and several owners report replacing sensors or hubs more than once. Often reported between roughly 20,000 and 90,000 miles, with some at higher mileage; several owners link it to rain, road salt or cold weather.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive the truck at walking pace on dry pavement and brake firmly to a stop; listen and feel for ABS chatter. Ask whether the wheel speed sensors or hub assemblies have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2006 silverado [ after dealer changed front brake pads] started low speed ABS activation. I almost went through a stop sign. Dealer says over 36,000 no warranty work. I had to remove ABS fuse to drive truck. I had 36,300 miles at time if occurrence.”

   NHTSA complaint #10325218, filed 2010-04, 36,000 miles

   “A problem exist with my 2006 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500 lt. When braking at low speeds, the low speed sensor causes the ABS system to engage. When the ABS system engages, the vehicle does not stop where intended. The vehicle travels around 5 feet further then it would under normal braking conditions, depending on speed. This happens only at low speeds(under 10mph) and every time the vehicle attempts to come to a complete stop. I have not tried to repair the problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10356844, filed 2010-09, 70,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Rusted-through brake lines and loss of braking

   • 117 complaints (33%)
   • median 84,500 mi at 9.1 yrs old (112 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 19 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2025

   Complaints describe the brake pedal going to the floor and the truck failing to stop, often without warning, after a steel brake line rusts through. Owners report lines replaced at their own expense, sometimes more than once, and some also mention rusted fuel lines and transmission cooler lines found at the same time. Dealers and shops reportedly attributed the corrosion to road salt, and owners say they were told the lines are a wear or maintenance item. Reported from roughly 40,000 miles upward, most commonly above 100,000 miles, and often on vehicles driven in winter-salt regions.

   What to check: Have the hard brake and fuel lines inspected along the frame on a lift, looking for surface scale, pitting or damp spots, especially on trucks from snowy states.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I depressed the brake pedal while pulling into my driveway and the pedal went to the floor. Upon further inspection I discovered that my brake lines are severely rusted and one line has a hole in it. My vehicle has low miles and this should not be an issue. This is a very serious problem and I or my family could have been severely injured.”

   NHTSA complaint #10471441, filed 2012-08, 54,120 miles

   “My son was driving my truck and as he tried to stop to turn into a drive, the truck would not stop. Luckily he drifted to a stop and called my husband immediately. We towed the truck to an auto repair station in town where they found that the brake lines had rusted through. They replaced the brake lines which ended up costing us $767.80. After speaking to a friend about this, he showed my husband an article about how GM pickups have been having issues with rusted brake lines and that they should be recalling these vehicles.”

   NHTSA complaint #10651842, filed 2014-11, 105,350 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Blower motor resistor and connector melting

   • 24 complaints (7%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 4.4 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2024

   Owners describe smoke and a burning plastic smell from under the passenger-side dash while the blower is on, sometimes with a glowing connector or sparks when switching fan speeds. Some report the blower motor running on after the key is off, draining the battery. Dealers identified the blower motor resistor or its connector as the failed part; complaints describe the repair but note the vehicle was not covered by a recall. Mostly reported between about 45,000 and 70,000 miles, with a few at higher mileage.

   What to check: Run the fan through all speeds and smell for burning plastic; pull the resistor connector and look for browning, melted plastic or corroded terminals.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At first #5 on heater quit working. Some times it worked other times it would not. I noticed a glow under the dash and smelled burnt plastic. I checked things out the connector had melted and glowed when the heater was on. It threw sparks when I switched to the 5 position. The blower still worked even though it was about to catch fire, why doesn't it blow a fuse? This is not safe. Lucky I keep my truck clean and don't have carpet, it would have probably caught fire.”

   NHTSA complaint #10253297, filed 2008-12, 70,000 miles

   “Terrible smell and smoke noticed from under dash while using the AC on high. The air was still blowing but smoke stopped after I turned it off. I had to role down the windows quickly and pull over. I was nervous that the dash was on fire, but it seemed ok to drive to the dealer. Dealer reported that it was the blower motor resistor. Some research on the web, and on here, shows that it is a very common and expensive repair. Opinion of several, including me, is that this is a design defect that could result in a safety issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10345685, filed 2010-07, 60,400 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Front-end clunk and steering shaft play

   • 19 complaints (5%)
   • median 30,400 mi at 3.1 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • filed 2006–2020

   Owners describe a clunk or popping noise from the steering column or front end, felt through the wheel at low speed, and in some cases vibration or wandering that requires constant correction. Complaints report intermediate steering shaft lubrication and repeated replacements of the shaft, steering column bearing and idler arm. Some owners say dealers described the noise as normal unless parts were replaced. Reported from very low mileage, some under 20,000 miles, up to about 60,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Turn the wheel slowly while parked and while rolling at walking pace; listen for a clunk and feel for play, and ask whether the intermediate steering shaft has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Intermittent steering shaft and column bearing makes clunking noise and gradually becomes harder to steer over time. Even after replacing the column the problem will return about every 10,000 - 20,000 miles! This also gives excessive tire ware. This is an accident waiting to happen!”

   NHTSA complaint #10294282, filed 2009-12, 46,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500. While driving between 25-30 MPH, the front end of the vehicle began to shimmy and a clunking noise was heard. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they lubricated the intermediate shaft. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer on eleven separate occasions for identical failures. The intermediate shaft, idler arm, body mount, and lower shaft bearings were all replaced. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10274978, filed 2009-06, 4,000 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Reduced engine power and throttle faults

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the check engine light coming on with a reduced engine power message and the truck dropping to a crawl or limited speed, sometimes in traffic. Complaints mention throttle position sensor and throttle body codes, repeated replacements of the sensor, throttle body and wiring, and loose or chafed wiring found by shops. In some reports the symptoms returned after repairs. Reported from about 60,000 miles upward, with several cases in the 100,000 to 175,000 mile range.

   What to check: Ask for any stored throttle or pedal codes with a scan tool, and check whether the throttle body or wiring has already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving or sitting still headlights go off from seconds to minutes then go on or until I push the dimmer switch sideways not up and down,the dashboard lights and clock go off from seconds or until I push the dimmer light switch sideways not up and down,the engine suddenly quits whether sitting still or driving.”

   NHTSA complaint #10995733, filed 2017-06, 125,000 miles

   “Randomly my truck will go in engine power reduced and top speed is 35 MPH. It happened a couple of time on the interstate. The code that pops up is p2135 and I looked it up on line. The internet is full of forms and videos about this problem. Everything on the internet points to the throttle position sensor. I've replaced it twice and replaced the throttle body twice and wiring twice. I put truck in the shop three times. Spent a good $1500 trying to fix the problem and it still pops up every couple of months.”

   NHTSA complaint #11290120, filed 2019-12, 95,000 miles

Buying note. Have a shop inspect the brake and fuel lines along the frame before buying, and test low-speed braking for ABS chatter. Ask for service records on the blower resistor, wheel hubs and steering shaft, since these come up repeatedly in owner complaints.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.