2006 GMC Sierra 1500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 9%of 145 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 37,184miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 GMC Sierra 1500, 9% of the 145 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 37,184 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We were in a storage facility parking our camper when I got out of my Gmc truck...I left it running in park because it was so hot outside...while I directed my brother to put the camper in place with his vehicle. This took approx. 20-30 minutes when all of a sudden my truck is going in reverse all on its own running into some boats that were stored there. Wth!! My truck got rear end damage,bumper damage,light broken and my topper was messed up as well....along with the boat trailers that it hit! Was there any recall with this problem? …”
NHTSA complaint #10605678, filed 2014-06, 38,367 miles“I own a 2006 Gmc sierra. I purchased this vehicle from a relative (70 year old woman) and it has 22,000 miles on it. I have just had a mechanical issue begin. When slowing the vehicle to approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle ABS activates and the truck thrusts forward. I was advised by a mechanic that this is a failure of both front wheel hub assemblies. Because this vehicle has so few miles on it I began looking on line for recall information. I am shock how many people have also experienced problems around 20,000 miles, some resulting in crashes. …”
NHTSA complaint #10360961, filed 2010-10, 21,990 miles“When the transmission shifts from 2nd to 3rd there is a hard clunking, also when it down shifts from 3rd to 2nd. I have had this 2006 Gmc for only 10 months and I purchased it new. I took it to my local dealer for the problem and they told me that this is normal noise for a four wheel drive. I have had many 4x4 gms in the past and not one of them has had this kind of a shifting problem. I have purchased three new GM's in the last 4 years and I have had problems with all of them, I think I'm going to trade it in for a toyota.”
NHTSA complaint #10181846, filed 2007-02, 3,000 miles“1.rusted brake lines blowout.fortunately mine happened in a parking lot,not on the turnpike,and requiring an emergency stop. 2.clutch master cylinder plastic mounting flange separates when clutch is depressed,disabeling std.transmission.on residential street.”
NHTSA complaint #10897210, filed 2016-08, 80,000 miles“2006 sierra -75000miles clunking in drivetrain when trans. Shifts rearend clunks and jumps in and out when diff lock is needed chatter in steering column engine light comes on when down to 1/2 -3/4 tank (everytime) refuel it goes out dash lights for the radio buttons slowly going out dash lights on the slider for heater controls going out very poor mpg 12-13 on a good day! Sure would like to have all the recalls and bulletins taken care of! Note to myself!! Never purchase a Gmc again!”
NHTSA complaint #10441041, filed 2011-12, 72,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 11001321May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 10250347Feb 2, 2024This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10234619Apr 6, 2023This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 10228863Dec 13, 2022This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and…
- 10227241Nov 18, 2022This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and…
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 35 | 24% |
| 2025 | 28 | 22% |
| 2024 | 73 | 19% |
| 2023 | 92 | 18% |
| 2022 | 113 | 19% |
| 2021 | 145 | 24% |
| 2020 | 99 | 20% |
| 2019 | 140 | 21% |
| 2018 | 131 | 43% |
| 2017 | 118 | 33% |
| 2016 | 84 | 24% |
| 2015 | 99 | 14% |
| 2014 | 69 | 9% |
| 2013 | 3 | 3% |
| 2012 | 6 | 6% |
| 2011 | 24 | 8% |
| 2010 | 4 | 2% |
| 2009 | 9 | 4% |
| 2008 | 6 | 2% |
| 2007 | 6 | 2% |
| 2006 | 13 | 9% |
| 2005 | 11 | 6% |
| 2004 | 8 | 4% |
| 2003 | 6 | 3% |
| 2002 | 5 | 3% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 9 | 5% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 7 | 12% |
| 1997 | 8 | 10% |
| 1994 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2006 GMC Sierra 1500
67 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsTires
7 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsWheels
6 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 GMC Sierra 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology