2006 GMC Sierra 2500 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 8%of 66 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 26,400miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2006 GMC Sierra 2500, 8% of the 66 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 26,400 miles. 1 a fire, 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.
“Truck was parked in garage on a friday night, with no problems. Started truck saturday am to back out of the garage to hook up a trailer. I put the truck in reverse, then discovered it wouldn't steer and it wouldn't stop. Nearly took out the side of the garage door with the mirror, not to mention, nearly running over one of my kids! I had to engage the emergency brake in order to get the vehicle to stop - half in and half out of the garage. I shut the truck off and restarted it, but nothing changed. Called a flatbed truck to take the truck to the dealership. …”
NHTSA complaint #10310884, filed 2010-02, 74,950 miles“I have a 2006 Gmc SIERRA 2500 with the lbz duramax and allison transmission. Two of the transmission coolant lines began leaking transmission fluid at the crimp ends in dec of 2010. The truck only had 30,000 miles, but was the 36 month warranty period. Service under warranty was denied. An on-line search reveals several others have complained about this issue and that the dealer installed oem replacement lines are no better (developing leaks soon after replacement), yet no TSB or corrective action has been issued by GM. Leaking transmission fluid is a fire and environmental hazard. …”
NHTSA complaint #10377095, filed 2011-01, 30,000 miles“I have a 2006 Gmc SIERRA 2500 hd with 32000 miles. I have had to replace the brakes and rotors twice because they have rusted and rotted away. I have had to replace my exhaust because of rust and the entire under carriage and frame are heavily rusted. I have just recently noticed that there is even rust inside the cab, interior doors, chrome is bubbling.”
NHTSA complaint #10452866, filed 2012-03“The contact owns a 2006 Gmc SIERRA 2500 hd. The contact was driving approximately 50 MPH and smelled burning coolant and the temperature gauge began to rapidly increase. The contact inspected under the hood and noticed the engine overheating with complete loss of coolant. Immediately, water was dispensed into the radiator reservoir. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer two different times for the same failure. The water pump was replaced twice. The manufacturer was notified and a complaint was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10414750, filed 2011-07, 22,000 miles“The contact owns a 2006 Gmc SIERRA 2500. The fly wheel, which runs with the transmission and helps change gears has had to be replaced three times within two years. While driving approximately 10 MPH during the first failure, there was a loud clicking noise and it became louder over time. The dealer stated the vehicle was operating normally. A few weeks later, the noise was much louder; however, a different dealer 2 hours away diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the fly wheel failed. After being repaired 24,000 miles and a year later, the failure recurred. …”
NHTSA complaint #10266628, filed 2009-04, 22,800 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10251887Mar 14, 2024This bulletin advises the technician of possible location of an internal coolant leak from a specific cylinder head and location.
- 10251890Mar 13, 2024This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank…
- 10250775Feb 22, 2024This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large…
- 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…
- 10244273Oct 6, 2023This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
- 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…
- 10242262Aug 24, 2023This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and…
- 10240344Jul 31, 2023This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 2% |
| 2020 | 2 | 3% |
| 2019 | 2 | 6% |
| 2014 | 1 | 3% |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2011 | 1 | 2% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 5 | 8% |
| 2005 | 13 | 11% |
| 2004 | 9 | 6% |
| 2003 | 5 | 3% |
| 2002 | 11 | 8% |
| 2001 | 21 | 16% |
| 2000 | 4 | 8% |
| 1998 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2006 GMC Sierra 2500
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsTires
6 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 GMC Sierra 2500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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