2006 GMC Sierra 3500 Problems
- Complaints
- 11filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 49,974miles, 10 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 GMC Sierra 3500 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2006 GMC Sierra 3500. The part named most often is steering, with 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (3) and air bags (2). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 49,974 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 265 technical service bulletins for this model year. Steering complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 23 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Steering3 27%
- Air bags2 18%
- Brakes2 18%
- Engine cooling1 9.1%
- Tires1 9.1%
Example complaints
Steering: “On march 8,2010 I took my car that I bought 2 years ago to an official emissions inspection station; the vehicle failed. At this time I was given a set of recall papers 09014 special coverage adjustment engine control module- emission related reprogramming that explained what the problem was. In the mean time I took the car to GM . …”
NHTSA complaint #10321261, filed 2010-03, 86,578 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “The contact owns a 2006 Gmc SIERRA 3500. While examining the vehicle he noticed fluid leaking from under the front passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealership and he was advised that the transmission cooling lines needed to be replaced. There were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 44000.”
NHTSA complaint #10296732, filed 2009-12, 44,000 milesAir bags: “Involved in accident, vehicle driven into rear of pick-up and u-haul trailer on highway 50 canyon city,co ,left front side of Gmc 3500 destroyed along with hood area and the airbags did not deploy. Driver had to be cut out of gmc3500. Gmc totaled driver suffered broken neck. Photos obtained but not able to upload.”
NHTSA complaint #10780533, filed 2015-10, 69,000 milesBrakes: “I went out to my truck in the morning and my dash board indicator told me to get my brakes checked; everything was fine the night before. I brought the truck into mymechanic and found out that my brake line is corroded and broken. Also found out that this a recurring and consistent problem with the Gmc sierras. I have my truck serviced by an authorized service center on a regular basis and this has never been mentioned to me. This needs to be a recall item! Serious safety threat. Cannot imagine what could have happened if this occurred 2 days later when I was pulling our 40 foot rv. …”
NHTSA complaint #10637206, filed 2014-09, 79,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
50% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 37,000 and 79,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2006 GMC Sierra 3500 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 265 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11020816Jul 18, 2025Other or unknown. This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- 11019074May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11019073May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11019072May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11017252Mar 28, 2025Electrical system, Other or unknown. This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- 11012907Dec 18, 2024Engine. This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- 11010544Oct 7, 2024Engine. This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- 11008956Sep 9, 2024Other or unknown. This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on When and How to Submit a Field Product Report (FPR) (U.S. and Canada Dealers Only).
- 11007208Sep 6, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires…
- 11006621Aug 26, 2024Electrical system. Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need…
Other model years of the GMC Sierra 3500
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 2,250 | 2 | — | — | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 17 | 40,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 51 | 38,300 | 3 | — | — | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 28 | 33,800 | 1 | — | — | 47 · Typical | Too new |
| 2022 | 32 | 31,154 | 3 | — | — | 54 · Typical | Rising |
| 2021 | 20 | 101,500 | 5 | — | — | — | Rising |
| 2020 | 51 | 28,700 | 8 | — | — | 95 · More | Rising |
| 2019 | 13 | 53,004 | 7 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 14 | 53,800 | 6 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 13 | 21,000 | 7 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 19 | 27,500 | 7 | — | — | — | Rising |
| 2015 | 31 | 38,500 | 7 | — | — | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2014 | 7 | 68,000 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 14 | 49,218 | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 9 | 31,200 | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 20 | 77,250 | 5 | — | — | — | Falling |
| 2009 | 5 | 36,600 | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 25 | 59,000 | 3 | — | — | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2007 | 16 | 36,000 | 3 | — | — | — | Rising |
| 2006 | 11 | 49,974 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 24 | 50,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Rising |
| 2004 | 24 | 84,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Rising |
| 2003 | 7 | 60,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 20 | 79,000 | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 36 | 63,540 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 26 | 57,007 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 19 | 59,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 12 | 128,000 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 10 | 95,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All GMC Sierra 3500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 GMC Sierra 3500 have?
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2006 GMC Sierra 3500 as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2006 GMC Sierra 3500 is reported most often?
Steering is named most often, in 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 3.
Has the 2006 GMC Sierra 3500 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2006 GMC Sierra 3500 reported?
Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 49,974 miles and the middle half falls between 37,000 and 79,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.