2006 GMC Sierra Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2006 GMC Sierra most often report brake lines that rusted or were worn through, with the brake pedal dropping to the floor, and some describe a near collision. Other common themes are ABS activating during slow stops, front hub or wheel bearing failures, and smoke, burning odors, or fire. The brake failures are described as sudden, and where mileage is listed, the reports span about 11,400 to 110,400 miles.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Rusted or chafed brake lines, pedal drops to floor

   • 16 complaints (30%)
   • median 57,000 mi at 8.8 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2015

   Owners describe the brake pedal going to the floor or brake fluid leaking, often because brake lines have rusted through or been worn by a nearby wire. Some complaints describe the pedal dropping during a stop, with a collision or near collision that followed. According to complaints, repair shops found corrosion in the brake lines, and some owners say all brake lines were replaced. Some complaints say the manufacturer offered no assistance, and another says it was aware of the problem but no recall had been issued. Where mileage is listed, reports range from about 11,400 to 110,400 miles, and some describe the failure after the truck had been parked for days.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask for records showing whether the brake lines were inspected or replaced, and check under the truck for rust along the frame and lines. A lift inspection can show rust or any wire rubbing on a brake line before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I went to put on my brakes, I first started to stop then my brake pedal went all the way to the floor. I hit a vehicle in front of me. The collision shop that I had it repaired at said the brake lines were rusted. After further investigation I read a lot of complaints about this same defect in chevy and Gmc trucks.”

   NHTSA complaint #10628635, filed 2014-08, 11,400 miles

   “When I went to start the truck in the morning, I put my foot on the brake pedal and it went to the floor. Got out and saw the brake fluid on my driveway. Examined the truck and found a steel brake line had rusted through and others had significant rust.”

   NHTSA complaint #10544605, filed 2013-09, 50,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Smoke, burning smell, or fire in the vehicle

   • 10 complaints (19%)
   • median 61,750 mi at 5.3 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2015

   Owners describe smoke, burning odors, or fire from different areas of the vehicle, including the cab, steering column, a wheel, the engine compartment, and under the dash. A heater and blower complaint describes hot wires, melted connectors, and smoke in the cab, and another describes a possible fire risk from a connector under the passenger dash. A complaint describes a wheel that smoked along with a grinding noise and reduced braking, and another says a fire started in the engine compartment while the truck was parked in a garage, with the origin still under investigation. Other complaints describe a burning odor that stopped when the air conditioner was turned off, and smoke from the steering column with a key stuck in the run position. Where mileage is listed, reports range from about 16,000 to 100,000 miles, and some describe the problem while the vehicle was parked or idling.

   What to check: Ask the seller for repair records that mention smoke, a burning odor, or fire, and whether the dash wiring was inspected. A mechanic can check the dash connectors and steering column wiring for heat damage before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2006 Gmc Sierra 1500 4x4 crewcab was running idle as I was preparing to leave for camping trip. I was checking to insure all lights on vehicle and trailer were functioning properly before departing. I noticed upon departure that smoke was coming from inside the steering column. I turned off running lights and when I tried to turn off the vehicle I found that I could not as the key was froze/stuck in the on/run position. The cab of the vehicle was filling with smoke and I could not turn the vehicle off. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10615072, filed 2014-07, 61,500 miles

   “A/c & heater fan control and passenger air bag resister/connector found under the passenger dash, possible fire and safety issues if vehicle is parked in a garage.”

   NHTSA complaint #10323777, filed 2010-04, 100,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Anti-lock brakes engage during slow stops

   • 8 complaints (15%)
   • median 39,315 mi at 5.3 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2014

   Owners describe the anti-lock brake system engaging during slow stops, sometimes with pulsation felt in the pedal and an audible sound, even on normal roads. Some complaints describe an ABS warning light coming on, and another describes the system momentarily failing to stop the vehicle at moderate speed, with a moaning sound. According to complaints, the dealer replaced the rear brakes and the same problem continued, and in another case advised replacing wheel speed sensors. Where mileage is listed, reports range from about 18,000 to 41,000 miles, and the ABS often engages during slow stops on dry pavement.

   What to check: Ask whether any ABS codes or wheel speed sensor repairs appear in the service records. On a test drive, make slow stops on dry pavement and watch for pulsation or an ABS light.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2006 Gmc Sierra with the same ABS issues that are recalled for older vehicles. Abs engages at low speeds when coming to a stop increasing stopping distances. I took it to dealer and they replaced the rear brakes. Truck has only 41000 miles on it, I wouldn't think the rear drum brakes would be worn out. I drove it home last night and to work today. Same problem still exists. Will recall be extended to include my vehicle someday?”

   NHTSA complaint #10564774, filed 2014-02, 41,000 miles

   “Antilock braking system (ABS) activates consistently as vehicle nears full stop. It's audible and you feel the pulsation in the brakes. The road conditions are normal and there is no reason for the ABS to activate.”

   NHTSA complaint #10465045, filed 2012-07, 41,000 miles
4. 4
   Suspension

   Front hub or wheel bearing wear and failure

   • 5 complaints (9%)
   • median 40,000 mi at 5.9 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2014

   Owners describe front hubs or wheel bearings that wore out early, with grinding or rattling noises, shaking, and reduced braking in some reports. A complaint describes a front hub assembly coming apart internally, and another describes a bearing that burned out before the tires were worn. A complaint says the hub was replaced repeatedly, and another says the manufacturer chose to seal the bearing instead of replacing it. A complaint mentions a hub bearing recall and says the brakes did not seem to work properly at times. Where mileage is listed, reports range from about 36,000 to 77,465 miles, and some describe the failure at highway speed.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the front hubs or wheel bearings have been replaced or inspected, and listen for grinding on a test drive. A mechanic can check each front wheel for play and roughness before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2006 Gmc Sierra with a front wheel bearing burn out. Consumer states that the wheel bearing burn out was prior to the tire wearing out. Gm decided to seal the bearing to prolong the life. The consumer stated the failure occurred while driving 70 MPH. Once he was able to stop the vehicle, the consumer discovered the brake line had broken and a fire had ignited under the vehicle. The axle and all the brake components had to be replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #10256768, filed 2009-01

   “2006 Gmc Sierra. Consumer writes in regards to recall concerning hub bearing the consumer also stated, the brakes were not functioning properly. There were times, when it felt as though the brakes didn't grab.”

   NHTSA complaint #10426091, filed 2011-09
5. 5
   Air bags

   Airbag and restraint warning lights

   Mentioned in 4 of 49 sampled complaints

   Owners describe airbag or restraint warning lights that came on intermittently or stayed lit after a visit to the dealer. A complaint says a service airbag message returned after the dealer charged for a repair, and another says the dealer reported that airbag sensors needed replacement without the vehicle being repaired. A complaint describes a restraint warning light that stayed on while a front impact sensor was reported not to work. A passenger airbag resistor and connector found under the dash was described as a possible fire risk. Where mileage is listed, reports range from about 10,000 to 114,500 miles, and some describe the warning as intermittent.

   What to check: Ask the dealer to scan the airbag and restraint systems for stored codes and to say whether any sensor or connector repair was recorded. Any airbag warning light seen during a test drive should be checked by a dealer or qualified repair shop.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10667824, filed 2014-12, 114,500 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10663956, filed 2014-12, 120,000 miles

Buying note. Before buying a 2006 model year Sierra, ask for brake line inspection or replacement records and check the lines and frame for rust. Ask for warning-light and hub repair history too, and have a mechanic test drive the truck for pedal feel, ABS pulsation, and wheel noise.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 49 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.