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2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 52 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, most often about the brakes (33% of complaints, typically around 72,500 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Silverado 3500 model year since 2000.

Complaints52
Recalls0
Crashes reported5
Fires reported3
Injuries reported41 death reported

Most common 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 problems

  1. Brakes

    17 complaints · 33%

    Half of these problems showed up before 72,500 miles. Parts named most often: power assist, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.

    Tl contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. While driving at approximately between 25-30 MPH, the contact engaged the brake pedal with an extremely long delayed response time. The vehicle had not been repaired or diagnosed at the time of the complaint. The contact had concern of the potential safety risk. The…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 65,000 miles
    On my 2006 Silverado 3500, when applying the brakes, as the vehicle slows to about 2-4mph...the ABS activates and the stopping force of the brakes is reduced causing the vehicle to miss the intended stopping point. I have replaced both front hub bearings which includes the front sensors as others have reported this…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 80,000 miles

  2. Transmission

    9 complaints · 17%

    Half of these problems showed up before 51,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly, transfer case (4-wheel drive).

    The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that oil began leaking from the transmission cooling lines while driving 35 MPH. The contact called the dealer regarding the leak and the dealer advised that because the vehicle was outside of warranty and there were no recalls that they were unable…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 51,000 miles
    I noticed pink liquid leaking on 2006 chevy Silverado 3500 diesel, 46,000 miles. I only realized it was leaking (pink fluid) because of the snow we recently had. I took it to the dealership expecting it to be covered under the warranty. Dealership quoted $841.08 before taxes to fix transmission lines. I inquired about…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 46,000 miles

  3. Wheels and tires

    6 complaints · 12%

    Parts named most often: valve.

    Valve stem on tire broke, immediate loss of air, it was an inside dually tire which saved me from getting in a wreck. If it would have been a front tire I would have lost control, at the time I was going 50 MPH. Could have been fatal.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 4,345 miles
    Valve stem (inflation valve) ruptured and caused tire to deflate. This was the second valve stem to rupture on this truck. The valve stem is available for inspection. The valve stem from the first incident is not available.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 38,500 miles

  4. Steering

    4 complaints · 8%

    Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system, rack and pinion.

    Power steering & brakes failed. Started truck in morning, put in reverse and could not stop vehicle nor steer. Placed in neutral and was able to stop. Vehicle was towed to chev. Dealer, they checked and stated nothing was wrong. Brakes and steering worked after car was warmed up for 30 minutes. This happened in yuma…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 15,600 miles
    Tl contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. In an attempt to drive the vehicle, the contact discovered that there were no power steering or brakes. The dealer has been notified. The current and failure mileages were 43,395. Updated 01-30-08. Updated 01/30/08
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 43,395 miles

  5. Air bags

    4 complaints · 8%

    Takata inflators: my 2006 chevy 3500 driver side airbag deployed overnight while the truck was locked, not running, and had no keys in it in my driveway. This is unacceptable! The truck was not in an accident. Thankfully I wasn't driving down the road when it deployed, or I could have been killed. 2006 should be…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2019, at 282,000 miles

  6. Fuel system

    3 complaints · 6%

    Tl contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle goes into safety mode. The vehicle drops to 20 MPH without warning and cannot go any faster. The vehicle was towed to the dealer over sixteen times and they stated that the fuel filter was the cause of the failure, in addition to the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 42,700 miles
    The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH after refueling, he noticed fuel leaking from the front fuel tank. The contact mentioned that he could hear the rear pump running and while attempting to inspect the fuel cab, it spew diesel all over him. The vehicle was…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 52,621 miles

  7. Electrical

    3 complaints · 6%

    Parts named most often: ignition.

    2006 chevy Silverado 3500 w/ dump body parked in driveway @ 3:00 pm. 1:00 am in the morning truck engine & cab was in flames completely destroying both. Cause of fire appears to have started in the engine compartment & to be electrical.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 15,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact was able to remove the key from the ignition. The vehicle continued to drive as normal. After shutting the vehicle off, the contact removed the key from the ignition while the vehicle was still in the drive gear. The…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 175,000 miles

  8. Engine

    3 complaints · 6%

    Duramax diesel. Check engine light came on when started. Invoice stated code was: "check engine light is on. The vanes inside aren't working. P2563=turbocharger boost control. Command solenoid with tech2, won't operate solenoid not operating. Replace solenoid and retest. Solenoid now operates but tc vane place…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 34,843 miles
    Duramax diesel turbocharger replacement. Second identical occurrence, see odi number 10522941. Work order states "customer states the check engine light came on this morning. Advise. Dtc p2563=turbocharger boost control. System test found turbo vane sticking in turbo. Control solenoid and position sensor operating.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 63,185 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 recalls

NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

Questions about the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500?
By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (17 complaints, typically around 72,500 miles); transmission (9 complaints, typically around 51,000 miles); wheels and tires (6 complaints).
How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
Is the 2006 a bad year for the Chevrolet Silverado 3500?
It is the 3rd most complained-about Silverado 3500 model year since 2000, with 52 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Chevrolet Silverado 3500 years

Chevrolet Silverado 3500 problems by year