Is the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado a bad year?
182 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Silverado years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado are in line with other Silverado years. Brakes stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2006 Silverado owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 61,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 101 (55%) | 39k–82k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Electrical system | 14 (8%) | 39k–94k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 11 (6%) | 47k–96k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 9 (5%) | 30k–98k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel system | 8 (4%) | 34k–108k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 8 (4%) | 10k–84k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Body structure | 6 (3%) | 29k–88k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 15 (8%) | 1k–58k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Tires | 10 (5%) | 3k–43k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 9 (5%) | 15k–51k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Wheels | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 61,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 182 complaints: 8 mention a crash · 7 mention a fire · 2 report an injury.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Oct 2021.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado: 10
These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility may be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Certain federal-mogul replacement wheel hub assemblies with the brand names: national, carquest p/nos. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, and 515060, shipped between january 23, 2006, and december 20, 2007, sold for light duty and medium duty trucks. Wheel separation can result in a vehicle crash.
Certain cequent 90 degree 7-WAY right angle adaptors sold by distributors in tow packages for aftermarket sales to tow 5th wheel RV travel trailers. Due to incorrect wiring of the harness, the trailer lights may not operate properly. If the trailer lights are not working properly, a vehicle crash can occur.
Certain sport utility vehicles and trucks fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These vehicles have an incomplete tire rim designation on the certification/tire label located on the driver's door edge. If a customer replaces a wheel and only relies on the rim size designation that is indicated on the label, a wheel that is of a different rim contour designation may be installed.
On certain trucks equipped with an 8.1L V8 (Rpo L8-VIN g) engine have a condition in which the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip may fracture resulting in inadequate retention of the damper. If the damper comes loose, a fuel leak may result. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash.
Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash
Certain anzo combination headlamp assemblies sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Certain trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These vehicles were shipped with tire and loading information labels listing an inacccurate vehicle capacity weight. A misprinted label could lead to improper vehicle loading specifications or tire inflation which could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Certain passenger vehicles may have been built with a power steering hose that is not to specification. Under extreme steering maneuvers, such as turning the steering wheel fully to the left or right while braking, the hose may fracture and leak fluid. If this were to occur, power steering assist would be lost and increased steering effort would be required.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 60
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Close coupled converters and there affect on newly installed engines or engines during there break in period
Intermittent Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated with Reduced Engine Power displayed and DTC P2138 set
Gmc/chevrolet: engines, with EGR system, has leakage from EGR cooler engine coolant into the combustion chamber
General motors: an optional engine block heater plug in for onboard ac power and with continuous usage will result in shorting of wires, over heating system…
Neighbouring years
2005 Silverado: 316 complaints, keep it · 2007 Silverado: 183 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Silverado year
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Questions
Is the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado a bad year?
182 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Silverado years. At 61,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: brakes (101), electrical system (14), air bags (11), engine (9), fuel system (8).
How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado have?
10 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 08E050000), Wheels (NHTSA 07E106000), Equipment (NHTSA 07E066000), Wheels (NHTSA 06V-307) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.