2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Owner Complaints

Since repair work was performed on this vehicle in late 2025, it has intermittently experienced sudden, complete brake lockup on all four wheels without any pedal input. This has occurred during sharp turns and during straight, steady highway driving, both suddenly and after gradual buildup; regardless of the pattern leading up to it, the lockup itself is abrupt and unexpected. On March 25, 2026, driving approximately 70 mph on the Glendale Freeway (SR-2) between Mountain Ave and Foothill Blvd, at approximately 39,900 miles, all four brakes suddenly applied with no pedal input, causing the truck to skid toward a stop while traffic continued to pass at highway speed. Smoke was visible from the front wheels and in my mirrors. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred, but the vehicle poses an ongoing risk of sudden, uncommanded loss of control, especially hazardous at highway speed with surrounding traffic. The dealership's inspection found blue thermal discoloration on all four brake rotors, consistent with extreme, sustained overheating, and recommended full brake system replacement estimated at $23,875.25. I am retired, on a fixed income, and cannot readily absorb a repair of this magnitude for an intermittent but serious safety defect. This vehicle uses a Hydro-Boost brake system. GM has published service information (Bulletin PIT3665J) describing a known condition on this platform where the brake pedal can move or self-apply, caused by the internal dump valve failing to seat due to steering system contamination. This bulletin covers Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks across model years 1998-2020, among other GM platforms. Given the severity of this failure and the number of vehicles affected across more than two decades, I believe this warrants review as a potential safety defect.

NHTSA ID

11750416

Incident

Mar 25, 2026

on 7SEP 2025 @ 1100 While backing out of my driveway in my 2007 Chevy 3500, the vehicle’s airbag suddenly and unexpectedly deployed without any collision. The airbag struck me in the chest and left forearm, causing immediate injury. Since the incident, I have been experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath. Prior to this incident, I had taken my truck in for service due to concerns about the airbag recall affecting certain GM vehicles. At that time, I was informed by the dealership that my truck was not included in the recall year range. Despite this, the airbag has now malfunctioned in a way that has caused me injury. I attempted to contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the GM/Chevy Safety Office to report the matter, but both offices were closed at the time.

NHTSA ID

11685558

Incident

Sep 7, 2025

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while driving at a low rate of speed, the contact heard an abnormal, thud-like noise emitted from the vehicle. The contact pulled into an independent tire shop and inspected the tires. The contact found no defect with the tires and chose to proceed with driving the vehicle. While driving at approximately 40 mph, the front passenger-side tire detached from the vehicle without warning. Due to the failure, the vehicle crashed into a ditch. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and the contact sought medical attention for pain in her back. The contact was diagnosed with a sprain to the right side of her neck and right side of her back. The vehicle was then towed to a different independent mechanic, where they determined that the wheel assembly hub had detached from the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 07E106000(Wheels) and linked the failure to the recall. The manufacturer was informed about the failure. The vehicle was not repaired but remained in the possession of the independent mechanic. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11675925

Incident

May 22, 2025

DURING A TRIP WITH 6 MONTH OLD TIRES, TWO OUT OF 6 TIRES FAILED. ONE WAS A DEEMED A ROAD HAZARD BY THE MANUFACTURER. GIVEN THESE TIRES WERE PURCHASED AND INSTALLED ON A TOW VEHICLE WITH RATINGS FOR THE VEHICLE AND FAILED ON A 75 DEGREE DAY WITH A LIGHT MIST. I WOULD SUSPECT THAT THE TIRES ARE NOT CAPABLE OF MEETING THE RATED SPECS. THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED JANUARY FROM TREADWRIGHT CORP.

NHTSA ID

11349819

Incident

Jul 24, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS TURNING INTO HIS DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH, THE BRAKE LINE FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT IT FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NOT APPLIED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.

NHTSA ID

11278440

Incident

Nov 3, 2019

Mileage

42,000 mi

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 INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. MY TRUCK WAS MANUFACTURED 5/2006 AND THE RECALL INCLUDES TRUCKS MADE 12/2006 AND NEWER. WHAT CAN BE DONE BY CHEVY TO PAY FOR MY REPAIR? ADDITIONALLY, THE NIGHT BEFORE THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED ON ITS OWN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. AGAIN IT WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY LOCKED NOT RUNNING, KEYS NOT IN IT!

NHTSA ID

11209590

Incident

May 22, 2019

Mileage

282,000 mi

RAILROAD HYRAIL VEHICLE EQUIPPED, AFTER MARKET, WITH HYRAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLIES WHICH ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO OPERATE ON RAILROAD TRACKS. ONCE HYRAIL (FLANGED) WHEELS ARE RETRACTED, THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED OVER THE HIGHWAYS AND PUBLIC ROADS LIKE ANY OTHER VEHICLE. ON 3/16/12 A BNSF EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING THE HYRAIL VEHICLE ON HWY 34 NEAR TRENTON, NE. A SEMI PULLED OUT IN FROM OF HIM, CAUSING HIM TO REAR END THE SEMI AT ABOUT 65 MPH. DELAYED AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT LED TO HIM HAVING EXTENSIVE INJURIES, INCLUDING LACERATIONS TO HIS FOREHEAD, COLLAPSED LUNGS, SPINE FRACTURES AND RIB FRACTURES. CONCERN IS THAT THE INSTALLATION OF HYRAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLIES MIGHT BE IMPACTING THE AIRBAG SENSOR. THE HYRAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLIES EXTEND APPROX. ONE FOOT OF STEEL FRAMEWORK AHEAD OF THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS. THE PLACEMENT OF THESE ASSEMBLIES MIGHT INADVERTENTLY BE AFFECTING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT IN CRASHES ON THE RAILROAD TRACK AND ON PUBLIC ROADS.

NHTSA ID

10959833

Incident

Mar 16, 2012

PLUGGED IN MINI VAC TO CIG LIGHTER AND CIG LIGHTER SHORTED TO GROUND CAUSING WIRES TO MELT AND SMOKE INCLUDING POWER OUTLET WIRES.

NHTSA ID

10897360

Incident

Aug 15, 2016

Mileage

128,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEEL BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,110.

NHTSA ID

10895997

Incident

Aug 14, 2016

Mileage

109,110 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

10862817

Incident

Jul 21, 2015

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING UP A MOUNTAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE INTENDED TURN. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WANDERED OFF THE ROAD UNCONTROLLABLY. THERE WAS ALSO A LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BOLTS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 308,000.

NHTSA ID

10850757

Incident

Mar 20, 2016

Mileage

308,000 mi

ANTI-LOCK SENSORS DEVELOP RUST AND FAIL. AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES THEY PULSE AND TAKE EXTRA TIME AND DISTANCE TO STOP

NHTSA ID

10732857

Incident

Jul 7, 2014

Mileage

99,000 mi

THE DRIVERS HEATED SEAT COMES ON AND CHANGES SETTINGS AT WILL, AND WHEN IT WILL TURN ITSELF ON IT GOES TO EACH LEVEL OF HEATING LEVELS. I.E, ( LOW/MED/ HIGH) ,AND STAY ON EVEN IF I TURN IT OFF. THEN COMES BACK ON WITH -IN A FEW MUNITIES AS IT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DOES NOT MATTER IF IT IS RAINY, SNOWY OR FOGGY, OR SUNNY, THE DRIVERS HEATED SEAT WILL COME ON, OFF, AND CHANGE SETTINGS CONSTANTLY, THAT I HAVE TO PULL OVER BECAUSE THE SEAT GETS SO HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

NHTSA ID

10716118

Incident

Dec 1, 2014

Mileage

65,000 mi

2006 DURAMAX LBZ. FROM NEW TRUCK INTERMITTENTLY HAS CODE P003A - TURBOCHARGER BOOST CONTROL POSITION NOT LEARNED, P0087 LOW FUEL PRESSURE AND CHANGE FUEL FILTER DISPLAY ON DASH. TRUCK IS TOTALLY STOCK. FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN AT DEALER THEY WOULD DO DIAGNOSTICS AND CHANGE FUEL FILTER SAYING THAT WAS IT AND THEY WOULD RESET ALL CODES. NO DRIVABILITY ISSUES WHEN THIS HAPPENED. RECENTLY (AUGUST 5, 2014) WHILE TRAVELING PULLING A TRAILER TRUCK WENT INTO DERATE/LIMP MODE (FIRST TIME) ALL CODES RETURNED. TOOK TO DEALER, CHANGED FUEL FILTER AND RESET CODES NOW IT IS HAPPENING ABOUT WEEKLY OCTOBER 1, 2014 TOOK TO DEALER RESET CODES DID NOT CHANGE FILTER AS IT WAS JUST DONE AND THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH FUEL. (MILES 94000) DEALERSHIP SAID EVERYTHING CHECKS NORMAL AND CHEVROLET DOES NOT SHOW AND BULLETINS FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10641106

Incident

Sep 1, 2006

Mileage

2,500 mi

AC/HEATER FAN BLOWER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING. WINTER STARTED TRUCK TO DEFROST WINDSHIELD BLOWER WOULD NOT WORK TOOK TO DEALER REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER VEHICLE WARRANTY. SEPTEMBER 24, 2014 (MILES 94000)STOPPED WORKING AGAIN REPLACED BY DEALER AT NO COST. I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM CHEVROLET STATING I HAD 10 YEARS FROM DATE OF PURCHASE OR 150000 MILES TO BE ABLE TO BE REPAIRED AT NO COST. NOT SURE WHY IT IS NOT LISTED HERE ON THIS WEBSITE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10641098

Incident

Jan 1, 2007

Mileage

12,000 mi

IN THE PROCESS OF EXITING FROM OUR HOME, WHILE TOWING A LARGE BOAT, A BRAKE LINE RUPTURED RELEASING THE BRAKE FLUID AND CAUSING A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. I INSPECTED THE RUPTURED AREA AND FOUND THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND READY TO FAIL AT ANY TIME IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY TO HAVE THE BRAKE LINES REPLACED. ESTIMATED COST IS $950. HAD THIS FAILURE HAPPENED ONE MINUTE LATER THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC! *TR

NHTSA ID

10621087

Incident

Aug 7, 2014

Mileage

81,610 mi

TL* 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 FAILURE CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

NHTSA ID

10607014

Incident

Feb 6, 2014

Mileage

175,000 mi

DRIVING HOME FROM A CAMPING TRIP PULLING 30FT 5TH WHEEL , PUSHED ON BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN & PEDAL WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR , PULLED OVER & FOUND BRAKE LINE LEAKING UNDER MASTER CYLINDER ON TOP OF FRAME RAIL , REPAIRED LINE TO GET HOME , UPON INSPECTION OF BRAKE LINES, THEY ARE VERY WEAK, SINCE THEN I'VE HAD TO FIX 2 MORE BRAKE LINES, LUCKILY NOT PULLING ANYTHING ,I HAVE FRIENDS WITH THESE SAME TRUCKS & INSPECTED THERE'S & ALSO LOOK THE SAME,1 FRIEND TOOK HIS TO DEALERSHIP & THEY TOLD HIM THAT THIS IS NORMAL? I FEEL THEY DID NOT USE THE CORRECT KIND OF METAL WHEN PRODUCING THESE VEHICLES BRAKE LINES .I WORK IN THE SERVICE FIELD & HAVE NEVER SEEN BRAKE LINES ROT THE WAY THESE TRUCKS DO , THESE TRUCKS ARE BOUGHT FOR PULLING & A LOT OF THEM ON THE ROAD, SO I WAS HOPING YOU COULD LOOK INTO THIS MATTER FOR SAFETY REASONS. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ID

10593102

Incident

Sep 15, 2013

Mileage

140,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON A PUBLIC MICHIGAN ROAD I STOPPED AT A FOUR WAY ROAD AT A STOP SIGN AND WAS HIT BY ANOTHER DRIVER. *JS

NHTSA ID

10585412

Incident

Dec 18, 2010

Mileage

99,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND TOWING A TRAILER, THE LIMP MODE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,950 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 205,000.

NHTSA ID

10577462

Incident

Jul 29, 2008

Mileage

99,950 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT RIPPED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK, SHOULDER, CHEST, AND WRIST INJURIES. THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10572940

Incident

Feb 6, 2008

BRAKE FAILURE WHEN STEPPING ON BRAKES ON HIGHWAY. STEEL BRAKE LINE FROM FRONT TO REAR BRAKES RUPTURED AND PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR WITH NO WARNING. FROM READING ON WEB THIS IS A COMMEND PROBLEM WITH CORROSION ON BRAKE LINES DUE TO POOR QUALITY MATERIALS USED IN MANUFACTURING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10556961

Incident

Dec 20, 2013

TL* 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 TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,621.

NHTSA ID

10556628

Incident

Dec 16, 2013

Mileage

52,621 mi

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. REPLACE TURBOCHARGER AND ALL NEEDED SEALS AND GASKETS. REPROGRAM ECM AS NEEDED. FILL COOLING SYSTEM." THIS SECOND P2563 TROUBLE CODE AND TURBOCHARGER REPLACEMENT, 28,342 MILES SINCE THE FIRST REPLACEMENT, COST ME $2,889.74. THERE SEEMS TO BE A TREND OF THIS SPECIFIC FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10522944

Incident

May 31, 2013

Mileage

63,185 mi

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 STOPS/STICKS AT 69% AND WON'T MOVE. REMOVE AND REPLACE TURBOCHARGER POSITION SENSOR TO INSPECT. VANE CAM WON'T MOVE. TAC CASE #11223434. SEE RO FOR DETAILS. REPLACE TURBOCHARGER, CLEAR DTC, RELEARN TC POSITION AND RETEST." TURBOCHARGER REPLACED UNDER ORIGINAL WARRANTY WITH $100 DEDUCTIBLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10522941

Incident

Mar 16, 2010

Mileage

34,843 mi