2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Problems

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.

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.

TL* 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 TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO LOCATE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THE FAILURE FOR HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 DIESEL PU - I NOTICED RED FLUID LEAKING UNDER THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK. WHEN MY MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT HE SAID THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LINES WERE LEAKING, ALONG WITH THE POWER STEERING LINE. HE HAD WORKED ON FOUR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HAD I DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, 50 MILES AWAY, I COULD HAVE LOCKED UP OR BURNED UP MY TRANSMISSION AND MAY HAVE LOST MY POWER STEERING AS WELL. WHEN I SPOKE WITH A 15 YEAR SERVICE TECH AT THE DEALER, HE SAID THERE IS DEFINITELY AN ISSUE & HAS BEEN FOR OVER 12 MONTHS. *TR

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.

ON 7/22/09 WE PURCHASED 2 NEW TIRES AND HAD THEM INSTALLED ON THE FRONT OF OUR 2006 CHEVY 3500 CREW CAB DUALLY. THESE WERE PURCHASED BECAUSE WE WERE TAKING A 2000+ MILE TRIP ON 7/24. ON 7/24 ONE OF THESE NEW MICHELIN TIRES LT 215/8516 LTZ MS BLEW OUT - A COMPLETE TIRE FAILURE, WHILE WE WERE ON I-44 AT HIGH SPEED. NO INJURIES AND NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED, BUT WE REPORT THIS IN CASE IT INDICATES A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND EXISTS. *TR

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.

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!

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SUNROOF HAS A SCREEN RATHER THAN A SHADE TO FILTER THE SUN SHINING THROUGH. THIS HAS CAUSED A VISIBILITY PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THERE IS NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE FOR THE SUNROOF.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55-60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE TORQUE CAUSED SEPARATION OF THE CENTRAL DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE MAINFRAME CRACKED IN HALF, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS POSSIBLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE WEIGHT OF THE SNOWPLOWS OR DIESEL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE.

DT:THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 TO 75 MPH THE REAR WINDOW WAS DOWN AND THERE WAS A ROARING NOISE. THIS NOISE WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO HURT THE CONSUMER EARS. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED ,AND THEY STATED THIS WAS NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AND THE REAR WINDOW WAS DOWN.*AK THERE WAS ALSO A VIBRATION INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 01/04/06. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO K3500. THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE, WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVE LINE WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE EXCESSIVELY. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS AND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED AT HIS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,500.

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500'S REAR AXLE WAS CAUSING EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. THE DEALERSHIP HAD THIS VEHICLE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH OR MORE THE VEHICLE VIBRATED, AND WHEN THE SPEED WAS 60-65 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE, AND VIBRATION CAME FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL ONLY VIBRATION FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE GM MANUFACTURER AND WAS GIVEN A CASE # 71-464-592-078. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 21000 MILES.*AK UPDATED 03/19/07. *JB

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.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55-60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE TORQUE CAUSED SEPARATION OF THE CENTRAL DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE MAINFRAME CRACKED IN HALF, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS POSSIBLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE WEIGHT OF THE SNOWPLOWS OR DIESEL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE.

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

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.

AIR CONDITION ACTUATOR FAILS. *TT