RoadVitals

2006 GMC Sierra 2500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
66
Latest Oct 28, 2020
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Oct 6, 2008
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
7
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 66 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 GMC Sierra 2500, most frequently naming the brakes, transmission and steering categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 389 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
08V519000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Oct 6, 2008
133 units potentially affected
The defect: MOBILITYWORKS IS RECALLING 133 MY 2005-2006 FORD E250, MY 2000, 2004-2006 E350, MY 2000, 2005 E450, MY 2005-2006 GMC 2500, GMC 3500, AND MY 2006 DODGE 2500 VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.
The risk: A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.
The remedy: MOBILITYWORKS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.
MOBILITY WORKSView on NHTSA.gov
06E050000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

Jun 6, 2006
6,800 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL NATIONAL AND CARQUEST AFTERMARKET HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/N 515058, SOLD FOR USE ON 2001-2006 GENERAL MOTORS 1500 AND 2500 4WD TRUCKS. ON THE SUBJECT HUB ASSEMBLIES, THE ABS SENSOR CORD DEPARTS FROM THE HUB ASSEMBLY AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. AS A RESULT, THERE IS A FIT ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE ROTOR DUST SHIELD INTERFERING WITH THE ABS SENSOR CORD. IF THE HUB ASSEMBLY IS INSTALLED DESPITE THIS INTERFERENCE, THE GAP BETWEEN THE ABS SENSOR AND THE TONE WHEEL MAY BE ALTERED. THIS MAY WEAKEN THE OUTPUT OF THE ABS SENSOR. DIMINISHED OUTPUT COULD RESULT IN AN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS AND STOPPING DISTANCE COULD BE AFFECTED.
The risk: IF STOPPING DISTANCE IS LIMITED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY ITS OWNERS AND WILL EITHER CREDIT THE CUSTOMERS ACCOUNT OR REPLACE THE UNIT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-563-8507 EXT 3530.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
06E010000

STEERING

Feb 1, 2006
1,360 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN FABTECH AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS71000 AND FTS71001, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2001-2006 GM C/K 2500 PICK UP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE PIN LOCATED INSIDE THE PITMAN ARM CAN SHEAR OFF DUE TO A REVERSE BENDING FATIGUE CONDITION, RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
The risk: LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH WITH POTENTIAL INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: FABTECH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PITMAN AND IDLER ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FABTECH AT 909-597-7800.
FABTECH MOTORSPORTSView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 66
Steering
Filed Oct 28, 2020
Crash reported1 injury reported

MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND I SEE THEIR IS A RECALL FOR THE PITMAN ARM THAT CAN CAUSE TOTAL LOSS IF STEERING AND THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME

NHTSA ID
11366913
Incident
Oct 18, 2019
Mileage
250,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 5, 2020

BRAKES FAILED "COMPLETELY", WITH NO WARNING. NO "WARNING LIGHT" ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE DRIVING ON A PUBLIC ROAD IN THE COUNTY. ALL OF A SUDDEN ABSOLUTELY NO BRAKES. HAD RECENTLY HAULED A CAR ON A TRAILER FROM EMPORIA, KANSAS. WAS PREPARING TO HAUL CALVES TO THE SALE BARN. NOW THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A TOTAL DISASTER. UPON INSPECTION, THE BRAKE LINES ARE SO RUSTED, THAT PINCHING OFF THE LINE RESULTED IN A RUPTURE IN ANOTHER LOCATION. I WAS TRYING TO GET SOME BRAKING ACTION, SO I COULD DRIVE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP. I'LL HAVE TO HAUL IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
11327479
Incident
Jun 3, 2020
Mileage
147,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 11, 2020

BRAKE LINES BUSTED. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM BECAUSE I WAS HAULING A LOAD AND GOT EXTREMELY EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT IT BUSTED AS I WAS PULLING IN DRIVEWAY. I WAS PULLING A LOADED TRAILER WITH NO BRAKES. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 2005 AND 2006 2500 TRUCKS. I CAN NAME 6 VEHICLES I KNOW OF IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TOO. MECHANIC SAYS IT'S A VERY SERIOUS AND COMMON ISSUE THAT GM SHOULD BE RECALLING. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN AT A STOPLIGHT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BAD. CHEAP MATERIALS IS THE PROBLEM WITH THESE BRAKE LINES. 2006 YEAR MODEL IS MINE.

NHTSA ID
11317547
Incident
Mar 11, 2020
Mileage
150,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 11, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC SIERRA 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE INEFFECTIVE AND EXCESSIVE PRESSURE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO FULLY STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SULLIVAN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP (2406 N SECTION ST, SULLIVAN, IN 47882, 812-268-4321), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 0. *BF *TR

NHTSA ID
11231041
Incident
Sep 1, 2005
Visibility
Filed Sep 24, 2018

NOT ONLY DOES THE RIGHT SIDE MIRROR HAVE THE OBJECTS ARE CLOSER THAN IT APPEARS STYLE MIRROR USED FOR CARS MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO USE FOR TOWING ( ON A TRUCK WITH A TOW PACKAGE ) IT HAS RED LIGHTS THAT FLASH IN THE MIRROR. NOT ONLY DOES THE FLASHING RED LIGHTS MAKE IT HARD TO SEE ANYTHING IN THE MIRROR AT NIGHT, IT MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO USE IT IN THE RAIN AT NIGHT, AS IT MAKES THE WATER DROPS ON THE WINDOW FLASH RED AS WELL . IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT COULD ALSO BE A PROBLEM FOR SOMEONE WITH PHOTOSENSITIVE EPILEPSY (PSE) IS A FORM OF EPILEPSY IN WHICH SEIZURES ARE TRIGGERED BY VISUAL STIMULI THAT FORM PATTERNS IN TIME OR SPACE, SUCH AS FLASHING LIGHTS; BOLD, REGULAR PATTERNS; OR REGULAR MOVING PATTERNS.

NHTSA ID
11130935
Incident
Jan 11, 2016
Mileage
110,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 25, 2018

IN THE CITY STOPPING FOR A STOPLIGHT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. ALL FLUID WAS LOST BECAUSE THE BRAKE LINES FAILED DUE TO RUST. NO BRAKES WHATSOEVER EXCEPT EMERGENCY BRAKE. MY STATE EVEN REQUIRES A SAFETY INSPECTION YEARLY. IF THE CONSUMER IS NOT GOING TO BE NOTIFIED OF THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM AT LEAST LET THE SAFETY INSPECTORS KNOW.

NHTSA ID
11122318
Incident
Aug 21, 2018
Mileage
60,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 12, 2017

SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON

NHTSA ID
10985140
Incident
May 8, 2017
Mileage
114,512 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 4, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 GMC SIERRA 2500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT KNEE, LEFT ANKLE, LEFT HIP, AND ABDOMEN. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ID
10970567
Incident
Mar 29, 2017
Mileage
103,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

23-NA-001

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.

03-06-01-023I

ENGINE

This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

GMC Sierra 2500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026910—
2025250044.7
2024983052.8
2023311048.9
2022423056.1
2021516163.7
2020739160.0
2019327060.9
2018355048.5
2017376053.2
2016595046.7
2015896161.0
2014302150.9
2013463146.7
2012303150.1
2011634151.1
2010105144.9
2009315149.0
2008633358.1
2007833357.3
2006Viewing663050.1
20051154050.5
20041434047.4
20031603048.7
20021344359.3
20011345259.5
2000483158.7
1999362050.8
1998153041.2
1997144047.5
1996000—
1995000—
1994100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.