2006 Chevrolet Silverado
The Verdict
The 2006 Chevrolet Silverado has 774 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are brakes (331 complaints) and body (178 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 10/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating.
This is the cleanest year on record. Nice pick.
Klunk Score: Total Klunk
Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
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Worst Problems
Complaints
Purchased these aftermarket nylon rear axle lift blocks (level kit) online . They failed while the vehicle was in motion in the live lane on the highway. I was barely able to pull off the road . These blocks are not safe for regular road or highway use. They failed under normal driving on a otherwise stock 1/2 ton 1500 truck . I could have been on a freeway and or other highway with more traffic and this part could have caused a accident as both of these plastic nylon rear axle blocks collapsed under the weight of the truck.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that after the vehicle was parked and turned off, the contact returned and discovered that the vehicle had caught fire. There was smoke coming from the center console below the radio. The contact extinguished the fire with a juice bottle. The Police and Firefighters arrived at the scene, and the firefighters hose down the battery. The contact was unaware whether a Police or Fire Department report had been filed. The vehicle was towed to a storage unit and was not yet deemed totaled by the insurance company. The contact stated that two days before the vehicle caught on fire, the brake lights were inoperable. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the driver's side brake light bulb had melted, and the rear driver's side turn signal was inoperable. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
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.
I was driving down the highway at 65 mph and went to slow down and I had no brakes. Resulting in me having to go into the ditch to avoid a collision. After I was able to get the truck to slow down and to a stop I inspected my braking system to find all of my brake lines were rusted out and I had ruptured my brake lines. Since the incident I have had to replace all my brake lines and both of my brake cylinders on the rear of my truck. Now I have minimal brakes after bleeding them and they are slowly coming back. The truck has almost 400,000 miles on the chassis but a new motor. During this event I was getting a grinding coming from the rear differential, after inspection, I found that my gov lock was bad and needed new spider gears which I have since replaced the rear differential with a posi differential and have had minimal problems since.
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.
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.
On [XXX], at or around midnight, I was traveling [XXX] at approximately 60 mph. The traffic was very light, with few vehicles on the road. It was raining, and I was in the number 1 lane. Two additional lanes were to my left, reserved for toll road traffic. I did not see any other vehicles on [XXX], nor did I see any vehicles to my left in the toll lanes. There was a physical separation between [XXX] and the toll road, consisting of 36-inch plastic candlestick dividers with approximately 10-foot separations. As I was traveling, I suddenly felt a lurch, and the right rear of my 2006 Chevrolet Silverado (Vin# [XXX] ) dropped. My pickup truck immediately began to spin to my left, forcing me into the toll lanes and into the concrete center divider. When my vehicle came to rest, I was facing eastbound in the westbound lanes of the toll road. My lights were no longer except a single amber light flashing, which gave limited warning to approaching vehicles. The California Highway Patrol arrived (unknown why no traffic collision report was taken), my vehicle was removed from the roadway, the right rear wheel and tire had separated from the vehicle and rolled to the right shoulder of [XXX] 150 yards from where my pickup came to rest. The vehicle was towed to the tow yard, where a vehicle inspection was conducted on March 19, 2025. The right rear wheel and tire for some reason were not recovered from the collision scene. The inspection revealed the cause of the collision was a broken/severed axle, not related to driver error. Photographs of the broken axle were taken and are available for review. The axle clearly had a manufacturing defect, poor casting or forging. The defect appeared to be an ongoing problem and separated from the vehicle at the time of the collision for no apparent reason. Depending on the time of day, traffic conditions, and the number of passengers, the collision had the potential to be much worse. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The auxiliary transmission fuel pump system is prone to failure. This makes it so the start/stop feature will not work, as the vehicle will stall when stopped (causing an unsafe situation), and it cannot pass state inspection. The part is entirely unavailable from Chevy, and results in the vehicle being scrapped. There is no way to permanently bypass this system.
hi the power steering hose failed and caused a fire and total loss
265/75R16 9100 miles driven mostly on pavement with loads well within the vehicle capacity and never off road. Tires were rotated several months prior, about 100 miles ago and damage was not noted. Bubble appeared on sidewall which was noticed while parked; Tire shop dismounted the tire to inspect for possible causes and found nothing to explain damage (run flat, left deflated, road hazard damage). Secondary bubble slightly smaller on inside at same location. Smaller bubbles were felt inside tire and a longer, slight bubble follows the bead 1/3-1/2 of the diameter of the tire. Shop manager refused to remount tire due to risk to employees of catastrophic failure, indicating the tire poses significant safety risk if vehicle had been at highway speed and completed its deterioration. Mate to this tire on right rear shows same smaller bubble above the bead about 1/3 of tire diameter.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that upon a vehicle inspection performed by an independent mechanic, it was discovered that the brake line and the fuel line were severely corroded. Upon further inspection, the contact stated that the brake lines had blown out. The contact was informed that the vehicle was unsafe to drive and that the lines needed to be replaced. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000.
A LITTLE WHILD AFTER TURNING THE TRUCK OFF I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM INSIDE THE TRUCK. AFTER PUTTING OUT THE FIRE, I INSPECTED THE WIRES TO FIND THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR HAD SHORTED OUT AND CAUGHT FIRE. I HAVE HAD A SIMILIAR ISSUE WITH MY 2003 AS WELL BUT WAS ABLE TO CATCH THE ISSUE BEFORE ANY FIRE BROKE OUT. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS PART. THANKFULLY NOONE WAS HURT BUT THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE.
Service Engine Soon light came on while driving. Code P0327 - Knock Sensor 1, Circuit Low Input (Bank 1) shown on code reader. Took vehicle to local service station and had both knock sensors and wiring harness replaced. Mechanic said that the rear knock sensor was corroded due to water getting to the sensor. Drove vehicle for about 2 weeks and service engine light came back on. Took vehicle back to service station where knock sensors were replaced again. Mechanic again stated that the rear sensor was corroded due to water getting to the sensor. Drove vehicle for about 1 week and the Service Engine light has come back on for the third time with the same P0327 code showing.
On 31 Dec 21, I drove the vehicle to the car wash, after the wash was completed, I drove the vehicle approx. 1/2 mile down the road. I pulled in to a fast food lane to order a meal. While I was stopped that speaker ordering the Air bags deployed. I was not moving or struck my another vehicle. If had happen when I was driving on the hi-way it may have caused injury to myself or damage to other vehicles. The vehicle is currently available for inspection. I will be taking the vehicle to the dealer for inspection on 3 Jan 22. There was no warning prior to the deployment of the airbags.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 equipped with Continental General Grabber STX tires, tire size 24570R17, DOT Number vynhhm55. The contact stated that all four tire sidewalls had begun to deuterating exposing the white another. The vehicle returned the tires to Walmart where they purchased the tires from who confirmed the tires needed to be replaced. The tires had not been replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The vehicle's approximate mileage of 72,000. The tire's approximate failure mileage was 169,000 with the first set of tires purchased and 169,000 miles with the second set of tires. The contact was unsure of which tires had what mileage due to several tire rotations being completed.
My air bag singnol is on
The Frame has excessive rust especially the crossmembers that are in-between the two main lateral frame beams. In this vehicle they have rotted all the way through and there is nothing left of them and they look like swiss cheese. This particular vehicle also has only 130,000 miles on it which I personally feel is very excessive for them milage. I do understand it is a little older at this point but I have a dodge van and a Chevy sedan both having over 200,000 miles on them. Both also have been driven in West Virginia all winter long with salt exposure that do not show this amount of rust in the frame components. I feel this is a flaw in the manufacturing I have been looking online and it seems to beyond a common problem with this make and model of vehicle.
EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKE OFF AND IS NOW LEAKING EXHAUST FUMES IN SIDE THE TRUCK ALSO EMISSIONS IS EFFECTED FOR OSHA OR EMISSION TEST THIS IS A PROBLEM OF SAFETY I HAVE SEEN ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEM AND YET NO RECALL ,IT IS A PROBLEM IN ALL PHASES OF OPERATION OF THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 49,000 MILES DON'T HAVE A PHOTO BUT SURELY YOU ARE REALLY FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM USUALLY ITS THE FRONT AND REAR BOLTS CAUSE IS INFERIOR MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP ALSO CAN CAUSE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE THE COST OF THIS REPAIR SHOULD BE ON GM AS IT CAN RUN 1000S TO FIX
THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE GAUGES ALL TURN OFF MAKING IT HARD TO SEE THE SPEED LIMITS. BRAKES SOUND AS IF GRINDING BUT CANT TELL IF ITS BRAKES OR DIFFERENTIAL AND U JOINTS. NOISE GETS LOUDER IN THE CABIN OF THE TRUCK AS I DRIVE ON THE ROAD. 3. SIGNAL LIGHTS TURN ON BRIGHT WHILE ON LEFT HAND TURN SIGNAL. AND CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND OTHER COMPONENTS WONT WORK
THE PASSLOCK LIGHT COMES ON AND THE TRUCK WON'T START. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS GETS BRIGHT THEN DIM. BACK AND FORTH. WHEN THE PASSLOCK COMES ON IT WILL KEEP THE TRUCK FROM STARTING FOR DAYS AT A TIME. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE TRUCK ANYWHERE
774 total