The Lemon IndexAll cars · Chevrolet Silverado
2006 Chevrolet Silverado.
The 2006 Chevrolet Silverado is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 205 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 46, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 10 recalls, and it gets 14 to 17 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Silverado year is 2012.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 774 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Silverado year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 32K to 89K miles on the car (684 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- brakes complaints mostly came at 53K–105K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 36K–112K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 21K–75K miles
Recalls 10
- lights 2008
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES.
- wheels 2007
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, …
- equipment 2007
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.
Show all 10 recalls
- wheels 2006
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 CE…
- engine 2006
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.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- equipment 2005
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 LAB…
- steering 2005
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A POWER STEERING HOSE THAT IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 991 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- When driving uphill the transmission may not shift out of first or will slip into second gear due
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side — · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3800–5700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.3L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
When backing on a cold morning I last power assisted brakes and steering. There was a small losss of power steering fluid.
2006 Chevrolet Silverado owner · NHTSA complaint 10142768
More owner reports
Wheel speed sensor on 2006 chevy Silverado doesn't work so brakes at slow speeds go right to the floor.
NHTSA complaint 10292051
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle automatically placed itself into 4 wheel drive. The service dealer changed a switch and electrical wiring but the problem was not corrected.
NHTSA complaint 10172015
Quick answers
Is the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 46; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Silverado year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2006 Chevrolet Silverado problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (20%), transmission & drivetrain (19%) and suspension (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado have?
10 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado get?
14 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Silverado problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 32,400 and 89,900 miles. The middle report was at 57,000 miles, from 684 complaints.
Does the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 19% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado cost in fuel a year?
About $3800 to $5700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado have?
4.3L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Silverado year is better than the 2006?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2010 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works