The Lemon Index2006 GMC Sierra.
The 2006 GMC Sierra is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 73 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 49, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 13 to 17 mpg combined. The best GMC Sierra year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 280 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every GMC Sierra 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 25K to 87K miles on the car (250 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 40K–105K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 48K–114K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 24K–53K miles
Recalls 4
- equipment adaptive/mobility 2008
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.
- 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, …
- service brakes, air 2006
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.
Show all 4 recalls
- steering 2006
CERTAIN FABTECH AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS.
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 GMC told dealers about
GMC sent dealers 695 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Transmission slips, will not shift, ses light may be illuminated
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 $3800–6150 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
2006 GMC Sierra brake issues. Rotors have been turned 6 plus times in 90k miles. Brakes squeak, pulsate, and vibrate continuously. Dealer has checked multiple times and advised that I just need my rotors turned.
2006 GMC Sierra owner · NHTSA complaint 10265181
More owner reports
2006 GMC Sierra 2500 hd brake pedal feels spongy and harder to stop while towing a boat.
NHTSA complaint 10166943
Transmission cooling pipes have been replace two times in last than 20 months because of fluid leaking.
NHTSA complaint 10219627
Quick answers
Is the 2006 GMC Sierra reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 49; 100 is average, lower is better). The best GMC Sierra year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2006 GMC Sierra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (23%), brakes (21%) and suspension (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 GMC Sierra have?
4 safety recalls (latest: equipment adaptive/mobility). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 GMC Sierra get?
13 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 GMC Sierra problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 25,200 and 87,000 miles. The middle report was at 50,400 miles, from 250 complaints.
Does the 2006 GMC Sierra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 23% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2006 GMC Sierra cost in fuel a year?
About $3800 to $6150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 GMC Sierra have?
4.3L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
What GMC Sierra year is better than the 2006?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2012 and 2013.
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