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2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Silverado 2500 years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 81.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

165 reports with mileage · 12 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports8 fire reports5 injury reports

Steering complaints

18 reports
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52,601 miles · Apr 27, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingService BrakesSteering

ENGINE IDLER PULLEY SEIZED CAUSING SERPENTINE BELT TO BREAK WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND LOSS OF POWER BRAKES..2 LOCAL GM DEALER PARTS DEPARTMENT'S STATED THIS IS COMMON ON THE DURAMAX DIESEL ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10713257

63,000 miles · Jul 25, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE PIVOT ARM FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATED 8/28/14*CN

NHTSA ODI #10616367

50,000 miles · Sep 26, 2013
Steering

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A DEALER WITH A ONE YEAR CERTIFIED USED WARRANTY AT 49K MILES. WITHIN A MONTH OF PURCHASE I NOTICED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FREE-PLAY IN THE STEERING AND NOTICED A LOOSE PITMAN ARM WHEN ROTATING THE STEERING WHEEL AND OBSERVING THIS PART. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS IN THE INDIANAPOLI…

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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A DEALER WITH A ONE YEAR CERTIFIED USED WARRANTY AT 49K MILES. WITHIN A MONTH OF PURCHASE I NOTICED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FREE-PLAY IN THE STEERING AND NOTICED A LOOSE PITMAN ARM WHEN ROTATING THE STEERING WHEEL AND OBSERVING THIS PART. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS IN THE INDIANAPOLIS AREA. AFTER THEIR INSPECTION AND CONSULTING GM CONCERNING THIS ISSUE, I WAS TOLD FREE-PLAY WAS NORMAL OR WITHIN PARAMETERS. ONE YEAR LATER AND 69K MILES, I TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE (OIL & FILTER CHANGES ETC) AND TO HAVE THEM PLEASE LOOK AT THE BRAKES AS I COULD FEEL A VIBRATION. THE VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY... THEY TELL ME NOW THAT THESE PARTS (PITMAN ARM / STEERING BOX) WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS TO THE TUNE OF JUST UNDER $2,000. I HAVE DONE MY OWN RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS IN REGARDS TO STEERING ASSEMBLY / PARTS ON THESE TRUCKS. NOTHING I HAVE FOUND SAYS THAT THIS MUCH FREE-PLAY IS "NORMAL" IN REGARDS TO THIS VEHICLE AND IN FACT, SOME FRONT WHEEL AXLES AND WHEEL ASSEMBLIES HAVE ACTUALLY SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. MY WHEELS OR BEARINGS (I SAW FOR MYSELF WHEN IT WAS ON THE LIFT AND I HAVE THE OLD PARTS) HAD A DANGEROUS AMOUNT OF WOBBLE IN THEM, WITH THE RIGHT WHEEL HAVING IN EXCESS OF 1" OF TILT OR LOOSENESS. THIS IN MY OPINION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE "NORMAL" PLAY AND I QUESTION GM'S HONESTY CONCERNING THIS ISSUE... WHY IS THIS ACCEPTABLE WHEN UNDER WARRANTY BUT NEEDS EXPENSIVE REPAIR WHEN ITS ON MY DIME? I BELIEVE GM IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT IS PUSHING THE COST OFF TO THEIR CUSTOMERS. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10545466

32,320 miles · Mar 24, 2013
EngineService BrakesSteering

VEHICLE UNDER CARRIAGE LOOKS MORE LIKE A 30 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. BRAKES LINES HAVE FAILED CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OR SWERVING OFF ROAD TO AVOID COLLISION. OIL COOLER LINED RUPTURED AND LEAKED OIL ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD, A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN ALL THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS ROTTED AS WELL SO HOT EXHAUST GASES AR…

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VEHICLE UNDER CARRIAGE LOOKS MORE LIKE A 30 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. BRAKES LINES HAVE FAILED CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OR SWERVING OFF ROAD TO AVOID COLLISION. OIL COOLER LINED RUPTURED AND LEAKED OIL ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD, A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN ALL THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS ROTTED AS WELL SO HOT EXHAUST GASES ARE NOT DIRECTED OUT THE EXHAUST, ALSO A CONCERN FOR POISONING OCCUPANTS WITH TOXIC EXHAUST GASES . POWER STEERING FITTINGS ROTTED CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. GM IS USELESS, WHEN I CONTACTED THEM THEY SAID IT IS THE ENVIRONMENT. I ASKED THEM WHY A TOYOTA AND ACURA, BOTH 8 YEARS OLDER SHOWED NO SUCH FAILURES OR EVEN SIGNS OF RUST ON CRITICAL COMPONENTS. GM RESPONDED THAT THEY COULDN'T ANSWER THAT QUESTION. HMMM, I WONDER WHY. IN 39 YEARS OF DRIVING, IT IS THE MOST I EVER PAID FOR A VEHICLE, 48,000 DOLLARS, AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES ANY ASSISTANCE. THAT'S THE THANKS FOR BAILING THEM OUT. IT HAS ALSO HAD WIRES TO BLOWER MOTOR BURN, REAR BRAKE ROTORS ROTTED AWAY AT 22,000 MILES, GROUND WIRES UNDER HOOD HAVE ROTTED AND FALLEN OF... MORE POTENTIAL HAZARDS, A/C COMPRESSOR SEIZED A CAME APART. I COULD GO ON AND ON. THERE NEEDS TO BE A SERIOUS INVESTIGATION INTO GM AND.THE POOR QUALITY AND LACK OF CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC. IT IS BY FAR THE WORST VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED, EVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504300

89,000 miles · Mar 12, 2013
Power TrainService BrakesSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, THE BRAKES AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, THE BRAKES AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502464

80,000 miles · Jul 27, 2012
Steering

INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. CLUNKING IN STEERING MAKES YOU FEEL SOMETHING IS LOOSE WITH THE FRONT END AND OR STEERING. HAD SHAFT REPLACED WITH NO POSITIVE RESULTS. GM SAYS TO REPLACE WITH THEIR SHAFT. ORIGINAL REPLACED WITH A DORMAN PART NUMBER 425-176 SAID TO BE BETTER THAN GM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10467975

59,000 miles · Apr 10, 2012
SteeringSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING GEAR BOX AND PITMAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT BEARINGS AND BUSHINGS WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING GEAR BOX AND PITMAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT BEARINGS AND BUSHINGS WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 64,000. UPDATED 07/13/12 *BF UPDATED 07/18/12

NHTSA ODI #10454732

35,000 miles · Dec 8, 2009
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering

POWER STEERING FAILS AND SINCE THE POWER STEERING PUMP CONTROLS THE HYDOBOOST IT AFFECTS THE POWER BRAKES OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILS YOU LOOSE POWER BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE MOVES FORWARD AT A BRISK PACE UNTIL YOU FORCEFULLY PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUSH DOWN WITH ALL THE POWER YOU CAN TO STOP T…

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POWER STEERING FAILS AND SINCE THE POWER STEERING PUMP CONTROLS THE HYDOBOOST IT AFFECTS THE POWER BRAKES OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILS YOU LOOSE POWER BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE MOVES FORWARD AT A BRISK PACE UNTIL YOU FORCEFULLY PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUSH DOWN WITH ALL THE POWER YOU CAN TO STOP THE TRUCK. SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES I REALIZE IMMEDIATLY WHAT THE PROBELEM WAS AND APPLIED ALL THE PEDAL POWER I COULD TO STOP THE TRUCK. THIS CAN BE AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND SINCE THE DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE, THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP UNTIL IT FAILS COMPLETELY, WHICH MINE FINALLY DID. 6 MONTHS LATER THE REPLACEMENT PUMP IS DOING THE SAME INTERMITTENT FAILURE AND THE DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE IT UNTIL IT COMPLETELY FAILS AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10294958

87,125 miles · Dec 5, 2009
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering

DROVE 40 MILES FROM WORK TO HOME ON NOV.25TH AND PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. NO ISSUES. ON SATURDAY, NOV.28TH, ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE DRIVEWAY, HAD LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING (NO POWER ASSIST) AND ROLLED INTO STREET. VEHICLE TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER. CAUSE WAS RUPTURED NITROGEN CANNISTER AT HYDROBOOST ASSEMBLY WITH LOSS OF POWER ASSIST A…

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DROVE 40 MILES FROM WORK TO HOME ON NOV.25TH AND PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. NO ISSUES. ON SATURDAY, NOV.28TH, ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE DRIVEWAY, HAD LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING (NO POWER ASSIST) AND ROLLED INTO STREET. VEHICLE TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER. CAUSE WAS RUPTURED NITROGEN CANNISTER AT HYDROBOOST ASSEMBLY WITH LOSS OF POWER ASSIST AND CONTAMINATION OF FLUIDS. FORTUNATELY, I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY ON NOT ON THE 40 MILE TRIP TO OR FROM WORK ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10294588

106,086 miles · Oct 14, 2009
Steering

BOLT THAT HOLDS THE TIE RODS TOGETHER FOR STEERING FELL OFF.

NHTSA ODI #10287439

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.