The 2006 Sierra 1500 lasts over 250,000 miles with only some brake and transmission issues. At $5,225 – $12,775, it’s more affordable than a lot of rivals and is a good choice.
Is the 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 a Good Used Truck?
- Yes, 2006 is a great year. Owners like the easy maintenance, comfortable seats, and smooth suspension.
- Reliability ratings are excellent. Sierras from 2005–2013 are all good choices, with a surge in complaints on the 2014
- Performance is very poor from the base V6, but the largest V8 has great power.
- The Sierra is a reasonably safe truck earning 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests.
- Fuel economy is okay for a large truck, at up to 17 MPG combined.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Sierra?
- Consumer Reports says the Sierra is comfortable, but owner satisfaction is lower than its rivals.
- Edmunds gives the Sierra a 4.2/5 liking the spacious cabin, but disliking the cheap interior materials.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Sierra 4.6/5 and enjoy the high towing capacity, but don’t like the rust issues.
What Common Problems Does the 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 Have?
Problems with the 2006 Sierra 1500 include rusted brake lines, slipping transmissions, and fuel gauge issues.
Rusted brake lines are the most common complaint from owners, showing up at around 100,000 miles. The steel lines get corroded in areas with a lot of salt, costing around $1,000 to replace.
Transmissions slipping out of gear are brought up by owners at roughly 75,000 miles. Usually it’s a sign of a problem with the third and fourth gears in the transmission, which cost around $500 to replace.
Fuel gauge failures are a problem that shows up on many GM vehicles in the first 90,000 miles. The fuel sending unit in the tank doesn’t send the information properly to the gauge, and costs about $850 to replace.
There are 11 mostly minor recalls, with the most serious being for the power steering hose, which can break and cause a loss of power steering.
How Long Will the 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 Last?
A properly maintained 2006 Sierra 1500 series should last over 250,000 miles, about 50,000 miles shorter than the Ford F-150. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other trucks around $480 per year, according to Repair Pal.
Most Sierra models from 2006 will have over 100,000 miles so buyers should be prepared to replace the air conditioning evaporator for $1,400, axle shaft seals costing $400, and control arms which cost $500.
It is very reliable. I haven't had any major problems since owning it besides the normal wear and tear. I would buy this truck again if I were looking for a truck.
I have put a rack and pinion on it. That is been the major repair on the vehicle so far. Everything else has resulted from age. I replaced the abs system on it, only because the previous line system had rust damage.
How Much Is the 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 Worth?
Blue book values range from $5,225 – $12,775, making the Sierra about $2,000 cheaper than the Chevy Silverado 1500 and Toyota Tundra. When new, the price range was $15,840 to $38,775. Depreciation is average for a large tuck losing about 7% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Sierra?
There are 6 models of the Sierra 1500 series available. Technology is dated with the last update in 2004 and a complete redesign for the 2008 model year.
Work Truck is the fleet-focused model with:
- 17-Inch Steel Wheels
- Vinyl Bench Seating
- Air Conditioning
- AM/FM Stereo System With 4 Speakers
SL is an entry-level consumer model and has:
- 17-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Cruise Control
- AM/FM/CD Stereo System
SLE1 adds some features including:
- 17-Inch Chrome Steel Wheels
- Keyless Entry
- Power Windows & Locks
- Fog Lights
SLE2 is a good upgrade and offers:
- Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control
- Power Driver’s Seat
- 6-Speaker Bose Stereo System
SLT is a luxurious model and comes with:
- 17-Inch Aluminum Alloy Wheels
- Leather Seating
- Heated Front Seats
- In-Dash 6-CD Changer
Denali is the flagship luxury model and features:
- 17-Inch Polished Aluminum Wheels
- Premium Leather Seating
- Wood-Grain Interior Trim
- Chrome Exterior Trim
What Engines Come In the Sierra?
- The base engine is a weak 4.3L V6 with 195 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque, which gets up to 16 MPG combined.
- A step up is the more powerful 4.8L V8, which has 285 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque and gets up to 17 MPG combined.
- Next in the lineup is the slightly better 5.3L V8 making 295 horsepower and 335 lb.-ft. of torque, which gets up to 17 MPG combined.
- The flagship engine is the very powerful 6.0L V8 which has 345 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft. of torque and gets up to 15 MPG combined. This engine is also capable of towing up to 8,100 pounds.
What Colors Does the Sierra Come In?
How Big Is the Sierra?
The 2006 Sierra 1500 series is a half-ton truck similar in size to the Dodge Ram 1500 or the Nissan Titan. There are three cab sizes, a 2-door regular cab, 4-door extended cab, and larger 4-door crew cab. Passenger space is good in the crew cab model, but cramped in the others.
Three bed lengths are available as well, including a 5-foot-8-inch short bed, 6-foot-6-inch standard bed, and 8-foot long bed.
How Does the Sierra Compare to the Competition?
The Chevy Silverado 1500 series is a close competitor, costing about $2,000 more. Both trucks are built on the same platform and share the same engines and transmissions. We recommend the Sierra since it has a nicer interior and is more affordable.
The Toyota Tundra is another rival, which costs roughly $2,000 more. Where the Tundra stands out is with better long-term reliability ratings, but the Sierra has a higher towing capacity. We recommend the Tundra since it will last longer as a used truck.
Do Owners Recommend the GMC Sierra?
Yes it has been a great vehicle. I have only needed to do normal wear and tear repairs. The engine and transmission haven't had any issues and I have owned this vehicle for almost five years.
It has been a great vehicle. The engine has held up well past 200k miles so far. It is just now starting to rust down on the fender wells.
