RUSTED BRAKE LINE RESULTING IN TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP
2006 Chevrolet Silverado
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Silverado years
Owner complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado are substantially higher than the model-year median of 76.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Silverado years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
162 reports with mileage · 20 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 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
83 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO DECREASE IN SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,642.
THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE BRAKE ISSUES SINCE NEW. FIRST OFF, IT GOES THROUGH FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS TOO FREQUENTLY. FIRST REPLACED AROUND 25K AND AGAIN AROUND 60K. THIS VEHICLE HAS MOSTLY BEEN USED FOR LONG HIGHWAY TRIPS, NY TO FL ETC., NOT AROUND TOWN. USED IN RURAL AREA. NEXT, SEVERAL BRAKES LINES HAVE BURST AND HAD T…
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THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE BRAKE ISSUES SINCE NEW. FIRST OFF, IT GOES THROUGH FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS TOO FREQUENTLY. FIRST REPLACED AROUND 25K AND AGAIN AROUND 60K. THIS VEHICLE HAS MOSTLY BEEN USED FOR LONG HIGHWAY TRIPS, NY TO FL ETC., NOT AROUND TOWN. USED IN RURAL AREA. NEXT, SEVERAL BRAKES LINES HAVE BURST AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE LAST INCIDENT LUCKILY WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY. HAVING DUAL BRAKE CYLINDERS ON THESE TRUCKS DOES NOT SEEM TO HELP IF A BRAKE LINE BURSTS. I NEEDED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP IT ON ALMOST FLAT GROUND. A RECURRING PROBLEM IS WITH THE ABS. EVIDENTLY THEY RUST EASILY, ESPECIALLY IN SALT BELT STATES, THEN CORROSION ON THE SENSOR AND HUB CAUSES IT TO ACTIVATE FOR NO REASON. IT DOES NOT ACTIVATE THE COMPUTER CONTROL OR GIVE WARNING. IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. I HAD TO HAVE ONE FRONT HUB REPLACED IN 2013 AND ANOTHER IN 2014. NOW I AM HAVING TO REPLACE ONE OF THOSE AGAIN WITH THE DEALER RECOMMENDING TO REPLACE BOTH. THE COST IS OVER $750 PER SIDE. THERE WERE RECALLS ON PREVIOUS YEAR MODELS BUT NOT 2006. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND THE BRAKE LINE ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON WITH CHEVROLET FOR A VERY LONG TIME. I HAD TO REPLACE MOST LINES ON MY 1996 SILVERADO. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT NHSTA ALLOWS THIS TO GO ON YEAR AFTER YEAR. NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN BRAKING, NOTHING!
MY VEHICLE WITH 57,000 MILES HAD THE BRAKES GO OUT WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID THE FRONT BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED AND BROKE. I HAVE HAD THE WORK COMPLETED. I FEEL THIS IS A PRODUCT DEFECT FOR A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE. IT IS VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND HAS VERY FEW MILES ON IT, AND I HAVE OWNED …
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MY VEHICLE WITH 57,000 MILES HAD THE BRAKES GO OUT WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID THE FRONT BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED AND BROKE. I HAVE HAD THE WORK COMPLETED. I FEEL THIS IS A PRODUCT DEFECT FOR A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE. IT IS VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND HAS VERY FEW MILES ON IT, AND I HAVE OWNED IT SINCE IT WAS NEW. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH CHEVROLET AND THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE ME WITH ANY ANSWERS. THEY KEEP TELLING ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP, HOWEVER THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO.
WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC SIGNAL MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I DROVE MY VEHICLE SLOWLY HOME AND CHECKED BRAKE FLUID LEVEL. IT WAS LOW AND I TOPPED IT OFF. I TRIED THE BRAKES AGAIN AND ONCE AGAIN THE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. I WENT UNDER THE VEHICLE AND BRAKE FLUID WAS DRIPPING OFF THE CROSS MEMBER JUST BEHIND…
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WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC SIGNAL MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I DROVE MY VEHICLE SLOWLY HOME AND CHECKED BRAKE FLUID LEVEL. IT WAS LOW AND I TOPPED IT OFF. I TRIED THE BRAKES AGAIN AND ONCE AGAIN THE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. I WENT UNDER THE VEHICLE AND BRAKE FLUID WAS DRIPPING OFF THE CROSS MEMBER JUST BEHIND THE ENGINE. I COULD SEE THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES WERE VERY RUSTY. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO BIG O TIRES. AFTER INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND ALL THE OTHERS WERE IN VERY BAD SHAPE AND I HAD ALL THE LINES REPLACED. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND GM HAS REDESIGNED THE LINES BUT, REFUSED TO RECALL AND REPLACE THE LINES. YOU NEED TO RESEARCH THIS PROBLEM FURTHER AND INSIST ON A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND AS INDICATED BY THE MILEAGE THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN THAT MUCH AND VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS COMING TO A STOP, THE ANTI-BRAKE SYSTEM ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY AND CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.
I WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK AWAY FROM MY HOME , WHEN I STEPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. I GOT THE TRUCK STOPPED WITH THE PARKING BRAKE. WHEN I INSPECTED THE BRAKE LINES THEY WERE ALL EXTREMELY RUSTY AND ONE HAD BURST. FLUID LEAKED OUT AND THERE WAS NO PEDAL AT ALL. THE BRAKES WERE GONE WITH NO WARNING.
TRAVELING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND APPROACHED A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT. APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP WITH OTHER TRAFFIC. BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WITH APPROXIMATELY 10% BRAKING POWER. NO WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH. FORTUNATELY THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND TRAFFIC MOVED PRIOR TO A CRASH. CRASH WAS GUARANTEED IF TRAFFI…
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TRAVELING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND APPROACHED A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT. APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP WITH OTHER TRAFFIC. BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WITH APPROXIMATELY 10% BRAKING POWER. NO WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH. FORTUNATELY THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND TRAFFIC MOVED PRIOR TO A CRASH. CRASH WAS GUARANTEED IF TRAFFIC LIGHT HAD NOT CHANGED. BRAKE FLUID LEVEL FINE. BRAKE LINE UNDER DRIVERS SIDE RUSTED AND BURST. NO WARNING SIGNS.
WHILE APPLYING BREAKS ON DRY SURFACES AND COMING TO A STOP THE ABS KICKS IN AND PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSES THE STOPPING DISTANCE TO INCREASE. I HAVE ALMOST REAR-ENDED STOPPED AND PARKED CARS AND RAN INTO MY GARAGE DOOR. THERE HAVE BEEN TO MANY CLOSE CALLS SO I HAVE PULLED THE FUSE TO SHUT OFF THE ABS.
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE EXPRESSWAY IN MY 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO WITH 26,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, I ATTEMPTED A TRANSIENT LANE CHANGE WHILE TAKING EVASIVE ACTION IN ORDER TO AVOID A HAZARDOUS SITUATION. WHEN COUPLED WITH THE BRAKES I NOTICED LONGER THAN USUAL ENGAGEMENT. AS A RESULT, I WAS FORCED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND HAD TO U…
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WHILE TRAVELING ON THE EXPRESSWAY IN MY 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO WITH 26,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, I ATTEMPTED A TRANSIENT LANE CHANGE WHILE TAKING EVASIVE ACTION IN ORDER TO AVOID A HAZARDOUS SITUATION. WHEN COUPLED WITH THE BRAKES I NOTICED LONGER THAN USUAL ENGAGEMENT. AS A RESULT, I WAS FORCED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND HAD TO USE MULTIPLE DOWNSHIFTS IN CONCERT WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A HALT. IT SOUNDED LIKE A TRAIN STOPPING ON RAILS. I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE HOME WITH HAZARDS ON,U NEVER EXCEEDING THIRD GEAR. THE FOLLOWING MORNING I NOTICED CLEAR OIL UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS VEHICLE AND A LESS EXPERIENCED DRIVER WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR EXTREMELY INJURED. LASTLY, I HAVE ALSO BEEN NOTICING INCONSISTENCY WITH STEERING RESISTANCE. SOMETIMES THE STEERING IS CONSIDERABLY LOOSER THAN AT OTHER TIMES. I HAVE DISMISSED THIS DISCONCERTING SENSATION BY ASSUMING IT IS WEATHER/HUMIDITY RELATED.
Official recalls
406V307000 · Wheels:rim
Aug 11, 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 CERTIFICATION/TIRE LABEL LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR EDGE. IN ADDITION, THE LABEL MAY ALSO BE MISSING THE TIRE LOAD RATING ON THE LABEL. ALTHOUGH THIS INFORMATION IS NOT REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD, IF A TIRE OF A LESSER LOAD RATING IS INSTALLED, THE TIRE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THE LOADS ENCOUNTERED DURING USE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A CUSTOMER REPLACES A WHEEL AND ONLY RELIES ON THE RIM SIZE DESIGNATION THAT IS INDICATED ON THE LABEL, A WHEEL THAT IS OF A DIFFERENT RIM CONTOUR DESIGNATION MAY BE INSTALLED. IT MAY BE DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO MOUNT THE TIRE ON A WHEEL WITH THE WRONG CONTOUR. IF THE TIRE IS MOUNTED ON THE WHEEL WITH THE WRONG CONTOUR, THE WHEEL AND TIRE MAY NOT PERFORM AS INTENDED, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: A LABEL THAT WILL CORRECT THE LABEL ORIGINALLY INSTALLED WILL BE MAILED TO CONSUMERS ALONG WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL. THE RECALL BEGAON ON NOVEMBER 7, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2239, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, AND GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463.
06V289000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Aug 3, 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE DAMPER COMES LOOSE, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463.
05V552000 · Equipment:other:labels
Dec 7, 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 LABELS LISTING AN INACCCURATE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A MISPRINTED LABEL COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. AT THE CUSTOMER'S OPTION, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.
05V455000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections
Oct 5, 2005
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A POWER STEERING HOSE THAT IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION. UNDER EXTREME STEERING MANEUVERS, SUCH AS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FULLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE BRAKING, THE HOSE MAY FRACTURE AND LEAK FLUID.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD BE LOST AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRO-BOOST POWER BRAKES, IT COULD ALSO RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. IF THE POWER STEERING FLUID SPRAY WERE TO SPRAY ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING HOSE(S) FOR TWO SUSPECT DATE CODES AND REPLACE THEM IF REQUIRED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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