DecodedCars2006 GMC Sierra
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2006 models.
- Class
- Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
- Body styles
- 1500 Crew Cab S/Box, 1500 Crew Cab S/Box 4X4, 1500 Crew Cab S/Box AWD Denali, 1500 Ext Cab L/Box
- Engines
- 5.3L 8-cyl, 4.3L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Hybrid, Regular Gasoline, FFV, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 17 combined · 16 city / 20 hwy
- Length
- 224.8–243.7 in
- Curb weight
- 4,365–5,479 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 0 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 10 similar 2006 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2006 GMC Sierra is a standard pickup truck offered with 4 engines (5.3L 8-cyl, 4.3L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl and 6.0L 8-cyl), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 225 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 144-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,987 lb (1500 Crew Cab S/Box).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 17 MPG combined (16 city / 20 highway), 2% better than the 2006 standard pickup truck average of 16.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,950 a year in fuel.
It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 68 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
What changed for 2006
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2005 Sierra — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2005; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2005 Sierra →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1500 Crew Cab S/Box | 224.8 in | 79.5 in | 71.3 in | 143.7 in | 65 / 66.1 in | 4,987 lb | 60/40 |
| 1500 Crew Cab S/Box 4X4 | 224.8 in | 79.5 in | 76.4 in | 143.7 in | 65 / 66.1 in | 5,285 lb | 60/40 |
| 1500 Crew Cab S/Box AWD Denali | 224.8 in | 79.5 in | 76.4 in | 143.7 in | 65 / 66.1 in | 5,479 lb | 60/40 |
| 1500 Ext Cab L/Box | 243.7 in | 79.5 in | 71.3 in | 157.5 in | 65 / 66.1 in | 4,643 lb | 60/40 |
| 1500 Ext Cab L/Box 4X4 | 243.7 in | 79.5 in | 76.4 in | 157.5 in | 65 / 66.1 in | 4,941 lb | 60/40 |
| 1500 Ext Cab M/Box | 224.8 in | 79.5 in | 71.3 in | 143.7 in | 65 / 66.1 in | 4,365 lb | 60/40 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra 15 Hybrid 2WD Hybrid | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 19 / 17 | +2% | $3,950 | 523 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | +2% | $3,950 | 523 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 4.8L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 19 / 17 | +2% | $3,950 | 523 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -4% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 4.8L 8-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | -4% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | -4% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Sierra 15 Hybrid 4WD Hybrid | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 18 / 16 | +3% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD FFV | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | -4% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 6.0L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | -10% | $5,500 | 592 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 17 / 15 | -3% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | -3% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD | 4.8L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 18 / 15 | -3% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD | 4.8L 8-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 18 / 15 | -3% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | -3% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD FFV | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 17 / 15 | -3% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD | 6.0L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 16 / 14 | -10% | $5,850 | 635 |
| Sierra 1500 AWD | 6.0L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 16 / 13 | -16% | $6,300 | 684 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2006 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2006 GMC Sierra under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2006 standard pickup trucks
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 GMC Sierra (this car) | 17 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2006 Chevrolet Silverado | 17 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2006 Toyota Tundra | 18 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2006 Nissan Titan | 14 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup | 16 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2006 Dodge Dakota Pickup | 17 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2006 Mitsubishi Raider Pickup | 17 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (0)
No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2006 GMC Sierra.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗Not every 2006 GMC Sierra is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2006 GMC Sierra buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
- Service Brakes — 35 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Electrical System — 11 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Air Bags — 9 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 105,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2006 GMC Sierra. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Sierra years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sierra | 25 | 241.3 in | Not rated | 6 | 169 |
| 2025 Sierra | 26 | 241.3 in | Not rated | 4 | 178 |
| 2024 Sierra | 25 | 233.1 in | Not rated | 8 | 538 |
| 2023 Sierra | 26 | 229.5 in | Not rated | 4 | 558 |
| 2022 Sierra | 26 | 241.3 in | Not rated | 8 | 674 |
| 2021 Sierra | 26 | 241.3 in | Not rated | 10 | 668 |
| 2020 Sierra | 26 | 241.3 in | Not rated | 16 | 624 |
| 2019 Sierra | 21 | 225.6 in | Not rated | 17 | 729 |
| 2018 Sierra | 20 | 235.4 in | Not rated | 12 | 371 |
| 2017 Sierra | 20 | 235.4 in | Not rated | 11 | 481 |
| 2016 Sierra | 20 | 235.4 in | Not rated | 13 | 457 |
| 2015 Sierra | 20 | 235.4 in | Not rated | 23 | 915 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or GMC. How we calculate this →