Chevrolet · Suburban · 2006
1
Recall
56
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2006 Chevrolet Suburban has 1 recall and 56 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: service brakes (9 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
We were driving down Auburn way and the power seat control module failed and keeps the heated seats running out of control. ( fire is likely and could burn your house down If you park in the garage.) I was lucky to be near a dealership I had to pull over quick it was burning my butt and back The problem is complicated by the fact that the seat safety airbag control wiring goes through the same plug, which should be a big no no. There are no replacement control modules available ( not being made). I had the chevy dealership disconnect the plug so the fire hazard is gone but now none of the air bags work now putting my family at further risk. Air bag wiring needs to be separate from all the other wires and plugs for safety. Now the next problem is the dealerships can't fix the problem because no parts are available.You are welcome to come check out my suburban.
the electronic brake control computer has malfunctioned. this renders the ABS and traction control systems inoperable. No replacement part or repair is available from the dealership.
We had the 2006 Suburban parked with the engine running while our family was just starting to get in. A couple of them noticed a slight smoke smell which we followed and we trailed it to the rear of the vehicle. While I was pulling off a left rear column trim piece to locate where the smoke was coming from, the far rear dome light fixture started dripping melted and burning plastic close by my head. I looked up and saw the rear dome light fixture on fire and flicked it down into the rear cargo area. One of the family was already fetching a fire extinguisher and as they arrived I used it to put out what fire was left in the headliner.
SUDDEN AND COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO A BROKEN REAR BRAKE LINE. BRAKES WORKED NORMALLY AND AT THE NEXT STOP THEY WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WITH NO BRAKING ACTION. I HAD TO USE DOWN SHIFTING TO SLOW AND THEN A SNOW BANK TO COMPLETELY STOP. THERE WAS NO INDICATOR WARNING LIGHTS UNTIL THE BRAKE PEDAL HIT THE FLOOR AND WENT OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PEDAL WAS RELEASED. THIS HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET WITH NO TRAFFIC AT 3 AM ON MY WAY TO WORK. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT AT ABOUT 25 TO 30 MPH. AFTER LOOKING AT THE BRAKE LINES THEY ARE DRAMATICALLY RUSTED. THE SERVICE SHOP HAS EXPLAINED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF ALL LINES NEEDS TO BE DONE (APPOINTMENT TO DO THIS IS 3/20/2019).
THE REAR LOCK ACTUATOR BECAME FAULTY AND WAS REPLACED 6/13. JUST SHORT OF 4YRS,THE ACTUATOR BECAME FAULTY AGAIN IN 6/1/17. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AN WAS TOLD SORRY, THE WARRANTY (1YR) HAD EXPIRED. 2 THINGS ARE THE PROBLEM WITH THIS ACTUATOR. BECAUSE THE BACKHATCH IS KEYLESS AND HAS NO RELEASE FROM THE INSIDE, THIS POSES AS A SAFETY RISK IF TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE OTHER NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR THE ACTUATOR BECOMING FAULTY WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, COSTING $700+ TO REPLACE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AND PARKED, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PERSONAL STORAGE LOT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE TWICE AND REQUESTED TO INSPECT IT A THIRD TIME. THE INVESTIGATOR CHECKED THE FUSE BOX AND THE HVAC ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; HOWEVER, A DETERMINATION HAD NOT BEEN MADE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT BE FORTHCOMING WITH THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
WHILE TOWING THE FAMILY BOAT ON SECONDARY ROADWAYS, I ATTEMPTED TO STOP IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, WHEN I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AND BOTH THE TRUCK AND BOAT CONTINUED ROLLING TOWARDS STOPPED TRAFFIC. I WAS ONLY ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY MANUALLY OPERATING THE PARKING BRAKE. HAD I NOT HAD THE PRESENCE OF MIND TO UTILIZE THE PARKING BRAKE I WOULD HAVE COLLIDED WITH THE TRAFFIC STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. UPON INSPECTION I NOTICED A LARGE MOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL. I TRANSPORTED THE VEHICLE TO MY SERVICE STATION WHERE THEY PLACED IT ON A LIFT AND SHOWED ME THE EXTENSIVE CORROSION ON ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES AND TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES. THE LINE WHICH HAD FAILED RESULTED IN NO BRAKING CAPABILITIES WHATSOEVER. THERE IS NOT ONE SERVICEABLE BRAKE LINE LEFT ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS 75K MILES ON IT AND IS IMMACULATE BOTH INSIDE AND OUT AND HAS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED. THE BRAKE FAILURE RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES, CAME WITHOUT ANY WARNING.
ON DECEMBER 2, 2016, I WAS DRIVING THE SUV WITH MY FAMILY MEMBERS INSIDE. I WAS TRAVELING IN STATE HIGHWAY ABOUT 55 MPH WHEN A CAR IN FRONT OF ME BEGAN SLOWING DOWN. I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN AS WELL BY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT IMMEDIATELY ENGAGE. I THEN PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD WHICH FOR ABOUT 1 SECOND CAUSED THE WHEELS TO LOCK. AS THE BRAKE PEDAL CONTINUED TO BE PRESSED DOWN, THE PEDAL SANK TO THE FLOOR AND THE ACTUAL BRAKES DISENGAGED AND THE SUV ONCE AGAIN BEGAN FREE-ROLLING. I PUMPED THE BREAK PEDAL AND I GOT SOME BRAKING ACTION OUT OF THAT, ALTHOUGH NO SIGNIFICANTLY. I VEERED THE SUV INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE TO AVOID COLLISION WITH THE REAR OF CAR IN FRONT OF ME, NEARLY CAUSING A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH THE ONCOMING CAR. I WAS ABLE TO VEER BACK INTO MY LANE AND SLOW DOWN TO GET OUT OF THE ROADWAY, BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK EXCEPT ONCE THE CAR WAS MOVING AT MINIMAL SPEED. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, I EXAMINED THE ROTORS TO SEE IF THEY WERE HOT; THEY WERE NOT. I PUMPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES, EACH TIME THE PEDAL SINKING TO THE FLOOR. AS I WAS PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL, LIQUIDS WERE SQUIRTING OUT FROM SOMEWHERE UNDER THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE LIQUID CONTINUED LEAKING EVEN AS I STOPPED PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THERE WAS NO WARNING FOR THIS BRAKE FAILURE, AND THE BRAKES FUNCTIONED PROPERLY UP TO THIS POINT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THIS WAS A SCARY EXPERIENCE FOR ME AND EVERYONE IN THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY, I CALLED THE DEALER TO REPORT THE INCIDENT TO GM, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT PROVIDE ME ANY SPECIFIC INFORMATION HOW TO MAKE THE REPORT. *TR
YESTERDAY WAS THE THREE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF TAKATA'S FAILURE TO REPAIR MY AIRBAG. THAT IS THREE YEARS THAT THEY HAVE WANTONLY PLACED MYSELF AND MY FAMILY MEMBERS IN DANGER. FORCE THESE SCOFFLAWS TO REPLACE THOSE IEDS THEY HAVE SET IN FRONT OF MY FAMILY.
TRAILER HITCH BROKE AT WELD AND RESULTED IN LOSS OF $25,000 TRAVEL TRAILER WHILE TRAVELING DOWN HILL
TAKATA RECALL. WHAT IS A TIMELY MANNER EXPECTED FOR A RESOLUTION FOR MY RECALL? I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON MY PASSENGER AIR BAG DATED MAY 2016 AND I NOW SEE THAT GM HAS BEEN GIVEN UNTIL AUGUST 2017 TO RESOLVE THE RECALL (15 MONTHS OF LITIGATION). IN THE MEAN TIME I CANNOT TRADE IN OR SELL THAT VEHICLE. GM SAYS WAIT UNTIL AUGUST 2017 FOR THE RESOLUTION. THE GM REPRESENTATIVE SAID I PROMISE IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE AND I SAID IT DOESN'T ALLOW THE TRADE BECAUSE DEALERS WONT TAKE IT WITH AN OUTSTANDING RECALL NOT REPAIRED. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MINE AND MY FAMILY'S SAFETY AND WOULD APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHY THE GM REPRESENTATIVE HAS TELL ME IT IS ABSOLUTELY SAFE AND WE HAVE HAD ZERO ACCIDENTS FROM IT. PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHAT IS A TIMELY MANNER FOR GM TO RESOLVE A RECALL SENT TO ME BY THEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING FAILED TO SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT POWERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,000.
CORROSION OF HARD BRAKE LINE AT DRIVER / LEFT SIDE REAR, PARTLY HIDDEN FROM VIEW. NOT SEEN DURING INSPECTIONS. CONDITION DISCOVERED FOLLOWING SURFACE ROADWAY INCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IN DRIVE, POINTED DOWNHILL AT STOPLIGHT. BRAKE PEDAL SLOWLY STARTED GOING DOWN. PUMPING BRAKE HELPED A BIT, BUT SOON THE PEDAL STARTED FALLING AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE STARTED MOVING FORWARD. PUTTING VEHICLE IN PARK PREVENTED VEHICLE FROM STRIKING STOPPED VEHICLES IN FRONT. GOT OFF THE ROADWAY SHORTLY THEREAFTER AND DISCOVERED THE CORROSION AND LEAD MENTIONED ABOVE. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN REPAIR SHOP WITH $1800 SERVICE BILL. BODY IS REQUIRED TO BE LIFTED OFF FRAME FOR REPLACEMENT LINES TO BE INSTALLED AND THAT IS *VERY* LABOR INTENSIVE. RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND NHTSA HAS INVESTIGATED THESE VEHICLES DURING THEIR PRODUCTION RUN OF 1999-2006 ON C/K/SUBURBAN/TAHOE MODELS. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN WASHINGTON STATE, WHERE SALT IS NOT USED ON ROADWAYS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER, WOOD CHEVROLET AT (814) 344-8250, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.
I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES PER HOUR. MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND TWO OF MY DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATED (T/C (TRACTION CONTROL), AND BRAKE LIGHT, ALSO HAD THE READOUT "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM". LUCKILY, I WAS ROLLING TO A STOP IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY AND AVOIDED HITTING MY OTHER PARKED CARS. I INSPECTED THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND FOUND THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING BETWEEN THE ABS UNIT AND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE (MORE SPECIFICALLY NEAR THE FUEL TANK) FROM THE METAL BRAKE LINE. THE BRAKE RESERVOIR WAS HALF FULL OF BRAKE FLUID AND COMPLETELY DRAINED WITHIN TEN MINUTES OF JUST SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY . I INSPECTED FROM WHAT I COULD SEE CONCERNING THE UNDERSIDE METAL BRAKE LINES; ALL BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED AND BRITTLE AND WILL NEED REPLACED. *TR
WHILE APPROACHING EXIT RAMP IN DELAWARE (EXIT 1A) TRAFFIC SLOWED SO I BEGAN TO HIT MY BRAKES TO SLOW AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKE PEDAL HIT THE FLOOR AND I COULD NOT STOP I ALMOST HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WITH THE EXCEPTION OF FAST MANEUVERING OF WHICH MY DASH CAM CAUGHT, I SWERVED TO THE LEFT LANE TO AVOID A COLLISION THEN HIT THE EMERGENCY BRAKES AND GOT BACK INTO THE OFF RAMP THEN I REALIZED THAT THERE WAS NO BREAK PRESSURE AND SMOKE BELLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF MY VEHICLE I PULLED OVER TO INSPECT AND NOTICE BRAKE FLUID LEAKING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NATIONAL TIRE AND BATTERY WHERE THEY INFORMED ME THAT I HAD A DOUBLE FRONT BRAKE LINE RUPTURE - I AM HAVING THEM REPLACE (A $1000 JOB) HOWEVER I'VE ASKED TO RETAIN THE BRAKE LINES AS PROOF. *TR
I WAS DRIVING WITH MY FRIEND AND OUR 6 CHILDREN AND I APPLIED THE BRAKES WHEN ANOTHER CAR IN FRONT STOPPED SUDDENLY. THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. AT THE REPAIR SHOP ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE BRITTLE. *TR
AFTER YEARS OF HAVING MY SUBURBAN THE LIFT GATE LOCK ACTUATOR STOPPED WORKING LAST YEAR. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND A REPLACEMENT OEM ACTUATOR WHICH I PURCHASED. I HAD IT INSTALLED BUT WHEN I TRIED TO USE IT, IT WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE TRUNK WOULD UNLOCK WHEN THE REST OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED AND VICE VERSA. THE COMPANY THEN SENT ME REPLACEMENT AS THAT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART. THE NEW PART WORKED UP UNTIL MID MARCH OF THIS YEAR AND HAS NOW STOPPED WORKING ALSO. CURRENTLY, WHEN I TRY TO UNLOCK THE TRUCK ALL I HEAR IS A SMALL BUZZ COMING FROM THE ACTUATOR, BUT IT DOESN'T MOVE, IT'S FROZEN AT THE LOCK SETTING. I AM SURPRISED CHEVY HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS PART BECAUSE I FIND THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRING TO OTHER PEOPLE'S VEHICLES ALL OVER THE WEB. *TR
JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE A MONTH AGO WENT TO OPEN THE REAR LIFTGATE AND IT WON'T OPEN. *TR
2006 SUBURBAN WITH REAR DOOR ACTUATOR FAILURE STARTING MAY 19 2014, MILEAGE OF 68000 APPROXIMATELY, LOUD NOISE WITH LOCKING OF REAR DOOR BY EITHER REMOTE OR WHEN ENGAGED IN DRIVING. PERIODICAL FAILURE OF DOOR TO OPEN AT ALL. *TR
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2006 Chevrolet Suburban has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 56 owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet Suburban.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2006 Chevrolet Suburban.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2006 Chevrolet Suburban are service brakes (9 reports), structure (9 reports), latches/locks/linkages (7 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2006 Chevrolet Suburban. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.