This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. Please communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Chevrolet Silverado body problems
severe 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
1crash
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. Please communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about customers that are unable to override the automatic door locking feature. Technician will update the Body Control Module on 2006 to 2007 model years. On 2010 to 2014 model years technician will need to contact Techline Customer Support for calibrations.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗GM: ON SOME TRUCK MODELS THERE IS SOME FRAME CORROSION. UPDATED ON 5/2/2012.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TAILGATE CABLE SLACK. THIS INCLUDES 1998-2006 CHEVROLET AND GMC FULL AND MID SIZE TRUCKS. UPDATED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2006 Silverados describe pervasive rust and structural failures, especially in regions with winter salt exposure. Frame cross-members rot through with only 63,000–150,000 miles on the odometer—dramatically faster than competing trucks with double the mileage. Brake lines corrode excessively, rupturing and causing complete brake loss while driving. One owner reported steering suddenly because a frame crack appeared at 130,000 miles. Spare tire brackets disintegrate from rust, with mounting hardware detaching mid-highway. Leaf spring shackles fail from corrosion, puncturing truck beds. One owner's spare tire nearly fell off; shock absorbers held it temporarily in place.
The headliner foam separates repeatedly from the roof, with one owner experiencing four failures in six months despite replacements. A dealer allegedly greases the steering column every 10,000 miles to combat excessive play, though dealerships deny any systemic issue. Hood latches show weld separation and wear. The rear bumper collapses at 2 mph from a minor tree strike. One buyer discovered at least three 2006 Silverados with mismatched VIN labels on tires, safety plates, and parts—the National Insurance Crime Bureau confirmed manufacturer error. Engine bays produce excessive noise when the rear window is lowered at highway speeds. Owners feel GM knowingly sold defective trucks and has refused to acknowledge manufacturing flaws or offer remedies.
Same Chevrolet Silverado body reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Headliner detachment
Headliner material separates from mounting and falls down into the vehicle. Owners report the headliner fabric and molded piece are cut too short at the top of door openings, causing repeated failure even after multiple replacements.
When: Early ownership (March–August 2006 on new purchase)
Symptoms owners cite: Headliner falls down into cabin; Visible cutting/edge separation at door-to-gasket junction
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement headliner (4 replacements attempted within first 6 months for one owner)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Area rep reportedly initiated TSB for short headliner cut; however, owner found no TSB listed on NHTSA for Silverado headliner
Frame and structural rust
Excessive corrosion of frame main rails and cross-members, progressing to near-complete material loss (described as 'swiss cheese'). Occurs with relatively low mileage in salt-exposure regions. Cross-members rot through, compromising structural integrity and suspension support.
When: 64,000–150,000 miles; some failures noted in first 9 years of ownership at 63,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Visible rust on main frame beams and cross-members; Cross-members rotted through or nearly rusted through; Frame cracks (one owner reported crack on front passenger side); Spare tire mount detaches from frame while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Frame welding performed; failure recurred post-repair in at least one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reports manufacturer acknowledged inferior steel material used but offered no assistance
Brake line corrosion and failure
Brake lines corrode excessively and rupture, causing fluid loss and partial or complete brake failure while driving. Severity described as unusual for a well-maintained vehicle.
When: 80,000 miles; timing varies by owner maintenance history
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal softens then goes to floor; Brake fluid reservoir empties; Brake system warning light and brake light illuminate; Fluid puddle under driver-side front of vehicle; Severely corroded/rotted brake lines visible under vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Brake line replacement required; one owner used emergency brake to avoid collision
Spare tire bracket rust and detachment
Spare tire mounting bracket corrodes and fails, allowing tire to become loose or detach while driving. The bracket design traps dirt and salt, accelerating rust.
When: 63,000–unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Spare tire mount becomes detached from frame while driving; Spare tire bracket disintegrated by rust; Spare tire easily pulled out by hand; Structure blocked by tire itself, preventing washing
Repairs/costs cited: Shock absorber temporarily held one mount in place; replacement mounting hardware required
Steering column and suspension looseness
Steering column exhibits excessive play, requiring periodic re-greasing. Associated with beam shake/structural movement that causes mirrors to become unstable and unusable. Clunking noise occurs during turns.
When: Not specified; recurring issue every ~10,000 miles per one owner
Symptoms owners cite: Steering column feels loose; Mirrors become unusable due to vibration; Beam shake (structural flex visible in mirrors); Clunking noise during right turns; Power steering pump noise at full wheel lock
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership greased column; owner reports this becomes recurring maintenance every 10,000 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership refused to acknowledge beam shake defect and stated no knowledge of issue
Hood latch fatigue and separation
Engine hood latch shows complete separation and severe wear at the welded joint, creating risk of hood opening at high speed.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Welded hood latch separating; Visible severe wear at latch weld point; Potential for hood to come up at speed
Rear bumper structural failure
Rear bumper collapses from light impact (tree strike at 2 mph) without warning, resulting in moderate vehicle damage.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Bumper collapses on light impact (2 mph strike); Moderate vehicle damage sustained
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer and manufacturer notified; outcome not stated
Leaf spring shackle rust and failure
Leaf spring shackle corrodes and fails, allowing spring to puncture truck bed while driving.
When: Not specified; one failure noted within 12 months prior to complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Leaf spring shackle fractures; Hole created in truck bed by failed spring; Visible rust on suspension components
Repairs/costs cited: Spring shackle replacement
Differential and axle failure (snow-plow equipped vehicle)
Front differentials and axles failed at low speed while vehicle equipped with snow plow was being driven. Manufacturer stated equipment was incompatible with diesel vehicle.
When: 50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Unable to steer vehicle; Front differentials and axles fail at 10 mph
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated snow plow should not have been placed on diesel vehicle (no acknowledgment of component defect)
VIN and label mismatch
Tire, safety, and parts label VINs do not match the windshield VIN, indicating possible replacement parts used during manufacturing. Owner discovered at least 2 other 2006 Silverados shipped to different states with same issue (same mismatched labels).
When: Identified during trade-in appraisal in 2008 (2 years after purchase)
Symptoms owners cite: Tire label VIN does not match windshield VIN; Safety label VIN does not match windshield VIN; Parts label VIN does not match windshield VIN; Multiple vehicles exhibit same defect
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: National Insurance Crime Bureau examined affected vehicles and determined manufacturer caused the mishap
Door and seat noise/rattle
Driver-side door makes rattling noise and shakes while driving on bumpy roads. Driver-side seat squeaks.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Driver-side door rattles and shakes on bumpy roads; Driver-side seat squeaks; Noise present at various speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer inspected but could not determine cause
Cab noise (rear window down)
Severe roaring noise in cab when rear window is lowered and vehicle is driven at highway speeds. Dealership claimed this is normal for the vehicle type.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Loud roaring noise when rear window down at 60–75 mph; Noise severe enough to hurt owner's ears; Vibration inside vehicle; Consistent with every drive when window lowered
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership stated this was normal for this vehicle type
Paint corrosion around third brake light
Paint corroded around the third brake light, suggesting water intrusion or material defect in that area.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Paint corroded around 3rd brake light
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership where vehicle was purchased is out of business
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had body trouble with your 2006 Chevrolet Silverado?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 50,000 and 130,000 miles, with the median around 75,862. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 130,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Chevrolet/Silverado.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.