This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that if OnStar is unable to configure the vehicle after the OnStar 15-08-44-001 upgrade and Onstar receives a 118 error code when attempting to configure the vehicle. Dealers should receive a sheet with the kit that provides steps to assist with handling this error. Dealer will follow one of the listed steps to resolve the issue. If there are still configuration issues, please contact the OnStar Technical Assistance Centre for assistance.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Chevrolet Silverado electrical problems
severe 73 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
73
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
18fires
When does it fail?
Of the 73 electrical complaints filed for the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 73 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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 technical bulletin provides repair information for repairing the IP to body harness connector to correct a customer concern for intermittent Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated with Reduced Engine Power displayed and DTC P2138 set.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle that may have an OnStar system that has progression tones when pressing the blue or red button. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center with the scan tool data from the OnStar system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the speedometer needle appears to be inaccurate. Dealer should advise the customer the specification for speedometer needle accuracy is +/- 2 MPH at any given speed when looking straight at the needle.
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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Blower motor resistor and wiring failure dominates complaints—the resistor and connector under the dash passenger side overheat, melt, and occasionally catch fire. Owners smell burning plastic and electrical odor, see smoke in the cabin, and find melted wires; some incidents happened while trucks were parked with no prior warning. The dealer parts counter staff confirmed this is routine—one owner reported the dealership replaces four to five connector pigtails monthly. Repair costs run $55–$95 per part, and failures recur repeatedly even after replacement.
Instrument cluster gauges fail or malfunction: oil pressure bounces 0 to 80, speedometer locks up or jumps to 120 mph, fuel gauge reads empty when fuel is present, and temperature gauges spin or peg. Engine shuts down unpredictably at highway speeds; one owner spent $1,500 on throttle sensor replacements with no fix. Main body wiring harnesses short and melt, draining the battery so fast it prevents total burn-down but still destroying the harness and interior.
Service air bag light stays on or flashes endlessly despite no airbag fault; GM refused warranty coverage and told one owner the vehicle is "way beyond GM's responsibility." Door latches fail without reason, ABS engages on its own, and keys can be removed while the truck is in drive. No recalls address most of these issues; owners report GM reimbursed some connector costs in 2011 under a special coverage program, but many trucks remain unrepaired and out of pocket.
Same Chevrolet Silverado electrical reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Blower Motor Resistor and Wiring Harness Fire Risk
Blower motor resistor, connector pins, and wiring harness overheat, melt, and catch fire under the dashboard on the passenger side. Owners report strong electrical burning smells, visible smoke in the cabin, and melted plastic and wires. Some fires started while vehicles were parked and unattended, with no prior warning signs.
When: Typically 36,000–86,700 miles; most commonly reported when blower was running on high speed
Symptoms owners cite: Strong burning or electrical odor from under dash; Visible smoke in cabin; Glowing orange floorboard or melting plastic smell; Fan stops working or operates erratically; Wires too hot to touch even after replacement; Fire or near-fire condition
Repairs/costs cited: Owners replaced blower motor resistor ($55–$62.94), connector/pigtail ($42.36–$95.00), and wiring harness. Dealership reported stocking these parts regularly and confirmed recurring issue. One owner received partial reimbursement ($95.00) from GM in 2011. Parts continue to fail repeatedly despite replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: General Motors issued a special coverage program (#10240) mentioned by at least one owner; some owners reported GM refused warranty coverage citing electrical malfunction as non-covered. One owner received $95 reimbursement for pigtail in 2011.
Instrument Cluster Malfunction
Instrument panel gauges malfunction, including speedometer locking up, oil pressure gauge pegging to maximum, temperature gauge spinning, and amperes gauge pointing downward. Some gauges work intermittently or fail entirely.
When: Reported from 8,000 to 69,780 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Speedometer locks up or turns off and on randomly; Oil pressure gauge stuck at maximum or bouncing erratically; Temperature gauge reading incorrectly or spinning; Amperes gauge pegged downward; Check engine light on; Gauge illumination intermittent or off
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers advised replacing entire instrument cluster. Owners reported no successful repairs; most vehicles were not repaired.
Fuel Gauge Inaccuracy
Fuel gauge reads incorrectly, showing tank empty when fuel is present, or reading off by approximately 1/4 tank. Owners interpret this as a bad fuel card (sensor) on the fuel pump assembly.
When: Reported at 57,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel gauge reads empty when fuel present; Gauge reads 1/4 tank off; Engine stalls due to incorrect fuel reading
Repairs/costs cited: Owners speculate fuel pump assembly or fuel card sensor replacement, but most repairs were not completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated unable to provide assistance.
Blower Motor Control Failure and Runaway Operation
Blower motor runs continuously at full blast even when AC/heater is turned off, engine is shut down, and keys are removed. Control panel has no effect on system operation. Control module electrical terminal melts.
When: Reported at 39,000 miles and other mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Blower motor runs continuously at full blast; Control panel cannot shut off blower; Blower runs with ignition off and keys removed; Burning electrical odor; Control module terminal melted
Repairs/costs cited: Owners removed fuse to stop blower. Dealership confirmed replacement blower motor control module and pigtail connector are stocked parts, indicating commonality. Replacement control module and pigtail required.
Engine Stall and Loss of Power with Intermittent Wiring Issues
Engine shuts down without warning while driving or at traffic lights. Stalling recurs intermittently. Cause traced to ignition coil wire harness or general underbody wiring shorts. One complaint mentions ignition control module harness needing replacement and reprogramming.
When: Reported at 3,000, 10,000, 55,315, 118,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts down while driving; Engine stalls at traffic lights; Rough idle and repeated stalling; Loss of engine power without warning; Engine restart difficulty
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanics diagnosed ignition coil wire harness fault (required 2 days to locate intermittent issue). One owner had ignition control module harness replaced and vehicle reprogrammed at dealer, but failure recurred multiple times.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware of recurring failures; repairs not successful.
Main Body Wire Harness Melt and Short
Main body wire harness melts through from internal heat caused by short circuit. Melted harness in cabin creates fire hazard. Battery drained immediately, limiting flame spread, but carpet and harness severely damaged. Another case involved hybrid module overheating and burning wires under hood.
When: Reported at various mileages; one case at 94,656 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke in cabin with no warning; Headlights flashing unexpectedly; All electrical systems dead (windows, locks, radio, OnStar); Visible flames under hood; Burning smell; Melted wiring and carpet
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership identified short in main body wire harness and melted harness damage. Hybrid module case involved overheated module burning wires.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One case denied by dealer as warranty issue out of warranty; manufacturer advised vehicle warranty had expired and offered no assistance.
Oil Pressure Gauge Bouncing and False Alarms
Oil pressure gauge bounces erratically between zero and 80 psi, triggering repeated alarms while driving. Gauge continues bouncing during acceleration. Oil level is confirmed normal and truck is well-maintained. One complaint mentions oil pressure sensor defect.
When: Reported at various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Oil pressure gauge bounces 0 to 80 repeatedly; Alarms sound on and off; Pressure drops to zero during acceleration then bounces back; Alarm activates while in traffic
Repairs/costs cited: One owner's diagnostic identified defective oil pressure sensor. No other repairs documented.
Throttle Position Sensor / Engine Power Reduced Limp Mode
Vehicle randomly enters engine power reduction mode, limiting top speed to 35 mph. Diagnostic code P2135 appears repeatedly. Owner replaced throttle position sensor twice, throttle body twice, and wiring twice, along with three shop visits, totaling approximately $1,500, yet problem recurs every couple of months.
When: Reported at unknown mileage; recurring over extended period
Symptoms owners cite: Engine power reduced warning (limp mode); Top speed limited to 35 mph; Check engine light with code P2135; Occurs randomly, including on interstate
Codes mentioned: P2135
Repairs/costs cited: Replaced throttle position sensor twice, throttle body twice, wiring twice. Spent approximately $1,500 across three shop visits with no resolution. Problem recurs every couple of months.
Service Air Bag Warning Light Malfunction
Service air bag warning light illuminates and stays on or flashes repeatedly. Owner reports GM dealers diagnosed airbag sensor malfunction requiring replacement. GM refused to address as safety concern, claiming vehicle is beyond responsibility.
When: Reported at various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Service air bag warning light on; Light flashes repeatedly and will not extinguish; No actual airbag deployment issue noted
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer recommended airbag sensor replacement. Repair not completed due to cost and GM refusal to cover.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM stated "YOUR VEHICLE IS WAY BEYOND GM'S RESPONSIBILITY" after 13 phone calls, 4 customer care specialists, 2 dealer reps, and 5 days of communication. Manufacturer offered no assistance.
Door Latch and Lock Failure
Rear passenger doors fail to open from inside or outside despite being unlocked. Electronic door latch requires replacement. Dealership confirmed multiple units with similar latch failures that prevent door opening.
When: Reported at unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Door will not open from inside; Door will not open from outside; Manual unlock does not work; Electronic latch failure
Repairs/costs cited: Electronic latch required replacement. Dealership reported handling multiple similar cases.
Shift Interlock Failure (Accessory Position)
Vehicle can be taken out of park while ignition is in accessory position without depressing brake pedal. Child was able to move vehicle into drive, causing truck to roll down driveway and across street.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle exits park in accessory ignition position; Brake pedal not required to shift; Vehicle can be driven with ignition in accessory mode
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer consulted and determined vehicle was purposely designed to allow this behavior.
Key Removal While in Drive
Key can be removed from ignition while vehicle is in drive gear. Vehicle continues to operate normally and battery drains when key is removed.
When: Reported at 175,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Key removable while in drive; Vehicle continues to drive with key removed; Battery drains after key removal
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified.
Speedometer Malfunction and Sticking
Speedometer turns off and on randomly, gets stuck, or reads up to 120 mph erroneously. Owner reports at least four other family vehicles (same generation Silverados) with identical problem. Owner received traffic tickets due to inaccurate speed reading.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Speedometer turns off and on; Speedometer gets stuck at certain speed; Speedometer jumps to 120 mph; Intermittent operation
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented.
Headlight Flashing and Electrical System Loss
Headlights flash unexpectedly while vehicle is parked. Upon investigation, cabin fills with smoke due to short in electrical harness. All electrical systems fail simultaneously.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights flash unexpectedly when parked; Smoke fills cabin; All electrical systems fail (windows, locks, radio, OnStar)
Repairs/costs cited: Main body wire harness had shorted and melted.
Interior and Dashboard Lighting Failure
Interior lights and gauge illumination turn off, making it difficult to read dashboard and speed. Problem intermittent.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Interior lights turn off; Gauge lights turn off; Hard to see speed and instrument readings
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented.
AC/Heater Blowing Mixed Temperatures
AC blowing hot on one side and cold on the other. Temperature control uneven.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: AC blows hot on one side; AC blows cold on the other side; Uneven temperature control
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented.
Brake Light Intermittent Operation
Brake lights work intermittently, not reliably. Electrical issue.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights work intermittently; Brake lights don't work consistently
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented.
Turn Signal Light Brightness Anomaly
Signal lights turn on extremely bright during left-hand turn signal use.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Signal lights turn on bright during left turn
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented.
Cigarette Lighter and Component Failures
Cigarette lighter and other electrical components fail to function.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Cigarette lighter non-functional; Various electrical components non-functional
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented.
Transmission Temperature and Oil Gauge Issues with Electrical Components
Transmission temperature gauge red-lines then fails to display accurately. Oil gauge moves erratically from 0 to 80. Some dashboard lights go out. Check engine light cycles on and off. Transmission company suspects electrical issue; Chevrolet claims transmission banging and slipping is normal.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission temperature gauge red-lines; Transmission temperature gauge inaccurate; Oil gauge bounces 0 to 80; Dashboard lights go out; Check engine light on and off; Transmission slipping and banging in gears 1, 2, 3; Transmission down-shift issues
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission company diagnosed possible electrical issue. No repairs completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chevrolet stated transmission banging and slipping is common and no repairs needed.
ABS Brake Failure and Independent Engagement
Anti-brake system engages independently while vehicle is stopping, causing brakes to fail. Problem recurs intermittently.
When: Reported at 9,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: ABS engages independently; Brakes fail; Intermittent recurrence
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified.
Battery Charging System Failure
DIC (Driver Information Center) light indicates 42V battery not charging. Service engine light also on. Vehicle will not start despite having interior power.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: DIC light: 42V battery not charging; Service engine light on; Vehicle will not start; Interior power present
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented.
Whistling Noise from Instrument Panel
Loud whistling noise coming from instrument panel on passenger side while driving at 40 mph. No warning lights illuminated. Dealer unable to diagnose cause over five service visits. Suspected heater core gasket issue, but unresolved.
When: Started at 8,000 miles; current mileage 21,700
Symptoms owners cite: Loud whistling from instrument panel passenger side; Occurs while driving at normal speeds
Repairs/costs cited: No successful repairs across five dealer visits. Heater core gasket suspected but not confirmed.
Engine Rough Running and Stalling with Fuel System Confusion
Engine shuts down while driving at 70 mph. Upon restart, engine misses badly and stalls repeatedly. Fuel station checked fuel quality. Mechanic suspected bad fuel initially, but after diagnostic, found intermittent wiring problem in ignition coil wire harness, which required 2 days to locate and 1 day to replace.
When: Reported at 55,315 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts down at highway speed; Engine misses badly upon restart; Repeated stalling; Will not idle
Repairs/costs cited: Ignition coil wire harness replaced after 2-day diagnostic. Mechanics checked all systems twice before finding problem. Vehicle runs well after repair.
Synthesized from 73 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet silverado 1500. While parked, the contact noticed that all the lights on the instrument panel were not working. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics or repair. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.
The interior lights on the gauges all turn off making it hard to see the speed limits. Brakes sound as if grinding but cant tell if its brakes or differential and u joints. Noise gets louder in the cabin of the truck as I drive on the road. 3. Signal lights turn on bright while on left hand turn signal. And cigarette lighter and other components wont work
Dt: the contact stated the instrument cluster did not work at all. The manufacturer was contacted, and advised the contact to bring the vehicle to a gm dealership for service. The cause of the problem was undetermined.
Randomly my truck will go in engine power reduced and top speed is 35 MPH. It happened a couple of time on the interstate. The code that pops up is p2135 and I looked it up on line. The internet is full of forms and videos about this problem. Everything on the internet points to the throttle position sensor. I've replaced it twice and replaced the throttle body twice and wiring twice. I put truck…
Had electrical 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 electrical problem on the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado?
It's a meaningful issue. 73 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 59 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 34,000 and 115,000 miles, with the median around 60,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 34,000; a quarter make it past 115,000. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.