2006 sierra -75000miles clunking in drivetrain when trans. Shifts rearend clunks and jumps in and out when diff lock is needed chatter in steering column engine light comes on when down to 1/2 -3/4 tank (everytime) refuel it goes out dash lights for the radio buttons slowly going out dash lights on the slider for heater controls going out very poor MPG 12-13 on a good day! Sure would…
2006 GMC Sierra fuel system problems
severe 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,200 · see fuel system across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,200
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 10 fuel system complaints filed for the 2006 GMC Sierra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Of the 6 model years of GMC Sierra we track for fuel system problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 10.
No new NHTSA fuel system complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Multiple 2006 GMC Sierras report fuel line leaks, fuel tank breaches causing fires, corroded brake/fuel lines, and faulty fuel gauges that strand drivers with no warning—some issues even denied by GM under existing recall campaigns. Inspect fuel system and lines closely; budget for line replacement and fuel sensor repair if considering used.
Owners describe two critical fuel system failure patterns in 2006 GMC Sierras.
Fuel line and tank breaches cause leaks and fires. Two owners report their trucks catching fire during highway driving—fire departments and state patrol traced the blazes to fuel line leaks and small holes in the fuel tank. One vehicle burned near the left front tire after 5,000 miles of towing; the owner noted other burned-out late-model GM pickups stored at the same yard. Fuel lines show severe corrosion, especially in salt-exposed climates; one owner was advised all lines needed replacement and found brake lines "crumbled" so badly they required simultaneous replacement. When one owner submitted a claim to GM, the manufacturer investigated without insurer oversight and denied coverage—then refused to release their investigation report.
Fuel gauge failures strand drivers unexpectedly. Multiple owners report gauges that don't drop as fuel is consumed or stay frozen on the low-fuel warning even after filling up. Several drivers ran out of gas while gauges still showed a quarter tank or more—one owner, who is disabled, was left stranded multiple times before learning the fuel level sensor had worn out. A mechanic told that owner he'd seen the same sensor failure repeatedly on GM vehicles. One owner's vehicle was even denied coverage under the applicable GM fuel system recall.
Failure modes owners describe
Fuel Line Leaks / Ruptures
Fuel lines develop holes or cracks that leak gasoline, creating fire hazard. Two narratives describe complete vehicle fires traced by fire departments to fuel line breaches; others report fuel leaking into engine compartment. Corrosion and deterioration of fuel lines noted, especially in salt-exposed environments.
When: One incident at approximately 5,000 miles (Sept 2012); fires occurred during normal highway driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Gasoline leaking onto ground; Fuel odor in engine compartment; White smoke between bed and cab; Vehicle fire with flames
Repairs/costs cited: One owner paid $958.76 for 6 feet of brake/fuel line replacement, rotors, calipers, and brake flush; additional $900 estimated for remaining corroded lines. Another replaced all fuel lines and 6 brake lines due to severe corrosion. Fire damage resulted in total loss.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner of fire vehicle (#1) submitted claim to GM; company investigated without insurer consent beyond photography, denied claim, and refused to release investigation report. No recall mentioned for fuel line issues in these narratives.
Fuel Level Sensor Malfunction
Fuel gauge reads inaccurately or fails completely, showing fuel remaining when tank is actually empty or near-empty. Worn fuel level sensor (reader inside tank) causes gauge to stick on low or fail to register fuel level changes.
When: Failures reported between 20,000 and 110,000 miles; one occurred within first few years of ownership (new in Jan 2007, issue by Sept 2012 at ~5,000 towing miles).
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel gauge not responding to actual fuel level; Low fuel warning light stays on constantly even after refueling; Engine stalling without warning when tank appears to have fuel; Low fuel chime sounding continuously after startup; Stranded on roadside with no fuel gauge warning
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replacement of fuel level sensor/reader required (cost not specified in narratives); owner chose not to repair in one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle #6 was denied coverage under NHTSA recall campaign 06E043000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) despite fuel system complaint at 52,000 miles.
Fuel Filter Water-in-Gas Sensor Bleed Valve Leak
Bleed valve on fuel filter water-in-gas sensor leaks fuel into engine compartment during normal driving, no apparent cause. Owner cites multiple reports on diesel forums of same issue.
When: Narrative does not specify mileage or timing.
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel leaking onto ground; Fuel odor in engine compartment; Hard engine cranking; Longer engine start times
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative does not specify repair performed or cost.
Check Engine Light with Fuel System Fault
Check engine light illuminates during normal driving; independent shop diagnoses fuel system failure. Vehicle owner at 52,000 miles submitted to manufacturer, who denied recall coverage.
When: At 52,000 miles (current mileage 77,000 at time of report).
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated while driving at 45 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative does not specify repair performed or cost.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified and denied coverage under NHTSA recall campaign 06E043000 (Fuel System, Gasoline).
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had fuel system trouble with your 2006 GMC Sierra?
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 fuel system problem on the 2006 GMC Sierra?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,200.
At what mileage does the fuel system typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most fuel system failures cluster between 11,000 and 72,000 miles, with the median around 52,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 11,000; a quarter make it past 72,000. 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 $1,200 for fuel system 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 fuel system?
No active recalls currently cover fuel system 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/GMC/Sierra.
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.