This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 GMC Sierra tires problems
moderate 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $150 · see tires across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$150
When does it fail?
Of the 15 tires complaints filed for the 2006 GMC Sierra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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 11 model years of GMC Sierra we track for tires problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 15.
No new NHTSA tires complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 19 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 tires 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.
USE OF NITROGEN GAS IN TIRES. 2015 AND PRIOR GM PASSENGER CARS & TRUCKS (INCLUDING SATURN) ALSO 2008 AND PRIOR HUMMER H2, H3, SAAB 9-7X. UPDATED 5/12/08. UPDATED 04/15/2014
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This warranty administration bulletin provide policy information on GM of Canada New Vehicle Limited Warranty Tire Program and Global Warranty Management (GWM) Submission Information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This warranty administration bulletin provide policy information new tire warranty program and global warranty management submission information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Fifteen complaints document tire failures across multiple brands on 2006 GMC Sierras, with the most dangerous being tread separation and sidewall blowouts occurring before 25,000 miles. Owners report tread tearing away or disintegrating from the carcass—including General Ameritrac P245/70R17 units at 7,100 to 17,600 miles—causing loss of vehicle control at highway speeds. Sidewall blowouts happen without punctures or obvious causes, with Firestone Destination A/T and General tires failing at 2,000 to 15,000 miles. Several owners describe bulges and indentations in the bead area and sidewalls (Goodyear Wrangler, Hankook Dynapro), indicating internal structural breakdown. Excessive tread wear occurs prematurely—one owner with 24,000 miles reported hydroplaning in rain with nearly bald fronts; another at 13,000 miles saw extreme feathering alongside sidewall indenting despite verified alignment. One owner reported annual blowouts for three consecutive years from inner delamination creating bubbles on the outer sidewall. Valve stem leaks are documented, with snap-in rubber stems failing under the truck's air pressure requirements. Firestone's distributor acknowledged "stone chipping" affecting some tires. Manufacturers declined warranty coverage, with General stating blowouts are an accepted risk and Goodyear refusing to cover three of six defective tires.
Failure modes owners describe
Tread Separation
Tread separates or tears away from the tire carcass, occurring early in tire life. Some owners report the tread completely delaminating from the center, others finding large holes or chunks missing.
When: 17,600 miles; 7,100 miles; 6,500 miles noted between two separations on rear tires; early in tire service life
Symptoms owners cite: Large holes in tire from tread separation; Center area disintegration; Tread tearing away; Loud noise or vibration before failure
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replacement required; rims damaged in some cases from loss of control during highway failure; Walmart tires P245/70R17 flagged for similar failures across multiple units
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: General Tire declined warranty replacement, citing normal risk; Firestone and other manufacturers not documented to have responded
Sidewall Bulge or Indentation
Sidewall develops bulges, bumps, or severe indentations in the bead area. Some bulges accompanied by pending separation or deterioration of the sidewall structure.
When: 20,100 miles; 96,800 miles; varies
Symptoms owners cite: Visible bulge on sidewall; Bead area extremely indented; Bulge indicates internal structural failure
Repairs/costs cited: Private mechanic or dealer replacement required; affected tires include Hankook Dynapro LT265/70R17 and Goodyear Wrangler AT LT255/85R16
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Goodyear manufacturer refused to replace remaining three tires after dealer replaced three of six
Sidewall Blowout
Sudden sidewall rupture or explosion while driving, usually at highway speeds. No puncture or foreign object noted; appears to be internal failure. Occurs with relatively low mileage and tread depth.
When: 2,000 miles; 15,000 miles; 60 mph highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loud explosion or blowout; Loss of tire pressure instantaneously; Vehicle control difficulty or loss of control; Damage to wheel rim and wheel well
Repairs/costs cited: Owner paid for replacement out-of-pocket; vehicle towed; wheel damage repairs needed. BF Goodrich Mud KM2 35 12.5 R18 experienced rear tire blowout at 93,000 miles with adequate tread; General P235/70R16 blowout at 2,000 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer would not adjust tire; recommended replacement at owner expense
Excessive Tread Wear
Tires lose tread depth rapidly, well beyond normal wear patterns. Feathering and uneven wear noted despite alignment verification. Hydroplaning risk at normal highway speeds.
When: 24,000 miles; 11,000–13,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hardly any tread left on front tires at 24,000 miles; Extreme feathering observed; Hydroplaning during rain on freeway; Sidewall indenting simultaneously
Repairs/costs cited: General Ameritrac P245/70R17 tires required early replacement; dealer verified alignment and balance before replacement; dealer would only replace with same brand
Valve Stem Failure
Valve stems leak air or split, causing tires to go flat. Snap-in rubber stems used on heavy-duty pickup trucks appear inadequate for high air pressures required.
When: Varies; discovered at rest stop during towing; ongoing issue
Symptoms owners cite: Tire goes flat from valve stem leak; Valve stem split or cracked; Air pressure loss over time
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced valve stems; owner notes snap-in rubber stems inadequate for 80 PSI rear and 55 PSI front on 2500 HD, recommends steel clamp-in type
Sidewall Delamination and Bubbling
Internal tire failure causes bubbles to form on the outer sidewall as the inner lining separates and air collects beneath the outer rubber, leading to blowout.
When: Recurring annually over three-year period
Symptoms owners cite: Bubble forms on outside of tire from inner delamination; Bubble grows and eventually blows out; Occurs with normal driving, no external cause
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports one tire per year for three consecutive years; all required replacement
Stone Chipping and Rubber Deterioration
Rubber chips or fragments flake out from the tread and sidewall, even from tread area. Firestone rep identified as 'stone chipping' defect affecting some production.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Visible chips of rubber missing from tread; Chips visible even in tread grooves
Repairs/costs cited: Firestone Destination A/T LT285/75R16 affected; distributor acknowledged defect term
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Firestone distributor acknowledged the defect as 'stone chipping' but no remedy documented
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
According to the district distributor representative for firestone he said the term "stone chipping" is what's happening to some of their tires. When I look at my tire, I see chips of rubber coming out of the tire even in the tread. *jb
Had tires 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 tires problem on the 2006 GMC Sierra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 15 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $150 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the tires typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most tires failures cluster between 17,600 and 45,949 miles, with the median around 24,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 17,600; a quarter make it past 45,949. 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 $150 for tires 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 tires?
No active recalls currently cover tires 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.