2005 Chevrolet Silverado Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jul 20, 2021 · 316 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Silverado years
More complaints than other years 7th of 23 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 316 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado. That ranks 7th out of 23 Silverado model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (64 complaints, 20%), typically at around 66,000 miles. Complaints mention 14 crashes, 7 fires, 10 injuries. There are 8 safety recalls covering this model year.

Chevrolet Silverado
2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD photographed in Montréal , Québec , Canada at the 2023 Montréal International Auto Show .. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2005 Chevrolet Silverado problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Electrical System64 · ~66,000 mi
Service Brakes61 · ~93,500 mi
Power Train29 · ~32,501 mi
Air Bags28 · ~64,000 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic26 · ~25,072 mi
Steering24 · ~27,842 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling20 · ~9,276 mi
Suspension19 · ~1,000 mi
Tires14 · ~4,843 mi
Structure11 · ~42,021 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System problems6420%66,000“instrument cluster” (8%)$820
Service Brakes problems6119%93,500“brake lines” (57%)—
Power Train299%32,501——
Air Bags289%64,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic268%25,072——
Steering248%27,842——
Engine and Engine Cooling206%9,276——
Suspension196%1,000——
Tires144%4,843——
Structure113%42,021——
Visibility83%26,393——
Fuel System, Gasoline72%50,000——
Fuel System, Diesel62%60,800——
Equipment52%55,000——
Vehicle Speed Control52%49,809——
Engine41%120,100——
Seat Belts41%53,000——
Wheels41%45,110——
Fuel/propulsion System31%134,000——
Unknown or Other31%77,000——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)21%62,237——
Exterior Lighting21%20,000——
Latches/locks/linkages21%———
Seats21%1,050——
Fuel System, Other10%27,500——
Visibility/wiper10%100,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2005, with 63 complaints
2004: 1200412005: 632005632006: 392006392007: 232007232008: 182008182009: 172009172010: 192010192011: 162011162012: 222012222013: 272013272014: 502014502015: 192015192016: 1201612021: 120211

n = 316 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2005 Chevrolet Silverado recalls (8)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Engine and engine coolingAug 3, 2006 · NHTSA campaign 06V289000 · 38,439 vehicles

Problem: On certain trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 (rpo l8-vin g) engine have a condition in which the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip may fracture resulting in inadequate retention of the damper.

Risk: If the damper comes loose, a fuel leak may result. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip free of charge. The recall began on august 31, 2006. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc trucks at 1-866-996-9463.

Steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connectionsOct 5, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V455000 · 123,592 vehicles

Problem: Certain passenger vehicles may have been built with a power steering hose that is not to specification. Under extreme steering maneuvers, such as turning the steering wheel fully to the left or right while braking, the hose may fracture and leak fluid.

Risk: If this were to occur, power steering assist would be lost and increased steering effort would be required. On vehicles equipped with hydro-boost power brakes, it could also result in loss of power brake assist and increased braking effort would be required. If the power steering fluid spray were to spray onto hot engine parts, an engine compartment fire could occur.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the power steering hose(s) for two suspect date codes and replace them if required. The recall will begin on october 14, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, isuzu at 1-800-255-6727, or hummer at 1-800-732-5493.

Parking brakeApr 22, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V161000 · 90,242 vehicles

Problem: On certain pickup trucks equipped with manual transmissions and built with either pbr parking brake systems or trw parking brake systems, the parking brake friction linings may wear to an extent where the parking brake can become ineffective in immobilizing a parked vehicle.

Risk: If the parking brake does not hold, unintended vehicle movement could occur, which could result in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will install a low-force spring clip retainer for vehicles equipped with a pbr parking brake system. On vehicles equipped with the trw parking brake system, dealers will install a redesigned parking brake cable assembly. The recall began on july 29, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.

Seat belts:rear/otherApr 22, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V163000 · 1,359,824 vehicles

Problem: On certain crew cab pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the 2nd row center occupant seat belt routing may make it difficult to position the lap portion of the safety belt low around the hips of occupants, especially smaller occupants, seated in this position. Appropriate use of a child seat or booster seat, as recommended for small children, does improve the fit condition for this user group. In addition to instructions on proper infant and young child restraint (with child seats or boosters), special verbiage for restraining older child is included in the owner's manual. Also, the suggested seat belt fit/routing for adults, irrespective of seating position, is described in the owner's manual text.

Risk: A lap portion of the seat belt routing that is not low and snug on the hips can allow the lap belt to ride up on an occupant's abdomen instead of fitting low around their hipbones, and therefore, can expose them to more risk of abdominal and internal organ injury.

Fix: Dealers will cut open the guide loop, remove a portion of the loop, and then the remaining two sides should be folded over and secured with a retainer free of charge. The recall began on july 21, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or hummer at 1-800-732-5493.

Power train:manual transmission:shift pattern indicatorFeb 14, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V055000 · 7,194 vehicles

Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock and transmission braking effect." under certain vehicle starting conditions, the shift lever position indicator located in the instrument panel cluster may not illuminate. If the shift lever position indicator does not illuminate, the driver may not know which gear the vehicle is in.

Risk: The vehicle may move in an unintended direction resulting in possible injury to others outside of the vehicle.

Fix: Dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster free of charge. The recall began on february 14, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, and gmc at 1-866-996-9463.

Service brakes, hydraulicFeb 8, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V043000 · 77,411 vehicles

Problem: Certain trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans equipped with bosch hydro-boost brake assemblies, the hydraulic brake booster pressure accumulator may crack and separate from the hydro-boost assembly during normal operating conditions.

Risk: If a separation occurred and the hood of the vehicle were open, fragments from the accumulator could cause injury to people in the immediate area. The presence of this crack or fractured surface could allow the hydraulic fluid to leak from the accumulator circuit of the booster assembly. The loss of fluid would cause increased steering and braking effort and a crash may occur without prior warning.

Fix: Dealers will test the hydro-boost assembly for functional operation of the two-function valve. If the hydro-boost assembly fails the test, dealers will replace the assembly free of charge. The recall began on march 23, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc trucks at 1-866-996-9463 and hummer at 1-800-732-5493.

Steering:gear box:shaft sectorJan 21, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V018000 · 3,344 vehicles

Problem: On certain trucks, the bolt that attaches the intermediate steering shaft to the steering gear may not meet specification. The bolt may fracture resulting in the loss of steering.

Risk: If this happens while the vehicle is moving, a crash could occur without prior warning.

Fix: Dealers will replace the intermediate steering shaft bolt free of charge. The recall began on january 24, 2005. Owners may contact gmc at 1-866-996-9463 and chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsAug 2, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V376000 · 1,103 vehicles

Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks equipped with 5.3l (rpo l59) v8 engines, the engine fuel rail crossover tube retainer screws were not manufactured to specifications and may break.

Risk: If the tube retainer screw breaks, fuel could leak from the fuel rail crossover joint, the engine may stall and, if an ignition source were present, an engine compartment fire could occur.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the fuel rail crossover tube and, if necessary, replace the retainer screws. Owners were notified by telephone on july 30, 2004, with a followup owner letter began august 5, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463. Note: the gm bulletin lists the tahoe and yukon models because canadian vehicles are included in the bulletin. No u.s. Tahoe or yukon vehicles are included in the u.s. Campaign.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 mph, he lost control of the vehicle due to losing consciousness. The vehicle left the roadway and went airborne and crashed with a road sign landing in a field. None of the airbags deployed and only…

Air Bags · received Jul 20, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11425653

The vehicles brakes are corroding and failed almost causing an accident on 2/09/2016 when the vehicle was in motion (at the intersection of il route 34 and wolfs crossing)

Service Brakes · received Feb 9, 2016 · NHTSA complaint 10825082

Pedal goes on down when pressed -- seems like abs isn't working properly

Service Brakes · received Dec 27, 2015 · NHTSA complaint 10816342

Break lines corroded through to failure. The failure occurred just after exiting a highway. Abs engaged due to icy conditions the next time i depressed the break peddle it went to the floor without the breaks engaging. To the best of my knowledge no warning light was present on the dashboard. The…

Service Brakes · received Nov 30, 2015 · NHTSA complaint 10807596

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet silverado. While the vehicle was parked with the air conditioner set on level five, the blower intermittently clicked off and on. The contact also stated that a burning smell emitted through the vents of the vehicle. The failure recurred on several occasions…

Electrical System · received Nov 16, 2015 · NHTSA complaint 10790722

Other Chevrolet Silverado years

← 2004 Silverado · 2006 Silverado →

See all Chevrolet Silverado problems by year, every Chevrolet model, or the Chevrolet VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado?

Owners most often report electrical system, service brakes, power train problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 64 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado?

Yes, 8 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Silverado model years, the 2005 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.