2005 GMC Savana Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 12, 2026 · 13 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Savana years
Far more complaints than other years 8th of 31 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 GMC Savana. That ranks 8th out of 31 Savana model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (2 complaints, 15%), typically at around 100,000 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 1 injury. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year.

GMC Savana
A 2012 GMC Savana 3500 Extended photographed in Queens, New York , USA. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

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

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Most common 2005 GMC Savana problems

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

Electrical System2 · ~100,000 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2 · ~18,561 mi
Steering2 · ~51,900 mi
Structure2 · ~63,962 mi
Tires2
Air Bags1
Equipment1 · ~41,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages1 · ~49,923 mi
Seat Belts1
Suspension1 · ~20,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System215%100,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic215%18,561——
Steering215%51,900——
Structure215%63,962——
Tires215%———
Air Bags18%———
Equipment18%41,000——
Latches/locks/linkages18%49,923——
Seat Belts18%———
Suspension18%20,000——
Visibility18%———
Wheels18%———

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

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2007, with 3 complaints
2005: 1200512006: 1200612007: 3200732010: 3201032011: 1201112014: 2201422023: 1202312026: 120261

n = 13 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2005 GMC Savana recalls (5)

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

Electrical system:wiringApr 6, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V247000 · 150,830 vehicles

Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. When the HVAC blower motor circuit is left unused with exposed connectors and wiring, the circuit can corrode and overheat.

Risk: An overheated electrical circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will properly seal the rear HVAC blower motor circuits at the left side B-pillar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222386050.

Equipment adaptive/mobilityJul 6, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V270000 · 185 vehicles

Problem: Main mobility is recalling 185 model year 2005 through 2009 chevrolet express and gmc savana vans manufactured between april 1, 2005 and june 25, 2009, equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the threshold warning system may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.

Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.

Fix: Main mobility is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or main mobility at 1-716-759-6811.

Equipment adaptive/mobilityJul 6, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V272000 · 185 vehicles

Problem: Main mobility is recalling 185 model year 2005 through 2009 chevrolet express and gmc savana vans manufactured between april 1, 2005 and june 25, 2009, equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the anti-stow interlock may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or something is still on the lift.

Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.

Fix: Main mobility is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or main mobility at 1-716-759-6811.

Seat beltsDec 19, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V558000 · 425,593 vehicles

Problem: On certain full-size passenger, cargo, or cutaway vans, the front and rear seat belt buckles will not latch or will not unlatch.

Risk: In the event of a crash, a seat occupant may not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the buckles and, if found to be inoperative, the entire buckle assembly would be replaced. For buckles found to be operative, dealer will replace only the upper buckle cover. The recall will be conducted in phases. The first phase mailing began during march 2006. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or 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.

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.

I was in a crash today october 12th 2026 and the airbags failed to deploy it was a front end collision that resulted in the motor shutting off

Air Bags · received Oct 12, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11770691

I had a new front windshield sold by PGW installed by Coughlin Auto Glass in Deer Lodge Montana in November - December 2022. I immediately noticed that the windshield did not allow RED LIGHT to pass through the tinted area. This is most likely due to a manufacturing defect and is dangerous…

Visibility · received Jul 17, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11532862

White van since was 4 years old the front hood white paint star peeling off . Know is have paint only. Bad quality paint. You can see in the road almost all chevy or gmc cargo van with the same problem. *tr

Structure · received Jul 30, 2014 · NHTSA complaint 10617484

While driving on bumpy road at 30 miles / hour car turns off. I could not turn, power steering locked. Car eventually stopped in the middle of the busy road and i brake, changed gears to park. I turn ignition key off and then turned it on again. This happen a few times. I try to avoid bumpy areas…

Steering · received Jun 17, 2014 · NHTSA complaint 10598720

Tire "definity dakota" had defected just for 20,000 mi. *tr

Tires · received Aug 25, 2011 · NHTSA complaint 10421488

Other GMC Savana years

← 2004 Savana · 2006 Savana →

See all GMC Savana problems by year, every GMC model, or the GMC VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 GMC Savana?

Owners most often report electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic, steering problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 2 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2005 GMC Savana?

Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2005 GMC Savana a good year?

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