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2005 Chevrolet Suburban Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 129 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban, most often about the electrical (28% of complaints, typically around 69,500 miles). It is 14th of 25 Suburban model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2005 Chevrolet Suburban problems
Electrical
36 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 69,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
I have a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban. The speedometer has been going out for some time. It will either not register or register off so that the person driving has no idea of speed. I have contacted chevy and my dealer and have been informed that chevy knows of the issue but will only cover replacement through model year…
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban.the contact was driving approximately 45 MPH and noticed the speedometer, fuel and oil gauges failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate…
Brakes
25 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 93,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, power assist.
Brake lines have corroded and yesterday one of the lines below the driver's side door ruptured resulting in a complete loss of braking.
While driving around town I noticed my brakes feeling mushy and the pedal needing to be pressed further into the floorboard. My "check brake system" light came on and upon inspection noticed that I was low on brake fluid. I filled the brake fluid reservoir to the max line. The next day the same warning light came on…
Transmission
15 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 17,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, transfer case (4-wheel drive), axle assembly.
: the contact stated while being on an incline and with the gear shifter in drive the vehicle rolls back if the brakes are not applied. Upon inspection the dealership determined this is the way the vehicle was designed. Updated 4/14/2006 -
I have a 2005 chevy Suburban 4x4 and within the first 14,000 miles it has started to engage into 4w lo while driving on the freeway, in reverse, going 25 MPH in residential neighborhood(this is a gear that you cannot drive over 15mph in). Needless to say that shellworth Chevrolet located in vacaville, ca has been…
Body and structure
11 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 95,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
The driver was sitting at the stop light for approximately one minute. Both the driver and passenger heard a revving noise. The driver's right foot remained on the brake. She never put her foot on the gas pedal, yet the vehicle accelerated forward into the intersection. The Suburban was struck on the driver's side by…
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for tire replacement, he was informed that the entire chassis was severely corroded. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was…
Air bags
10 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 86,500 miles.
Had to replace second faulty impact sensor for air bag on my vehicle. This is located in front of vehicle. The first replacement of the other sensor was july 26, 2013. This vehicle was never in a crash and had not damage to the front of the vehicle. When the air bag comes on they tell me my air bags no longer work. My…
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, she crashed into the rear of a trash truck. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained injuries to the left arm and left leg. The police were contacted and a report was filed. The vehicle was…
Speed control
8 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: cruise control.
On two occasions my 2005 Suburban has stayed on cruise control even after turning off cruise control. My vehicle kept a constant speed at which it was set when I had the cruise control on. This has occurred on flat highways. I was not descending.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact noticed that the cruise control took an extremely long time to activate. When the cruise control finally activated, the vehicle jerked and made a loud revving noise. He then noticed that the RPM increased from 1,800 to…
Engine
8 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 118,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the ABS light illuminated and there was a rattling noise coming from the engine compartment. The contact mentioned that the key would not always turn the vehicle on. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the contact refused to…
The contact owns 2005 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that when turning the vehicle off the engine fan failed to turn off. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Fuel system
8 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that when she walked around the vehicle he smelled gasoline and couldn't tell where it was coming from, but noticed that there was a leak underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who informed the contact that the odor came from a…
Smelled gas in garage and moved vehicle outside garage to investigate. Found puddle of gas on garage floor where vehicle had been parked. Crawled under vehicle and found two braided fuel lines crossing each other and resting on one another. They had worn a hole in the braided fuel line and was leaking a substantial…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Chevrolet Suburban recalls
Engine: engine and engine cooling
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts: rear/other
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: pedals and linkages
Risk: This could result in a loss of brakes which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicles for the brake pedal pushrod retainer and install one if it is missing free of charge. The manufacturer began contacting owners by telephone on march 10, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles, the brake pedal pushrod retainer may be missing. If the retainer is missing, the brake booster pushrod could disengage from the brake pedal.
Transmission: shift pattern indicator
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: service brakes, hydraulic
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (36 complaints, typically around 69,500 miles); brakes (25 complaints, typically around 93,000 miles); transmission (15 complaints, typically around 17,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 3, 2006 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Chevrolet Suburban?
- It is 14th of 25 Suburban model years by number of complaints, with 129 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.