KnownCarProblems2005 GMC Sierra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 117 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 GMC Sierra, most often about the brakes (32% of complaints, typically around 67,000 miles). It is 6th of 18 Sierra model years by number of complaints and has 9 recalls.
Most common 2005 GMC Sierra problems
Brakes
37 complaints · 32%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, power assist.
All brake lines badly rusted. Line above fuel tank rusted through and leaked while driving. Pedal went to floor. To avoid colliding with vehicle in front of me went off road. No damage to my truck.
Was traveling on baldwin rd., clermont county, ohio. I applied the brakes to slow for a corner and the brake pedal went to the floor board.I finally got the vehicle stopped and I realized what had happened. I had a discussion with a mechanic at my dealership while my truck was still under warranty about the condition…
Electrical
23 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery.
The contact owns a 2005 GMC Sierra. The speedometer displayed inaccurate readings. An authorized dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the malfunction. The failure mileage was 60,000. The current mileage was 90,000. The vehicle identification number was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2005 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that the speedometer would illuminate incorrectly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was…
Engine
17 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 59,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
Exhaust in passenger compartment. Service man informed me of broken bolts and that I must replace both manifolds before next inspection.
My vehicle was parked in my driveway. I was walking down the driveway and thought the car was being stolen as it was starting. There was no one in the car. The car did start several times on its own so I disconnected the battery cable and had it serviced immediately. How long it had been doing this I do not know. I do…
Transmission
11 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 4,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, manual transmission.
Dt: the contact owns a 2005 GMC Sierra 1500. The truck had a transmission leak. After five times trying to correct the problem he let the vehicle go back, and lost money on the truck when he traded it in. He had the receipts available. They replaced seals on the rear shaft and the rear shaft housing. He called GMC…
GMC Sierra 1500 crew cab; hile driving at interstate speed, the driveshaft fell off the vehicle and shattered. There was substantial damage to the underside of the vehicle including muffler, yoke, heat shield & driveshaft. These parts were replaced with new manufacturer provided parts.
Steering
11 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 27,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist, hydraulic power assist system, gear box.
For the past 6 months I have noticed that my steering wheel shakes when I slow down at stop signs. I also have noticed a clicking/knocking noise when I make turns and I can feel it through the steering wheel. I will be scheduling an appt. For this immediately.
Truck with a full-size camper was parked for less than 5 min. Before it blew up and burned up. North american technical & forensic services examined the truck and determined that the cause was a powersteering fluid leak in the left front engine compartment at the powersteering fluid line or line connections. After the…
Suspension
9 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, multiple axle.
The contact owns a 2005 GMC Sierra. While driving 45 MPH the left front driver side tire had begun to wobble. Moments later, the tire had suddenly locked, which caused the vehicle to come to a complete stop. A mechanic stated that the wheel bearing needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 60000.
The contact owns a 2005 GMC Sierra 2500hd. The contact stated that when attempting to brake at low speeds, the front end would shake and the braking distance would increase. The contact also stated that the vehicle would pull toward the right when the failure occurred. An authorized dealer stated that this was a known…
Body and structure
7 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 76,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Tl contact owns a 2005 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that the spare tire cable would not release the tire after numerous attempts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the spare tire housing unit was removed in order to cut the cable harness which allowed the tire to detach. The contact was in the…
Under carriage of truck is completely rusted. Frame, brake lines, leaf springs, basically everything. Fuel tank looks as if might break off and fall to ground at any moment and leaf spring shackles look as if might break and split truck in half. All dangerous and should be recalled.
Speed control
6 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control.
I was approaching a stop light and applied pressure to the brake pedal. My foot went to the floor and the truck did not stop. I was able to activate the parking brake and safely stop the truck. On inspection, it was discovered that the factory installed steel brake lines failed due to corrosion. The vehicle is well…
At any rate of speed truck will go into reduced engine power must pull over out of traffic and kill engine wait a couple of minutes and then restart sometimes you can go 1 mile till happens again sometimes 50 miles very dangerous situation in heavy traffic.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 GMC Sierra recalls
Air bags: frontal
Risk: If the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side may be disabled when it should be enabled, or enabled when it should be disabled. In either case, in the event of a crash that requires air bag deployment, a front passenger's level of injury may be increased.
Fix: Because a replacement leather seat cover that is compatible with the passenger sensing system is not available, general motors (gm) will repurchase these vehicles in accordance with the terms stated in gm's letter to owners. The recall began on november 6, 2006. Owners should contact gm at 1-877-477-1022 to begin the process of repurchasing their vehicle.
Full defect summary
Certain vehicles originally built with cloth seats that were equipped with an automatic air bag passenger sensing system and later reupholstered with aftermarket leather seat cover kits are involved. Testing has indicated that the aftermarket leather seat covers can cause the passenger sensing system to malfunction.
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.
Steering: hose, piping, and connections
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: parking brake
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.
Full defect summary
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.
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.
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.
Steering: shaft sector
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.
Full defect summary
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.
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 GMC Sierra
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 GMC Sierra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (37 complaints, typically around 67,000 miles); electrical (23 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); engine (17 complaints, typically around 59,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 GMC Sierra have?
- 9 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 31, 2006 (air bags). 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 GMC Sierra?
- It is 6th of 18 Sierra model years by number of complaints, with 117 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.