2005 GMC Sierra 1500 problems
The 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 has 218 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (31%) concerns electrical system. Next are brakes (23%) and steering (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 218 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 31% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 6 and 16
- Injuries and deaths
- 7 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 73,000 miles 194 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 17 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 18 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 33 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 38 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 35 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 20 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 10 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 9 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 3 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 3 |
| 200k+ miles | 8 |
What the data shows
Of the 194 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 73,000 miles. For electrical system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 70,000 miles (60 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 6 complaints mention a crash; 16 complaints mention a fire; 7 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2005 ranks 16th most-complained-about out of 30 model years of the GMC Sierra 1500 with enough data (105 complaints in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
While driving forward in traffic when car cut in front from the next lane to the right. This required emergency braking, but my speed was slow and truck should have stopped within the space available and the truck brakes seemed to feel as if they released on their own. Damage occurred to the car I rear ended and they rear-ended a car in front of them. Damage to all 3 vehicles was light enough that all were driven away after crash.
Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked with the key in the ignition accessory mode, an unattended child switched the column gear shift from park to drive and the vehicle rolled downhill crashing into a tree. Minor injuries were sustained. There was extensive damage to the front of the vehicle. The police were alerted and a report was taken. The vehicle was taken to a body shop for the body damage. The manufacturer was not alerted. Updated 10/4/2006 -
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 GMC sierra 1500. While driving approximately 55 MPH in the rain, the contact switched lanes on a curved road and the vehicle started to skid. The rear of the vehicle was out of control. As a result, the contact crashed into a guardrail and then a median. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained neck injuries that did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an auto collision center. The vehicle was not repaired.
Steering assembly shimmies ridiculously. I have not been contacted about the recall of the steering shaft. Campaign # 05v018000. I am sure there is a problem with the assembly at this point. Fortunately there have been no crashes or complete failure. However I am angry I was not notified of the problem, it has gotten worse in the last two weeks. I thought my tires were out of balance and had that checked twice, and rotated.
Concerning GM 706 castech cylinder heads/gm TSB 06-06-01-019b I have a 2005 GMC sierra which has slowly been leaking coolant for about 6 months. I have had it looked at and the dealer informed me that I have a 706 castech cylinder head that is notorious for cracking and leaking. The dealer told me there was coolant inside my oil and recommended replacing the engine. As I have begun researching this issue I realize these cylinder heads affect millions of GM vehicles and loyal customers.