VehicleVerdict

2005 GMC Sierra 1500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 sits mid-pack among Sierra 1500 years: 218 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 218, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 71 reports (33% of the total).

218

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

16

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Sierra 1500 years?

Sierra 1500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted1,025 complaints1994: 15 complaints1995: 3 complaints1996: 7 complaints1997: 100 complaints1998: 68 complaints1999: 182 complaints2000: 215 complaints2001: 171 complaints2002: 192 complaints2003: 210 complaints2004: 253 complaints2005: 218 complaints2006: 182 complaints2007: 310 complaints2008: 439 complaints2009: 280 complaints2010: 216 complaints2011: 362 complaints2012: 146 complaints2013: 147 complaints2014: 1,025 complaints2015: 923 complaints2016: 440 complaints2017: 472 complaints2018: 415 complaints2019: 856 complaints2020: 648 complaints2021: 704 complaints2022: 699 complaints2023: 542 complaints2024: 431 complaints2025: 141 complaints2026: 84 complaints
Sierra 1500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sierra 1500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System7133%
Brakes5123%
Steering188%
Airbags157%
Engine146%
Transmission115%
Other63%
Fuel System63%
Suspension52%
Tires & Wheels52%
Lighting42%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Speed Control31%
Body & Structure31%
Seats10%
Seat Belts10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E106000Tires & WheelsDecember 17, 2007 · 130,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.

Consequence

WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

06E050000BrakesJune 6, 2006 · 6,800 units

Defect

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL NATIONAL AND CARQUEST AFTERMARKET HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/N 515058, SOLD FOR USE ON 2001-2006 GENERAL MOTORS 1500 AND 2500 4WD TRUCKS. ON THE SUBJECT HUB ASSEMBLIES, THE ABS SENSOR CORD DEPARTS FROM THE HUB ASSEMBLY AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. AS A RESULT, THERE IS A FIT ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE ROTOR DUST SHIELD INTERFERING WITH THE ABS SENSOR CORD. IF THE HUB ASSEMBLY IS INSTALLED DESPITE THIS INTERFERENCE, THE GAP BETWEEN THE ABS SENSOR AND THE TONE WHEEL MAY BE ALTERED. THIS MAY WEAKEN THE OUTPUT OF THE ABS SENSOR. DIMINISHED OUTPUT COULD RESULT IN AN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS AND STOPPING DISTANCE COULD BE AFFECTED.

Consequence

IF STOPPING DISTANCE IS LIMITED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY ITS OWNERS AND WILL EITHER CREDIT THE CUSTOMERS ACCOUNT OR REPLACE THE UNIT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-563-8507 EXT 3530.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AN HOUR LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED DIFFICULTY STOPPING. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 21, 2010 · fire

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WITH THE HEAT ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING COMING FROM THE BLOWER MOTOR. SOMETIMES, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN, HE WOULD SMELL FUEL. WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, ONE OF THE REAR TIRES SLIDES AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 1, 2008 · fire

“THE STEERING IS EXTREMELY LOSE WHERE I CAN TURN THE WHEEL ALMOST HALF WAY BEFORE IT TURNS THE TIRES. THE HEADLIGHTS MOVE CONSTANTLY AFTER BEING ADJUSTED AND MAKE IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE AT NIGHT. THE 4WHEEL DRIVE BOX IS CONSTANTLY THROWING THE TRUCK INTO 4WHEEL AUTO AND 4WHEEL LOW WITHOUT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · May 19, 2012

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 1, 2017 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ERUPTED INTO FLAMES APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS AFTER IT WAS PARKED. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 7, 2007 · fire

2005 GMC Sierra 1500 — common questions

Is the 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?

It is close to typical for the Sierra 1500: 218 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2005 Sierra 1500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (71 complaints), brakes (51 complaints), steering (18 complaints).

Does the 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 GMC Sierra 1500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which GMC Sierra 1500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sierra 1500 years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2020, 2023, 2017, 2016, 2008, 2024, 2018, 2011, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2012. The cleanest record among Sierra 1500 years belongs to 1995.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.