VehicleVerdict

2005 GMC Sierra 2500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 159 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.8 times the median Sierra 2500 year — the 2005 model ranks #5 of 31 Sierra 2500 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 43 reports (27% of the total).

159

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Sierra 2500 years?

See all Sierra 2500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 GMC Sierra 2500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System4327%
Brakes4226%
Engine1811%
Steering1711%
Tires & Wheels74%
Transmission74%
Body & Structure64%
Other43%
Airbags32%
Fuel System32%
Speed Control32%
Suspension32%
Lighting21%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 2005 GMC Sierra 2500 have recalls?

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

08V519000OtherOctober 6, 2008 · 133 units

Defect

MOBILITYWORKS IS RECALLING 133 MY 2005-2006 FORD E250, MY 2000, 2004-2006 E350, MY 2000, 2005 E450, MY 2005-2006 GMC 2500, GMC 3500, AND MY 2006 DODGE 2500 VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR 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.

Consequence

A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy

MOBILITYWORKS 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 MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.

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).

06E010000SteeringFebruary 1, 2006 · 1,360 units

Defect

CERTAIN FABTECH AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS71000 AND FTS71001, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2001-2006 GM C/K 2500 PICK UP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE PIN LOCATED INSIDE THE PITMAN ARM CAN SHEAR OFF DUE TO A REVERSE BENDING FATIGUE CONDITION, RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Consequence

LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH WITH POTENTIAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

FABTECH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PITMAN AND IDLER ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FABTECH AT 909-597-7800.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

REPLACED EVERY MODULE IN THE HEATER SYSTEM IN MY 05 GMC SIERRA SEVERAL TIMES, AND SO HAS JUST ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE I KNOW WHO OWNS ONE. NOW MY WIRING HARNESS BURNED WITHOUT BLOWING ANY FUSES. GM SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS, AND FIND THE PROBLEMS, AND FIX THEM, BEFORE EVERYONE WHO OWNS ONE GOES…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 4, 2009 · fire

2005 GMC 2500HD THAT THE BRAKE LINES FAILED. AFTER CHECKING THEY ARE RUSTED EVERYWHERE. I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND I SEE THAT THIS IS A ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL YEAR.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 1, 2015 · crash

THIS MODEL YEAR HAS AN ENGINE DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE HEAD GASKET IS KNOWN TO BREAK CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. THIS CAN CAUSE SEVERAL SAFETY ISSUES DEPENDENT ON THE CIRCUMSTANCE AT THE TIME OF THE ENGINE OVERHEATING. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, IT IS OPENLY KNOWN THAT THIS IS A DEFECT FROM…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 19, 2011

AFTER RETURNING FROM A DAY OF SHOPPING, I PARKED MY TRUCK AT THE BACK, LIKE ALWAYS. I HAD BEEN NOTICING OIL SPOTS FOR THE LAST FEW DAYS BUT CHALKED IT UP TO AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE TRUCK. AFTER ABOUT TWO HOURS I SAW SMOKE FROM THE BACK AREA WHERE I PARKED. I RAN OUTSIDE TO CATCH TO MY SURPRISE! MY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 12, 2009 · fire

MY 2005 GMC 2500 HD, HAS 154,000 MILES NOW AND I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE OUT THE FRONT HUB BEARINGS 3 TIMES. I DO NOT KNOW WHY THEY KEEP GOING BAD. MY DEALERSHIP TELLS ME IT IS BECAUSE I HAVE A LIFT AND OVERSIZED TIRES ON TRUCK, BUT ALL MY TRUCKS HAVE HAD LIFTS AND OVER SIZED TIRES AND I HAVE NEVER HAD…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · March 3, 2008

2005 GMC Sierra 2500 — common questions

Is the 2005 GMC Sierra 2500 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 159 complaints put the 2005 model at #5 of 31 Sierra 2500 years. It is one of the Sierra 2500 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 Sierra 2500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (43 complaints), brakes (42 complaints), engine (18 complaints).

Does the 2005 GMC Sierra 2500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 GMC Sierra 2500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which GMC Sierra 2500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sierra 2500 years to avoid are 2003, 2004, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2024, 2020, 2015, 2007, 2011, 2008, 2013, 2012, 2014, 2009, 2010. The cleanest record among Sierra 2500 years belongs to 1994.

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.