VehicleVerdict

2005 Hummer H2 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 103 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.1 times the median H2 year — the 2005 model ranks #2 of 8 H2 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 27 reports (26% of the total).

103

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other H2 years?

H2 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted186 complaints2002: 3 complaints2003: 186 complaints2004: 74 complaints2005: 103 complaints2006: 35 complaints2007: 15 complaints2008: 10 complaints2009: 3 complaints
H2 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all H2 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Hummer H2 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System2726%
Visibility & Wipers2221%
Airbags1515%
Brakes1111%
Steering66%
Tires & Wheels55%
Engine44%
Transmission44%
Other33%
Body & Structure22%
Seats22%
Suspension11%
Speed Control11%

Does the 2005 Hummer H2 have recalls?

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

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.

05V163000Seat BeltsApril 22, 2005 · 1,359,824 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

05V043000BrakesFebruary 8, 2005 · 77,411 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“DRIVING HOME I BEGAN TO SMELL AND ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL. IT BEGAN VERY QUICKLY AND CAME AND WENT FOR ABOUT 2 MILES. I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED AND COULD NOT SEE SMOKE OR FIRE SO I CONTINUED HOME. I DROVE THE REMAINING 4 MILES TO MY HOME AND IMMEDIATELY GOT MY HUSBAND TO CHECK AS THE CAB HAD FILLED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 14, 2012 · fire

“DRIVING HOME I BEGAN TO SMELL AND ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL. IT BEGAN VERY QUICKLY AND CAME AND WENT FOR ABOUT 2 MILES. I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED AND COULD NOT SEE SMOKE OR FIRE SO I CONTINUED HOME. I DROVE THE REMAINING 4 MILES TO MY HOME AND IMMEDIATELY GOT MY HUSBAND TO CHECK AS THE CAB HAD FILLED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · July 14, 2012 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HUMMER H2. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE AN IMPROPER LEFT TURN AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD AFTER THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 22, 2014 · crash

“STEEL BRAKE LINE BURST DUE TO CORROSION AND RUST. BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR. MADE CALL TO GM AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO MY LOCAL AUTHORIZED GM SERVICE CENTER. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS ALMOST 10 YEARS OLD AND THAT THIS WAS THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 24, 2014

“WHILE DRIVING THE ROAD CURVED TO THE LEFT. I TRIED TO FOLLOW ROAD AS IT CURVED. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BUT THE WHEELS COULD NOT FOLLOW THE TURN. THE HUMMER WENT STRAIGHT CAUSING ME TO GO INTO A DITCH. THE PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL FLEW OFF WITH THE AXEL' PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 7, 2010 · crash

2005 Hummer H2 — common questions

Is the 2005 Hummer H2 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 103 complaints put the 2005 model at #2 of 8 H2 years. It is one of the H2 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 H2 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (27 complaints), visibility & wipers (22 complaints), airbags (15 complaints).

Does the 2005 Hummer H2 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Hummer H2. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Hummer H2 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Hummer H2 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the H2 years to avoid are 2003, 2005, 2004. The cleanest record among H2 years belongs to 2009.

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.