2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2005 highlighted. 1994: 3 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 2 complaints 1997: 64 complaints 1998: 73 complaints 1999: 81 complaints 1999 2000: 132 complaints 2001: 300 complaints 2002: 351 complaints 2003: 449 complaints 2004: 368 complaints 2004 2005: 269 complaints 2005 2006: 177 complaints 2007: 204 complaints 2008: 191 complaints 2009: 61 complaints 2009 2010: 21 complaints 2011: 104 complaints 2012: 52 complaints 2013: 51 complaints 2014: 40 complaints 2014 2015: 175 complaints 2016: 122 complaints 2017: 54 complaints 2018: 51 complaints 2019: 72 complaints 2019 2020: 99 complaints 2021: 82 complaints 2022: 89 complaints 2023: 42 complaints 2024: 135 complaints 2024 2025: 19 complaints 2026: 4 complaints 2026
2005: 269 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19943
19953
19962
199764
199873
199981
2000132
2001300
2002351
2003449
2004368
2005269
2006177
2007204
2008191
200961
201021
2011104
201252
201351
201440
2015175
2016122
201754
201851
201972
202099
202182
202289
202342
2024135
202519
20264

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19%

19% of complaints: electrical system — 52 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN TOWN ON A CITY STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, WITH THE AC ON AND THE BLOWER IN THE HIGH POSITION, THE BLOWER STARTED TURNING OFF INTERMITTENTLY. A SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC WAS NOTED AND THE BLOWER COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180707

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE IN THE CARPORT FOR TWO HOURS, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THERE WAS PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE HOUSE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20060925

AFTER ENTERING VEHICLE WHICH HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 2 WEEKS A HEAVY BRUNT ELECTRICAL FIRE ORDER WAS PRESENT. AT THE SAME TIME A HEAVY SMOKE LIKE HAZE WAS PRESENT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20060726

SERVICE BRAKES 17%

17% of complaints: service brakes — 45 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%

16% of complaints: electrical system — 43 distinct reports on file.

STEERING 9%

9% of complaints: steering — 25 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 7%

7% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 20 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

2005 — complaint volume: 269
R Date not on file — steering

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.

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.

Campaign 06E010000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (52 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (45 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (43 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E010000 (steering) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2014 ▲ 2023 ▲ 2013

WORST YEARS

■ 2003 ■ 2004 ■ 2002

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have?

1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.