2005 Chevrolet Suburban

● Typical for this model
2005 Chevrolet Suburban
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:43:05.824Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% 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 Suburban Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2005 highlighted. 1981: 1 complaints 1981 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 30 complaints 1989: 62 complaints 1990: 54 complaints 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 499 complaints 1993 1994: 858 complaints 1995: 457 complaints 1996: 360 complaints 1997: 414 complaints 1998: 201 complaints 1999: 634 complaints 1999 2000: 282 complaints 2001: 440 complaints 2002: 286 complaints 2003: 301 complaints 2004: 204 complaints 2005: 129 complaints 2005 2006: 23 complaints 2007: 291 complaints 2008: 213 complaints 2009: 106 complaints 2010: 117 complaints 2011: 148 complaints 2011 2012: 101 complaints 2013: 118 complaints 2014: 59 complaints 2015: 427 complaints 2016: 216 complaints 2017: 139 complaints 2017 2018: 81 complaints 2019: 70 complaints 2020: 40 complaints 2021: 177 complaints 2022: 104 complaints 2023: 107 complaints 2023 2024: 36 complaints 2024
2005: 129 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19811
19821
19833
19846
19859
19867
198718
198830
198962
199054
199152
1992189
1993499
1994858
1995457
1996360
1997414
1998201
1999634
2000282
2001440
2002286
2003301
2004204
2005129
200623
2007291
2008213
2009106
2010117
2011148
2012101
2013118
201459
2015427
2016216
2017139
201881
201970
202040
2021177
2022104
2023107
202436

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%

18% of complaints: electrical system — 23 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES 14%

14% of complaints: service brakes — 18 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE FUEL LINE THAT IS ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK ROTTED THROUGH. THE BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION LINES ROTTED AND LEAKED. THE CHASSIS IS ROTTING IN DIFFERENT PLACES I HAVE LESS THAN 77,000 MILES ON IT SINCE I BOUGHT NEW.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180402

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 15 distinct reports on file.

AIR BAGS 8%

8% of complaints: air bags — 10 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, SHE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A TRASH TRUCK. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120413

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5%

5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 7 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE DRIVER WAS SITTING AT THE STOP LIGHT FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER HEARD A REVVING NOISE. THE DRIVER'S RIGHT FOOT REMAINED ON THE BRAKE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130130

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20040730 — fuel system, gasoline

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.3L (RPO L59) V8 ENGINES, THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE RETAINER SCREWS WERE NOT MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY BREAK.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE RETAINER SCREWS. OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE ON JULY 30, 2004, WITH A FOLLOWUP OWNER LETTER BEGAN AUGUST 5, 2004

Campaign 04V376000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20050222 — power train

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, START

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, AND GMC AT 1-86

Campaign 05V055000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20050310 — service brakes, hydraulic

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD RETAINER MAY BE MISSING. IF THE RETAINER IS MISSING, THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUSHROD COULD DISENGAGE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD RETAINER AND INSTALL ONE IF IT IS MISSING FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER BEGAN CONTACTING OWNERS BY TELEPHONE ON MARCH 10, 2005. OWNER

Campaign 05V103000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20050323 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

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

Campaign 05V043000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20050721 — seat belts

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

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, 200

Campaign 05V163000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060831 — engine and engine cooling

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN 8.1L V8 (RPO L8-VIN G) ENGINE HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP MAY FRACTURE RESULTING IN INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE DAMPER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9

Campaign 06V289000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20061018 — fuel system, gasoline

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 MANUFACTURE

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).

Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2005 Chevrolet Suburban — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (23 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (18 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V376000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V055000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V103000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V043000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V163000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06V289000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1988 ▲ 2024 ▲ 2020

WORST YEARS

■ 1994 ■ 1999 ■ 1993

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?

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

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 18% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

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