2005 GMC Sierra 2500

◆ Worse than typical
2005 GMC Sierra 2500
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:16:52.136Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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, GMC Sierra 2500 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2005 highlighted. 1994: 1 complaints 1994 1997: 14 complaints 1998: 15 complaints 1999: 36 complaints 2000: 47 complaints 2000 2001: 134 complaints 2002: 134 complaints 2003: 160 complaints 2004: 143 complaints 2004 2005: 115 complaints 2005 2006: 66 complaints 2007: 83 complaints 2008: 63 complaints 2008 2009: 31 complaints 2010: 10 complaints 2011: 63 complaints 2012: 30 complaints 2012 2013: 46 complaints 2014: 30 complaints 2015: 89 complaints 2016: 59 complaints 2016 2017: 37 complaints 2018: 35 complaints 2019: 31 complaints 2020: 73 complaints 2020 2021: 49 complaints 2022: 42 complaints 2023: 28 complaints 2024: 96 complaints 2024 2025: 24 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
2005: 115 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19941
199714
199815
199936
200047
2001134
2002134
2003160
2004143
2005115
200666
200783
200863
200931
201010
201163
201230
201346
201430
201589
201659
201737
201835
201931
202073
202149
202242
202328
202496
202524
20266

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 27%

27% of complaints: electrical system — 31 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF THE FOG LAMPS ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20200203

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150106

TL* THE CONTACT 2005 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE FAN MOTOR RELAY WIRES BURNED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER OR A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20131010

SERVICE BRAKES 17%

17% of complaints: service brakes — 19 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING DUE TO METAL BRAKE LINE CORROSION CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. POLICE REPORT: MOORESVILLE, INDIANA PD #A17315

NHTSA ODI report, 20180219

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 13%

13% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 15 distinct reports on file.

STEERING 12%

12% of complaints: steering — 14 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150106

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 11 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

2005 — complaint volume: 115
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

R 20081016 — equipment adaptive/mobility

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 WHEE

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.

Campaign 08V519000 — check if this car was fixed

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

R Date not on file — service brakes, air

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.

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.

Campaign 06E050000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2005 GMC Sierra 2500 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (31 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (19 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E010000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E050000 (service brakes, air) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08V519000 (equipment adaptive/mobility) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2012 ▲ 2014 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 2003 ■ 2004 ■ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2005 GMC Sierra 2500 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 GMC Sierra 2500 is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2005 GMC Sierra 2500?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2005 GMC Sierra 2500 have?

4 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.