2005 GMC Sierra

● Typical for this model
2005 GMC Sierra
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:01:00.160Z

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, GMC Sierra Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2005 highlighted. 1982: 1 complaints 1982 1983: 2 complaints 1987: 1 complaints 1988: 6 complaints 1989: 16 complaints 1990: 18 complaints 1990 1991: 12 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 72 complaints 1994: 190 complaints 1995: 261 complaints 1995 1996: 246 complaints 1997: 238 complaints 1998: 190 complaints 1999: 600 complaints 2000: 443 complaints 2000 2001: 264 complaints 2002: 249 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2004: 188 complaints 2005: 117 complaints 2005 2006: 53 complaints 2007: 59 complaints 2008: 68 complaints 2009: 37 complaints 2010: 34 complaints 2010 2011: 43 complaints 2012: 29 complaints 2013: 39 complaints 2014: 101 complaints 2015: 53 complaints 2015 2016: 6 complaints 2017: 61 complaints 2017
2005: 117 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19821
19832
19871
19886
198916
199018
199112
199230
199372
1994190
1995261
1996246
1997238
1998190
1999600
2000443
2001264
2002249
2003206
2004188
2005117
200653
200759
200868
200937
201034
201143
201229
201339
2014101
201553
20166
201761

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES 23%

23% of complaints: service brakes — 27 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

THE PROBLEM IS A TOTALLY RUSTED-OUT SET OF STEEL BRAKE LINES THROUGHOUT THE GMC TRUCK. THE BURST BRAKE LINE IS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120607

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 12 distinct reports on file.

STEERING 8%

8% of complaints: steering — 9 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TRUCK WITH A FULL-SIZE CAMPER WAS PARKED FOR LESS THAN 5 MIN. BEFORE IT BLEW UP AND BURNED UP.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140401

ENGINE 7%

7% of complaints: engine — 8 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

EXHAUST IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. SERVICE MAN INFORMED ME OF BROKEN BOLTS AND THAT I MUST REPLACE BOTH MANIFOLDS BEFORE NEXT INSPECTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20120730

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 8 distinct reports on file.

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 20050126 — steering

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE BOLT THAT ATTACHES THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT TO THE STEERING GEAR MAY NOT MEET SPECIFICATION. THE BOLT MAY FRACTURE RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.

Campaign 05V018000 — 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 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 20050729 — parking brake

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND BUILT WITH EITHER PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS OR TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS, THE PARKING BRAKE FRICTION LININGS MAY WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED

Campaign 05V161000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20051014 — steering

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A POWER STEERING HOSE THAT IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION. UNDER EXTREME STEERING MANEUVERS, SUCH AS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FULLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING HOSE(S) FOR TWO SUSPECT DATE CODES AND REPLACE THEM IF REQUIRED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GM

Campaign 05V455000 — 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 20061106 — air bags

CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED.

Remedy: BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED I

Campaign 06V417000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070905 — equipment

CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILE

Remedy: ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.

Campaign 07E066000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2005 GMC Sierra — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (27 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (12 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V376000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V018000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V055000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V043000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V163000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V161000 (parking brake) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V455000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06V289000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06V417000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E066000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1992 ▲ 2010 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 1999 ■ 2000 ■ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2005 GMC Sierra reliable?

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

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

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2005 GMC Sierra have?

11 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.