2005 GMC Savana: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 12 owner complaints on record; most reports concern service brakes, hydraulic; the 2007 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2023
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Side cargo rear door hinges siezed and bent after opening. Now it does not close properly (alignment from hinge), causing front side cargo door to stay open at all times. Rear door is over 1" out of position, preventing front door from closing and engaging latch. If rear door is opened, it does not close without excessive force to realign to latches, but still not enough to close front door. *tr”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Nov 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 gmc savana. While traveling at 20 mph, the contact applied the brakes and the vehicle began to shake and vibrate excessively. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the rear brake pads and rotors where replaced. There were no prior warnings of the failure. The current and failure mileages were 33,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · May 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 2005 gmc savana. While attempting to activate the air conditioning system the contact noticed that vehicle would not become cool. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact was informed that the cooling lines needed to be replaced due to a leak. There were no prior warnings and the vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileages were 41000. The coolant lines that ran to the rear climate control were leaking freon. Updated 11/24/10”Owner report · Equipment · May 2010
Show 4 more owner reports
“White van since was 4 years old the front hood white paint star peeling off . Know is have paint only. Bad quality paint. You can see in the road almost all chevy or gmc cargo van with the same problem. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 2005 gmc savana. While making a left turn at 5 mph, the contact heard a grinding noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The dealer replaced the power steering gear twice and the steering pump once. The current mileage was 4,500 and failure mileage was 3,800. Updated 02/01/08. *lj updated 02/01/08 *tr”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2007
“2005 gmc savanna with tire failure. Consumer states that the van has had three tire blow outs. He stated that the blow outs occurred on the same tire and the same spot. *kb the consumer was told the low profile tires were not a good match for the vehicle. The consumer also stated he has experienced problems with the electronics and the wheels. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving between 40 and 50 mph the entire vehicle vibrated. In an attempt to correct the problem the tires and rims were changed, by the dealer. This had no affect and the vibration still occurred. The dealer indicated the vibration can be felt, but the cause can not be determined.”Owner report · Suspension · May 2006
Recalls - 5 campaigns
MAIN MOBILITY IS RECALLING 185 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VANS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1, 2005 AND JUNE 25, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.
Remedy: MAIN MOBILITY IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR MAIN MOBILITY AT 1-716-759-6811.
MAIN MOBILITY IS RECALLING 185 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VANS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1, 2005 AND JUNE 25, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.
Remedy: MAIN MOBILITY 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 MAIN MOBILITY AT 1-716-759-6811.
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN FULL-SIZE PASSENGER, CARGO, OR CUTAWAY VANS, THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL NOT LATCH OR WILL NOT UNLATCH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLES AND, IF FOUND TO BE INOPERATIVE, THE ENTIRE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WOULD BE REPLACED. FOR BUCKLES FOUND TO BE OPERATIVE, DEALER WILL REPLACE ONLY THE UPPER BUCKLE COVER. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES. THE FIRST PHASE MAILING BEGAN DURING MARCH 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. When the HVAC blower motor circuit is left unused with exposed connectors and wiring, the circuit can corrode and overheat.
Remedy: Dealers will properly seal the rear HVAC blower motor circuits at the left side B-pillar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222386050.
How other years compare
Check your exact Savana by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 GMC Savana reliable?
NHTSA has 12 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 GMC Savana. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic.
Does the 2005 GMC Savana have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment adaptive/mobility. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.