2005 GMC Sierra 1500: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 177 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (36% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 177 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The brakes , air bag, wheel hubs, lights, alignment, power steering. brakes coming to a stop instantly stops the vehicle. Air bag light comes on. Wheels hubs towed in from top. Light switch will not turn light off when driving. Alignment, steering wheel goes everywhere. Front tire getting wore out . Power steering leaking oil.”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2022
“My srs air bag light was first intermediate now it stays on all the time I am so in fear of my life while driving my 2005 GMC Sierra sle ext-cab my truck is now 16 years old and this safty light recently came on I purchased a srs scanner and it shows (OPEN FRONTAL LOOP) I NEED ANY RECALL INFORMATION FOR I CAN GET IT REPAIRED”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2021
“Passenger headlight will not turn on. Both lowbeam and high beam don?t turn on. Bulb is in working condition, fuses are not blown, can?t seem to find a solution. This makes the vehicle very dangerous with no right side visibility. Unknown reason behind the problem. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“The passive alarm system is malfunctioning aprox every 10 cranks. When this happens you are stuck for at least a hour before it will start. Dealership can not find the problem and a complaint was made to gmc complaint department I have changed numerous parts m switches and boxes ,”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 gmc sierra 1500. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 156,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2019
“Power steering went out while entering (turning left into) parking lot, towed to shop. Shop found broke/defective connection to steering box and leaking fluid. Replaced fitting and tubing, flushed system, and replaced fluid.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2018
“Charging system failure message keeps coming up on vehicle...replaced alternator three weeks ago and it seems to solve the problem...for a while at least...two nights ago truck died...replaced battery with a brand new one yesterday and truck is still sitting on the side of the road as battery is not getting charge from alternator.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 gmc sierra 1500. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2017
“I drove up to a stop light and pushed the brakes as usual. A brake line burst and I coasted thru the stop light. I used my emergency brake to stop. I think all brake lines should be made from stainless steel up here in wisconsin. This definitely is a safety issue.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 gmc sierra 1500. While driving approximately 55 mph in the rain, the contact switched lanes on a curved road and the vehicle started to skid. The rear of the vehicle was out of control. As a result, the contact crashed into a guardrail and then a median. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained neck injuries that did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an auto collision center. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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 MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
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).
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. ON THE SUBJECT HUB ASSEMBLIES, THE ABS SENSOR CORD DEPARTS FROM THE HUB ASSEMBLY AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. AS A RESULT, THERE IS A FIT ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE ROTOR DUST SHIELD INTERFERING WITH THE ABS SENSOR CORD. IF THE HUB ASSEMBLY IS INSTALLED DESPITE THIS INTERFERENCE, THE GAP BETWEEN THE ABS SENSOR AND THE TONE WHEEL MAY BE ALTERED. THIS MAY WEAKEN THE OUTPUT OF THE ABS SENSOR. DIMINISHED OUTPUT COULD RESULT IN AN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS AND STOPPING DISTANCE COULD BE AFFECTED.
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.
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sierra 1500 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 Sierra 1500 reliable?
NHTSA has 177 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 GMC Sierra 1500. The most complained-about area is electrical system (36% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,000 miles or less.
Does the 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. 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.