2005 GMC Sierra 2500: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 115 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (35% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2008
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 115 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“1). Dash light stays on constantly and reads SERVICE AIR BAG. This was checked out at an auto repair shop. If air bag doesn't respond, it could be fatal. 2). Check engine light is always on. Was checked out at an auto repair shop and repaired on 10/19/2021. 3). Right engine exhaust manifold is cracked and leaking exhaust. Was checked out at a muffler repair shop. In time I'm afraid fumes my leak into the truck cab. 4). A brake line ruptured and was repaired on 09/02/2020.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2020
“My truck has had the odometer rolled back acording to the carfax report. I bought this truck about 2 years ago and was unaware of the until today when I tried to trade it in and the salesman made me aware of this”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2020
“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. While inspecting the vehicle it was discovered that the driver side dashboard had melted and a burning odor was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. The fire department was not notified. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 160,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 gmc sierra 2500. The contact stated he replaced all the brake lines on the vehicle and also stated that the body frame of the vehicle was corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independence mechanic where all the corroded brake lines were replace. The vehicle was not diagnosed. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2019
“Brakes failed while driving due to metal brake line corrosion causing an accident. Police report: mooresville, indiana pd #a17315”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2017
“Blew out one brake line lost all brakes no backup,pedal went all the way to the floor. 54,000 miles all lines rusted all needed to be replaced thank god I just pulled into a parking lot.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2016
“The speedometer is failing. It works erratically. It eventually goes to zero and stays there until I stop and restart the truck or let it sit overnight.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2016
“Taking vehicle out of park brake pedal went all way to floor because steel line ruptured causing massive leakage of brake fluid, rolled out of drive way into street cutting wheel to avoid wreck before could get in neutral and roll to stop !”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2007 (na) gmc sierra 2500 hd. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v324000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
“2005 gmc 2500hd that the brake lines failed. After checking they are rusted everywhere. I looked on the internet and I see that this is a ongoing issue with this model year.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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 WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR 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: 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.
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 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. THE PIN LOCATED INSIDE THE PITMAN ARM CAN SHEAR OFF DUE TO A REVERSE BENDING FATIGUE CONDITION, RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sierra 2500 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 2500 reliable?
NHTSA has 115 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 GMC Sierra 2500. The most complained-about area is electrical system (35% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 GMC Sierra 2500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 61,000 miles or less.
Does the 2005 GMC Sierra 2500 have open recalls?
4 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.