2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Suspension system potentially life threatening. On [XXX] I purchased a 2005 Chevy Silverado truck from used car dealer in Tallassee, AL/$6000. Several days after driving home at Interstate speeds, I discovered extreme rust on the underside of the truck. The spare tire rim was unusable from rust and the tire hoist was rusted beyond use--I had to cut the tire hoist cable tip with a grinder and let the tire fall to the driveway. At that point, I found an extremely unsafe and dangerous defect to the truck. The top of the right rear shock absorber was not attached to the truck frame. The connector bracket had rusted completely away from the truck frame. I texted pictures and called the dealer and was told the sale was “as is”--not his problem. I asked if he inspected, or even looked at the bottom of the truck—his text reply was “I personally did not do anything other than a walk around and test drive” He later said by text he had been a used car dealer for 32 years and had an excellent reputation. Subsequent research found NHTSA-DOT’s 49 CFR Section 570.8 -Suspension Systems-- where it states “Shock absorber mountings, shackles, and U-bolts shall be securely attached.” I believe the licensed used car dealer failed to properly inspect the used truck and clearly did not identify and report to me, the buyer, hidden potential life threatening deficiencies of the suspension system and other defects that would dramatically reduce the value of the vehicle. At that point the dealer refused to answer his phone or texts. My local mechanic advised me not to use the truck and only drive it (below 45 mph) in light traffic for short drives to keep the truck running and the battery charged. I have owned vehicles for over [XXX] and have never had any problems with any of the vehicles. I am [XXX]. I reported this to the Alabama Dept of Revenue ("ALDOR" - [XXX]) 8 Apr 25 and received a confirmation of receipt. No response yet-23 Apr 25. Please help. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (F

03/09/2025 Purchased 2005 Chev Silverado 1500 from Tony's Trade Co, Inc. Owner stated he had been a highly respected licensed used car dealer 34 years. AutoCheck had no issues. 1-Component: Right Rear Shock absorber--critical suspension part (49 CFR Section 570.8 Suspension Systems)-mechanic agrees. Upper mounting bracket to frame totally rusted away. Bottom of shock absorber attached--top floating in the air. Shock absorber is untouched and available for inspection. 2-Truck was driven at highway speeds several time before unattached shock absorber noticed - found. One trip included a medium load for the truck. 3-Free floating shock absorber top is apparent in pictures. I sent the used car dealer a photo of the detached shock absorber top and mount. Will pay for a professional view and statement of the shock absorber if requested by you. Heavy rust under the truck bed/frame will require extensive metal replacement to make a hard connection bracket for attachment. 4-No manufacturer, police, etc inspection. Detached and severely rusted shock absorber top and frame bracket are obvious in pictures. Will get reports if needed. 5-No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem until I tried to remove the spare tire to fix and clean it. Spare hoist was severely rusted and unable to lower--cut hoist cable tip and let drop on floor. That is when I was able to see the detached right rear shock absorber. 6 EXTRA: Seller quote: "this is a good truck. I would sell to anyone. Like new tires and does not need one thing mechanical and in excellent condition." Tires range from DOT 2622 to DOT 1323-not new. Extreme frame rust. I drive truck 35-45 mph twice/week on low traffic highway to keep truck running and battery charged. Reported to AL Dept of Revenue 8 Apr 25--ALDOR-127348-said I would get response in 24 hours, none yet. I called seller was told truck was sold "as is". Seller will not answer phone or text messages.

Well, I contacted GM years ago asking why the frames on these vehicles rot out so fast. They told me to send pics. and that’s all that came from that. So, years ago, I heard a banging noise in the right rear side of my truck. My rear shock mount rotted out and driving home later there was even more noise. The left rear shock mount rotted out also. I removed the bed to assess damage, and I couldn’t believe the amount of rust I was looking at. I bought an aftermarket kit and had the shock mounts welded back on. The company selling the kit said that they sell tons of those kits. I would say that’s a safety issue. Especially when the whole from appears to be rotting away. That seems like a mayor issue to me. I probably won’t be buying another Chevy truck seeing how my wife’s Honda is as old as my truck and has no rust under it.

DRIVERS SIDE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER UPPER MOUNTING CROSS MEMBER HAS CORRODED OFF THE VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD CAUSE A RECALL AS ROTTING FRAME PARTS ARE VERY HAZARDOUS. THIS TRUCK HAS 88000 MILES. RECENTLY I HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE BRAKE LINES IN THIS TRUCK AS WELL. BRAKES WERE LOST LUCKILY IN THE DRIVEWAY. HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING IN THE REAR AND FOUND THE SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNT HAD ROTTED OFF.

RUST RUST RUST. FRAME IS SO BAD TRUCK WILL NOT PASS NYS SAFETY INSPECTION NEXT YEAR. I HAVE TO SELL IT FOR SCRAP/SALVAGE AS GM WON'T OFFER ANYTHING BUT A "POSSIBLE" CREDIT IF I BUY A NEW CHEVY TRUCK. NO WAY I'LL DO THAT:(. TRUCK ONLY HAS 25,500 MILES AS IT IS A SECOND VEHICLE. IT WAS NEVER USED OFF ROAD OR FOR SNOW PLOWING. JUST RUSTED AWAY SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, SHE WOULD HEAR A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HUB FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND COMPLETING TURNS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WAS ALSO A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE POWER STEERING BOX FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO EXISTING RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

WHEN ROTATING MY TIRES AT 29,000 MILES, I INSPECTED THE FRONT DISC BRAKES ON MY TRUCK. I NOTICED THAT TON BOTH FRONT WHEELS. THE DISC BRAKE PADS WERE ONLY TOUCHING THE ROTORS IN AN AREA OF 1/2" ON THE INSIDE OF THE ROTORS. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WASN'T COVERED BY THE WARRANTY BECAUSE IT HAD MORE THAN 25000 MILES. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS AT MY OWN EXPENSE OF $400. *TR