IllustrationFRAME IS ROTTED,WONT PASS INSPECTION,BRAKE LINES ARE ALSO ROTTED HAD TO REPLACE TWICE. *TR
2005 Chevrolet Silverado
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Silverado years
Owner complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado are substantially higher than the model-year median of 76.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Silverado years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
840–25K
4025–50K
4850–75K
4275–100K
42100–150K
11150K+
267 reports with mileage · 49 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
14 crash reports7 fire reports9 injury reports
Structure complaints
11 reportsI WENT TO SLOW TO MAKE TURN AND BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR SUDDENLY SO I USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. I BELIEVE ALL LINES WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AS OTHER LOOK AS RUSTY. RUST HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR LAST 2 YEARS WITH ROTORS NEEDING REPLACE THEN BEARINGS IN FRONT RUSTED AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND PEDAL WOULD SURGE.…
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I WENT TO SLOW TO MAKE TURN AND BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR SUDDENLY SO I USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. I BELIEVE ALL LINES WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AS OTHER LOOK AS RUSTY. RUST HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR LAST 2 YEARS WITH ROTORS NEEDING REPLACE THEN BEARINGS IN FRONT RUSTED AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND PEDAL WOULD SURGE. THIS IS THE WORSE CHEVY TRUCK I EVER BOUGHT AS EVEN SEEING RUST ALREADY IN LOWER PANELS AND ENTIRE FRAME. LOOKS BAD FOR ONLY 53,474 MILES. *TR
DRIVING BACK TO WORK FROM LUNCH ON BUSY 4 LANE HIGHWAY, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. NARROWLY AVOIDED A COLLISION AT A RED LIGHT. PUT FLASHERS ON, LOWERED THE GEAR SELECTOR, AND USED COMBO OF MINIMAL BRAKE PEDAL AND E BRAKE TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE PARKING LOT AT WORK. UPON INSPECTION, LARGE PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID ON DRIVER SIDE N…
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DRIVING BACK TO WORK FROM LUNCH ON BUSY 4 LANE HIGHWAY, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. NARROWLY AVOIDED A COLLISION AT A RED LIGHT. PUT FLASHERS ON, LOWERED THE GEAR SELECTOR, AND USED COMBO OF MINIMAL BRAKE PEDAL AND E BRAKE TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE PARKING LOT AT WORK. UPON INSPECTION, LARGE PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID ON DRIVER SIDE NEAR GAS TANK. LARGE LEAK IN HIGHLY CORRODED BRAKE LINE. ALL BRAKE LINES IN SIMILAR CONDITION AND ARE CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED IN THE SHOP. TRANSMISSION LINES AND FUEL LINE ARE IN SIMILAR HIGHLY CORRODED CONDITION. *TR
PARKED TRUCK AT OUTSIDE STALL AND WENT INDOORS. AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES I HEARD NOISES AND WENT OUTSIDE. FOUND THE WHOLE TRUCK WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED 6 MINUTES LATER THE FIRE SPREAD TO TWO ADDITIONAL VEHICLES. THE HEAT MELTED AND CONSUMED EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE FRAME. THE FIRE INVESTIG…
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PARKED TRUCK AT OUTSIDE STALL AND WENT INDOORS. AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES I HEARD NOISES AND WENT OUTSIDE. FOUND THE WHOLE TRUCK WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED 6 MINUTES LATER THE FIRE SPREAD TO TWO ADDITIONAL VEHICLES. THE HEAT MELTED AND CONSUMED EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE FRAME. THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR SUSPECTS THE FIRE INITIATED DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND GENERATED FROM EITHER THE DRIVER SIDE DASH BOARD OR LEFT SIDE OF ENGINE. THE DAMAGE WAS TOO DESTRUCTIVE TO PINPOINT EXACT CAUSE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE FRAME BED OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED. THE CONTACT THEN PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE SPRING SHACKLES TO THE FRAME WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION ON THE FRAME AND…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE FRAME BED OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED. THE CONTACT THEN PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE SPRING SHACKLES TO THE FRAME WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION ON THE FRAME AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE IN REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,617.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE SPARE TIRE CABLE FRACTURED CAUSING THE SPARE TIRE TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE STRANDS WHERE THE CABLE FRACTURED WERE UNEVEN AND CONTAINED RUST. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE UNSURE WHAT THE APPROXIMATE SPEED WAS WHEN THE FAILURE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE SPARE TIRE CABLE FRACTURED CAUSING THE SPARE TIRE TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE STRANDS WHERE THE CABLE FRACTURED WERE UNEVEN AND CONTAINED RUST. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE UNSURE WHAT THE APPROXIMATE SPEED WAS WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 01/13/12*LJ
LETTER FROM SENATOR ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE PROBLEMS WITH 2005 CHEVY SILVERADO. DOT/I#2010-1208. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE HAS SEVERE CORROSION ON THE FRAME. WITHIN TWO YEAS, THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE HAD CORRODED, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES AND POWER STEERING TO FAIL CATASTROPHICALLY. THE CONSUMER SUED ALLEGING BRE…
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LETTER FROM SENATOR ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE PROBLEMS WITH 2005 CHEVY SILVERADO. DOT/I#2010-1208. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE HAS SEVERE CORROSION ON THE FRAME. WITHIN TWO YEAS, THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE HAD CORRODED, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES AND POWER STEERING TO FAIL CATASTROPHICALLY. THE CONSUMER SUED ALLEGING BREACH OF WARRANTY. THE CASE WAS HEARD, HOWEVER GM EXPERTS TESTIFIED THAT THE CORROSION WAS CAUSED BY SEA AIR AND THEY WERE NOT UNDER ANY OBLIGATION TO COVER CORROSION CAUSED BY THE ENVIRONMENT. THEY ALSO TESTIFIED THAT THE CORROSION WAS PRIMARILY COSMETIC AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD DRIVING CONDITION. THE CONSUMER STATED TWO DAYS LATER, AS HE ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP, THE BRAKE LINES RUPTURED AND THE DRIVE SHAFT SHEARED IN HALF, NEARLY CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *JB
WHEN THE TEMP OUTSIDE IS ABOUT 40 DEGREES OR COOLER, SOMETHING UNDER THE VEHICLE RATTLES(DRIVER FRONT). THIS RATTLING IS METAL ON METAL, AND SOUNDS LIKE RAPIDLY BANGING 2 STEEL CANS TOGETHER. THE NOISE DISSIPATES AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, BUT IS QUITE NOTICEABLE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD DURING THE…
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WHEN THE TEMP OUTSIDE IS ABOUT 40 DEGREES OR COOLER, SOMETHING UNDER THE VEHICLE RATTLES(DRIVER FRONT). THIS RATTLING IS METAL ON METAL, AND SOUNDS LIKE RAPIDLY BANGING 2 STEEL CANS TOGETHER. THE NOISE DISSIPATES AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, BUT IS QUITE NOTICEABLE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD DURING THE FIRST 10 MINS OF USAGE. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TONNEAU COVER USED ON THE BED OF THE PICKUP TRUCK DOES NOT CATCH PROPERLY. THE CLIPS HOLDING THE LID IN PLACE ONLY CATCH 1/8" ON THE BED OF THE TRUCK. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE LID OPENS AND THE CONTENTS OF THE TRUCK BED EJECTS. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TONNEAU COVER IS STEFFENS ENTERPRISES INC. THE …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TONNEAU COVER USED ON THE BED OF THE PICKUP TRUCK DOES NOT CATCH PROPERLY. THE CLIPS HOLDING THE LID IN PLACE ONLY CATCH 1/8" ON THE BED OF THE TRUCK. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE LID OPENS AND THE CONTENTS OF THE TRUCK BED EJECTS. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TONNEAU COVER IS STEFFENS ENTERPRISES INC. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER. UPDATED 05/04/06
FRONT BUMPER IS BEGINNING TO SAG. *JB
Official recalls
806V289000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Aug 3, 2006
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE DAMPER COMES LOOSE, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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 1-866-996-9463.
05V455000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections
Oct 5, 2005
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 WHILE BRAKING, THE HOSE MAY FRACTURE AND LEAK FLUID.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD BE LOST AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRO-BOOST POWER BRAKES, IT COULD ALSO RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. IF THE POWER STEERING FLUID SPRAY WERE TO SPRAY ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.
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, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.
05V161000 · Parking Brake
Apr 22, 2005
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 THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD, UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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 PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
05V163000 · Seat Belts:rear/other
Apr 22, 2005
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 OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE USE OF A CHILD SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GROUP. IN ADDITION TO INSTRUCTIONS ON PROPER INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD RESTRAINT (WITH CHILD SEATS OR BOOSTERS), SPECIAL VERBIAGE FOR RESTRAINING OLDER CHILD IS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ALSO, THE SUGGESTED SEAT BELT FIT/ROUTING FOR ADULTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF SEATING POSITION, IS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TEXT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A LAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ROUTING THAT IS NOT LOW AND SNUG ON THE HIPS CAN ALLOW THE LAP BELT TO RIDE UP ON AN OCCUPANT'S ABDOMEN INSTEAD OF FITTING LOW AROUND THEIR HIPBONES, AND THEREFORE, CAN EXPOSE THEM TO MORE RISK OF ABDOMINAL AND INTERNAL ORGAN INJURY.
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, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.
05V055000 · Power Train:manual Transmission:shift Pattern Indicator
Feb 14, 2005
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, STARTER INTERLOCK AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT." UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE STARTING CONDITIONS, THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR LOCATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. IF THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR DOES NOT ILLUMINATE, THE DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHICH GEAR THE VEHICLE IS IN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE VEHICLE MAY MOVE IN AN UNINTENDED DIRECTION RESULTING IN POSSIBLE INJURY TO OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE.
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 1-866-996-9463.
05V043000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Feb 8, 2005
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WERE OPEN, FRAGMENTS FROM THE ACCUMULATOR COULD CAUSE INJURY TO PEOPLE IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA. THE PRESENCE OF THIS CRACK OR FRACTURED SURFACE COULD ALLOW THE HYDRAULIC FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE ACCUMULATOR CIRCUIT OF THE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY. THE LOSS OF FLUID WOULD CAUSE INCREASED STEERING AND BRAKING EFFORT AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
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.
05V018000 · Steering:gear Box:shaft Sector
Jan 21, 2005
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
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.
04V376000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Aug 2, 2004
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE TUBE RETAINER SCREW BREAKS, FUEL COULD LEAK FROM THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER JOINT, THE ENGINE MAY STALL AND, IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.
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. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463. NOTE: THE GM BULLETIN LISTS THE TAHOE AND YUKON MODELS BECAUSE CANADIAN VEHICLES ARE INCLUDED IN THE BULLETIN. NO U.S. TAHOE OR YUKON VEHICLES ARE INCLUDED IN THE U.S. CAMPAIGN.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.