Gear status indicator does not display selected gear.
2005 Chevrolet Suburban
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 118.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Suburban 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
95 reports with mileage · 34 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 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
15 reportsTRUCK DOOR IS NOT OPENING, FUEL GAS DEFECTIVE, REAR LIGHT SYSTEM HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM ALL THE TIMES, A/C SYSTEM ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.
FIRST THE TRANSMISSION FAILED RIGHT AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 2 YEARS AGO. I HAD TO BUY A NEW TRANSMISSION THAT WASN'T CHEAP AROUND $3,500. THEN THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS STARTED WITH THE RIGHT SIDE LAST YEAR JUST HAD A TON OF PLAY IN IT MY MECHANIC FOUND IT WHEN LIFTING UP MY TRUCK FOR A TIRE ROTATION. THEN THE LEFT FRONT WH…
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FIRST THE TRANSMISSION FAILED RIGHT AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 2 YEARS AGO. I HAD TO BUY A NEW TRANSMISSION THAT WASN'T CHEAP AROUND $3,500. THEN THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS STARTED WITH THE RIGHT SIDE LAST YEAR JUST HAD A TON OF PLAY IN IT MY MECHANIC FOUND IT WHEN LIFTING UP MY TRUCK FOR A TIRE ROTATION. THEN THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING JUST STARTED MAKING A LOAD ROARING NOISE BUT HAD NO PLAY IN IT AT ALL THAT I COULD FEEL WHEN CHECKING IT OUT. BOTH COST AROUND $250 A WHEEL TO REPLACE. NOW MY 5.3 LITER ENGINE IS HAVING A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN AT A STOP AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 30 MINUTES OR WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT. ALSO I AM HEARING A SLIGHT TICKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE COLD OR HOT. I HAVE 4 SMALL KIDS SO I NEED A VERY RELIABLE LARGE VEHICLE AND THIS IS SUBURBAN IS DRIVING ME AND MY WIFE CRAZY HAVING TO POOR MONEY IN THIS VEHICLE EVERY YEAR. I AM THE SOIL PROVIDER FOR MY FAMILY I CANT AFFORD PUTTING ALL MY MONEY INTO A VEHICLE LIKE THIS.
IN MOTION ON CITY AND HIGHWAY
BEGAN HEARING A "WHINING" NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. NOISE WAS PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER AT ACCELERATED SPEEDS. LEFT VEHICLE AT LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER (CA) WHO DID AN INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSED A MECHANICAL ISSUE POSSIBLY WITH THE DIFFERENTIAL [REF. CLAIM CHECK 175]. SERVICE WRITER STATED ESTIMATED REPAIR COST FOR AN OVERHAUL WAS $3,000 …
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BEGAN HEARING A "WHINING" NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. NOISE WAS PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER AT ACCELERATED SPEEDS. LEFT VEHICLE AT LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER (CA) WHO DID AN INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSED A MECHANICAL ISSUE POSSIBLY WITH THE DIFFERENTIAL [REF. CLAIM CHECK 175]. SERVICE WRITER STATED ESTIMATED REPAIR COST FOR AN OVERHAUL WAS $3,000 VS. HIGHER COSTS TO REPLACE WITH USED OR NEW DIFFERENTIAL. SERVICE WRITER FURTHER INDICATED CONTINUED DRIVING COULD CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE AND ADDED COST IF AXLE WAS ALSO AFFECTED. DECIDED TO TAKE VEHICLE TO A RECOGNIZED POWERTRAIN REPAIR FACILITY WHO DETERMINED (ALSO WITH A DRIVE TEST) THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS THE PROBLEM AND GAVE INITIAL $1,200 ESTIMATE. AUTHORIZED REPAIR. FINAL COST WAS $813 AND INCLUDES 1 YEAR FULL WARRANTY. NOW RUNS SMOOTH / QUIET WHEN DRIVING. TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT ALTHOUGH FLUID LEVEL WAS GOOD (SEALED AT FACTORY), A RING INSIDE THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS BAD (HAD BECOME PITTED AND COULD HAVE CAUSED FURTHER ISSUES IF UNCHECKED. CHANGED OUT RING AND BEARINGS BUT ALL OTHER COMPONENTS INCLUDING CASING WERE FINE. TECHNICIAN STATED SUCH WEAR IS UNCOMMON FOR A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 126K MILES AND WITH NO TOWING ON FACTORY TOW PACKAGE. IS THIS AN ANNOMILY OR ARE THERE OTHER CASES OF BAD PARTS IN DIFFERENTIAL FOR THIS MAKE / MODEL? WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS FURTHER WITH GM ZONE REP. BUT NO RESPONSE!!!
2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. CONSUMER STATES DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER. *TGW CONSUMER SENT IN DUPLICATE LETTER ON 3/25/2010. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE SPEEDOMETER WAS STUCK AT 120 MPH. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HER VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL, AS HER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE RANGE. THE SECOND PROBLE…
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2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. CONSUMER STATES DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER. *TGW CONSUMER SENT IN DUPLICATE LETTER ON 3/25/2010. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE SPEEDOMETER WAS STUCK AT 120 MPH. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HER VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL, AS HER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE RANGE. THE SECOND PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE WAS THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER, DUE TO THE INTERAL FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. *JB UPDATED 04/12/10.*JB
THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING; THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR; THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED ON 2/06/2008, WE HAD IT REBUILT. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 69710 MILES. WE WERE IN A RURAL AREA AT THE TIME RATHER THAN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THANK GOODNESS. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY SUBURBAN 4X4 AND WITHIN THE FIRST 14,000 MILES IT HAS STARTED TO ENGAGE INTO 4W LO WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, IN REVERSE, GOING 25 MPH IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD(THIS IS A GEAR THAT YOU CANNOT DRIVE OVER 15MPH IN). NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT SHELLWORTH CHEVROLET LOCATED IN VACAVILLE, CA HAS BEEN TRYING TO FIX T…
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I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY SUBURBAN 4X4 AND WITHIN THE FIRST 14,000 MILES IT HAS STARTED TO ENGAGE INTO 4W LO WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, IN REVERSE, GOING 25 MPH IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD(THIS IS A GEAR THAT YOU CANNOT DRIVE OVER 15MPH IN). NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT SHELLWORTH CHEVROLET LOCATED IN VACAVILLE, CA HAS BEEN TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR OVER 25,000 MILES AND OVER 6 TIMES IN THE SHOP. THEY HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL WITH THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN THE SHOP UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME. IT HAS EVEN BEEN TOWED INTO THEIR SHOP ON ONE OCCASION. THEY NO LONGER WANT TO PROVIDE ME WITH SERVICE, TOLD ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH GM FOR A BUYBACK PURCHASE AND SHOED ME OFF. GM SAYS IT IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE BUYBACK PROGRAM PROBABLY BECAUSE OF ALL THE FALSE AND INACCURATE INFORMATION THE SERVICE WRITERS HAVE DOCUMENTED ON THE WORK ORDERS. I HAVE ASKED TO SPEAK TO GM DISTRICT MANAGER WHO HAS MADE THIS DECISION AND HE HAS DECLINED TO SPEAK TO ME, AS WELL AS THE SERVICE MANAGER AT SHELLWORTH HAS NOT RETURNED MY LAST 2 PHONE CALLS. THE LAW STATES THAT THEY EITHER FIX MY VEHICLE TO A WORKING ORDER OR GIVE ME A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. THEY ARE NOT DOING EITHER. ON OCT. 31 AFTER ARGUING WITH THEM BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT TO HANDLE THE ISSUE THAT TIME EITHER THEY DECIDED TO GO LOOK AT A DIFFERENT BULLETIN AND FOUND SOMETHING, SO THEY REPLACED SOME PARTS AND RELEASED THE VEHICLE TO ME. SINCE THEN THE LIGHT HAS CAME ON 2 TIMES WHICH IS THE START OF THE PROCESS IN WHICH IT THEN ENGAGES TO 4W LO ALL BY ITSELF. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BEING ON AN INCLINE AND WITH THE GEAR SHIFTER IN DRIVE THE VEHICLE ROLLS BACK IF THE BRAKES ARE NOT APPLIED. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THIS IS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED. UPDATED 4/14/2006 - *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN HAS NO QUICK EXIT FROM THE THIRD SEAT AND THE TAILGATE. IT TAKES TOO MUCH FORCE TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THE VEHICLE IS SO LONG THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS DO NOT SHOW THE ROAD VERY WELL EVEN AFTER ADJUSTMENTS ARE MADE. THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE TAKE TOO MUCH FORCE TO STOP TH…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN HAS NO QUICK EXIT FROM THE THIRD SEAT AND THE TAILGATE. IT TAKES TOO MUCH FORCE TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THE VEHICLE IS SO LONG THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS DO NOT SHOW THE ROAD VERY WELL EVEN AFTER ADJUSTMENTS ARE MADE. THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE TAKE TOO MUCH FORCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY. LASTLY, THE PICKUP ON THE TRANSMISSION IS SLUGGISH WHICH IS A CONCERN IN EMERGENCY CONDITIONS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER, AND WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE ALL ISSUES ARE WITH THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE.*AK
Official recalls
606V289000 · 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.
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.
05V103000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages
Mar 18, 2005
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD RETAINER MAY BE MISSING. IF THE RETAINER IS MISSING, THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUSHROD COULD DISENGAGE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKES WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD RETAINER AND INSTALL ONE IF IT IS MISSING FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER BEGAN CONTACTING OWNERS BY TELEPHONE ON MARCH 10, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
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.
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.
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