IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA. THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
2005 GMC Sierra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Sierra years
Owner complaints for the 2005 GMC Sierra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 53.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sierra 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
310–25K
1125–50K
2750–75K
1275–100K
20100–150K
5150K+
106 reports with mileage · 11 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.
- Service Brakes. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
117 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE LOWER RESISTOR MELTED, BEGAN SMOKING WHICH CAUSED THE BLOW MOTOR TO MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS THEY ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FEELS THE SAFETY RISK CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE A…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE LOWER RESISTOR MELTED, BEGAN SMOKING WHICH CAUSED THE BLOW MOTOR TO MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS THEY ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FEELS THE SAFETY RISK CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000. UPDATED 9/17/09 *CN UPDATED 09/21/09. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH GREASE AND CAUSES THE STEERING TO STIFFEN UP WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST FIVE TIMES FOR THE STEERING SHAFT TO BE RE-GREASED, BUT THAT HAS NOT REMEDIED THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT FEELS THIS IS A SA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH GREASE AND CAUSES THE STEERING TO STIFFEN UP WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST FIVE TIMES FOR THE STEERING SHAFT TO BE RE-GREASED, BUT THAT HAS NOT REMEDIED THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT FEELS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE STEERING STIFFENS AND MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK ON MY 2005 GMC SIERRA. *TR
FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS AND ABS SENSORS WENT BAD. I HAVE SPOKE TO OTHER OWNERS OF SIMILAR VEHICLES AND THEY ALSO HAD TROUBLE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY WITH THE STEERING. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND HAD THE TIRES RE-BALANCED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE FINE; HOWEVER, THEY WERE WEARING ON THE OUTSIDE. A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WAS RE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY WITH THE STEERING. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND HAD THE TIRES RE-BALANCED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE FINE; HOWEVER, THEY WERE WEARING ON THE OUTSIDE. A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WAS RECOMMENDED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THEY WOULD BE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT DUE TO DEFECTIVE INNER TIE ROD ENDS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED NONETHELESS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,054 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,547.
RETURNED TO DEALER 4 TIMES FOR: BRAKES GOING OUT (4 NEW SETS INSTALLED) ABNORMAL WEAR ON TIRES (F) VALVES CHATTERING AT 10-65 MPH RETURNED TO DEALER 3 TIMES FOR: STEERING SECTOR KNOCKING FRONT AXLE MAKING WARPING NOISE TRANSMISSION CLUNKING WHEN SHIFTING UP OR DOWN RETURNED TO DEALER 2 TIMES FOR: VARIOUS ELECTRICAL/LIGH…
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RETURNED TO DEALER 4 TIMES FOR: BRAKES GOING OUT (4 NEW SETS INSTALLED) ABNORMAL WEAR ON TIRES (F) VALVES CHATTERING AT 10-65 MPH RETURNED TO DEALER 3 TIMES FOR: STEERING SECTOR KNOCKING FRONT AXLE MAKING WARPING NOISE TRANSMISSION CLUNKING WHEN SHIFTING UP OR DOWN RETURNED TO DEALER 2 TIMES FOR: VARIOUS ELECTRICAL/LIGHT PROBLEMS SMOKING IN PASSING GEAR OR HARD TAKE OFF ALL OF THE ABOVE PROBLEMS ARE STILL ON-GOING AND HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 5 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING 60 MPH CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF HIS VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE BUMPER, RADIATOR, ENGINE, AND TRANSMISSION WERE DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THERE WERE N…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 5 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING 60 MPH CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF HIS VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE BUMPER, RADIATOR, ENGINE, AND TRANSMISSION WERE DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 9,000.
HEATER /AC FAN 5 SPEED NOT WORKING AND WIRES TO BLOWER UNDER PASS SIDE HOT TO THE TOUCH AND PLASTIC JACKET ON WIRES BURNING OFF ALSO CONNECTOR WITH SAME LEADS TO BLOWER MELTING TO SOCKET UNABLE TO UNPLUG ( UNABLE TO USE HEAT OR FAN WITHOUT BUILD OF HEAT ON WIRE) LOTS OF BURNING SMELL. *JB
THE BLOWER MOTOR WOULD WORK AND THEN NOT WORK AND WHEN IT WORKED FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, SMOKE WOULD COME OUT FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER DASHBOARD. I REMOVED THE CARDBOARD COVER AND SAW SMOKE FROM THE CONNECTION TO THE BLOWER LOTER AND THE CONNECTION WAS HOT TO THE TOUCH SO I PULLED IT OFF FROM THE BLOWER. *TR
Official recalls
906V417000 · Air Bags:frontal
Oct 31, 2006
CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.
Remedy: BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.
06V289000 · 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.