2005 GMC Sierra 1500

Routine

Owners filed 177 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
70,000 milesMedian miles at failure

158 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System39
020
Service Brakes30
203
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel23
000
Air Bags11
101
Steering9
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic9
000
Engine5
000
Engine and Engine Cooling4
020
Unknown or Other3
000
Suspension3
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Wheels › Hub07E106000
Filed Dec 17, 2007130,000 vehiclesFederal-Mogul Corporation

Defect. CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.

Risk. WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

Service Brakes, Air06E050000
Filed Jun 6, 20066,800 vehiclesFederal-Mogul Corporation

Defect. 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.

Risk. IF STOPPING DISTANCE IS LIMITED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline06E043000
Filed May 19, 200688,303 vehiclesHoneywell International, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

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).

What owners reported

Newest filings
WheelsFire
Filed Jul 22, 2025OH

See attached document for complaint.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 31, 2023KY

Instrument panel stops working from time to time. My Guages go crazy. My rpm and speedometer mess up and can't tell how fast I'm going. This has been going on for a few years now. My airbag sensor light is on and was In a light wreck few months ago. Hit pretty hard on front end of truck and yet neither one of my airbags deployed.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 12, 2022NM

The brakes , air bag, wheel hubs, lights, alignment, power steering. brakes coming to a stop instantly stops the vehicle. Air bag light comes on. Wheels hubs towed in from top. Light switch will not turn light off when driving. Alignment, steering wheel goes everywhere. Front tire getting wore out . Power steering leaking oil.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 21, 2021CA

My srs air bag light was first intermediate now it stays on all the time I am so in fear of my life while driving my 2005 GMC Sierra sle ext-cab my truck is now 16 years old and this safty light recently came on I purchased a srs scanner and it shows (OPEN FRONTAL LOOP) I NEED ANY RECALL INFORMATION FOR I CAN GET IT REPAIRED

Electrical System
Filed Sep 10, 202018,000 milesAR

STARTED MY TRUCK AND THE FAILURE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAME ACROSS I PUSHED IN THE BOTTON THAT CHANGES IT AND CAME BACK ON THEN IT SAID TIGHTEN FUEL CAP WASHER FLUID LOW I HIT THE BUTTON AGAIN IT WENT OF BUT BATTERY LIGHT STAYED ON AND GAUGE READ ABOUT 10 VOLTS.MY TRUCK RAN FINE AND STARTED WHEN I GOT TO MY FIRST THEN AT THE SECOND STOP IT SAID THE SAME , I PUT IN REVERSE BACKED OUT PUT IT DRIVE AND THE CLUSTER QUICK WORKING THE AC QUIT YOU COULD ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN NOR DID THE LOCKS WORK AND IT DID NOT ANY POWER WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE GAS PED2 TO COME UP A HILL IT FELT LIKE IT SHIFTED WHEN YOU LET OFF THE PEDAL YOU COULD FEEL JERK, GO HOME TURNED IT AND WOULD NOT START OR MAKE ANY SOUND NOT EVEN THE CLICKING ON THE STARTER, SO I LEFT HOME AND CAME BACK ABOUT 4 HOURS LATER AND IT STARTED BUT THE VOLT READ ABOUT 10 VOLTS. I HAD THE BATTERY TESTED AND IT TEST GOOD. THIS WAS ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 I HAVE PUT THE BATTERY BACK IN YET.

Seat Belts
Filed Jul 3, 2020200,000 milesAR

THE STEERING IS EXTREMELY LOSE WHERE I CAN TURN THE WHEEL ALMOST HALF WAY BEFORE IT TURNS THE TIRES. THE HEADLIGHTS MOVE CONSTANTLY AFTER BEING ADJUSTED AND MAKE IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE AT NIGHT. THE 4WHEEL DRIVE BOX IS CONSTANTLY THROWING THE TRUCK INTO 4WHEEL AUTO AND 4WHEEL LOW WITHOUT WARNING, WHATCHA IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN ENTERING THE INTERSTATE

Exterior Lighting
Filed May 27, 2020172,000 milesMI

PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WILL NOT TURN ON. BOTH LOWBEAM AND HIGH BEAM DON?T TURN ON. BULB IS IN WORKING CONDITION, FUSES ARE NOT BLOWN, CAN?T SEEM TO FIND A SOLUTION. THIS MAKES THE VEHICLE VERY DANGEROUS WITH NO RIGHT SIDE VISIBILITY. UNKNOWN REASON BEHIND THE PROBLEM. *TR

Suspension
Filed Aug 15, 201926 milesTX

WHEN BOUGHT NEW, BETWEEN 40 AND 60 MPH THERE IS A BOUNCING IN THE SUSPENSION. FIX WAS TO PLACE 400 LBS JUST BEHIND THE TAILGATE. I PUT 330 LBS ACROSS THE REAR AXIAL WITH GOOD BALANCED TIRES. BEEN THIS WAY SINCE 2005 AND IT'S A STUPID FIX.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 7, 2019213,000 milesGA

THE PASSIVE ALARM SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING APROX EVERY 10 CRANKS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU ARE STUCK FOR AT LEAST A HOUR BEFORE IT WILL START. DEALERSHIP CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND A COMPLAINT WAS MADE TO GMC COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT I HAVE CHANGED NUMEROUS PARTS M SWITCHES AND BOXES ,

Air Bags
Filed May 29, 2019156,000 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 10, 2019LA

TAKATA RECALL GM RECALL # 49151 DATED JULY 2016. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED OR RECEIVED AND RESPONSE FROM GM. LET ME KNOW WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATUS AND WHAT IS TAKING SO LONG TO COMPLETE THIS RECALL.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 2, 201968,800 milesOH

MY GMC SIERRA I BOUGHT NEW IN 2006 IT HAS 68,800 MILES ON IT WHEN I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL LOST PRESSURE AND WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED AND BRAKE FLUID WAS POURING OUT WHEN I TAPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. IF I WAS MOVING AT THE TIME THIS HAPPEN SOMETHING REAL BAD COULD HAVE HAPPEN. I OWN A 1948 CHEVROLET PICKUP AND THE BRAKE LINES ARE STILL GOOD ON THAT 70 YEAR OLD TRUCK. GM IS USING POOR QUALITY PARTS FROM LOW BIDDERS ON CONTRACT PUTTING THE PUBLIC AT RISK.

Steering
Filed Dec 5, 2018130,000 milesMD

POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE ENTERING (TURNING LEFT INTO) PARKING LOT, TOWED TO SHOP. SHOP FOUND BROKE/DEFECTIVE CONNECTION TO STEERING BOX AND LEAKING FLUID. REPLACED FITTING AND TUBING, FLUSHED SYSTEM, AND REPLACED FLUID.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jan 15, 2018250,000 milesSC

CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE MESSAGE KEEPS COMING UP ON VEHICLE...REPLACED ALTERNATOR THREE WEEKS AGO AND IT SEEMS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM...FOR A WHILE AT LEAST...TWO NIGHTS AGO TRUCK DIED...REPLACED BATTERY WITH A BRAND NEW ONE YESTERDAY AND TRUCK IS STILL SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS BATTERY IS NOT GETTING CHARGE FROM ALTERNATOR.

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 11, 201796,000 milesWV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT NOTICED SEVERE RUST TO THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION, FRONT SUSPENSION, AND STARTER SUPPORT SHOWED EXCESSIVE RUST. ADDITIONALLY, THE SHOCK TOWER, SUPPORTS, TRANSMISSION BOLTS, FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ACTUATOR, AND HARDWARE ALSO SHOWED EXCESSIVE RUST. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HORN ALSO FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. BECKLEY AUTO MALL (3934 ROBERT C BYRD DR, BECKLEY, WV 25801, (304) 252-3300) STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR SEVERAL FAILURES; HOWEVER, THE RUST ISSUE WAS NOT ADDRESSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. *BF UPDATED 9/18/18*JB

Service BrakesCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 11, 2017117,000 milesWI

COMPLAINT ON GM EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLT DEFECT, INFERIOR BRAKE/ FUEL LINES. MINE IS A 2005 GMC. DEFECTIVE EXHAUST BOLTS AFFECT 12 MILLION GM TRUCKS FROM 1999 TO 2007. GM EXHAUST BOLTS ARE TO SMALL BRITTLE FOR SECURING EXHAUST MANIFOLDS. BOLTS SNAP OFF CAUSING EXHAUST LEAKS. TRUCKS NOT PASSING EMISSIONS AND DANGEROUS EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE DRIVERS COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLES WHILE DRIVING. I AND MY FAMILY GET A CARBON MONOXIDE HEADACHE WHEN I DRIVE IT AND HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FEELING LIKE I WAS GOING TO PASS OUT, OPEN WINDOWS AND SIT UNTIL I FELT BETTER. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS GETTING MY TRUCK TO PASS EMISSIONS DUE TO THE LEAKS AND THE LEAKS ARE CAUSING THE VEHICLES TO BE NONE EPA COMPLIANT BECAUSE OF O2 SENSOR ERRORS RESULTING IN FAILED EMISSION TEST. ALSO BRAKE AND FUEL LINES ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR NORTHERN STATES CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE WITH OUT WARNING, FUEL LINES ARE ALL RUSTED AND SWELLED IN DANGER OF BURSTING CAUSING FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. FORD AND OTHER VEHICLES I HAVE WORKED ON USE STAINLESS FUEL LINES AND LOOK LIKE NEW FOR LIFE OF VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO SEEN OTHER MANUFACTURERS USE POWDER COATED BRAKE LINES ON THE ENTIRE VEHICLE AND 20 YEAR OLD VEHILCES SHOW NO RUST PROBLEMS. MY 2005 GMC FROM THE REAR END BRAKE HOSE TO THE WHEEL CYLINDERS THEY USED POWDER COATED BRAKE LINES. THOSE LINES LOOK LIKE NEW YET. GM KNEW THE POWDER COATED LINES WERE BETTER WHY DID THEY USE FAULTY GALVANIZED STEEL ON THE REST OF THE TRUCK? AS IT IS NOW MY TRUCK CAN'T BE

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 1, 2017210,000 milesOK

SUNROOF WINDOW BLEW-UP

Air Bags
Filed Aug 21, 2017SC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 17, 2017160,000 milesWI

I DROVE UP TO A STOP LIGHT AND PUSHED THE BRAKES AS USUAL. A BRAKE LINE BURST AND I COASTED THRU THE STOP LIGHT. I USED MY EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. I THINK ALL BRAKE LINES SHOULD BE MADE FROM STAINLESS STEEL UP HERE IN WISCONSIN. THIS DEFINITELY IS A SAFETY ISSUE.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed May 9, 201790,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE CONTACT SWITCHED LANES ON A CURVED ROAD AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SKID. THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF CONTROL. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL AND THEN A MEDIAN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO COLLISION CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

20 of 177 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2014
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2026111200Do not drive
2025115100Routine
2024354100Above average
2023468320Above average
2022583650Above average
2021564760Above average
20204641250Above average
20196381030Above average
2018300710Above average
2017353540Above average
20163417130Do not drive
2015717990Above average
2014738971Fatalities reported
2013115310Routine
2012107300Routine
2011284530Above average
2010168420Routine
2009234440Above average
2008381250Above average
2007262320Above average
2006145251Fatalities reported
2005 — this page177390Routine
2004212510Above average
2003180440Routine
2002166400Routine
2001140500Routine
2000181300Routine
1999158400Routine
199859420Routine
199783500Routine
19965010Routine
19953010Routine
199413000Routine

Compare every Sierra 1500 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 17, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.