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2005 Chevrolet Silverado problems

The most common problem on the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado is brakes, typically around 77,000 miles. It has 2.5 times the complaints of a typical Silverado model year.

Year to avoid2.5x the typical complaints
Year score
36/100
Owner complaints
316
Recalls
8
Service bulletins
365
Worst area
Brakes
Fuel economy
9-17mpg

The worst 2005 Chevrolet Silverado problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado

Brake failure 21Airbag light 15ABS 11Check engine light 9Fire or smoke 8Harsh shifting 8Stalling 7Loss of power 5Overheating 5Tire blowout 5Won't start 5

Recalls 8

Engine and engine coolingReported August 3, 2006 · 38,439 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 06V289000 · Recall details

Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connectionsReported October 5, 2005 · 123,592 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 05V455000 · Recall details

Parking brakeReported April 22, 2005 · 90,242 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 05V161000 · Recall details

Seat belts: rear/otherReported April 22, 2005 · 1,359,824 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 05V163000 · Recall details

Power train: manual transmission: shift pattern indicatorReported February 14, 2005 · 7,194 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 05V055000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulicReported February 8, 2005 · 77,411 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 05V043000 · Recall details

Steering: gear box: shaft sectorReported January 21, 2005 · 3,344 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 05V018000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported August 2, 2004 · 1,103 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 04V376000 · Recall details

See all 8 recalls for the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado

Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 365

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 365 bulletins for the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado

2005 Chevrolet Silverado fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
5.3L 8‑cyl HybridRWD161917
4.8L 8‑cylRWD14-151916-17
4.3L 6‑cylRWD1419-2016
5.3L 8‑cylRWD141916
5.3L 8‑cyl Hybrid4WD151816
6.0L 8‑cylRWD8-1311-189-15
4.3L 6‑cyl4WD1317-1814-15
4.8L 8‑cyl4WD141815

What 2005 Chevrolet Silverado owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 20, 2021 · Airbags, Seat belts · 281,000 miles · MO · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 mph, he lost control of the vehicle due to losing consciousness. The vehicle left the roadway and went airborne and crashed with a road sign landing in a field. None of the airbags deployed and only the seatbelt lap belt tensioned not the shoulder strap. The contact sustained injuries such as several lacerations across the face and inside the mouth, and broken L1 vertebrae. The contact mentioned he fractured the steering wheel with his face during the impact. A police report was filed and the vehicle was towed to a local lot then towed again to the contacts insurance lot where it was awaiting a diagnosis. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 281,000.

Filed Feb 9, 2016 · Brakes · 105,000 miles · IL

The vehicles brakes are corroding and failed almost causing an accident on 2/09/2016 when the vehicle was in motion (at the intersection of il route 34 and wolfs crossing)

Filed Dec 27, 2015 · Brakes · OH

Pedal goes on down when pressed -- seems like ABS isn't working properly

Filed Nov 30, 2015 · Brakes · 160,000 miles · MN

Break lines corroded through to failure. The failure occurred just after exiting a highway. Abs engaged due to icy conditions the next time I depressed the break peddle it went to the floor without the breaks engaging. To the best of my knowledge no warning light was present on the dashboard. The breaks failed while driving and resulted in me running a red light. Luckily it was early in the morning and no accident occurred.

Filed Nov 16, 2015 · Electrical · 97,000 miles · SC · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet silverado. While the vehicle was parked with the air conditioner set on level five, the blower intermittently clicked off and on. The contact also stated that a burning smell emitted through the vents of the vehicle. The failure recurred on several occasions until level five and four settings no longer worked. The contact inspected the connector sw/power st adjuster and discovered that the wires were melted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the connector and resistor for the air conditioner and heater and the resistor for the heater needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.

Filed Nov 13, 2015 · Brakes · 130,000 miles · FL

Sitting at burger king drive thru when brake pedal went to the floor. Brake lines had ruptured due to corrosion. Vehicle only 10 years old and 130,000 miles. Had brakes checked often at service centers, no mention of problem. Glad this didn't happen last month when I was barreling down the tennessee highway with a full load in the back of my truck. The federal safety agency and gm should be ashamed for allowing this to continue. I am sure people are dying due to this negligence and faulty materials being used.

Filed Oct 23, 2015 · Brakes · 79,500 miles · WI

Sudden loss of braking power due to brake line rupture while on the exit ramp of the freeway. Found brake lines completely rusted and they were paper thin in multiple spots. Will have to replace all brake lines on the vehicle. Almost lost control of the vehicle. Note that vehicle has always been maintained by dealership.

Filed Oct 16, 2015 · Brakes · 89,000 miles · MI

The brake pedal went completely to the floor when our friend tried to stop the vehicle. A brake line running on top of the frame behind the radiator had completely rusted thru, allowing all of the brake fluid to pump out of the system. All of the steel brake lines are extremely rusty and probably near failure.

Filed Aug 9, 2015 · Brakes · 160,000 miles · CT

These past couple of weeks the brakes are shaking when I go to stop. I have c hanged the front calipers since this is where it is happening since the calipers went bad so did the roters an pads so those needed to be changed also...which is money I don't have .....it worked for a total of 4 days then problem began again. Please inform me of other issues and what can be done to resolve this problem especially since I drive this truck to earn a living for my family everyday.. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Filed Aug 7, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 135,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet silverado. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact noticed there was a engine leak and noticed that a few bolts that hold the exhaust pipe were missing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.

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Questions about the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado

Is the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?

Owners have filed 316 complaints about the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado, 2.5 times a typical Silverado model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado year score?

The 2005 Chevrolet Silverado scores 36 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Silverado: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado?

Brakes, with 87 complaints, typically around 77,000 miles. Next is electrical (64).

How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado have?

8 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling, steering and parking brake.

Was there a recall on the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado brakes?

Yes, 2 recalls: 05V161000, 05V043000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Chevrolet Silverado have bad brakes?

The Chevrolet Silverado model years with the most brakes complaints are 1999 (1,003 complaints), 2000 (607 complaints) and 2001 (418 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado get?

Official estimates for the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado range from 9 to 17 mpg combined. The most efficient version (5.3L 8-cyl hybrid, RWD) gets 16 city and 19 highway.

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