I was in a crash today october 12th 2026 and the airbags failed to deploy it was a front end collision that resulted in the motor shutting off
The worst 2005 GMC Savana problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Body2
- Brakes2
- Electrical2
- Steering2
- Tires2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Body2
- Brakes2
- Electrical2
- Steering2
- Tires2
- Airbags1
- Locks1
- Seat belts1
- Suspension1
- Visibility1
- Wheels1
Recalls 5
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. When the HVAC blower motor circuit is left unused with exposed connectors and wiring, the circuit can corrode and overheat.
- Risk
- An overheated electrical circuit increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will properly seal the rear HVAC blower motor circuits at the left side B-pillar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222386050.
Recall number 23V247000 · Recall details
Equipment adaptive/mobility
- What is wrong
- Main mobility is recalling 185 model year 2005 through 2009 chevrolet express and gmc savana vans manufactured between april 1, 2005 and june 25, 2009, equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the threshold warning system may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.
- Risk
- The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
- Remedy
- Main mobility is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners may contact ricon at 1‑818‑267‑3000 or main mobility at 1‑716‑759‑6811.
Recall number 09V270000 · Recall details
Equipment adaptive/mobility
- What is wrong
- Main mobility is recalling 185 model year 2005 through 2009 chevrolet express and gmc savana vans manufactured between april 1, 2005 and june 25, 2009, equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the anti-stow interlock may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or something is still on the lift.
- Risk
- The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
- Remedy
- Main mobility is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners may contact ricon at 1‑818‑267‑3000 or main mobility at 1‑716‑759‑6811.
Recall number 09V272000 · Recall details
Seat belts
- What is wrong
- On certain full-size passenger, cargo, or cutaway vans, the front and rear seat belt buckles will not latch or will not unlatch.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, a seat occupant may not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the buckles and, if found to be inoperative, the entire buckle assembly would be replaced. For buckles found to be operative, dealer will replace only the upper buckle cover. The recall will be conducted in phases. The first phase mailing began during march 2006. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 or gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 05V558000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic
- 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
Technical service bulletins for the 2005 GMC Savana 632
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- Unknown or other
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- Unknown or other
- This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- Unknown or other
- Electrical system
- Unknown or other
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on When and How to Submit a Field...
- Unknown or other
2005 GMC Savana fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L 6‑cyl | RWD | 13-14 | 17-18 | 14-16 |
| 5.3L 8‑cyl | RWD | 13-14 | 17-19 | 14-15 |
| 5.3L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 13 | 17 | 14 |
What 2005 GMC Savana owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I had a new front windshield sold by PGW installed by Coughlin Auto Glass in Deer Lodge Montana in November - December 2022. I immediately noticed that the windshield did not allow RED LIGHT to pass through the tinted area. This is most likely due to a manufacturing defect and is dangerous. Unfortunately I did not have time to argue with the installer about a replacement until now, as I have been out of the state until yesterday. The installer confirmed that the glass was defective. He states that he contacted PGW today and that they will not replace the window. He and Pittsburg Glass Works state that they have had no other complaints and that it is too late to do anything about it. I suspect there is an entire batch of glass windshields that have this manufacturing defect. The consumer representative for PGW admitted that they had problems with supplies and manufacturing during COVID. I suspect this happened due to COVID related manufacturing problems.
White van since was 4 years old the front hood white paint star peeling off . Know is have paint only. Bad quality paint. You can see in the road almost all chevy or gmc cargo van with the same problem.
While driving on bumpy road at 30 miles / hour car turns off. I could not turn, power steering locked. Car eventually stopped in the middle of the busy road and I brake, changed gears to park. I turn ignition key off and then turned it on again. This happen a few times. I try to avoid bumpy areas. I took to mechanic & he found nothing wrong with engine. I did to mention it only happens on bumpy rides, ( he drove it on expressway). I just found out gmc cars have a recall on key ignitions but not my 2005 gmc. I contacted gmc and my local dealer but they say it is not recalled and unless it happens while they drive it they can't diagnose it. They will not fix it unless they diagnose it.
Tire "definity dakota" had defected just for 20,000 mi.
Side cargo rear door hinges siezed and bent after opening. Now it does not close properly (alignment from hinge), causing front side cargo door to stay open at all times. Rear door is over 1" out of position, preventing front door from closing and engaging latch. If rear door is opened, it does not close without excessive force to realign to latches, but still not enough to close front door.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 gmc savana. While attempting to activate the air conditioning system the contact noticed that vehicle would not become cool. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact was informed that the cooling lines needed to be replaced due to a leak. There were no prior warnings and the vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileages were 41000. The coolant lines that ran to the rear climate control were leaking freon. Updated 11/24/10
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 gmc savana. While traveling at 20 MPH, the contact applied the brakes and the vehicle began to shake and vibrate excessively. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the rear brake pads and rotors where replaced. There were no prior warnings of the failure. The current and failure mileages were 33,000.
2005 gmc savanna with tire failure. Consumer states that the van has had three tire blow outs. He stated that the blow outs occurred on the same tire and the same spot. *kb the consumer was told the low profile tires were not a good match for the vehicle. The consumer also stated he has experienced problems with the electronics and the wheels.
Passenger seat belt will not latch.
Compare the 2005 GMC Savana
Other model years
1994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920212022
Questions about the 2005 GMC Savana
Is the 2005 GMC Savana reliable?
Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 2005 GMC Savana, 4.3 times a typical Savana model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 GMC Savana?
Body and structure, with 2 complaints. Next is brakes (2).
How many recalls does the 2005 GMC Savana have?
5 recalls, covering electrical system, equipment adaptive/mobility and seat belts.
What gas mileage does the 2005 GMC Savana get?
Official estimates for the 2005 GMC Savana range from 14 to 16 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.3L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 13-14 city and 17-18 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2005 GMC Savana?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history