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2005 GMC Sierra engine problems

17 complaints (15% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 59,640.

owner complaints
17
of this car's complaints
15%
typical mileage
59,640
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Engine: diesel
    2
  • Engine
    2
  • Cooling system
    2

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

GMC Sierra engine problems in other years

199019952000200520102017

Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 GMC Sierra engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Overheating 7Loss of power 6Check engine light 5Knocking 5

Related recalls

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

What 2005 GMC Sierra owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 12, 2015 · Engine · 270,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 gmc sierra. While driving at approximately 60 MPH, the engine suddenly increased in speed to approximately 10 MPH. The contact stated that the display panel read "reduced power mode" and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted, but the failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred without warning. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where the throttle body wire harness, the throttle accelerator control module, and the accelerator pedal assembly were repaired. The repair failed to remedy the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 270,000.

Filed Dec 6, 2014 · Engine · 114,000 miles · MA

Engine has lose of engine coolant over time with no evidence of leaks found. We brought the truck to a gm dealer which told us this was a known defect issue. They provided us with bulletin # 06-06-01-019b document id 1986750 which clearly state this was defect in the casting of the castech heads. The cost with parts and labor is $3,100.00 dollars. Clearly, gm should cover this cost since this obviously is a known defect. Searching the internet you can see a large number of people experiencing this issue with little or no help from gm.

Filed May 24, 2014 · Engine · 59,640 miles · LA

Crank vehicle turn corner , message engine power reduced, check engine light appeared, turn around return 200 feet to home, check all fluids connections turn off ignition, unable to start engine, let sit, unable to start engine, drive wife to work other vehicle, recheck all fluids connections, refill coolant, crank engine, coolant discharge on overflow line on cold engine, kill engine would not start, go to autozone get extra coolant and new gas cap. Return coolant level ok. Install new gas cap, engine hard to crank like vapor lock or no fuel to engine. Crank engine, let run, kill engine. Unable to crank, return to work, return in 3 hours, reinstall old gas cap, check fluid levels, ok. Crank engine let run for 5 minutes, check engine light still on, wait one hour, crank engine back to normal check engine light off, engine run ok, drive short test drive. Unable to operate vehicle safely for 6-8 hour period, unsure if vapor lock, bad fuel, fuel filter, bad plugs, coil on plugs, loose plug wire, etc. Never had any engine problems in the past. Only instrument panel cluster failure, and steering click knock that was fixed by dealer. Research problem on internet, it appears this is a throttle position sensor failure that gmc has identified as a safety problem and made a special extended coverage for 2008 to current year vehicles or ten years or 120000 miles. Fromresearch on computer, it appears tens of thousands of comments regarding this loss of power and engine stop. I am older man and reacted with caution and was near my home. Had I been on a busy street or highway a crash or injury would most certainly occurred with this disabled vehicle the cause. I had never imagined this would happen to me nor had I heard of it from any media source or dealer memos. I am hesitant to drive any distance or on certain high traffic roads due to this problem recurring.

Filed Apr 1, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 68,000 miles · NY

My vehicle was parked in my driveway. I was walking down the driveway and thought the car was being stolen as it was starting. There was no one in the car. The car did start several times on its own so I disconnected the battery cable and had it serviced immediately. How long it had been doing this I do not know. I do know it had not been doing this on the previous day as I walk be there every day at least 2 times.

Filed Jan 24, 2014 · Engine · 97,000 miles · CA

Truck was making a "knocking" noise upon start. Took to dealership mechanic and informed, based on the noise and where it's coming from, it's most likely a cracked cylinder and informed this is "common." really?? Will cost thousands to repair ... Which I don't have. Frustrating to say the least. It has low miles, serviced regularly. If this is "common" why won't gmc step up and take care of it??

Filed Jan 17, 2014 · Engine · 100,872 miles · NC

Took vehicle in for new brakes and coolant leak. No complaint about brakes, but complaint about coolant leak. Coolant leak issue is connected to gm tsb 06-06-01-019b and affects castech 706 cylinder heads. The coolant is leaking into the heads because of a known porosity issue. My engine will have to be replaced if the problem is not addressed because of glycol contamination. Gm dealer said to just "keep an eye" on it. A second, independent mechanic, did confirm the coolant leak is not external and my engine will fail if the heads are not replaced. This appears to be a known issue with gm for manufacture years 2001-2006 on the vehicles with the 5.3l engine.

Filed Dec 4, 2013 · Engine · 147,526 miles · PA

Faulty castech heads are leaking coolant into engine oil. Gm is aware that the 5.3l v8 engines have faulty heads, and they refuse to place a recall to fix the problem. It is not right to not stand behind your product. The repair costs are in the $5000 range.

Filed Jul 30, 2012 · Engine · 63,520 miles · PA

Exhaust in passenger compartment. Service man informed me of broken bolts and that I must replace both manifolds before next inspection.

Filed Nov 9, 2010 · Engine · 110,000 miles · NC

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 gmc sierra. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated. The dealer stated that the failure was within the evaporation system and that the evaporation vent and filter needed to be changed. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000 and the current mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Sep 8, 2006 · Engine · 7,838 miles · NY

Since we purchased the 2005 gmc sierra we have had problems with the radiator hose bursting within the first few months and having to have it towed. Since then we have had several overheating problems. The dealer constantly says they can not find anything wrong. We insisted they change the thermostat on one of our times there = they replaced that and a hose. We came home and anti-freeze was leaking. We thought it may be they overfilled it. Then it kept leaking and the truck overheated again 4th or 5th time. This was just driving home from about 10 miles. We had it towed in again and again were told they can find nothing wrong!!! We want answers to this problem. This truck is used for our business and in a year have had to have a new vehicle towed in 3-4 times and driven in. We want answers. We suggested they change the water pump after talking to another mechanic and they said they had problems with that in a different year truck, but have since fixed it. So instead they send you home and do nothing.

Questions about the 2005 GMC Sierra engine

Does the 2005 GMC Sierra have engine problems?

Owners have filed 17 complaints about the engine of the 2005 GMC Sierra, 15% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2005 GMC Sierra engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 59,640 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2005 GMC Sierra engine?

Yes, 1 recall: 06V289000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the GMC Sierra have bad engine?

The GMC Sierra model years with the most engine complaints are 2002 (25 complaints), 2001 (23 complaints) and 2000 (22 complaints).

Other 2005 GMC Sierra problems

Brakes 37Electrical 23Steering 11Transmission 11Suspension 9Body 7Acceleration 6Airbags 6Fuel system 5Tires 4Visibility 3Seats 2Lights 1Seat belts 1Wheels 1

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