RoadVitals

2005 Chevrolet Express 1500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
10
Latest Mar 13, 2015
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Express 1500, most frequently naming the brakes, airbags and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 128 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes550.0%
  • Airbags110.0%
  • Electrical110.0%
  • Engine110.0%
  • Tires & wheels110.0%
  • Visibility110.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The 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.
The 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.
The 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).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Mar 13, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUSE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID
10694035
Incident
Feb 1, 2015
Mileage
150,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 22, 2014

THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED BEFORE AND JUST DIDN'T PAY THAT MUCH ATTENTION TO IT BUT THE FIRST TIME WE REALLY NOTICED IT WE WERE : TRAVELING SLOWLY ON GRAVEL ROAD , ENGINE JUST QUIT. HAD TO PUT VEHICLE IN PARK AND CRANK IT . SECOND TIME : HAD JUST STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN , STARTED TO PULL OUT, ENGINE JUST QUIT . HAD TO PUT VEHICLE IN PARK AND CRANK IT AGAIN. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES BEHIND US EITHER TIME . NEED TO USE THIS VEHICLE FOR A TRIP WITH OUR GRANDCHILDREN AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE OR COMFORTABLE IN TRAFFIC AS THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. WE HAVE NOT BEEN INFORMED IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS BUT FEEL THERE MUST BE SOME TYPE OF DEFECT AND THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD . WE ONLY HAVE 29,500 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE ( EXPRESS VAN ) AND USE IT MOSTLY FOR OUTINGS WITH THE FAMILY . WITH ALL THE RECALLS ON THE IGNITION SWITCHES , WE JUST NEED TO REPORT THIS AND NEED IT FIXED . *TR

NHTSA ID
10615273
Incident
May 22, 2013
Mileage
25,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 2, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION MODULE FAILED, AND MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID
10586130
Incident
May 16, 2012
Mileage
90,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 26, 2013

I WAS TRAVELING DOWN A HILL AT ABOUT 35-40 MPH. WHEN THE ABS SYSTEM KICKED IN FOR SOME REASON AND THE BRAKES WENT STIFF AND I COULD BARELY STOP. MECHANIC SAID WHEEL SENSOR, IT WAS CHANGED AND I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE ABS KICKS IN AT THE WORST TIMES WHEN YOU ARE SLOWING DOWN COMING TO AN INTERSECTION THE BRAKES GO STIFF. ALMOST GOT KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10521963
Incident
Jun 21, 2013
Mileage
157,200 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 17, 2010
Crash reported1 injury reported

THE AIRBAGS IN MY EXPRESS 1500 DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER I SKIDDED OUT ON A HIGHWAY TO AVOID A 18 WHEELER. THE VAN WAS TOTALED SO NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT IT BUT WITH NO AIRBAGS IT LED TO A BROKEN SHOULDER AND SOME RIBS FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. I HIT THE JERSEY BARRIER GOING DIRECTLY STRAIGHT AT IT AT ABOUT 50-60MPH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10371015
Incident
Dec 12, 2010
Mileage
235,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 4, 2010
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1500. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 25 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THEY WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED THROUGH A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AND ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO A LOWER GEAR. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL DRIVING OVER A CURVE AND COMING TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE HOSES OF THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THERE WERE TWO HOSES THAT WERE RUNNING TOGETHER ABNORMALLY AND THE FRICTION CAUSED THE HOSE TO COLLAPSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

NHTSA ID
10359044
Incident
Oct 1, 2010
Mileage
53,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 3, 2010

I OWN A 2005 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1500 V6 AND WHILE DRIVING TO MY HOUSE FROM WORK I LOST ALL BRAKES DUE TO A BRAKE LINE FAILURE, THE TWO HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES THAT ARE ATTACHED TO THE MASTER CYLINDER ARE IN CONTACT WITH ANOTHER METALLIC BRAKE HOSE UNDER THEM, BY RUBBING TOGETHER FOR FOUR YEARS CAUSED THE HOSES TO WEAR AND RUPTURE AND NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10358952
Incident
Oct 2, 2010
Mileage
53,800 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Dec 15, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. NEXT THE ABS LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TRANSFER CASE WAS REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 28000. UPDATED 01/05/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN 20 MINUTES AWAY FROM HOME. THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE SEAL FAILED ON THE TRANSFER CASE WHICH CAUSED ALL THE FLUIDS TO INTO THE TRANSMISSION. UPDATED 01/05/10. *JB

NHTSA ID
10295834
Incident
Nov 9, 2009
Mileage
31,185 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

03-06-01-023I

ENGINE

This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.

PIT5074Q

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. The J-35616-64B is the latest test probe released for checking tension or probing the .64 series terminals. The test probe terminal has been released in the terminal repair kit (J-38125-620H) located in Lear Tray 7 part number 963716-2. There are 5 terminated leads in a package part number is 13505346, which can be ordered through your normal General Motors Customer Care and Aftersales parts channel.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Express 1500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2014100046.9
2013000
2012200
2011320
2010400
2009500
2008900
2007510
2006500
2005Viewing101043.9
2004121041.2
2003181147.7
2002101030.1
2001510
2000610
1999410
1998000
1997000
1996400

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.