RoadVitals

2005 Chevrolet Express 3500

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.
17
Latest Aug 23, 2018
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.
3
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 17 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Express 3500, most frequently naming the tires & wheels, body & structure and fuel system categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 124 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

  • Tires & wheels417.4%
  • Body & structure417.4%
  • Fuel system313.0%
  • Seat belts313.0%
  • Brakes313.0%
  • Steering28.7%
  • Other / unspecified14.3%
  • Electrical14.3%

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

ElectricalFuel system
Filed Aug 23, 2018
Fire reported

WHEN I NORMAL DRIVE UNDER HOOD FIRE THE VEHICLE BURN OUT IF YOU NEED MORE FILE OR PICTURE I CAN SEND MAIL MY E MAIL ADDRESS (XXXX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID
11121976
Incident
Aug 5, 2018
Mileage
170,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 23, 2018

BF GOODRICH TIRE DOT BE11 JD11 4012 LT 24.5/75 R16 120/1160 TIRE IS BULGING AT CENTER OF TREED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO JUMP AND BOUNCE, CAUSING SPRING DAMAGE AND SEVERE VIBRATION OF VEHICLE AT HIGH SPEED..TIRE LOOKS AS IF IS GOING TO BLOW OUT..

NHTSA ID
11121842
Incident
Aug 1, 2018
Mileage
150,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 9, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500 EQUIPPED WITH KENDA KLEVER TIRES, SIZE: LT225/75 R16. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE. THE CONTACT WAS A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000 AND THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. MA 10/5

NHTSA ID
10732931
Incident
Jun 29, 2015
Mileage
77,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 24, 2013

PAINT PEEL ON ROOF, HOOD, DOORS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10531569
Incident
Jul 29, 2011
Mileage
75,000 mi
BrakesOther / unspecifiedTires & wheels
Filed May 25, 2012

2005 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. PARKING BRAKE CABLE ON REAR, DRIVERS SIDE, RUBBING AGAINST SIDE OF TIRE. TIRE RUBS DOWN UNTIL IT BREAKS. TIRE WAS TOTALLY SHREDDED BUT I WAS ABLE TO SLOW AND STEER TO SIDE OF ROAD. NEW TIRE PUT ON BUT THEY DID NOT SEE THE CABLE IN THE WAY OR RUBBING! I ONLY SAW IT BECAUSE I WAS LOOKING UNDER THE CAR FOR A NEW METALLIC CLANKING NOISE (THAT IS SOMETHING ELSE). MY NEW TIRE WAS ALMOST RUBBED THROUGH AFTER ONLY 3 WEEKS. I PULLED THE CABLE WAY BACK INTO ITS RETAINER BUT THE RETAINER IS ABOUT 1.5 SQUARE INCHES AND THE CABLE IS ONLY 1/8 IN SO IS NOT FIRMLY HELD IN PLACE (ONLY BY SOME FRICTION). IF YOU HAVE A CHEVY EXPRESS, CHECK YOUR CABLE AND TIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10459650
Incident
May 1, 2012
Mileage
76,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed May 14, 2012
2 injuries reported

OUR SEAT BELTS WHEN HITTING MY BREAKS JUST UNLATCHED AND FELL APART ON THE DRIVER & PASSENGER SIDE. *JS

NHTSA ID
10458279
Incident
Mar 16, 2009
Mileage
78,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 18, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDE DOOR HINGES WERE COLLECTING MOISTURE AND CAUSING THEM TO RUST, MAKING THE DOOR INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE AND THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS REGARDING THE DOOR HINGES. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR SIDE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AND COULD CAUSE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AS 184,000.

NHTSA ID
10420011
Incident
Aug 10, 2007
Mileage
184,000 mi
Filed Jul 1, 2010
Fire reported

2005 CHEVY EXPRESS VAN CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, COMPLETE BURN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10341054
Incident
Jul 1, 2010

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.

03-06-01-023H

ENGINE

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

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 3500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000
2024200
2023000
2022000
2021100
2020000
2019200
2018000
2017000
2016000
2015000
2014110
2013100
2012500
2011000
2010410
2009920
2008111037.9
2007111042.1
2006151040.5
2005Viewing171044.5
2004160032.0
2003120148.0
2002310
2001111043.4
2000410
1999410
1998300
1997200
1996000

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.