RoadVitals

2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints 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.
15
Latest Jul 18, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 525 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming body or structure

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

AirbagsBody & structureEngine
Filed Jul 18, 2025

Unknown

NHTSA ID
11674628
Incident
Jul 4, 2025
Body & structureBrakesFuel system
Filed Jun 30, 2021

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started to leak fuel and the brake line would leak causing the brakes to lose power whenever the brake pedal was depressed. The contact also stated that the fuel tank strap fractured due to rust causing the fuel tank to detach from the vehicle. The contact stated that the rear leaf spring fractured due to rust as well. The contact also stated that the entire sub-frame of the vehicle was rusted causing pieces of metal to fall off from the frame while driving. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the brake lines, fuel lines, the rear leaf shackle, and the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

NHTSA ID
11422995
Incident
Jun 30, 2021
Mileage
58,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 9, 2018

WE TOOK OUR 2005 CHEVY Z71 SILVERADO IN FOR THE INSPECTION AND IT WOULDN'T PASS DUE TO ROTTED FRAME. SO NOW WE HAVE A USELESS TRUCK THAT LOOKS AND DRIVES FINE BUT WON'T PASS INSPECTION. NOW WE'RE HEARING ABOUT SEVERAL SAME MODEL TRUCK ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. WE HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN THE BEST CARE OF ALL OUR VEHICLES AND HAVE BEEN LOYAL GM CUSTOMERS. BUT IT SURE SEEMS THE QUALITY OF GM PRODUCTS ARE NOT WHAT THEY USED TO BE. ESPECIALLY FOR THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE INVEST IN THEM.

NHTSA ID
11083937
Incident
Apr 5, 2018
Body & structureElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Nov 2, 2016

RUST CORROSION HAS WORN THROUGH TO AFFECT ELECTRICAL LINES - REAR LIGHTS NO LONGER WORK. HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE DASHBOARD CONSOLE ELECTRICAL. GAS FUEL LIGHT STAYS ON WHICH IS RELATED TO THE CIRCUITRY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND AFFECTS "SMOG" SYSTEM. MAIN PROBLEM IS, RIGHT NOW, THE SAFETY AND DRIVEABILITY OF THIS TRUCK DUE TO RUSTING THROUGH UNDERBODY TO THE DRIVE SHAFT AND AXEL/BRAKE SYSTEM (NEVERMIND THE REAR LIGHTS NOT WORKING) WILL THIS TRUCK FAIL ON THE ROAD WHEN DRIVING? *TR

NHTSA ID
10923759
Incident
Mar 3, 2008
Mileage
80,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureEngine
Filed Oct 21, 2016

WHEN I PURCHASED MY TRUCK THE DEALERSHIP PROMISED TO HAVE IT FIXED,I THEN WENT TO THE NC DMV WHO HANDLES VEHICLE. I HAD BEEN RECEIVING THE RUNAROUND FROM EVERYONE. I AM SURE IT HAS BEEN IN A FLOOD THAT I WAS NOT INFORMED ABOUT DUE TO ALL THE RUST UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. WHEN I PURCHASED IT WAS STATIONARY AT A PRIVATE DEALERSHIP IN A CITY NEXT TO A HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10917727
Incident
Jun 30, 2016
Body & structure
Filed Aug 17, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. MA 10/1

NHTSA ID
10749058
Incident
Mar 17, 2015
Mileage
150,000 mi
Body & structureDriver assistanceExterior lighting
Filed Aug 20, 2014

TAIL LIGHT HOUSING LEAKS WATER INTO TAIL LIGHT AREA WHICH CAUSES TAIL AND BRAKE LIGHT BULB BASES TO CORRODE , LOSE CONTACT AND FAIL TO OPERATE. I REPLACE TAIL LAMPS EVERY 3 TO 6 MONTHS. INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AT 65000 MILES AND DESPITE EXTENDED WARRANTY GM WOULD NOT REPAIR. I WAS NEVER CONTACTED ABOUT GM SETTLEMENT CONCERNING THIS FACTORY DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10626510
Incident
Oct 1, 2009
Mileage
65,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 31, 2014
Fire reported

DROVE INTO THE GARAGE AND PARKED. A LOUD EXPLOSIVE NOISE CAME FROM THE TRUCK AND FUMES BEGAN FUNNELING THROUGH THE HOOD OF TRUCK. QUICKLY TURNED OFF IGNITION AND GOT OUT OF VEHICLE. IN A FEW MINUTES GARAGE WAS FULL OF INTENSE FLAMES. THE HEAT WAS SO INTENSE IT BLEW OPEN THE DOOR INTO THE HOUSE AND BURNED/MELTED THE LAUNDRY EQUIPMENT AND THREE ROOMS, AND THE SECOND CAR IN THE GARAGE, SENDING SMOKE DAMAGE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE HOUSE. VEHICLES MELTED AND EVERYTHING IN THEM AND IN THE GARAGE- MOWER, SNOW BLOWER, SMALL EQUIPMENT AND MORE, WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. THE FIREFIGHTERS WERE ABLE TO CONTAIN THE FIRE TO AREAS IDENTIFIED ABOVE. THERE WAS EXTREME SMOKE DAMAGE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE HOUSE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10617981
Incident
Jan 15, 2014
Mileage
110,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 25, 2013

I STARTED SEEING RUST SPOTS AROUND THE BOTTOM THE CAB AND HAD TO PUT IT IN THE SHOP BECAUSE RUST HAD EATEN THROUGH, THE REPAIRMAN SAID IT LOOK AS IF THE AREA HAD NEVER BEEN TREATED FOR CORROSION, THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DOING THIS AND HE SAID HE COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT IT WANT CONTINUE. I FEEL GM SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR AND MAKE SURE IT DOSE NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10531777
Incident
Mar 7, 2013
Mileage
180,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesFuel system
Filed Nov 8, 2012

THE BRAKE LINES ,FUEL LINES AND THE FRAME CROSSMEMBERS ARE ALL SEVERELY RUSTED. IT JUST IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE I LOOSE MY BRAKES, GO UP IN FLAMES OR DROP MY GAS TANK ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE BODY ON THIS TRUCK IS NOT TOO BAD. IT HAS 92,000 MILES ON IT, AND IT IS CLEANED QUITE OFTEN. THE UNDERCARRIAGE IS RUSTED VERY BADLY. I EXPECTED MORE FROM SOMETHING THAT COSTS SO MUCH. CANT AFFORD A NEW ONE AND IF I COULD IT WOULDN'T BE A GM. HAVE ALWAYS OWNED GM IN THE PAST. *TR

NHTSA ID
10483724
Incident
Nov 1, 2012
Mileage
92,000 mi
Body & structureTires & wheels
Filed Mar 22, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACTED STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE A FLAT TIRE BUT DISCOVERED THAT THE SPARE TIRE BRACKET WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND ADVISED THAT THE SPARE TIRE BRACKET WAS CORRODED AND THE ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS NOT RECALLED AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,471.

NHTSA ID
10392498
Incident
Feb 19, 2011
Mileage
39,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 25, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET K1500 SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ROUTINE INSPECTION, A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE FRAME HAD FRACTURED DUE TO STRESS FROM THE LIFT KIT INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. HE THEN ADDED THAT THE PREVIOUS DEALER( SOUTHERN COMFORT CONVERSIONS) INSTALLED THE LIFT KIT AND THAT IT WOULD COST $11,000 FOR REPAIRS.THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 103.000.

NHTSA ID
10285219
Incident
Sep 18, 2009
Mileage
103,000 mi
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Aug 31, 2009

ROTORS RUSTED, SEPARATED AND CHIPPED, DESTROYING THE ROTORS AND BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10282374
Incident
Aug 29, 2009
Mileage
18,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesSuspension
Filed Dec 28, 2008
Crash reported

DRIVING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BECAME DETACHED FROM THE AXLE AND HUB ASSEMBLY. THE TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY ROLLED AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE TRACTION AND CRASH INTO THE MEDIAN OF THE HIGHWAY AND SKID TO A HALT. COMPLETELY TORE APART THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SUSPENSION AND BRAKE ASSEMBLY AS WELL AS CONSIDERABLE BODY DAMAGE TO THE REAR QUARTER PANEL, REAR BUMPER, AND TOW HITCH. VEHICLE HAS ONLY LIGHT DUTY USE, MOSTLY COMMUTER MILES, WITH GOOD TIRES, EXCELLENT MAINTENANCE RECORDS, AND LESS THAN 39,000 , JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10252956
Incident
Dec 25, 2008
Mileage
38,500 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 1, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT END VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRAME SPLIT IN HALF. AS OF OCTOBER 1, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,000. UPDATED 10/24/07. *JB

NHTSA ID
10204510
Incident
Sep 27, 2007
Mileage
46,000 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .