2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Suspension Problems

Suspension system potentially life threatening. On [XXX] I purchased a 2005 Chevy Silverado truck from used car dealer in Tallassee, AL/$6000. Several days after driving home at Interstate speeds, I discovered extreme rust on the underside of the truck. The spare tire rim was unusable from rust and the tire hoist was rusted beyond use--I had to cut the tire hoist cable tip with a grinder and let the tire fall to the driveway. At that point, I found an extremely unsafe and dangerous defect to the truck. The top of the right rear shock absorber was not attached to the truck frame. The connector bracket had rusted completely away from the truck frame. I texted pictures and called the dealer and was told the sale was “as is”--not his problem. I asked if he inspected, or even looked at the bottom of the truck—his text reply was “I personally did not do anything other than a walk around and test drive” He later said by text he had been a used car dealer for 32 years and had an excellent reputation. Subsequent research found NHTSA-DOT’s 49 CFR Section 570.8 -Suspension Systems-- where it states “Shock absorber mountings, shackles, and U-bolts shall be securely attached.” I believe the licensed used car dealer failed to properly inspect the used truck and clearly did not identify and report to me, the buyer, hidden potential life threatening deficiencies of the suspension system and other defects that would dramatically reduce the value of the vehicle. At that point the dealer refused to answer his phone or texts. My local mechanic advised me not to use the truck and only drive it (below 45 mph) in light traffic for short drives to keep the truck running and the battery charged. I have owned vehicles for over [XXX] and have never had any problems with any of the vehicles. I am [XXX]. I reported this to the Alabama Dept of Revenue ("ALDOR" - [XXX]) 8 Apr 25 and received a confirmation of receipt. No response yet-23 Apr 25. Please help. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (F

NHTSA ID

11656464

Incident

Mar 13, 2025

03/09/2025 Purchased 2005 Chev Silverado 1500 from Tony's Trade Co, Inc. Owner stated he had been a highly respected licensed used car dealer 34 years. AutoCheck had no issues. 1-Component: Right Rear Shock absorber--critical suspension part (49 CFR Section 570.8 Suspension Systems)-mechanic agrees. Upper mounting bracket to frame totally rusted away. Bottom of shock absorber attached--top floating in the air. Shock absorber is untouched and available for inspection. 2-Truck was driven at highway speeds several time before unattached shock absorber noticed - found. One trip included a medium load for the truck. 3-Free floating shock absorber top is apparent in pictures. I sent the used car dealer a photo of the detached shock absorber top and mount. Will pay for a professional view and statement of the shock absorber if requested by you. Heavy rust under the truck bed/frame will require extensive metal replacement to make a hard connection bracket for attachment. 4-No manufacturer, police, etc inspection. Detached and severely rusted shock absorber top and frame bracket are obvious in pictures. Will get reports if needed. 5-No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem until I tried to remove the spare tire to fix and clean it. Spare hoist was severely rusted and unable to lower--cut hoist cable tip and let drop on floor. That is when I was able to see the detached right rear shock absorber. 6 EXTRA: Seller quote: "this is a good truck. I would sell to anyone. Like new tires and does not need one thing mechanical and in excellent condition." Tires range from DOT 2622 to DOT 1323-not new. Extreme frame rust. I drive truck 35-45 mph twice/week on low traffic highway to keep truck running and battery charged. Reported to AL Dept of Revenue 8 Apr 25--ALDOR-127348-said I would get response in 24 hours, none yet. I called seller was told truck was sold "as is". Seller will not answer phone or text messages.

NHTSA ID

11655913

Incident

Mar 9, 2025

Well, I contacted GM years ago asking why the frames on these vehicles rot out so fast. They told me to send pics. and that’s all that came from that. So, years ago, I heard a banging noise in the right rear side of my truck. My rear shock mount rotted out and driving home later there was even more noise. The left rear shock mount rotted out also. I removed the bed to assess damage, and I couldn’t believe the amount of rust I was looking at. I bought an aftermarket kit and had the shock mounts welded back on. The company selling the kit said that they sell tons of those kits. I would say that’s a safety issue. Especially when the whole from appears to be rotting away. That seems like a mayor issue to me. I probably won’t be buying another Chevy truck seeing how my wife’s Honda is as old as my truck and has no rust under it.

NHTSA ID

11440737

Incident

Jun 15, 2016

Frame broken behind cab on both sides

NHTSA ID

11430811

Incident

Aug 14, 2021

DRIVERS SIDE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER UPPER MOUNTING CROSS MEMBER HAS CORRODED OFF THE VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD CAUSE A RECALL AS ROTTING FRAME PARTS ARE VERY HAZARDOUS. THIS TRUCK HAS 88000 MILES. RECENTLY I HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE BRAKE LINES IN THIS TRUCK AS WELL. BRAKES WERE LOST LUCKILY IN THE DRIVEWAY. HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING IN THE REAR AND FOUND THE SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNT HAD ROTTED OFF.

NHTSA ID

10875064

Incident

Jun 18, 2016

Mileage

88,000 mi

RUST RUST RUST. FRAME IS SO BAD TRUCK WILL NOT PASS NYS SAFETY INSPECTION NEXT YEAR. I HAVE TO SELL IT FOR SCRAP/SALVAGE AS GM WON'T OFFER ANYTHING BUT A "POSSIBLE" CREDIT IF I BUY A NEW CHEVY TRUCK. NO WAY I'LL DO THAT:(. TRUCK ONLY HAS 25,500 MILES AS IT IS A SECOND VEHICLE. IT WAS NEVER USED OFF ROAD OR FOR SNOW PLOWING. JUST RUSTED AWAY SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ID

10860973

Incident

Apr 22, 2016

Mileage

25,500 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, SHE WOULD HEAR A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HUB FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND COMPLETING TURNS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WAS ALSO A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE POWER STEERING BOX FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO EXISTING RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ID

10487949

Incident

Jan 1, 2009

Mileage

72,000 mi

THE FRONT END INTERMITTENTLY BEGINS TO "SHIMMY" AT ABOUT 50MPH. I HAVE REPLACED TIRES, INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS, AND BRAKES CALIPERS BUT THE PROBLEMS HAVE NOT RESOLVED. THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS WITH A "CLUNKING" FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. SEVERAL OWNERS REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10450819

Incident

Mar 8, 2012

Mileage

100,000 mi

FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY FAILURE. HEARD SOUND COMING FROM FRONT END AND TOOK IT IN TO MECHANIC TO HAVE REPAIRED. BEARING ASSEMBLY WITH ABS SENSOR REPLACED. COST $450 FOR REPLACEMENT. VEHICLE MILEAGE 63,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10383024

Incident

Feb 3, 2011

Mileage

63,000 mi

WHEN ROTATING MY TIRES AT 29,000 MILES, I INSPECTED THE FRONT DISC BRAKES ON MY TRUCK. I NOTICED THAT TON BOTH FRONT WHEELS. THE DISC BRAKE PADS WERE ONLY TOUCHING THE ROTORS IN AN AREA OF 1/2" ON THE INSIDE OF THE ROTORS. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WASN'T COVERED BY THE WARRANTY BECAUSE IT HAD MORE THAN 25000 MILES. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS AT MY OWN EXPENSE OF $400. *TR

NHTSA ID

10368075

Incident

Jul 10, 2009

Mileage

29,000 mi

IN FEBRUARY 2010, I STARTED TO NOTICE A CLICKING NOISE IN THE FRONT WHEEL OF MY 2005 SILVERADO. WHILE RETURNING FROM FLORIDA THE NOISE INCREASED AND THE RIGHT FRONT HUB BEARING FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 32,000 FOR $500. APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER, THE LEFT SIDE FAILED AND THE DEALER REPLACED IT AND I HAD TO PAY $100. DURING THE SUMMER THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $120. *TR

NHTSA ID

10368074

Incident

Apr 15, 2010

Mileage

32,000 mi

BROKEN LEAF SPRING, BOTH SIDES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10334932

Incident

Jun 6, 2010

Mileage

103,688 mi

2005 CHEVY TRUCK THE WHEEL BEARING WHEN THEY GO BAD THE WHEEL WILL FALL OFF THE TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10306236

Incident

Feb 5, 2005

Mileage

100,000 mi

LEFT FRONT TIRE FELL OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. WHEEL BEARING FAILED CAUSING TRUCK TO VEER LEFT DRASTICALLY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10273009

Incident

May 24, 2009

Mileage

73,240 mi

ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND FLASHED WHILE DRIVING. IT WENT OFF WHEN VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND SAT FOR SEVERAL HOURS. TWO DAYS LATER, WAS DRIVING AND HEARD A NOISE FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL. TOOK VEHICLE INTO A MECHANIC AND DISCOVERED WHEEL BEARING WAS BAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED ME TO KEEP THE PART DUE TO THE FACT OF THE NUMBER OF CHEVROLETS HE HAS SEEN WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE HAS APPROX. 44,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10262768

Incident

Mar 18, 2009

Mileage

44,000 mi

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

HEARD A NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY AN ABS WARNING INDICATION, DROVE TO NEAREST DEALER. FAILURE OF LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING, REPLACED PART NUMBER 15863441. *TR

NHTSA ID

10241223

Incident

Sep 5, 2008

Mileage

88,675 mi

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE VEHICLE STARTED HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS AT 4,000 MILES. THE BRAKES PULSATED AND SHOOK. THE DEALER ROTATED THE ROTORS AND CUT THEM DOWN TWICE. THE BRAKE PEDAL SHOOK WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER HAD TRIED SEVERAL FIXES, BUT THE BRAKE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE CONTACT HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE HUB SENSOR REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 13,000.*AK

NHTSA ID

10187035

Incident

May 1, 2006

Mileage

4,000 mi

MY 2005 GENERAL MOTORS PRODUCT (PURCHASED NEW) NOW HAS 15,600 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, AND HAS HAD (5) FIVE FRONT END ALIGNMENTS. EACH TIME THE TOE/CAMBER/AND CASTER , HAVE CHANGED. THIS PRODUCT HAD (2) NEW FRONT TIRES REPLACED BY A G M DEALER @ 2,800 MILES IT IS STILL "PULLING TO THE LEFT" AND AS OF TWO DAYS AGO THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT LOCK WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THIS VEHICLE IS ALSO ON IT'S(3) THIRD BATTERY,(3) THIRD RADIO, AND THE SUN ROOF HAS LEAKED WATER INSIDE CAB >DIRECTLY ON MY LEFT HAND ON THE STEERING WHEEL @ 55 MPH. THE WATER IS DRIPPING FROM THE SUNVISOR POST DIRECTLY ABOVE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE FILED MY COMPLAINT WITH THE N H T S A .. ON OCT.28,2005 REFERENCE # 10141129. *JB

NHTSA ID

10174130

Incident

Jan 28, 2005

Mileage

2,800 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE'S FRONT END. THE TIRE WORE DOWN TO THE WEAR BAR, FROM THE CENTER OF THE TIRE TO THE OUTSIDE EDGE. THERE WAS A BAD VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END, MOST NOTICEABLE AT 45 MPH, BUT WAS FELT AT ALL SPEEDS, AND WHENEVER THE VEHICLE ENCOUNTERED IRREGULARITIES IN THE ROAD. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NOT THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA ID

10169530

Incident

Sep 28, 2006

Mileage

5,000 mi

HAVE HAD FEATHERING ON FRONT TIRE EDGES ON 05' CHEVROLET Z-71. TWO ALIGNMENTS AND TWO SETS OF BRIDGESTONE DUELER A/T'S LATER TRUCK STILL HAS A VIBRATION AT 50 MPH. AM STILL WORKING ON THE PROBLEM, DEALER'S SERVICE ADVISOR HAS TOLD ME HIS TECH.'S CAN'T FEEL THE VIBRATION ALTHOUGH WHEN SAID SERVICE ADVISOR ROAD WITH ME ON A TEST DRIVE HE HAD ADMITTED TO FEELING THE VIBRATION. SO... CAN I THROW MY HANDS IN THE AIR ALSO WHILE SENDING MY MONTHLY PAYMENTS ? *NM

NHTSA ID

10160393

Incident

Jun 16, 2006