RoadVitals

2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical 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.
98
Latest Jan 6, 2026
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.
36%
of 269 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.
12
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 98 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 electrical

The 25 most recent of 98, in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Jan 6, 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 122,000. After obtaining a Carfax report, it was discovered that the mileage was 202,000.

NHTSA ID
11709100
Incident
Dec 27, 2025
Mileage
202,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 7, 2018
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN TOWN ON A CITY STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, WITH THE AC ON AND THE BLOWER IN THE HIGH POSITION, THE BLOWER STARTED TURNING OFF INTERMITTENTLY. A SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC WAS NOTED AND THE BLOWER COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE COMPRESSOR FOR THE AC CONTINUED TO CYCLE ON AND OFF. THE OTHER LOWER SETTINGS FOR THE BLOWER DID NOT WORK EITHER. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE PLUG THAT GOES TO THE RESISTOR PACK NEXT TO THE BLOWER HAD A BADLY-BURNED CONTACT FOR THE GROUND WIRE GOING TO THE BLOWER. THE PLASTIC AROUND THE PLUG WAS MELTED AND BURNED AND THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WAS MELTED OFF. A SERIOUS FIRE COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY STARTED UNDER THE DASH DUE TO THE INTENSE HEAT AND ARCING OF THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS PUTTING ME AND MY FAMILY IN DANGER. DOING RESEARCH ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO TRUCKS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS, BUT I DO NOT FIND ONE.

NHTSA ID
11109970
Incident
Jul 6, 2018
Mileage
182,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Apr 23, 2018

DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER TURNS ON BY ITSELF. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE THE DRIVER IS DISTRACTED WHILE DRIVING AND MUST LOOK DOWN TO FIND THE OFF SWITCH. OFTEN, THE SEAT HEAT COMES BACK ON AGAIN ALMOST RIGHT AWAY.. THIS SITUATION SEEMED TO OCCUR IN APPROX 2003 TO 2007 MODELS. INTERNET FORUMS SHOW THAT GM HAS SERVICE BULLETINS THAT INSTRUCT TECHNICIANS TO DO A 'FIRMWARE FIX". THE ONLY WAY FOR ME TO STOP THIS CONDITION WAS TO LOCATE AND DISCONNECT A SMALL GREEN CONNECTOR UNDER THE SEAT THAT DISABLES THE SEAT HEATER. CHANGING THE CONTROL MODULE DIDN'T REMEDY THE SITUATION. IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AND IS INTERMITTENT. SEEMS LIKE GM HAS REMEDIED THE SITUATION IN NEWER MODELS. SEEMS TO ME THEY SHOULD BE RECALLING OLDER MODELS TO INCORPORATE SOME SORT OF "FIX". THE DISTRACTION OF LOCATING AND TURNING OFF THE HEATER IS AS BAD AS "DRIVING WHILE TEXTING". I ALWAYS HAVE TO PULL OVER TO GET IT SHUT OFF. OFTEN, WHEN I RESUME DRIVING, THE HEATER WILL COME BACK ON. EVENTUALLY IT STOPS TURNING ITSELF ON.

NHTSA ID
11089772
Incident
Apr 22, 2018
Mileage
189,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 5, 2018

HEATER CONTROLL MODULE FAILURE WIRES HEAT UP AND MELT THE SHEILDING AND THE CONNECTOR ENDS.

NHTSA ID
11067090
Incident
May 15, 2012
Mileage
160,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 8, 2017

THE SPEEDOMETER IS VERY ERRATIC SOMETIMES SHOWING A FASTER SPEED THAN TRAVELED SOMETIMES A SLOWER SPEED OR NO SPEED AT ALL THE ODOMETER HAS SINCE QUIT WORKING AND DISPLAYS ODOMETER ERROR WHERE THE MILEAGE SHOULD READ. AND NOW THE ENGINE WATER TEMP GAUGE IS DEAD POINTING STRAIGHT DOWN WHERE THERE ARE NO NUMBERS AND NEVER MOVES. DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW SAYS THEY HAVE REPAIRED QUITE A FEW OF THESE AND WILL COST AROUND $350. TO SEND IT OUT TO BE REPAIRED BY A QUALIFIED REPAIR PLACE. I THINK G M SHOULD STAND BEHIND SUCH A PROBLEM AND RECALL THESE TRUCKS TO FIX THEM.

NHTSA ID
10950255
Incident
Jan 1, 2016
Mileage
82,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 19, 2015

THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE HEATER BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR MELTED AND THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW CAUSES SMOKE AND YOU LOOSE THE HEATER FUNCTION. NOT SURE IF IT COULD GET HOT ENGOUGH TO START A FIRE.

NHTSA ID
10765312
Incident
Sep 19, 2015
Mileage
230,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Apr 13, 2015

I PURCHASED MY 2005 CHEVROLET 2500HD DURAMAX IN MAY OF 2015. A WEEK LATER I WAS PULLED OVER FOR SPEEDING 10 OVER. MY TRUCK SHOWED I WAS DRIVING 55 MPH. I NOW HAVE A SPEEDING TICKET $114. I CONTACTED GM ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THEY SAID MY VIN# WAS NOT QUALIFIED FOR THE RECALL AND I WOULD BE PAYING OUT OF POCKET ($535 INCLUDING LABOR). THE PART ALONE IS $350. NOW AT THE END OF THE DAY I WILL OWE $649 BECAUSE OF GM'S MISTAKE. I LOVE GM'S PRODUCTS, HOWEVER THEY DO NOT STAND UP TO THERE MISTAKES WHICH WILL MAKE ME THINK AGAIN BEFORE BUYING ONE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10705440
Incident
Mar 10, 2015
Mileage
190,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 13, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS PULLED OVER FOR SPEEDING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAUGE REGISTERED AT 55; HOWEVER, THE POLICE STATED THAT HE WAS CLOCKED AT 65 MPH. THE CONTACT THEN USED THE GPS TO TRACK THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS OFF BY 10 MPH. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

NHTSA ID
10705439
Incident
Mar 10, 2015
Mileage
190,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 15, 2014
Fire reported

THE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. DRIVEN 20 MINUTES PRIOR FOR 10 MILES. ERUPTED INTO FLA MESSAGE UNDER HOOD. FIRE POLICE UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE TO BADLY DAMAGED. TOTAL LOSS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10664292
Incident
Dec 8, 2014
Mileage
149,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 15, 2014

I NOTICED THIS PAST WEEKEND THAT MY SPEEDOMETER STARTED TO MALFUNCTION....ALONG WITH THE OIL GAUGE, & BATTERY GAUGE. THEY ALL WERE PEGGED OUT & NOT READING CORRECTLY. THE TACHOMETER SEEMS TO WORK STILL, BUT IT IS HESITANT AT TIMES TOO. THE SPEEDOMETER HAD A ISSUE A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, BUT IT SEEMED TO DISAPPEAR UNTIL THIS PAST WEEKEND. I WOULD THINK THERE WOULD BE SOME TYPE OF RECALL ON THIS AFTER READING ALL THE ISSUES PEOPLE HAVE HAD IN THE PAST. YES, THIS TRUCK IS 8 YEARS OLD, BUT WHEN I BOUGHT IT ONLY HAD 22,000 MILES. I HAVE ONLY HAD IT ABOUT 10 MONTHS & ONLY PUT 9,500 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10588517
Incident
May 10, 2014
Mileage
31,500 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 24, 2014

STEP MOTOR ON SPEEDOMETER READING 20 MPH HIGH. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. CHEVROLET IS AWARE BUT ONLY COVERS VEHICLES WITH LESS THAN 80000 MILES VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10574580
Incident
Jan 1, 2013
Mileage
60,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 13, 2013

THIS MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER FAILED. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND CHEVY WILL MORE LIKELY TO REFUSE TO PAY FIX IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10555917
Incident
Dec 13, 2013
Mileage
92,500 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Oct 8, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500HD. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT THE STEERING COLUMN BEGAN TO RATTLE. IN ADDITION, THE ODOMETER FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS REPLACED. THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT WAS PLACED ON ORDER. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED WHEN THE PART BECOMES AVAILABLE. IN 2006, THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE RECENTLY RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.

NHTSA ID
10547179
Incident
Jul 5, 2007
Mileage
8,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Sep 17, 2013

2005 CHEVY SILVERADO 2500 HD DURAMAX, SPEEDOMETER STUCK ON 23 MPH. KNOWN ISSUE WITH FAULTY PART, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STEPPER MOTOR. GM WILL NOT COVER REPLACEMENT. FAULTY PARTS USED FROM 2003-2007. CLASS ACTION SUIT ONLY COVERED CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS AND NO RECALL WAS DONE. SAFETY ISSUE/CONCERN. WAS INFORMED BY DEALERSHIP THAT IF WE HAD BROUGHT IT IN 8 MONTHS EARLIER IT WOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AT NO COST. NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL... *TR

NHTSA ID
10544072
Incident
Sep 15, 2013
Mileage
99,200 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Jul 8, 2013

SINCE HAVING THE HEATER / AC FAN SPEED CONTROL MODULE REPLACED UNDER A RECALL LAST FALL, THIS SUMMER I HAVE HAD SEVERAL SITUATIONS WHERE THE A/C UNIT WILL TURN TO HEAT OR, THE A/C WILL GO TO DEFROST, DEFROST / FEET, WITHOUT MOVING THE SELECTOR CONTROLS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10523699
Incident
Jul 3, 2013
Mileage
60,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 10, 2013

THIS VEHICLE IS A DURAMAX 2500 (DIESEL), THE FIRST THING THAT HAPPENED WAS THE ENGINE HOURS RESET ITSELF TO ZERO THE DEALER SAID IT NEEDED A NEW INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THEN THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR QUIT WORKING SO YOU HAVE TO COUNT EACH TIME YOU MOVE IT TO KNOW WHAT GEAR YOU ARE IN I FEEL THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THANK YOU . *TR

NHTSA ID
10516116
Incident
Oct 10, 2012
Mileage
110,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 20, 2013

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS DEFECTIVE. I CONTACTED GM WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED AND THEY SAID THEY KNEW THEY HAD A PROBLEM AND WOULD NOTIFY ME WHEN THEY HAD A RECALL. BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A RECALL OR THEM REPLACING THE PARTS. WHEN I STARTED CHECKING THEY SAID THAT I HAD MISSED THE RECALL. NOW THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE IT PUT ON A COMPUTER AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT BUT GM WILL NOT FIX MY TRUCK.. THE DEALER SAID THAT IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $350.00 TO REPAIR IT. GM HAS OFFERED ME A $2000.00 DISCOUNT ON A NEW TRUCK, BUT WHY WOULD I WANT TO PURCHASE SOMETHING THAT THE MANUFACTURE WILL NOT STAND BEHIND. *TR

NHTSA ID
10499464
Incident
Jan 5, 2009
Mileage
40,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 23, 2013

THE SPEEDOMETER GIVES FALSE READINGS. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN TRAVELING AT APPROX. 30MPH, IT WILL READ 95MPH. AT OTHER TIMES, IT WILL "BOTTOM OUT" GOING PAST 120MPH, WHEN ACTUAL SPEED IS NOWHERE NEAR THAT. WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT, OR EVEN WITH ENGINE TURNED OFF, IT WILL NOT RETURN TO THE ZERO MARK. ALL OTHER GAUGES IN THE CLUSTER APPEAR TO PERFORM NORMALLY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10494466
Incident
Jan 2, 2012
Mileage
63,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 21, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE SPEEDOMETER WAS REGISTERING AN INACCURATE READING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND AUTHORIZED DEALER WHOM BOTH STATED THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. CURRENTLY THE SPEEDOMETER WAS INOPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE SERVICE WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. UPDATED 9/25/12 *CN THE DEALER AGREED TO PAY FOR THE LABOR, IF THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE PARTS. UPDATED 10/04/12

NHTSA ID
10471764
Incident
Jul 5, 2011
Mileage
58,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 7, 2012

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY SPEEDOMETER IS PINNED AT 120MPH. MY TRUCK SITS IN THE DRIVE WAY AND IT SAYS I AM DOING 120MPH ALONG WITH MY TACH IS STUCK ON 5. *TR

NHTSA ID
10464538
Incident
Jan 20, 2011
Mileage
59,500 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 15, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED AN ERRONEOUS READING OF 10 MPH. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING AT THE SAME SPEED AND THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN TO DISPLAY A READING OF 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA ID
10440020
Incident
Nov 5, 2011
Mileage
91,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 13, 2011

THE SPEEDOMETER IS STUCK AT 49 MPH AND WILL NOT MOVE UP OR DOWN. G.M. HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SPEEDOMETERS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS IN THE MID 2000'S AND HAS REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER PANELS ON MANY VEHICLES UNDER WARRANTY. THE CUT-OFF IS MILEAGE AND NOT THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE. 85,000 IS THE CUT-OFF AND MY 2005 SILVERADO 2500 IS AT 37,076 DECEMBER 13, 2011. THIS IS A SECOND VEHICLE AND MY WIFE HAS A 2005 ESCALADE THAT HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE LOCAL CADILLAC DEALER REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY SINCE IT WAS BELOW THE THRESHOLD OF 85,000 MILES AT THE TIME. I TALKED TO CHRIS AT G.M. AT (866) 790-5700 X 40683 AND SHE GAVE ME A TRACKING NUMBER OF 71-1011262550. CHRIS CALLED ME BACK AFTER CONTACT WITH THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP (CHAMPION CHEVROLET) AND SAID THAT SHE WOULD NOT WARRANTY THE SPEEDOMETER. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THAT HE WOULD REPLACE THE CLUSTER BUT THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $175.00 LABOR TO INSTALL IT. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW IN 2005 AND WOULD HAVE BOUGHT SOMETHING ELSE IF I HAD KNOWN OF THE DEFECTS IN THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE A THIRD C.D. RADIO WHICH I PAID FOR THE LABOR TO INSTALL WHICH I FEEL IS THE MANUFACTURERS PROBLEM ALSO. I AM UNABLE TO TELL HOW FAST I AM GOING WITH THIS SPEEDOMETER.[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10439792
Incident
Dec 2, 2011
Mileage
37,076 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 1, 2011

SPEEDOMETER FAILURE AND RPM INDICATOR FAILURE ON CLUSTER PANEL. CAUSE X25.168 STEPPER MOTORS ARE FAILING. FOR 2005 MODEL YEAR THE RECALL ONLY COVERED VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN 2004 UP TO JAN 2005. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN MARCH 2005. CLEARLY THE SAME DEFECTIVE CLUSTER ASSEMBLY WAS STILL BEING USED IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JULY 2005. GM RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED AS THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE BEYOND THE CURRENT RECALL PARAMETERS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10438000
Incident
Nov 2, 2011
Mileage
44,235 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 17, 2011
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED SOMETHING BURNING FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN APART AND THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THERE WAS BURNED AND MELTED WIRES. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE BLOWER MOTOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED A FEW MONTHS LATER. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM OF WHICH COMPONENTS THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION A MANUFACTURER'S SILENT RECALL AND THE CONTACT WAS OFFERED A PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10436199
Incident
Apr 1, 2008
Mileage
50,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed Oct 28, 2011

SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER AND FUEL GAGE SHOW FAULTY INDICATIONS, OFTEN NOT SHOWING ANYTHING AT ALL. *TT

NHTSA ID
10433502
Incident
Jul 1, 2011
Mileage
22,800 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 .