2005 GMC Sierra 3500 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 GMC Sierra 3500, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes1037.0%
- Steering518.5%
- Electrical311.1%
- Engine311.1%
- Tires & wheels27.4%
- Visibility13.7%
- Fuel system13.7%
- Other / unspecified13.7%
- Suspension13.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2005 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to come to a stop while the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the brake pedal felt loose. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to bring the vehicle to a complete stop and the contact became aware of a brake fluid leak coming from under the hood, and that both front and rear brake lines were rusted. An appointment with the dealer was scheduled to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA 3500. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. ...UPDATED 11/15/17 *BF *TR
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD THE LOWER STEERING ARM REPLACED THREE TIMES DUE TO A BAD BUSHING. ONCE UNDER WARRANTY & TWICE I HAD TO PAY FOR IT WHICH IS OVER $300.00 EACH TIME. THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVROLET & GMC TRUCKS. THIS IS ONLY NOTICEABLE WHILE IN MOTION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA 3500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE SPEEDOMETER BECAME INOPERABLE AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,250.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA 3500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE SPEEDOMETER BECAME INOPERABLE AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,250.
PARTS OF THE CLUSTER, TACHOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, OIL PRESSURE, AMP GAUGE HAVE FAILED ONE AFTER THE OTHER. ALTHOUGH 04 MODEL WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL, THE SAME EXACT CLUSTER WAS USED IN THE 05 GMC AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE AND NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SEVERAL GMC OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE. *KB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BREAK OFF ON 2 DIFFERENT GM 1 TON TRUCKS. BAD/ FAILED VEHICLE EMISSIONS AND A HUGE REPAIR BILL FOR BOTH TRUCKS. 85,000 MILES ON BOTH VEHICLES.
GMC 3500 CREW CAB DUALLY WITH THE 6.6 DURAMAX DIESEL AND ALLISON AUTOMATIC CAN TO PERFORM ITS DESIGNED JOB WITH OUT OVER HEATING. TRUCK IS RATED FOR 23,500 GCWR AND A 16000 TOWING CAPACITY. HOWEVER IT STRUGGLES TO PULL 7000 POUNDS AND ENGINE TEMPERATURE GOT OVER 230, AND TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE OVER 210. THE COOLING FAN STRUGGLES TO CONTROL THE HEAT AND RUNS CONSTANTLY, THE NOISE IS UNBEARABLE. IF ONE WERE TO ATTEMPT TO PULL MY RV UP A MOUNTAIN GRADE IN THE SUMMER I WOULD BE LEFT STRANDED ON THE ROAD OR IN TRAFFIC. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
GOING SOUTH ON I77, CRUISE SET ON 70 MPH, NOTICED SLIGHT VIBRATION AND CONTINUED ABOUT 4 MILES WHEN THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. TAPED THE BRAKE, GOT OFF ON BURM ASAP AND TURNED ON HAZARD LIGHTS. HAD TO CONTINUE FOR ANOTHER MILE OR SO I COULD CLEAR THE INTERSTATE. HAD TO HAVE ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE TO CHANGE THE TIRE. MICHELIN REFUSED TO WARRANTY THIS TIRE AND IT HAD ONLY BEEN ON MY TRUCK FOR 4 MONTHS. THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS A 2009 MODEL TIRE. *TR
TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2005 GMC SIERRA. THE PASSENGER'S FRONT TIRE WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT 6000 MILES BECAUSE THERE WAS NO TREAD LEFT ON THE TIRE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE HAD WORN UNEVENLY, AND THE PASSENGER'S FRONT TIRE WAS STARTING TO WEAR OUT AS WELL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE IS 9,691. THE DEALER STATED THE REASON FOR THE PREMATURE WEAR WAS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ALIGNED ACCORDING TO GMC SPECS. GMC OFFERED TO GIVE THE CONTACT $500 TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF NEW TIRES, BUT THE CONTACT REFUSED THE OFFER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,691.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATER AND DEFROST FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES, THE HEATER WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED FIVE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WASNT CORRECTED. THE DEALERSHIP WASN'T ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE EXACT LOCATION OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WASN'T REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING 75MPH IN HEAVY HIGHWAY TRAFFIC THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRUCK LOST POWER AND SLOWED TO 40 MPH IN ABOUT 200 YARDS. WE ALMOST GOT HIT BY ALL THE TRAFFIC BEHIND AND AROUND US AS THIS HAPPEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING. WE GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE HWY AND I HAVE A SCANNER AND FOUND 2 CODES P0207 AND P2146. I GOT OUT AND CHECKED THE WIRING TO THE #7 INJECTOR AND DID NOT FIND ANYTHING. PLUGGED IT BACK IN CLEARED CODES ,ENGINE RAN FINE SO START DOWN THE ROAD AGAIN. AFTER 5 MILES IT DID IT AGAIN. IT TOOK ME 5 HOURS TO GO 90 MILES TO GET TO THE NEXT CITY. AT THE HOTEL I FOUND THAT GM HAS A TECH BULLETIN FOR THESE FAULTS AND IT WAS PUBLISHED IN 2008 AT LEAST. SO I WENT TO A DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD CHARGE ME FOR THIS REPAIR. I WANT TO KNOW WHY GM DID NOT NOTIFY ME OF THIS KNOWN DEFECT IN 2008 SO I COULD HAVE THE TRUCK REPAIRED IN 2008? THIS DEFECT CAUSES THE TRUCK TO LOOSE SO MUCH POWER THAT IT WILL SLOW IN TRAFFIC WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. WHY WOULD THIS NOT BE A RECALL THAT GM SHOULD PAY FOR ? GM TB NUMBER IS 05-06-04-047C WHICH TELLS YOU WHAT HAPPENS TO THE TRUCK WHEN THIS DEFECT HAPPENS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
GMC 3500 CREW CAB DUALLY WITH THE 6.6 DURAMAX DIESEL AND ALLISON AUTOMATIC CAN TO PERFORM ITS DESIGNED JOB WITH OUT OVER HEATING. TRUCK IS RATED FOR 23,500 GCWR AND A 16000 TOWING CAPACITY. HOWEVER IT STRUGGLES TO PULL 7000 POUNDS AND ENGINE TEMPERATURE GOT OVER 230, AND TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE OVER 210. THE COOLING FAN STRUGGLES TO CONTROL THE HEAT AND RUNS CONSTANTLY, THE NOISE IS UNBEARABLE. IF ONE WERE TO ATTEMPT TO PULL MY RV UP A MOUNTAIN GRADE IN THE SUMMER I WOULD BE LEFT STRANDED ON THE ROAD OR IN TRAFFIC. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. I WAS TOLD THAT MY RIGHT FRONT HUB & BEARING ASSEMBLY HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY. I NOW HAVE 69,587 MILES, AT 32,000 MILES THE SAME PROBLEM AROSE WITH THE LEFT FRONT HUB & BEARING ASSEMBLY WHICH WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY UNDER GM'S 36,000 MILE 3 YEARS WARRANTY. THIS DEFECTIVE HUB & BEARING ASSEMBLY JUST COST ME $553.81. THIS PART CANNOT BE LUBRICATED OR ADJUSTED. I HAD SOME SWAY WHEN TOWING MY TRAVEL TRAILER AND THOUGHT IT WAS THE ROADWAY, BUT NOW I KNOW IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED NEXT? THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY FALLING OFF? OR CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER 45 YEARS AND NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM. TWO FRONT HUBS WEARING OUT IN SUCH A SHORT TIME. IF THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT NEEDED LUBRICATION OR ADJUSTMENTS I COULD UNDERSTAND. BUT NOTHING AN OWNER CAN DO. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ITEM THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. BY THE WAY I STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL BRAKES AT 69,000 MILES BUT HAD TWO HUB BEARING ASSEMBLES GO BAD!! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .