RoadVitals

2005 GMC Sierra

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.
117
Latest Dec 6, 2015
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.
11
Latest May 11, 2009
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.
5
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 117 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 GMC Sierra, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and engine categories. 11 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 365 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

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

11 campaigns cover this model year

View all 11

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
09E025000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

May 11, 2009
42,540 units potentially affected
The defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
DOPE, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
07E066000

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

Aug 28, 2007
175 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
The risk: IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.
The remedy: ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
CEQUENT ELECTRICAL PRODUCTSView on NHTSA.gov
06V417000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Oct 31, 2006
794 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.
The risk: IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.
The remedy: BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 06102View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 117
Brakes
Filed Dec 6, 2015

ON 11-30-2015 I LOST THE BRAKE SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. UPON INSPECTION I FOUND A RUPTURED BRAKE LINE FROM THE PRIMARY SIDE OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE BRAKE LINE HAD FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. INSPECTING OTHER BRAKE LINES, I FOUND OTHERS THAT HAD CORROSION WHERE PLASTIC CLIPS WERE USED TO LOCATE LINES. I HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK SINCE NEW AND HAVE CARED FOR IT METICULOUSLY. THE TRUCK HAS 66,00 MILES ON IT. I HAVE NEVER OWNED ANY VEHICLE THAT HAD IT BRAKE LINES RUST THROUGH LIKE THIS. A MAJOR CATASTROPHE TO ME AND MY FAMILY WAS AVERTED BY PULLING OVER AT THE FIRST SIGN OF FAILURE. GM SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR EVERY VEHICLE IT MANUFACTURED WITH POOR QUALITY MATERIALS THAT CAN CAUSE FAILURE TO THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF AN AUTOMOBILE, THE BRAKES. AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE ATTACHED PHOTOS, THIS TRUCK IS NOT RUSTED ANYWHERE ELSE.

NHTSA ID
10808664
Incident
Nov 30, 2015
Mileage
66,376 mi
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 15, 2015

ISSUES WITH EMISSIONS SWITCH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. ALSO 3 AND 4TH GEAR ARE COMPLETELY GONE OUT. I DO NOT TOW OR HAVE HAD ANYTHING EVEN REMOTELY HEAVY IN THIS TRUCK. IT'S A 2005 GMC SIERRA WITH ONLY 78,480 MILES ON IT. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING ISSUES WITH THIS 4 SPEED TRANSMISSION. IT IS NOT HEAVY DUTY ENOUGH FOR THIS SIZE TRUCK. GM NEEDS TO RECALL ALL OF THESE TRANSMISSIONS. WHEN IT FIRST STARTED SLIPPING I LOST ALL POWER GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 55MPH. THE VEHICLE THAT WAS BEHIND ME SLAMMED ON HIS BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ME. THIS PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO KILL SOMEONE.

NHTSA ID
10782566
Incident
Oct 2, 2015
Mileage
78,480 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 23, 2015

VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. BRAKE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD. NOT ABLE TO PUMP UP ANY PRESSURE. INVESTIGATION SHOWED BRAKE FLUID COMING FROM PERFORATED BRAKE LINE AT LEFT FRONT WHEEL. NO BRAKING ACTION AVAILABLE! APPEARS TO BE SOME TYPE OF CORROSIVE REACTION BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AND THE CLAMPS USED TO FASTEN THE LINE TO THE CHASSIS. NOTE: THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN OPERATED IN SNOW OR ROAD SALT TO MY KNOWLEDGE.

NHTSA ID
10773876
Incident
Sep 22, 2015
Mileage
60,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 14, 2015

BRAKE FAILURE DO TO RUSTED OUT LINES.A ONGOING PROBLEM THAT GM WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE POOR QUALITY OF THESE LINES PUTTING PEOPLE'S LIVES AT RISK.

NHTSA ID
10763441
Incident
Sep 1, 2015
Mileage
101,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 12, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY INCREASED IN SPEED TO APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DISPLAY PANEL READ "REDUCED POWER MODE" AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY WIRE HARNESS, THE THROTTLE ACCELERATOR CONTROL MODULE, AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY WERE REPAIRED. THE REPAIR FAILED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 270,000.

NHTSA ID
10748147
Incident
Feb 6, 2014
Mileage
270,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 9, 2015

WITHOUT ANY WARNING, MY BRAKE LINES FAILED AND I COULD NOT STOP MY TRUCK. I LIVE IN THE NORTHEAST AND IT WOULD SEEM REASONABLE FOR BRAKE LINES TO RUST OUT. HOWEVER, MY TRUCK IS ONLY 10 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS KEEPING IT WASHED, INCLUDING THE UNDERCARRIAGE. I HAVE NEVER HAD A BRAKE LINE FAIL ON ANOTHER CAR AND I HAVE DRIVEN SOME REALLY OLD VEHICLES. I HAVE ALSO NEVER HEARD OF ANYONE I KNOW HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLES. THIS IS BECAUSE IT IS A SPECIFIC PROBLEM WITH GMC SIERRA AND CHEVY SILVERADO.

NHTSA ID
10732899
Incident
Jul 9, 2015
Mileage
115,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 21, 2015

A VEHICLE APPROACHING FROM MY LEFT SIDE WAS SPEEDING AND RAN THE STOP LIGHT IN FRONT OF ME AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES TO AVOID THE COLLISION AND MY BRAKES WET TO THE FLOOR. I MISSED HITTING THE CAR BY ABOUT 1 FOOT. AT AN INSPECTION AT A DEALERSHIP IT APPEARS THE BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED THROUGH UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE TRUCK. APPARENTLY FORM ROAD SALT CORROSION,

NHTSA ID
10717589
Incident
May 16, 2015
Mileage
30,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 30, 2015

2005 GMC SIERRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. *SMD

NHTSA ID
10702611
Incident
Mar 2, 2015
Mileage
76,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

06-03-09-004H

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY

This technical bulletin provides a procedure to lube the rear leaf springs on vehicles with the condition of a squeak noise originating from the rear of the vehicle.

PIT3227M

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. Please communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle.

PIT3665E

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its own at a full turn.

PIC5953A

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have an issue when using Bluetooth voice recognition with an iPhone. Technician should work with the customer to insure the phone contacts to not have any Emojis loaded to any contact.

03-08-46-004R

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

This informational bulletin provides information on Part Restriction and Ordering Process Information for OnStar Vehicle Communication Interface Modules (VCIM) (GMNA Only)

06-06-01-010C

ENGINE

This informational bulletin provides information on close coupled converters and there affect on newly installed engines or engines during there break in period.

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

GMC Sierra by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2017610037.8
2016620—
2015536050.3
201410112053.9
2013393051.4
2012292051.1
2011432042.2
2010341045.6
2009371041.7
2008682250.8
2007592050.2
2006536052.7
2005Viewing11711048.1
200418810051.8
20032069558.4
20022497865.4
20012647966.2
200044312965.4
199960091065.3
19981900246.8
19972380034.6
19962462358.9
19952616360.6
19941903048.9
1993723051.6
1992304052.6
1991122039.9
1990182051.4
1989162154.7
1988621—
1987100—
1983200—
1982100—
1979001—
1977200—
1976200—

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.