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2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 525.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

462 reports with mileage · 63 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 189 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 82 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports34 fire reports10 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

189 reports
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138,000 miles · Aug 3, 2017
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL CAUGHT FIRE AND MELTED. IN ADDITION, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED FUNCTIONING INDEPENDENTLY AND THE RADIO STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL CAUGHT FIRE AND MELTED. IN ADDITION, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED FUNCTIONING INDEPENDENTLY AND THE RADIO STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE OF A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND USED HIS SHIRT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT A SPECIALIST WOULD CALL HER BACK. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

NHTSA ODI #11012699

152,000 miles · Jan 9, 2017
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE HEATER FAN ACTIVATED AND AN ODOR OF BURNT PLASTIC EMERGED FROM THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND THEN RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S HOUSE. IN ADDITION, THE DIGITAL CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM REFLECTED THE ENTIRE TIME AN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE HEATER FAN ACTIVATED AND AN ODOR OF BURNT PLASTIC EMERGED FROM THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND THEN RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S HOUSE. IN ADDITION, THE DIGITAL CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM REFLECTED THE ENTIRE TIME AND THE AREA AROUND THE VENTS BECAME REALLY HOT ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.

NHTSA ODI #10943896

15 miles · Dec 18, 2016
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

I HAD JUST DRIVEN TO THE LOCAL WALMART TO GET SUPPLIES BEFORE THE FREEZING RAIN AND ICE GOT HERE. IT WAS 15:50, ABOUT AN HOUSE BEFORE THE FRIDAY NIGHT AFTER WORK CHRISTMAS RUSH WOULD BE RUSHING HOME. AFTER STARTING MY TRUCK, AND LETTING IT WARM A LITTLE SO THE HEAT FROM DEFROSTER WOULD MELT THE ICE AND CLEAR THE FOG ON THE WINDO…

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I HAD JUST DRIVEN TO THE LOCAL WALMART TO GET SUPPLIES BEFORE THE FREEZING RAIN AND ICE GOT HERE. IT WAS 15:50, ABOUT AN HOUSE BEFORE THE FRIDAY NIGHT AFTER WORK CHRISTMAS RUSH WOULD BE RUSHING HOME. AFTER STARTING MY TRUCK, AND LETTING IT WARM A LITTLE SO THE HEAT FROM DEFROSTER WOULD MELT THE ICE AND CLEAR THE FOG ON THE WINDOWS WHICH ENABLES ME TO DRIVE SAFELY. IT IS ALSO AGAINST STATE LAW TO DRIVE WITH UNCLEAR WINDOWS. WELL, TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, MY 5 SPEED MANUAL SELECT BLOWER SWITCH DOES NOTHING. WHEN I BOUGHT THE TRUCK, I TOLD THEM SPEEDS 4 AND 5 DON'T WORK. I KNOW FROM PAST EXPERIENCE THAT THE RESISTORS CAN GO OUT. THEY WOULD NOT FIX. WELL NOW, ALL ARE OUT. I MANAGED TO GET A LITTLE HOT AIR ON WINDSHIELD BUT DECIDED IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND RETURNED TO GET TRUCK THE NEXT DAY. AFTER GOOGLING "BLOWER MOTOR FAN RELAY SWITCH" I WAS AMAZED AT HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR DECADES. BEFORE I RETIRED, I WORKED FOR AT&T AS A TECHNICIAN. WE DEAL WITH CORRODED WIRES AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT DAMAGED BY WATER ON A DAILY BASIS. AFTER REMOVING THE RESISTER MODULE, IT WAS VERY OBVIOUS IT WAS DAMAGED BY WATER. NOT ONLY THAT, IT WAS DESIGNED TO BE PROTECTED FROM WATER BY HAVING TWO SEALS, ONE FOAM, ONE RUBBER BUILT INTO IT. OF COURSE THESE WERE PROBABLY PLACED INTO THE MODULE BY A MACHINE BECAUSE YOU COULD THEY DIDN'T FIT PROPERLY INTO THE SLOTS THEY WERE DESIGNED TO FIT IT. NOT ONLY THAT, THE WIRES THAT WERE SUPPOSE TO BE SODERED (SP) TO THE RESISTORS MUST HAVE BEEN DONE BY A MACHINE AS WELL, YOU COULD SEE THE TWO COMPONENTS WERE PRESSED TOGETHER BY SOMETHING NOT DONE BY A WORKER, AND NO SODER (SP) WAS VISIBLE. ON TOP OF THAT, AFTER TESTING ONE OF THE RESISTORS, WHICH TESTED GOOD., THE WIRE THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE MAKING CONTACT WITH THE RESISTER WAS TESTING OPEN, MEANING BAD CONNECTION. WHOEVER MADE THIS MODULE FOR GM IS AT FAULT. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10936029

80,000 miles · Nov 2, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior LightingStructure

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 RUSTI…

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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 ODI #10923759

89,800 miles · Aug 31, 2016
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY. GAUGE SITS AT 30MPH WHILE AT STOP AND WHILE DRIVING GOES TO 70+MPH. TURNING THE TRUCK OFF AND ON DOES NOT FIX PROBLEM. CONTACTED CHEVROLET TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS. THERE WAS NO RECALL ALTHOUGH I AM SEEING THAT THERE ARE OTHER CHEVY SILVERADO OWNERS THAT HAVE MADE COMPLAINTS. LOC…

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SPEEDOMETER NOT DISPLAYING CORRECTLY. GAUGE SITS AT 30MPH WHILE AT STOP AND WHILE DRIVING GOES TO 70+MPH. TURNING THE TRUCK OFF AND ON DOES NOT FIX PROBLEM. CONTACTED CHEVROLET TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS. THERE WAS NO RECALL ALTHOUGH I AM SEEING THAT THERE ARE OTHER CHEVY SILVERADO OWNERS THAT HAVE MADE COMPLAINTS. LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER STATES APPROXIMATELY $600.00 TO FIX. HAVE NOT FIXED AS OF TODAY. I FEEL THIS IS A A SAFETY ISSUE THAT GM/CHEVROLET NEEDS TO FIX.

NHTSA ODI #10899779

80,128 miles · Aug 16, 2016
Electrical System

HE HVAC BLOWER AND RESISTER WENT OUT CAUSING A WIRING HARNESS TO MELT- A BURNING PLASTIC SMELL AND SMOKE FILLED THE CABIN. THE WIRING HARNESS MELTED. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WITH OCCUPANTS WHEN THIS OCCURRED.

NHTSA ODI #10896332

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2016
Electrical System

WHETHER VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR AT IDLE, THE "CLIMATE (DUEL) CONTROL ON DRIVER'S SIDE SUDDENLY STOPS BLOWING COLD AIR AND BLOWS PURE HOT AIR. THIS BEYOND THE OPERATOR'S CONTROL. HOWEVER, WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, AIR CONDITIONER STARTS BLOWING COLD AGAIN BUT SOONER OR LATER WILL BEGIN BLOWING HOT. THERE IS…

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WHETHER VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR AT IDLE, THE "CLIMATE (DUEL) CONTROL ON DRIVER'S SIDE SUDDENLY STOPS BLOWING COLD AIR AND BLOWS PURE HOT AIR. THIS BEYOND THE OPERATOR'S CONTROL. HOWEVER, WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, AIR CONDITIONER STARTS BLOWING COLD AGAIN BUT SOONER OR LATER WILL BEGIN BLOWING HOT. THERE IS NOTHING THAT THE OPERATOR DOES TO CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN, BUT IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND EMBARRASSING WHEN IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING. BY THE WAY I HAD A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO THAT DONE THE SAME THING. THIS IS HAPPENS ANY TIME THE CONTROL IS SET TO COOL.

NHTSA ODI #10892558

81,000 miles · May 16, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO READ THE GEAR POSITIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. ....UPDATED 08/29/16 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10865149

45,000 miles · Feb 18, 2016
Electrical SystemPower Train

INTERMITTENT LOSS OF 1ST GEAR/TRUCK STARTS IN 2 OR 3RD GEAR/INTERMITTENT TROUBLE CODES P0758 AND P0740 THEN CODES CLEAR/EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN MOVING INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOP/ DON'T KNOW WHEN TRUCK WILL STALL OR FAIL TO PICK UP SPEED/TRANSMISSION SHOPS SAY CAN'T HELP UNTIL CODES ARE SET/EMAILED CHEVROLET REGARDING PROBLEM/ VEH…

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INTERMITTENT LOSS OF 1ST GEAR/TRUCK STARTS IN 2 OR 3RD GEAR/INTERMITTENT TROUBLE CODES P0758 AND P0740 THEN CODES CLEAR/EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN MOVING INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOP/ DON'T KNOW WHEN TRUCK WILL STALL OR FAIL TO PICK UP SPEED/TRANSMISSION SHOPS SAY CAN'T HELP UNTIL CODES ARE SET/EMAILED CHEVROLET REGARDING PROBLEM/ VEHICLE HAS 45000 MILES AND IS NOT DUE FOR SERVICE ON THE TRANSMISSION UNTIL 50000 MILES/TRUCKS TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT START FAILING AT ONLY 45000 MILES/ CHEVY'S RESPONSE IS VEHICLE PAST WARRANTY PERIOD NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS

NHTSA ODI #10836973

68,879 miles · Apr 23, 2015
Electrical System

NOTICED UPPER BRAKE LIGHT ON WHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. TRUCK WOULDN'T START. TRUCK WOULDN'T ACCEPT AN EXTENDED JUMP. TRUCK TOWED.MECHANIC FOUND THE UNDER DASH FUSE BOX MELTED IN TWO DIFFERENT PLACES. TRUCK NEEDED NEW FUSE BOX. PLUGS AND INTERIOR WIRING HARNESS. NO MODIFICATIONS TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD BEEN MADE TO THIS…

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NOTICED UPPER BRAKE LIGHT ON WHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. TRUCK WOULDN'T START. TRUCK WOULDN'T ACCEPT AN EXTENDED JUMP. TRUCK TOWED.MECHANIC FOUND THE UNDER DASH FUSE BOX MELTED IN TWO DIFFERENT PLACES. TRUCK NEEDED NEW FUSE BOX. PLUGS AND INTERIOR WIRING HARNESS. NO MODIFICATIONS TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD BEEN MADE TO THIS VEHICLE. PARTS HAVE BEEN SAVED. $1,745.00 TO FIX. I SEE MANY REPORTS OF ELECTRICAL FIRES IN GM, CHEVY PRODUCTS ON THE WEB WITH NO APPARENT ACTION TO FORCE A FIX. VEHICLES ARE BEING DESTROYED, SEVERELY DAMAGED, PEOPLE AND PROPERTY ENDANGERED BECAUSE THEY ARE APPARENTLY USING CHEAP, INFERIOR GRADE PRODUCTS. PEOPLE WOULD NOT MIND PAYING A FEW DOLLARS MORE TO ENSURE THEY WON'T DIE IN A FIRE OR HAVE THEIR HOUSE BURN DOWN. I'M NOT A FAN OF GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS BUT IF THESE COMPANY'S WON'T VOLUNTARILY DO THE RIGHT THING PERHAPS THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO MANDATE SPECIFIC GAUGE WIRING AND CONTACTS. THANKS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712446

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.