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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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68,000 miles · Apr 11, 2014
Electrical System

THE IGNITION LOCK HAS NOT WORKED ON THIS VEHICLE FOR CLOSE TO 5 YEARS. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE KEY MAY BE REMOVED AT ANY TIME WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING OR BEING DRIVEN. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10579104

176,000 miles · Feb 24, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemService Brakes

I BOUGHT A 2005 SILVERADO FROM MY MOTHER, AND SHE BOUGHT THE TRUCK OFF OF A USED DEALER LOT PURCHASING FOR 12,500 FOUR YEARS AGO. SINCE THEN THE TRUCK HAS HAD AN AIR BAG SENSOR REPLACED AND IT ONCE AGAIN SHOWING THE AIR BAG NEEDS SERVICED, WHICH CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS TO TRUCK OWNERS IN SITUATIONS OF A CRASH. WAS TOLD THEY GO OUT…

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I BOUGHT A 2005 SILVERADO FROM MY MOTHER, AND SHE BOUGHT THE TRUCK OFF OF A USED DEALER LOT PURCHASING FOR 12,500 FOUR YEARS AGO. SINCE THEN THE TRUCK HAS HAD AN AIR BAG SENSOR REPLACED AND IT ONCE AGAIN SHOWING THE AIR BAG NEEDS SERVICED, WHICH CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS TO TRUCK OWNERS IN SITUATIONS OF A CRASH. WAS TOLD THEY GO OUT COMMONLY. THE TRUCK HAS ALSO HAD AN ABS ISSUE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED ON THE LOT, WE SENT IT BACK TO BE FIXED, AND THE ISSUE WAS NEVER SOLVED, IT HAS BEEN LOOKED AT BY THREE TECHNICIANS. THIS IS ALSO A PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD IF THE ABS CAUSES THE BRAKES TO FAIL. THE TRUCK ALSO HAS NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES, SUCH AS THE GEAR SELECTOR DOES NOT ILLUMINATE, IN WHICH CASE SOMEONE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT GEAR THEY ARE IN AND CAUSE AN INCIDENT, THE HEADLIGHT, TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND MARKER LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS BLOWING BULBS, THE DASH CLUSTER DOESN'T ALWAYS WANT TO ILLUMINATE EITHER, THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH ESPECIALLY AT DARK WHEN YOU CANNOT SEE THE RPM, SPEEDO, OIL PRESS, TEMP, OR ANY OTHER GAGE PRESENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10565716

105,000 miles · Feb 4, 2014
Electrical SystemVisibility

WITH THE HEATER ON HIGH (SETTING 5), THE FAN STOPPED BLOWING HEAT. I THEN SET THE BLOWER TO SETTING 4, AND THE FAN WORKED FINE. AS SOON AS I THEN PUT THE FAN BACK TO 5, I WOULD HEAR A CLICK BUT THE FAN WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. I THEN BEGAN TO FIDDLE AROUND WITH THE CONNECTOR THAT IS UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH WHICH POWERS THE F…

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WITH THE HEATER ON HIGH (SETTING 5), THE FAN STOPPED BLOWING HEAT. I THEN SET THE BLOWER TO SETTING 4, AND THE FAN WORKED FINE. AS SOON AS I THEN PUT THE FAN BACK TO 5, I WOULD HEAR A CLICK BUT THE FAN WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. I THEN BEGAN TO FIDDLE AROUND WITH THE CONNECTOR THAT IS UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH WHICH POWERS THE FAN. IF I MOVE THE ONE WIRE AROUND, THE FAN WOULD INTERMITTENTLY WORK WHILE ON SETTING 5. I UNPLUGGED THIS CONNECTOR FROM THE BLOWER MOTOR, NOTICED THAT THE ONE WIRE SEEMS AS IF IT WAS CAUSING A SHORT (THE WIRE WAS SOMEWHAT BLACK FROM OVER CURRENT). I REMOVED THE PIN FROM THE CONNECTOR, RECRIMPED AND SOLDERED IT. WORKED FINE UNTIL A FEW WEEKS AGO WHEN THE FAN ONCE AGAIN BEGAN TO STOP ONLY ON SETTING 5. I AM ASSUMING THAT THE PROBLEM IS ONCE AGAIN THE CONNECTOR THAT GOES TO THE BLOWER MOTOR POWERING THE FAN RESISTOR. I SAW A FEW REPORTS OF THIS ON HERE ABOUT VEHICLE FIRES ALL OF WHICH POINT TO THIS CONNECTION BEING BAD. SO I THOUGHT I WOULD SUBMIT THIS AS WELL DUE TO THE VAST AMOUNT OF ISSUES I HAVE HAD WITH THIS TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10562846

110,000 miles · Jan 24, 2014
Electrical SystemVisibility

THE HEATER BLOWER WOULD NOT TURN OFF WHICH DRAINED THE BATTERY. NOW BOTH PARTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. ACCORDING TO CHEVROLET, THIS PART WAS A RECALL ITEM IF MADE FROM A CERTAIN MANUFACTURE. APPARENTLY, OUR PART WAS A DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER WHICH IS WHY WE DIDN'T GET THE RECALL NOTICE. SINCE OUR PART FAILED, PERHAPS, IT IS A…

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THE HEATER BLOWER WOULD NOT TURN OFF WHICH DRAINED THE BATTERY. NOW BOTH PARTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. ACCORDING TO CHEVROLET, THIS PART WAS A RECALL ITEM IF MADE FROM A CERTAIN MANUFACTURE. APPARENTLY, OUR PART WAS A DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER WHICH IS WHY WE DIDN'T GET THE RECALL NOTICE. SINCE OUR PART FAILED, PERHAPS, IT IS A DESIGN DEFECT OR THE OTHER MANUFACTURERS WERE DELINQUENT DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS AS WELL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE TO SEE IF WE MAY QUALIFY FOR A RECALL ON THIS PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561368

143,000 miles · Nov 6, 2013
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING SYSTEM FAILED; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO KNOW HOW FAST HE WAS DRIVING AND UNABLE TO SEE OR READ ANY OF THE GAUGES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING SYSTEM FAILED; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO KNOW HOW FAST HE WAS DRIVING AND UNABLE TO SEE OR READ ANY OF THE GAUGES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

NHTSA ODI #10551116

100,000 miles · Oct 17, 2013
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL (SHIFT INDICATOR) STOPPED ILLUMINATING. ALL OTHER ITEMS WORK IN CLUSTER. ITS SO DIM YOU CANT TELL WHICH GEAR YOUR IN. (THERE IS A RECALL BUT WE WERE TOLD WE WERE NOT COVERED). THE ENTIRE CLUSTER MUST BE REPLACED. AND YOU CAN ONLY GET THE PART AT THE DEALER BECAUSE THEY NEED TO THE VIN AND MILEAGE ON THE…

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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL (SHIFT INDICATOR) STOPPED ILLUMINATING. ALL OTHER ITEMS WORK IN CLUSTER. ITS SO DIM YOU CANT TELL WHICH GEAR YOUR IN. (THERE IS A RECALL BUT WE WERE TOLD WE WERE NOT COVERED). THE ENTIRE CLUSTER MUST BE REPLACED. AND YOU CAN ONLY GET THE PART AT THE DEALER BECAUSE THEY NEED TO THE VIN AND MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. 2. ONE OF THE MAIN BRAKE LINES BURST..YESTERDAY 10-16-2013 WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH MY SON. I AM TOLD ALL THE LINES MUST BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL CORRODED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10548239

51,229 miles · May 27, 2013
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER IS ERRATIC, DISPLAYING 40, 50, 80 MPH RUNNING, SITTING STILL IN PARK. THEN WILL PEG TO 130 MPH WHEN DRIVEN. LATER, IT WILL EVENTUALLY CORRECT ITSELF AFTER CRANKING 4, 5, 8 TIMES AND WORK PROPERLY TEMPORARILY. THEN REPEAT. THIS IS A COMMON, KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE GAUGE CLUSTERS AND CHEVROLET DIV. REFUSES TO …

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THE SPEEDOMETER IS ERRATIC, DISPLAYING 40, 50, 80 MPH RUNNING, SITTING STILL IN PARK. THEN WILL PEG TO 130 MPH WHEN DRIVEN. LATER, IT WILL EVENTUALLY CORRECT ITSELF AFTER CRANKING 4, 5, 8 TIMES AND WORK PROPERLY TEMPORARILY. THEN REPEAT. THIS IS A COMMON, KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE GAUGE CLUSTERS AND CHEVROLET DIV. REFUSES TO FIX AT NO COST BECAUSE THE TRUCK IS OUTSIDE THE TIMEFRAME STATED IN "SPECIAL POLICY # 07187", BUT IT MEETS THE MILEAGE AND VIN CRITERIA. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, THE TRUCK DID NOT FAIL DURING THE STATED TIMEFRAME. COST OF THE REPAIR IS $560 AND I BELIEVE CHEVROLET SHOULD FIX IT AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513631

80,000 miles · Apr 11, 2013
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BOTH THE FUEL GAUGE AND SPEED ODOMETER READINGS FLUCTUATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BOTH THE FUEL GAUGE AND SPEED ODOMETER READINGS FLUCTUATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10505931

100,990 miles · Feb 15, 2013
Electrical System

WHILE USING A 12V AIR PUMP PLUGGED INTO THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER OUTLET WITH THE VEHICLE OFF AND NO KEY IN IGNITION, IT SHORTLY STOPPED WORKING. SOON AFTER SMOKE STARTING COMING FROM BEHIND THE DASH TRIM. I QUICKLY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND PULLED OFF THE FRONT TRIM HOUSING THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER TO FIND THE WIRE'S INSULATION MEL…

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WHILE USING A 12V AIR PUMP PLUGGED INTO THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER OUTLET WITH THE VEHICLE OFF AND NO KEY IN IGNITION, IT SHORTLY STOPPED WORKING. SOON AFTER SMOKE STARTING COMING FROM BEHIND THE DASH TRIM. I QUICKLY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND PULLED OFF THE FRONT TRIM HOUSING THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER TO FIND THE WIRE'S INSULATION MELTED. I THEN LOOKED FOR THE FUSE FOR THAT AND FOUND IT TO BE MELTED AS WELL. THE FUSE WAS RATED AT 15A, AND THE CORRECT FUSE RECOMMEND BY GM. AFTER PULLING THE FUSE, I RECONNECTED THE BATTERY AND HAD NO MORE SMOKE. USING A CONTINUITY TESTER, I CHECKED BOTH WIRES FOR, AND CONFIRMED, SHORT TO GROUND ON BOTH. THE ENTIRE LINE OF WIRES GOING BACK TO THE FUSE BOX MAY BE JUST AS MELTED AND THUS STILL SHORTING TO GROUND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10498319

93,000 miles · Jan 14, 2013
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, HE NOTICED IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. HE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT WIRES ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK WERE THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT HAD P…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, HE NOTICED IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. HE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT WIRES ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK WERE THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT HAD PLANS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NHTSA ODI #10492894

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.