Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
570–25K
10225–50K
12850–75K
8375–100K
61100–150K
31150K+
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
What owners actually said
525 reports
107,000 miles · Jun 22, 2015
Air BagsSteeringCrashInjury
VEHICLE WAS SOLD WHICH WAS BELIEVED TO BE AN ILLEGAL CALIFORNIA SAFETY INSPECTIONS HAD FOR THREE MONTHS DRIVESHAFT FLEW OFF OF VEHICLE A WEEK AFTER PURCHASING DEALER SHIP FIX BUT BUT A DRIVESHAFT THAT WAS TO SHORT FOR THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS THE REASON FOR THE INCIDENT SECOND INCIDENT CAUSE COLLISION INTO BRICK WALL BECAUSE VEHICL…
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VEHICLE WAS SOLD WHICH WAS BELIEVED TO BE AN ILLEGAL CALIFORNIA SAFETY INSPECTIONS HAD FOR THREE MONTHS DRIVESHAFT FLEW OFF OF VEHICLE A WEEK AFTER PURCHASING DEALER SHIP FIX BUT BUT A DRIVESHAFT THAT WAS TO SHORT FOR THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS THE REASON FOR THE INCIDENT SECOND INCIDENT CAUSE COLLISION INTO BRICK WALL BECAUSE VEHICLE LOST STEERING BELIEVED TO BE CAUSE BY SAFETY ISSUES DEALERSHIP RETIRED TO PASS OFF AS AN "AS IS " VEHICLE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY
NHTSA ODI #10726474
72,000 miles · Jun 7, 2015
Service Brakes
IT WAS EARLY IN THE MORNING , MY BROTHER AND I WERE BACKING UP THE TRUCK TO ATTACH THE BOAT FOR TOWING. HE WAS BACKING UP MY TRUCK WHILE I GUIDED HIM BACK TOWARDS THE HITCH OF THE BOAT. WE GOT THE BOAT HITCH ATTACHED TO THE TRUCK AND I ASKED HIM IF HE WANTED TO DRIVE . THANK GOD HE REFUSED TO DRIVE, ONCE I GOT IN THE TRUCK …
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IT WAS EARLY IN THE MORNING , MY BROTHER AND I WERE BACKING UP THE TRUCK TO ATTACH THE BOAT FOR TOWING. HE WAS BACKING UP MY TRUCK WHILE I GUIDED HIM BACK TOWARDS THE HITCH OF THE BOAT. WE GOT THE BOAT HITCH ATTACHED TO THE TRUCK AND I ASKED HIM IF HE WANTED TO DRIVE . THANK GOD HE REFUSED TO DRIVE, ONCE I GOT IN THE TRUCK , I APPLIED MY BRAKES BEFORE PUTTING THE TRUCK IN DRIVE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDDLE WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE GROUND WITHOUT ANY RESISTANCE. I LOOKED UNDERNEATH MY TRUCK AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING OUT FROM A RUSTED BRAKE LINE GOING TO THE REAR TIRE . I WOULD HATE TO THINK OF WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A BOAT BEHIND ME????? I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE RUSTED BRAKE LINE THAT BROKE . I ALSO HAVE SEEN SOME RUST ON THE REMAINING BRAKE LINES NOW AND AM WORRIED ABOUT THE THE CONDITION OF THOSE LINES.
NHTSA ODI #10723879
120,000 miles · Jun 6, 2015
Air Bags
THE AIR BAG WARNING CAME ON DISABLING DRIVERS AIR BAG. AFTER CHECKING THIS OUT I FOUND THIS WAS A REAL COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS AGE SILVERADOS. PROBLEM IS A SENSOR THAT COST 400$ TO REPAIR AT DEALER. IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM SHOULDN'T GM FIX THE DEFECT AT THEIR COST? HOW MANY OWNERS OF THIS AGE TRUCK OPT NOT TO HAVE THIS DEFEC…
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THE AIR BAG WARNING CAME ON DISABLING DRIVERS AIR BAG. AFTER CHECKING THIS OUT I FOUND THIS WAS A REAL COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS AGE SILVERADOS. PROBLEM IS A SENSOR THAT COST 400$ TO REPAIR AT DEALER. IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM SHOULDN'T GM FIX THE DEFECT AT THEIR COST? HOW MANY OWNERS OF THIS AGE TRUCK OPT NOT TO HAVE THIS DEFECT FIXED DUE TO COST? THIS ENDANGERS OWNERS AND PASSENGERS AND GM SHOULD BE LIABLE. THANK YOU, MIKE
NHTSA ODI #10723745
Mileage unknown · May 29, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING AT AN UNKNOWN RATE OF SPEED ON AN ON RAMP, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SWAYED BACK AND FORTH ON THE ROAD AND THEN CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF AN 18 WHEELER TRUCK. THE DRIVER'S BUMPER ATTACHED TO THE 18 WHEELER TRUCK AND TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING AT AN UNKNOWN RATE OF SPEED ON AN ON RAMP, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SWAYED BACK AND FORTH ON THE ROAD AND THEN CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF AN 18 WHEELER TRUCK. THE DRIVER'S BUMPER ATTACHED TO THE 18 WHEELER TRUCK AND THE DRIVER'S VEHICLE WAS DRAGGED FOR A FEW MILES UNTIL THE STATE HIGHWAY PATROL ASSISTED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MASSIVE HEAD INJURIES AND ABDOMINAL BLEEDING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED EXTENSIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION AND HAD TO BE SENT TO A TRAUMA UNIT IN ANOTHER HOSPITAL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES DUE TO THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10722318
120,000 miles · May 29, 2015
Air Bags
LIGHT COMES ON WHICH READS "CHECK PASSENGER AIR BAG". THIS LIGHT COMES ON WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED AND THEN REMAINS ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. VARIOUS DEALERSHIPS AND VEHICLE REPAIR SHOPS HAVE INDICATED THAT PARTS FOR THE AIR BAGS ARE FAULTY AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THESE SAME REPAIR LOCATIONS HAVE INDICATED THAT T…
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LIGHT COMES ON WHICH READS "CHECK PASSENGER AIR BAG". THIS LIGHT COMES ON WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED AND THEN REMAINS ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. VARIOUS DEALERSHIPS AND VEHICLE REPAIR SHOPS HAVE INDICATED THAT PARTS FOR THE AIR BAGS ARE FAULTY AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THESE SAME REPAIR LOCATIONS HAVE INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT ACTIVATE IN CASE OF A ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #10722163
50,000 miles · May 27, 2015
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10721741
77,430 miles · May 15, 2015
Service Brakes
BRAKES GOT PROGRESSIVELY "SOFT" ON THE WAY HOME, UNTIL EVENTUALLY THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. MADE HOME BY GOING SLOW AND DOWNSHIFTING TO DECELERATE WITHOUT USING THE BRAKES. PROBLEM DIAGNOSED TO BE THE MASTER CYLINDER.
NHTSA ODI #10716609
145,000 miles · May 12, 2015
Service Brakes
MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING HOME PULLING OUR TRAVEL TRAILER FROM A WEEKEND OF CAMPING. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2 CAR LENGTHS BETWEEN MY SELF AND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US. BOTH LANES OF VEHICLES CAME TO A QUICK STOP. I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE ABS STARTED TO KICK IN, I LET OF THE BRAKES AND REAPPLIED AGAIN THE ABS KICKED IN AND…
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MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING HOME PULLING OUR TRAVEL TRAILER FROM A WEEKEND OF CAMPING. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2 CAR LENGTHS BETWEEN MY SELF AND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US. BOTH LANES OF VEHICLES CAME TO A QUICK STOP. I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE ABS STARTED TO KICK IN, I LET OF THE BRAKES AND REAPPLIED AGAIN THE ABS KICKED IN AND THE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO HOP THE CURB WITH THE TRUCK AND TRAIL TO AVOID HITTING THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME. IT TOOK 5 OR MORE VEHICLE LENGTHS TO GET COMPLETELY STOPPED. I WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY DRIVE THE 6 OR SO MILES HOME USING THE TRAILER BRAKES ONLY. ONCE THE TRAILER WAS UNHOOKED I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE TRUCK IN TO MY DRIVE WAY TO WORK ON IT. THE BRAKES WOULD HOLD THE TRUCK, THE PEDDLE WAS TO THE FLOOR BUT I'M DOUBTFUL THEY WOULD STOP IT AT ANY SPEED.
NHTSA ODI #10715895
105,452 miles · May 4, 2015
Service Brakes
WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND COMING TO A STOP THE ABS BRAKES KICK IN MAKING IT TAKE LONGER THAN NORMAL TO STOP. IT STARTED HAPPENING A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND IT IS GETTING WORSE. IT HAPPENS AT SLOW OR AS I AM SLOWING DOWN TO COME TO A STOP, THEN THE ABS KICKS IN AND INCREASES THE STOPPING DISTANCE. THAT NO…
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WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND COMING TO A STOP THE ABS BRAKES KICK IN MAKING IT TAKE LONGER THAN NORMAL TO STOP. IT STARTED HAPPENING A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND IT IS GETTING WORSE. IT HAPPENS AT SLOW OR AS I AM SLOWING DOWN TO COME TO A STOP, THEN THE ABS KICKS IN AND INCREASES THE STOPPING DISTANCE. THAT NORMAL STOPPING DISTANCE YOU THINK YOU HAVE UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS IS NOT THERE. THIS PROBLEM IS IN PERFECTLY DRY CONDITIONS. IT IS NOT WEATHER RELATED AT ALL. I HAVE HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKES TO STOP. IT'S BEEN SOMEWHAT INTERMITTENT BUT IT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT TODAY. TURNING WHILE STOPPING USUALLY CAUSES THE ISSUE TO HAPPEN THE MOST, THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED TODAY. COMING TO A STRAIGHT STOP DOESN'T ALWAYS CAUSE THE ISSUE. APPARENTLY THERE WAS THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THE 1999 - 2002 CHEVY TRUCKS AND THEY WERE RECALLED. APPARENTLY CHEVY HAS NOT FIXED THE ISSUE SO WE ARE SEEING IT AGAIN, I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO GET INTO ACCIDENTS OR DIE BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IS THERE A DEATH TOLL WE NEED TO HIT? I'VE GOOGLED THIS ISSUE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I SUSPECT THAT BECAUSE FEW HAVE BEEN KILLED AS THIS IS HAPPENING AT LOWER SPEEDS ONLY INSURANCE ISSUES HAVE ARISEN AND THE CONSUMERS WIND UP PAYING FOR THOSE IN THE END. ONE WOULD HATE TO DIP INTO CHEVY'S YEAR END BONUS MONEY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10714551
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.
2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year