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2005 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 35.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
46Owner complaints

Model-year median: 35

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

2005 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 46 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Electrical System: 9 reports
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 9 reports
  • Service Brakes: 8 reports
  • Steering: 6 reports
  • Fuel System, Diesel: 5 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    50
    2002    42
    2003    41
    2004    46
    2005    52
    2006    39
    2007    31
    2008
    Compare all Silverado 3500 years →

    Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.

    What owners reported most

    Electrical System
    9    Service Brakes, Hydraulic
    9    Service Brakes
    8    Steering
    6    Fuel System, Diesel
    5
    All reported categories
    Engine And Engine Cooling
    4    Power Train
    4    Tires
    3    Suspension
    2    Wheels
    2    Air Bags
    1    Equipment
    1    Fuel System, Gasoline
    1    Fuel System, Other
    1    Fuel/propulsion System
    1    Seats
    1    Structure
    1

    Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

    When problems were reported

    Mileage at the reported incident

    44 reports with mileage · 2 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 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Service Brakes. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

    NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

    0 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

    Steering complaints

    6 reports
    Clear category filter
    66,188 miles · Apr 18, 2016
    Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM AN UNKNOWN AREA. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST UNIT WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED T…

    Read full complaint

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM AN UNKNOWN AREA. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST UNIT WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V043000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,188. UPDATED 06/15/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 06/22/16.*JB

    NHTSA ODI #10860038

    500 miles · May 28, 2008
    Fuel System, DieselPower TrainSteering

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FIFTEEN TIMES FOR A VARIETY OF FAILURES. THERE WERE DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTORS AND FUEL PUMPS, THE R& R INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED, AND THERE WAS AN OCCASIONAL TRANSMISSION LEAK. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUP…

    Read full complaint

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FIFTEEN TIMES FOR A VARIETY OF FAILURES. THERE WERE DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTORS AND FUEL PUMPS, THE R& R INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED, AND THERE WAS AN OCCASIONAL TRANSMISSION LEAK. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE LEAK. THE CONTACT ORDERED A SPARE TIRE, BUT IT WAS NEVER RECEIVED. HE CONSULTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO ONLY INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR ISSUES WITH HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO SPOKE WITH THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 500.

    NHTSA ODI #10229103

    1,613 miles · Feb 8, 2008
    Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringTires

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILS. THE FAILURE BECOMES MORE SEVERE AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR SOME TIME OR DURING WARM WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER OVER TEN TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING GEAR BOX. THE C…

    Read full complaint

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILS. THE FAILURE BECOMES MORE SEVERE AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR SOME TIME OR DURING WARM WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER OVER TEN TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING GEAR BOX. THE CONTACT WAS FINALLY INFORMED THAT THE TIRES HAD INSUFFICIENT AIR. THE FAILURES HAVE NOT BEEN CORRECTED. THE ENGINE ALSO OVERHEATS WHEN DRIVING UPHILL, PULLING A TRAILER, AND DURING WARM WEATHER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COOLING FAN AND THE INTAKE SYSTEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A TSB (1980030) REGARDING THE ENGINE OVERHEATING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,613. UPDATED 3/4/08 *CN UPDATED 03/04/08 *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10217454

    5,000 miles · Dec 31, 2007
    Steering

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 5-30 MPH, THE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING COLUMN IS VERY LOOSE AND RATTLES LOUDLY. THE CONTACT HAS NOT YET SCHEDULED A REPAIR APPOINTMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

    NHTSA ODI #10213287

    2,500 miles · Dec 14, 2007
    Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

    WHEN DRIVING AT LOW PARKING SPEEDS OR STOPPED STEERING WHEEL IS REALLY HARD TO TURN AND LOCKS UP. MANY NEAR ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS FAULT GM SAYS IT KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT HAS NO FIX FOR IT. VERY UNSAFE CONDITION AND KNOW I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY 50K PLUS PICKUP TRUCK. BUYERS BEWARE. DON'T BUY A GM DIESEL PICKUP. *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10211930

    Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2007
    Steering

    MY CHEVY SILVERADO HAS HAD THE STEERING FIXED 3 TIMES AND ITS DOING IT AGAIN. WE ARE NOT SURE WHY ITS DOING IT, THE STEERING WHEEL TURN 2 TIMES AROUND TO MAKE A TURN, EVEN AT AN INTERSECTION. THE GARAGE HERE HAS WORKED ON IT AND SAY THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THAT YEAR OF TRUCK. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL ON IT BY NOW? IT …

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    MY CHEVY SILVERADO HAS HAD THE STEERING FIXED 3 TIMES AND ITS DOING IT AGAIN. WE ARE NOT SURE WHY ITS DOING IT, THE STEERING WHEEL TURN 2 TIMES AROUND TO MAKE A TURN, EVEN AT AN INTERSECTION. THE GARAGE HERE HAS WORKED ON IT AND SAY THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THAT YEAR OF TRUCK. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL ON IT BY NOW? IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT VERY EASILY. *JB

    NHTSA ODI #10204050

    Recall campaigns

    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 ↗

    Defect investigations

    0

    No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.