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2005 Chevrolet Silverado

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Silverado years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado are substantially higher than the model-year median of 76.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

267 reports with mileage · 49 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 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports7 fire reports9 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

28 reports
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72,000 miles · Jan 7, 2014
Air BagsService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT DETERMINED A SENSOR INSIDE THE FRONT BUMPER WAS THE CAUSE OF THE DEFECT. THE CONTACT ALSO REPORTED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED AND RUPT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT DETERMINED A SENSOR INSIDE THE FRONT BUMPER WAS THE CAUSE OF THE DEFECT. THE CONTACT ALSO REPORTED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED AND RUPTURED, WHICH CAUSED THE REAR BRAKES TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED FOR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ODI #10558784

81,900 miles · Jul 5, 2013
Air Bags

SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523366

64,000 miles · Jul 5, 2013
Air Bags

MY AIR BAG SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED. THIS IS A PART THAT SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY GENERAL MOTORS. INSTEAD I PAID OVER $500 DOLLARS TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AT A DEALERSHIP. 64K MILES / 8 YEARS AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED? I SEARCHED ONLINE AND NOTICED MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. GM GOT A GOVERNMENT BAILOUT AN…

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MY AIR BAG SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED. THIS IS A PART THAT SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY GENERAL MOTORS. INSTEAD I PAID OVER $500 DOLLARS TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AT A DEALERSHIP. 64K MILES / 8 YEARS AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED? I SEARCHED ONLINE AND NOTICED MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. GM GOT A GOVERNMENT BAILOUT AND SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523353

53,005 miles · Jun 11, 2013
Air Bags

UPON STARTING THE TRUCK FOR THE FIRST TIME ON 6-11-2013 THE "SERVICE AIR BAG" LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS STAYED ON. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THE FAILURE OTHER THAN POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10516240

159,250 miles · Mar 14, 2013
Air Bags

UPON STARTING TRUCK IN MORNING, "SERVICE AIR BAG" MESSAGE CAME ON. TOOK TO DEALER WHO SAID THE L FRONT IMPACT SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED $400+. COST SEEMS EXCESSIVE AND THE SAFETY SYSTEM FAILURE, IF THAT IS WHAT IT REALLY IS, SHOULD NOT BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503079

167,520 miles · Nov 30, 2012
Air BagsElectrical System

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT NORMAL SPEEDS AND I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND NEVER HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT. ALL THE SUDDEN I GET A MESSAGE THAT SAYS "SERVICE AIR BAG". I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AND THEY SAID THAT THE TRUCK NEEDS A NEW FRONT DRIVERS SIDE IMPACT SENSOR THAT WENT BAD. …

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I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT NORMAL SPEEDS AND I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND NEVER HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT. ALL THE SUDDEN I GET A MESSAGE THAT SAYS "SERVICE AIR BAG". I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AND THEY SAID THAT THE TRUCK NEEDS A NEW FRONT DRIVERS SIDE IMPACT SENSOR THAT WENT BAD. THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED. THEY TOLD ME THAT IF THIS REPAIR DOES NOT GET DONE, IF I HAVE AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAGS WOULDN'T DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10486627

85,000 miles · Sep 24, 2012
Air Bags

SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ACTIVATED WITHOUT ANY REASON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10476881

115,000 miles · Jun 14, 2012
Air BagsVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING 75 MPH WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL ON, AND THE SPEEDOMETER DROPPED TO 35 MPH. SHORTLY AFTER, ABOUT 10 MILES, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE SPEEDOMETER RESET AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND WORKED PROPERLY. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN TWO MORE TIMES, AND THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED COMPLETELY. THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ON…

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I WAS DRIVING 75 MPH WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL ON, AND THE SPEEDOMETER DROPPED TO 35 MPH. SHORTLY AFTER, ABOUT 10 MILES, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE SPEEDOMETER RESET AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND WORKED PROPERLY. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN TWO MORE TIMES, AND THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED COMPLETELY. THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ON AND IS STILL ON AT 123,000 MILES. DIAGNOSTIC CHECK SHOWED NUMBER 1 AIR BAG SENSOR FAULT. REPLACED SENSOR. AIR BAG LIGHT STILL ON. I SENT THE SPEEDOMETER HEAD TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC IN MINNESOTA, AND IT NOW WORKS FINE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10461754

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2012
Air Bags

2005 CHEVY SILVERADO CK1500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DISABLING THE SWITCH FOR THE DRIVERS' AIRBAG OR IF SHE CAN OBTAIN A WAIVER SO THAT THE DEALERSHIP CAN DISABLE THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS TO HAVE THE SEAT UP ALL THE WAY, IN ORDER TO REACH THE PEDALS; PARTICULARLY THE CLUTCH. THE CONSUMER STA…

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2005 CHEVY SILVERADO CK1500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DISABLING THE SWITCH FOR THE DRIVERS' AIRBAG OR IF SHE CAN OBTAIN A WAIVER SO THAT THE DEALERSHIP CAN DISABLE THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS TO HAVE THE SEAT UP ALL THE WAY, IN ORDER TO REACH THE PEDALS; PARTICULARLY THE CLUTCH. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE IS NO WAY SHE CAN BACK FURTHER THAN THE RECOMMENDED 10 INCHES FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, DUE TO HER HEIGHT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10450953

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2011
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WIRING FOR THE AIR BAG SENSOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS FAILING. THE VIN WAS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WIRING FOR THE AIR BAG SENSOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS FAILING. THE VIN WAS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10412384

Official recalls

8

06V289000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Aug 3, 2006

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN 8.1L V8 (RPO L8-VIN G) ENGINE HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP MAY FRACTURE RESULTING IN INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE DAMPER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE DAMPER COMES LOOSE, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463.

05V455000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

Oct 5, 2005

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A POWER STEERING HOSE THAT IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION. UNDER EXTREME STEERING MANEUVERS, SUCH AS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FULLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE BRAKING, THE HOSE MAY FRACTURE AND LEAK FLUID.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD BE LOST AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRO-BOOST POWER BRAKES, IT COULD ALSO RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. IF THE POWER STEERING FLUID SPRAY WERE TO SPRAY ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING HOSE(S) FOR TWO SUSPECT DATE CODES AND REPLACE THEM IF REQUIRED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

05V161000 · Parking Brake

Apr 22, 2005

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND BUILT WITH EITHER PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS OR TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS, THE PARKING BRAKE FRICTION LININGS MAY WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD, UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

05V163000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Apr 22, 2005

ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE USE OF A CHILD SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GROUP. IN ADDITION TO INSTRUCTIONS ON PROPER INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD RESTRAINT (WITH CHILD SEATS OR BOOSTERS), SPECIAL VERBIAGE FOR RESTRAINING OLDER CHILD IS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ALSO, THE SUGGESTED SEAT BELT FIT/ROUTING FOR ADULTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF SEATING POSITION, IS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TEXT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A LAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ROUTING THAT IS NOT LOW AND SNUG ON THE HIPS CAN ALLOW THE LAP BELT TO RIDE UP ON AN OCCUPANT'S ABDOMEN INSTEAD OF FITTING LOW AROUND THEIR HIPBONES, AND THEREFORE, CAN EXPOSE THEM TO MORE RISK OF ABDOMINAL AND INTERNAL ORGAN INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CUT OPEN THE GUIDE LOOP, REMOVE A PORTION OF THE LOOP, AND THEN THE REMAINING TWO SIDES SHOULD BE FOLDED OVER AND SECURED WITH A RETAINER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

05V055000 · Power Train:manual Transmission:shift Pattern Indicator

Feb 14, 2005

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT." UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE STARTING CONDITIONS, THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR LOCATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. IF THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR DOES NOT ILLUMINATE, THE DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHICH GEAR THE VEHICLE IS IN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE VEHICLE MAY MOVE IN AN UNINTENDED DIRECTION RESULTING IN POSSIBLE INJURY TO OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

05V043000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Feb 8, 2005

CERTAIN TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH HYDRO-BOOST BRAKE ASSEMBLIES, THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR MAY CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY DURING NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WERE OPEN, FRAGMENTS FROM THE ACCUMULATOR COULD CAUSE INJURY TO PEOPLE IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA. THE PRESENCE OF THIS CRACK OR FRACTURED SURFACE COULD ALLOW THE HYDRAULIC FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE ACCUMULATOR CIRCUIT OF THE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY. THE LOSS OF FLUID WOULD CAUSE INCREASED STEERING AND BRAKING EFFORT AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY FOR FUNCTIONAL OPERATION OF THE TWO-FUNCTION VALVE. IF THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY FAILS THE TEST, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

05V018000 · Steering:gear Box:shaft Sector

Jan 21, 2005

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE BOLT THAT ATTACHES THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT TO THE STEERING GEAR MAY NOT MEET SPECIFICATION. THE BOLT MAY FRACTURE RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.

04V376000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Aug 2, 2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.3L (RPO L59) V8 ENGINES, THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE RETAINER SCREWS WERE NOT MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY BREAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE TUBE RETAINER SCREW BREAKS, FUEL COULD LEAK FROM THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER JOINT, THE ENGINE MAY STALL AND, IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE RETAINER SCREWS. OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE ON JULY 30, 2004, WITH A FOLLOWUP OWNER LETTER BEGAN AUGUST 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463. NOTE: THE GM BULLETIN LISTS THE TAHOE AND YUKON MODELS BECAUSE CANADIAN VEHICLES ARE INCLUDED IN THE BULLETIN. NO U.S. TAHOE OR YUKON VEHICLES ARE INCLUDED IN THE U.S. CAMPAIGN.

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.

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