IllustrationAIRBAG FAILURE IN HEAD-ON COLLISION, TOTALING 2 TRUCKS. *JB
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Silverado years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
840–25K
4025–50K
4850–75K
4275–100K
42100–150K
11150K+
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 reportsDT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON DRY ROADS. TWO VEHICLES COLLIDED IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT, CAUSING AN EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATION. THE CONTACT COLLIDED WITH THE REAR OF THE SECOND VEHICLE, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP W…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON DRY ROADS. TWO VEHICLES COLLIDED IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT, CAUSING AN EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATION. THE CONTACT COLLIDED WITH THE REAR OF THE SECOND VEHICLE, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WAS CONSULTED AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
IN JULY, MY SERVICE AIR BAGS LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY IN MY TRUCK. EVERYTIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE THE LIGHT. NOT LONG AFTER THAT STARTED TO HAPPEN, THE TRUCK STARTED TO "CHIME"(WARNING SIGNAL) AND BEEP, ALSO AT INTERMITTENT INTERVALS. AFTER 5 TRIPS TO THE DEALER AND 19 DAYS LATER(IN THE SHOP) THEY …
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IN JULY, MY SERVICE AIR BAGS LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY IN MY TRUCK. EVERYTIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE THE LIGHT. NOT LONG AFTER THAT STARTED TO HAPPEN, THE TRUCK STARTED TO "CHIME"(WARNING SIGNAL) AND BEEP, ALSO AT INTERMITTENT INTERVALS. AFTER 5 TRIPS TO THE DEALER AND 19 DAYS LATER(IN THE SHOP) THEY MIGHT HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM. *JB
AT 38,000 MILES ON 2004 CHEVY SILVERADO Z71 THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WHICH TELLS IF SOMEONE IS RIDING ON THE PASSENGER FRONT IS OFF. THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL IF THEY WILL WORK WHEN NEEDED OR NOT. *NM
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING ON A STEEP CURVE HE HAD TO PANIC BRAKE TO AVOID GOING OVER AN EMBANKMENT. THE BRAKES LOCKED AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP. THE VEHICLE HIT THE GROUND AND PROCEEDED TO FLIP OVER. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE A…
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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING ON A STEEP CURVE HE HAD TO PANIC BRAKE TO AVOID GOING OVER AN EMBANKMENT. THE BRAKES LOCKED AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP. THE VEHICLE HIT THE GROUND AND PROCEEDED TO FLIP OVER. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS. UPON IMPACT THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE WHY THE BRAKES LOCKED UP OR WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HE HAS NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER OR THE SERVICE DEALER. *AK
I HAD AN ACCIDENT ON TUESDAY SEPT. 20, 2005 DRIVING MY 2005 CHEVY PICKUP K2500 HD 4 WHEEL DRIVE. I LOST CONTROL AND WENT OFF HIGHWAY STRIKING A CITY DUMPSTER HEADON AND MOVING THE DUMPSTER APPROXIMATELY 50-60 FT. BY POLICE REPORT AND THAN GOING BACK ON HIGHWAY AND CROSSING ALL 4 LANES BEFORE THE TRUCK STOPPED. MY TRUCK WAS TOTAL…
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I HAD AN ACCIDENT ON TUESDAY SEPT. 20, 2005 DRIVING MY 2005 CHEVY PICKUP K2500 HD 4 WHEEL DRIVE. I LOST CONTROL AND WENT OFF HIGHWAY STRIKING A CITY DUMPSTER HEADON AND MOVING THE DUMPSTER APPROXIMATELY 50-60 FT. BY POLICE REPORT AND THAN GOING BACK ON HIGHWAY AND CROSSING ALL 4 LANES BEFORE THE TRUCK STOPPED. MY TRUCK WAS TOTALED BUT MY AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. I WAS UNCONSCIOUS AND WAS AIRLIFTED TO VANDERBILT HOSPITAL IN NASHVILLE TN. WHY DIDN'T MY AIRBAG DEPLOY WITH A HEADON CRASH OF THIS FORCE? THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE PRODUCT. I RECEIVED A 4 INCH CUT ACROSS THE BOTTOM OF MY CHIN THAT REQUIRED SEVERAL STITCHES AND VERY SORE FROM MY HEAD DOWN MY RIGHT LEG. STILL FOLLOWING UP WITH DOCTORS.... *NM
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A STORE FRONT. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK
CONSUMER PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FEATURE. CURRENTLY, EVERY TIME THERE IS AN OCCUPANT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON REGARDLESS OF THE WEIGHT. THE DEALER MAINTAINS THAT IS THE WAY THE FEATURE IS TO WORK.*AK
Official recalls
806V289000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.