IllustrationTHE VEHICLES BRAKES ARE CORRODING AND FAILED ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT ON 2/09/2016 WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION (AT THE INTERSECTION OF IL ROUTE 34 AND WOLFS CROSSING)
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
Service Brakes complaints
61 reportsPEDAL GOES ON DOWN WHEN PRESSED -- SEEMS LIKE ABS ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY
BREAK LINES CORRODED THROUGH TO FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED JUST AFTER EXITING A HIGHWAY. ABS ENGAGED DUE TO ICY CONDITIONS THE NEXT TIME I DEPRESSED THE BREAK PEDDLE IT WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT THE BREAKS ENGAGING. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE NO WARNING LIGHT WAS PRESENT ON THE DASHBOARD. THE BREAKS FAILED WHILE DRIVING …
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BREAK LINES CORRODED THROUGH TO FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED JUST AFTER EXITING A HIGHWAY. ABS ENGAGED DUE TO ICY CONDITIONS THE NEXT TIME I DEPRESSED THE BREAK PEDDLE IT WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT THE BREAKS ENGAGING. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE NO WARNING LIGHT WAS PRESENT ON THE DASHBOARD. THE BREAKS FAILED WHILE DRIVING AND RESULTED IN ME RUNNING A RED LIGHT. LUCKILY IT WAS EARLY IN THE MORNING AND NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED.
SITTING AT BURGER KING DRIVE THRU WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. BRAKE LINES HAD RUPTURED DUE TO CORROSION. VEHICLE ONLY 10 YEARS OLD AND 130,000 MILES. HAD BRAKES CHECKED OFTEN AT SERVICE CENTERS, NO MENTION OF PROBLEM. GLAD THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN LAST MONTH WHEN I WAS BARRELING DOWN THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY WITH A FULL LOAD …
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SITTING AT BURGER KING DRIVE THRU WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. BRAKE LINES HAD RUPTURED DUE TO CORROSION. VEHICLE ONLY 10 YEARS OLD AND 130,000 MILES. HAD BRAKES CHECKED OFTEN AT SERVICE CENTERS, NO MENTION OF PROBLEM. GLAD THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN LAST MONTH WHEN I WAS BARRELING DOWN THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY WITH A FULL LOAD IN THE BACK OF MY TRUCK. NHTSA AND GM SHOULD BE ASHAMED FOR ALLOWING THIS TO CONTINUE. I AM SURE PEOPLE ARE DYING DUE TO THIS NEGLIGENCE AND FAULTY MATERIALS BEING USED.
SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKING POWER DUE TO BRAKE LINE RUPTURE WHILE ON THE EXIT RAMP OF THE FREEWAY. FOUND BRAKE LINES COMPLETELY RUSTED AND THEY WERE PAPER THIN IN MULTIPLE SPOTS. WILL HAVE TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE LINES ON THE VEHICLE. ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. NOTE THAT VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED BY DEALERSHIP.
THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WHEN OUR FRIEND TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. A BRAKE LINE RUNNING ON TOP OF THE FRAME BEHIND THE RADIATOR HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THRU, ALLOWING ALL OF THE BRAKE FLUID TO PUMP OUT OF THE SYSTEM. ALL OF THE STEEL BRAKE LINES ARE EXTREMELY RUSTY AND PROBABLY NEAR FAILURE.
THESE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS THE BRAKES ARE SHAKING WHEN I GO TO STOP. I HAVE C HANGED THE FRONT CALIPERS SINCE THIS IS WHERE IT IS HAPPENING SINCE THE CALIPERS WENT BAD SO DID THE ROTERS AN PADS SO THOSE NEEDED TO BE CHANGED ALSO...WHICH IS MONEY I DON'T HAVE .....IT WORKED FOR A TOTAL OF 4 DAYS THEN PROBLEM BEGAN AGAIN. PLEASE…
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THESE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS THE BRAKES ARE SHAKING WHEN I GO TO STOP. I HAVE C HANGED THE FRONT CALIPERS SINCE THIS IS WHERE IT IS HAPPENING SINCE THE CALIPERS WENT BAD SO DID THE ROTERS AN PADS SO THOSE NEEDED TO BE CHANGED ALSO...WHICH IS MONEY I DON'T HAVE .....IT WORKED FOR A TOTAL OF 4 DAYS THEN PROBLEM BEGAN AGAIN. PLEASE INFORM ME OF OTHER ISSUES AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM ESPECIALLY SINCE I DRIVE THIS TRUCK TO EARN A LIVING FOR MY FAMILY EVERYDAY.. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR IN ORDER TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AS A RESULT THE PRESSU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR IN ORDER TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AS A RESULT THE PRESSURE OF THE BRAKE FLUID CAUSED THE LINES TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
ANOTHER DRIVER NOTIFIED US THAT OUR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. WE STOPPED TO CHECK THE SITUATION AND MY WIFE APPLIED THE BRAKES AS I CHECKED THE LIGHTS, WHICH WERE NOT WORKING. I THEN MOVED THE TRUCK ABOUT 50 YARDS AND AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. WHEN I GOT OUT THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID ON…
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ANOTHER DRIVER NOTIFIED US THAT OUR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. WE STOPPED TO CHECK THE SITUATION AND MY WIFE APPLIED THE BRAKES AS I CHECKED THE LIGHTS, WHICH WERE NOT WORKING. I THEN MOVED THE TRUCK ABOUT 50 YARDS AND AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. WHEN I GOT OUT THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND. THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED OUT AND WHEN I APPLIED PRESSURE TO STOP, IT GAVE OUT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A NEARBY DEALER AND THEY REPLACED ALL THE BRAKE LINES DUE TO THE RUST. TOTAL COST $1050. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. LUCKILY I WAS STOPPED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE MOVING IN TRAFFIC THE RESULT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS.
BRAKE LINE BROKE. BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY CORRODED. I LOST MY BRAKES WHILE DRIVING. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. *TR
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.