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2005 Chevrolet Suburban

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 118.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

95 reports with mileage · 34 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 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

36 reports
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100,000 miles · Feb 5, 2013
Electrical System

MY SPEEDOMETER RECENTLY STARTED MALFUNCTIONING. IT READ 20MPH WHEN I WAS DRIVING AT LEAST 50MPH, THEN IT READ 90+MPH WHEN I WAS ACTUALLY DRIVING 30MPH. FINALLY, MY SPEEDOMETER GAVE OUT AND IS "STUCK" IN THE 120+MPH POSITION. THANKFULLY, I HAVE A GPS NAVIGATION SYSTEM THAT HAS A GAUGE ON IT SO I KNOW MY RATE OF SPEED. I CONTACTED…

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MY SPEEDOMETER RECENTLY STARTED MALFUNCTIONING. IT READ 20MPH WHEN I WAS DRIVING AT LEAST 50MPH, THEN IT READ 90+MPH WHEN I WAS ACTUALLY DRIVING 30MPH. FINALLY, MY SPEEDOMETER GAVE OUT AND IS "STUCK" IN THE 120+MPH POSITION. THANKFULLY, I HAVE A GPS NAVIGATION SYSTEM THAT HAS A GAUGE ON IT SO I KNOW MY RATE OF SPEED. I CONTACTED GM AND THEY REFUSED TO REMEDY THIS "WIDESPREAD" PROBLEM. THEY SAID THAT MY "SPECIAL COVERAGE" HAS ENDED (REFERRING TO THE 2008 CLASS ACTION SUIT THAT PROMPTED IT). I AM VERY UPSET! I HAVE READ MANY, MANY FORUMS AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE. MY MECHANIC SAYS THEY REPLACE THEM "ALL THE TIME" AND CHARGES $700-$1,000 TO FIX IT. IN MY OPINION, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY GM WON'T STEP UP AND FIX IT FREE OF CHARGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496541

100,000 miles · Jan 21, 2013
Electrical System

OUR SPEEDOMETER JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN STOPPED WORKING,FROM TIME TO TIME IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS WORKING BUT IT IS NOT GOING THE SPEED THAT IT SAYS. SINCE THIS STARTED OUR OIL GAUGE,AND NOW FUEL GAUGE HAS STOPPED WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493635

61,545 miles · Dec 3, 2012
Electrical System

ON AUGUST 3RD, 2012 MY 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 FIRST SHOWED SIGNS OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FAILING. THE TACHOMETER SHOWED A READING OF 5,000 RPMS WITH THE ENGINE IDLING. THIS CONTINUED FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN SEEMED TO GO BACK TO NORMAL. ABOUT A WEEK LATER THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN TO INDICATE INCORRECT READINGS. BY …

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ON AUGUST 3RD, 2012 MY 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 FIRST SHOWED SIGNS OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FAILING. THE TACHOMETER SHOWED A READING OF 5,000 RPMS WITH THE ENGINE IDLING. THIS CONTINUED FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN SEEMED TO GO BACK TO NORMAL. ABOUT A WEEK LATER THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN TO INDICATE INCORRECT READINGS. BY SEPTEMBER 6TH, 2012 I HAD NOTICED IT WOULD SOMETIMES SHOW A SPEED OF 120 MPH WHILE GOING AN ACTUAL SPEED 50 MPH OR SOMETIMES SHOW 29 MPH WHILE GOING 50 MPH. FOR A WHILE IT WAS MOVING THE NEEDLE BELOW 0MPH. I CAN NO LONGER RELY ON THE GAUGES OF THIS VEHICLE WITH ONLY 65,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10487265

102,800 miles · Jun 6, 2012
Electrical SystemVisibility

HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER NOT FULLY FUNCTIONAL ON ALL BLOWER SPEEDS, RUNS CONTINUOUSLY WITH THE IGNITION OFF. DISCHARGES BATTERY WITH IGNITION KEYS REMOVED, AND HAS A BURNING SMELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460802

95,000 miles · Feb 4, 2012
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

I WENT TO WASHINGTON AUTO SHOW TODAY 2/4/2012 AND ONE OF YOUR REP GAVE ME A CARD ABOUT YOUR SERVICE. I CAME HOME AND CHECK OUT YOUR WEBSITE AND FOUND OUT YOU HAVE BEEN RECEIVING COMPLAINTS ABOUT INSTRUMENT PANEL OF CHEVY SUBURBAN. I BOUGHT A 2005 CHEVY SUBURBAN IN MARCH 2005 FROM WIN KELLY CHEVORLET IN CLARKSVILLE, MD. ABOUT MI…

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I WENT TO WASHINGTON AUTO SHOW TODAY 2/4/2012 AND ONE OF YOUR REP GAVE ME A CARD ABOUT YOUR SERVICE. I CAME HOME AND CHECK OUT YOUR WEBSITE AND FOUND OUT YOU HAVE BEEN RECEIVING COMPLAINTS ABOUT INSTRUMENT PANEL OF CHEVY SUBURBAN. I BOUGHT A 2005 CHEVY SUBURBAN IN MARCH 2005 FROM WIN KELLY CHEVORLET IN CLARKSVILLE, MD. ABOUT MIDDLE OF LAST YEAR I NOTICED THAT MY SPEEDOMETER IS ALWAYS STUCK, RUNNING HIGH THAN THE SPEED I AM DRIVING AND JUST EXACTLY AS BEING DESCRIBED BY OTHER OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. WHAT IS THE DEPARTMENT DOING TO HELP WITH THIS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND HAVE IT CORRECTED RATHER THAN WE CONSUMERS BEING SADDLED WITH UNEXPECTED REPAIR COST? *KB

NHTSA ODI #10446689

69,000 miles · Aug 9, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN.THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND NOTICED THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL AND OIL GAUGES FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN.THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND NOTICED THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL AND OIL GAUGES FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

NHTSA ODI #10418107

85,000 miles · May 24, 2011
Electrical System

INSTRUMENT PANEL - CLUSTER DEVICE -- PANEL/ SPEEDOMETER WENT DEAD. GM SERVICE DEALER TOLD US, " THE ENTIRE TRUCK COULD DIE AND STOP WORKING AS A RESULT. " *TR

NHTSA ODI #10402534

79,750 miles · Dec 30, 2010
Electrical System

MY 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN HAS 79,985 MILES AND THIS WEEK WHILE DRIVING ROUTE 95 (70 MPH HIGHWAY IN THE SOUTH) FROM NEW JERSEY TO SOUTH CAROLINA MY SPEEDOMETER STARTED SHOWING A MUCH HIGHER SPEED THEN I WAS TRAVELING. I WAS USING MY GPS AT THE TIME AND IT SAID I WAS DOING 69 MPH WHILE MY GAUGE SHOWED A CONSTANT CLIMB TILL IT R…

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MY 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN HAS 79,985 MILES AND THIS WEEK WHILE DRIVING ROUTE 95 (70 MPH HIGHWAY IN THE SOUTH) FROM NEW JERSEY TO SOUTH CAROLINA MY SPEEDOMETER STARTED SHOWING A MUCH HIGHER SPEED THEN I WAS TRAVELING. I WAS USING MY GPS AT THE TIME AND IT SAID I WAS DOING 69 MPH WHILE MY GAUGE SHOWED A CONSTANT CLIMB TILL IT REACHED 120 MPH AND FLAT LINED BEYOND THAT POINT. THIS WAS A 1600 MILE ROUND TRIP AND IF I HAD NOT HAD MY GPS WITH ME I WOULD NOT KNOW HOW FAST OR SLOW I WAS GOING. I WAS WAITING FOR SOMETHING ELSE TO GO WRONG. WHILE IN SOUTH CAROLINA I WENT TO RECALLS ON THE INTERNET WITH 2005 GM SUV'S AND FOUND A WHOLE BUNCH OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, YET GM (CHEVROLET) HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING THAT I COULD FIND. I RETURNED HOME TODAY AND CALLED MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AND EXPLAINED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND THEY SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS AND GAVE ME AN APPOINTMENT FOR NEXT MONDAY 1/3/2011 TO BRING IN THE SUV. SINCE THIS CAR IS OUT OF SERVICE I AM HOLDING MY BREATH AS TO WHAT THE BILL COULD BE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS THING, I COULD BE NOT LOOKING AT THE GAUGE AND BE RUNNING RIGHT INTO A HIGH SPEED ERROR AND PUTTING MY FAMILY IN HARMS WAY. CAN ANYONE HELP? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373504

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2010
Electrical SystemPower Train

2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. CONSUMER STATES DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER. *TGW CONSUMER SENT IN DUPLICATE LETTER ON 3/25/2010. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE SPEEDOMETER WAS STUCK AT 120 MPH. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HER VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL, AS HER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE RANGE. THE SECOND PROBLE…

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2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. CONSUMER STATES DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER. *TGW CONSUMER SENT IN DUPLICATE LETTER ON 3/25/2010. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE SPEEDOMETER WAS STUCK AT 120 MPH. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HER VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL, AS HER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE RANGE. THE SECOND PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE WAS THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER, DUE TO THE INTERAL FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. *JB UPDATED 04/12/10.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10323111

55,000 miles · Mar 4, 2010
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 55-60 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS. WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY GIVEN SPEED THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 55-60 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS. WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY GIVEN SPEED THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000. UPDATED 11/16/10. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10316659

Official recalls

6

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.

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.

05V103000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages

Mar 18, 2005

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD RETAINER MAY BE MISSING. IF THE RETAINER IS MISSING, THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUSHROD COULD DISENGAGE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKES WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD RETAINER AND INSTALL ONE IF IT IS MISSING FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER BEGAN CONTACTING OWNERS BY TELEPHONE ON MARCH 10, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

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.

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.