IllustrationTHE LIFT GATE LOCK ACTUATOR ON MY 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN HAS FAILED. IT HAS NO MEANS OF MANUAL OPERATION CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE CONCERNING EMERGENCY EXITING OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR, SUCH AS FRONTAL IMPACT OR FIRE. *TT
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Suburban 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
110–25K
725–50K
2250–75K
2275–100K
22100–150K
11150K+
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
Latches/locks/linkages complaints
6 reports1. THE REAR LIFTGATE WAS PERIODICALLY STICKING IN THE LOCKED POSITION EVEN WHEN UNLOCKING THE CAR WITH THE KEY FOB OR THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTONS. 2. THE REAR LIFTGATE IS NOW STUCK PERMANENTLY IN THE LOCKED POSITION MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO LOAD/UNLOAD THE REAR AREA OF THE CAR. THIS IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE AS REAR PASSENGERS MAY BECO…
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1. THE REAR LIFTGATE WAS PERIODICALLY STICKING IN THE LOCKED POSITION EVEN WHEN UNLOCKING THE CAR WITH THE KEY FOB OR THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTONS. 2. THE REAR LIFTGATE IS NOW STUCK PERMANENTLY IN THE LOCKED POSITION MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO LOAD/UNLOAD THE REAR AREA OF THE CAR. THIS IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE AS REAR PASSENGERS MAY BECOME TRAPPED IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, SINCE THERE IS NO MANUAL UNLOCKING MECHANISM FOR THE REAR LIFT GATE. 3. NO CORRECTIVE ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN YET. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO KEY SLOT FOR THE REAR HATCH AND NOW THE SWITCH, WHICH WAS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WILL NOT OPEN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE WINDOW ON THE REAR HATCH AS WELL. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE MODULE THAT CONTRO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO KEY SLOT FOR THE REAR HATCH AND NOW THE SWITCH, WHICH WAS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WILL NOT OPEN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE WINDOW ON THE REAR HATCH AS WELL. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE MODULE THAT CONTROLS THE REAR HATCH AND WINDOW HAD FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE LOCK MECHANISM WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION NOR WAS THE MANUFACTURER CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
LIFTGATE DOES NOT HAVE A KEY LOCK ENTRY AND WILL NOT UNLOCK USING THE DRIVER SIDE LOCK/UNLOCK DOOR PANEL OR THE HAND HELD KEY REMOTE THEREFORE I CANNOT OPEN IT AT ALL. IT IS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING SINCE WE GOT THE SUBURBAN FOR THE SPACE BUT, BESIDES THAT - IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY THIS COULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THERE IS NO MA…
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LIFTGATE DOES NOT HAVE A KEY LOCK ENTRY AND WILL NOT UNLOCK USING THE DRIVER SIDE LOCK/UNLOCK DOOR PANEL OR THE HAND HELD KEY REMOTE THEREFORE I CANNOT OPEN IT AT ALL. IT IS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING SINCE WE GOT THE SUBURBAN FOR THE SPACE BUT, BESIDES THAT - IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY THIS COULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THERE IS NO MANUAL RELEASE. IF THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WERE DAMAGED AND THE SIDE DOORS WERE UNABLE TO BE OPENED THERE IS NO WAY OF OPENING THE REAR DOOR. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND THIS IS OF GREAT CONCERN TO ME. I GET FLASHES OF A CAR ACCIDENT AND A FIRE WITH MY KIDS TRAPPED INSIDE WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO OPEN THE REAR DOOR FROM OUTSIDE OR INSIDE! I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE IS NO MANUAL SAFETY LEVER! I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH THE LIFTGATE NOT OPENING ON SEVERAL BLOGS AND WEBSITES. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TYPE IN SUBURBAN REAR LIFTGATE WON'T UNLOCK. PLEASE REVIEW AS I DO FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE BEFORE IT AFFECTS THE SAFETY OF CONSUMERS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH, IT FAILS TO OPEN FROM BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR HATCH WOULD NOT LOCK PROPERLY AND WOULD TRIGGER THE VEHICLE'S ALARM SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH, IT FAILS TO OPEN FROM BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR HATCH WOULD NOT LOCK PROPERLY AND WOULD TRIGGER THE VEHICLE'S ALARM SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 51,400.
Official recalls
606V289000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.