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
What owners actually said
129 reports
67,000 miles · Jun 18, 2009
Electrical System
AS I HAVE READ THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. MY SPEEDOMETER ON OUR 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 67,000 MILES QUIT WORKING. ON A LONG TRIP IT WOULD ONLY SHOW 45-60 MPH. I KNOW I WAS GOING ALOT FASTER. WHEN I ACCELERATED IT WOULD SLOWLY JUMP UP TO SPEED. SEVERAL TIMES THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WAS AFFECTED ALSO. WE HAD THE CLUSTER REPLACED…
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AS I HAVE READ THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. MY SPEEDOMETER ON OUR 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 67,000 MILES QUIT WORKING. ON A LONG TRIP IT WOULD ONLY SHOW 45-60 MPH. I KNOW I WAS GOING ALOT FASTER. WHEN I ACCELERATED IT WOULD SLOWLY JUMP UP TO SPEED. SEVERAL TIMES THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WAS AFFECTED ALSO. WE HAD THE CLUSTER REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP. LUCKILY WE HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. IN MY OPINION THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN FROM DEC 08 UNTIL MAY OF 09 IT HAPPENED 10 TIMES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10274278
78,000 miles · May 25, 2009
Electrical System
ERRATIC SPEEDOMETER... SAYS THE VEHICLE IS MOVING 120 MPH WHEN IN A VILLAGE AND 30 ON THE HIGHWAY... IT READS ERRATICALLY ALL OF THE TIME. STARTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO (78,000 MILES) THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IS CHEVROLET GOING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? I HAVE READ NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10269859
49,000 miles · Apr 2, 2009
Electrical System
MY OIL PRESSURE GAUGE STARTED READING "0" IN NOVEMBER 2008 BUT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY OIL. (MILEAGE APPROX. 49,000) I CHECK IT OFTEN AND HAVE THE OIL CHANGED REGULARLY. IN FEBRUARY 2009 MY SPEEDOMETER STARTED REGISTERING INACCURATELY. FIRST, IT WOULD SAY I WAS GOING 40 MPH AT A DEAD STOP. CURRENTLY, IT IS PAST THE 12…
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MY OIL PRESSURE GAUGE STARTED READING "0" IN NOVEMBER 2008 BUT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY OIL. (MILEAGE APPROX. 49,000) I CHECK IT OFTEN AND HAVE THE OIL CHANGED REGULARLY. IN FEBRUARY 2009 MY SPEEDOMETER STARTED REGISTERING INACCURATELY. FIRST, IT WOULD SAY I WAS GOING 40 MPH AT A DEAD STOP. CURRENTLY, IT IS PAST THE 120 MPH MARK AND HOLDING. (MILEAGE 52,000) I TOOK IT TO A CHEVY DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE DASHBOARD CIRCUIT BOARD AND THAT IT WOULD BE $500 TO REPLACE IT. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THIS PART HAD BEEN RECALLED ON THE 2003-2004 MODELS BUT NOT THE 2005. THAT I COULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR AND IF IT WAS RECALLED I COULD BE REIMBURSED. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN ESPECIALLY WITH YOUNG TEENAGE DRIVERS. IT SEEMS OBVIOUS TO ME READING THROUGH ALL THE COMPLAINTS FOR THE 2005 MODEL AND THE RECALLS OF PREVIOUS YEARS THAT THE 2005 MODEL SHOULD BE RECALLED AS WELL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10263962
66,747 miles · Feb 15, 2009
Electrical System
SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. IT IS STUCK ON 30MPH. THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL WHAT SPEED YOU ARE TRAVELING AT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258700
66,747 miles · Feb 15, 2009
Electrical System
THE SPEEDOMETER IN MY 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN JUST STOPPED WORKING. THE NEEDLE IS INDICATING 30MPH ALL THE TIME. THIS INITIALLY LEAD TO ME THINKING I WAS GOING SLOWER THAN I REALLY WAS UNTIL I FIGURED OUT THAT IT WASN'T WORKING PROPERLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258699
54,000 miles · Feb 13, 2009
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYS INACCURATE READINGS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE CANNOT DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATE SPEED, WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $600. THE MANUFACTURER STA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYS INACCURATE READINGS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE CANNOT DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATE SPEED, WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $600. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE YEAR, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 5/26/09 *CN THE SPEEDOMETER IS BROKEN AND THE ELECTRICAL COMMUNICATION MAKES A BUZZING SOUND. UPDATED 05/28/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10258603
69,720 miles · Jan 28, 2009
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE SPEEDOMETER HAS BEEN GOING OUT FOR SOME TIME. IT WILL EITHER NOT REGISTER OR REGISTER OFF SO THAT THE PERSON DRIVING HAS NO IDEA OF SPEED. I HAVE CONTACTED CHEVY AND MY DEALER AND HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT CHEVY KNOWS OF THE ISSUE BUT WILL ONLY COVER REPLACEMENT THROUGH MODEL YEAR 2004. THERE …
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I HAVE A 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE SPEEDOMETER HAS BEEN GOING OUT FOR SOME TIME. IT WILL EITHER NOT REGISTER OR REGISTER OFF SO THAT THE PERSON DRIVING HAS NO IDEA OF SPEED. I HAVE CONTACTED CHEVY AND MY DEALER AND HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT CHEVY KNOWS OF THE ISSUE BUT WILL ONLY COVER REPLACEMENT THROUGH MODEL YEAR 2004. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT TO TRY TO FORCE COVERAGE OF ADDITIONAL YEARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10256576
Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2009
Electrical System
THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN STOPS WORKING AT RANDOM TIMES. IT STARTED APPROX. ONE WEEK AGO AT 73000 MILES. SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY, CHEVROLET WILL NOT PAY. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED FOR MY VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10256129
69,710 miles · Jun 30, 2008
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING; THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR; THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED ON 2/06/2008, WE HAD IT REBUILT. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 69710 MILES. WE WERE IN A RURAL AREA AT THE TIME RATHER THAN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THANK GOODNESS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10232748
10,900 miles · Jun 27, 2008
Air Bags
THE AIRBAG SYSTEM HAS STOPPED WORKING 6 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT MY BRAND NEW SUBURBAN. THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON WHICH MEANS THE SYSTEM WILL NOT WORK IF IN AN ACCIDENT. THE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT SIX TIMES. NOW GM STATED THAT THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING FURTHER AND THEIR SOLUTION IS FOR ME TO BUY A NEW CAR WHEN MY CAR IS…
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THE AIRBAG SYSTEM HAS STOPPED WORKING 6 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT MY BRAND NEW SUBURBAN. THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON WHICH MEANS THE SYSTEM WILL NOT WORK IF IN AN ACCIDENT. THE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT SIX TIMES. NOW GM STATED THAT THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING FURTHER AND THEIR SOLUTION IS FOR ME TO BUY A NEW CAR WHEN MY CAR IS ONLY 2.5 YEARS OLD AND ONLY HAS 36,000 MILES ON IT.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2005 Chevrolet Suburban Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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