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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

129 reports
55,000 miles · Jul 9, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

AFTER RUNNING VEHICLE, GAS RUNS DOWN SIDES FROM TOP OF FUEL TANK, AND DRIPS UNDER VEHICLE. CONTINUES TO DRIP IF CAR IDLES. STOPS IF CAR IS SHUT OFF. STRONG SMELL OF FUEL AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI #10732867

87,000 miles · Jun 3, 2015
Air Bags

AIR BAG SENSOR FAILURE RENDERING THE AIRBAGS INOPERABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10723112

126,600 miles · May 25, 2015
Power Train

BEGAN HEARING A "WHINING" NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. NOISE WAS PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER AT ACCELERATED SPEEDS. LEFT VEHICLE AT LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER (CA) WHO DID AN INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSED A MECHANICAL ISSUE POSSIBLY WITH THE DIFFERENTIAL [REF. CLAIM CHECK 175]. SERVICE WRITER STATED ESTIMATED REPAIR COST FOR AN OVERHAUL WAS $3,000 …

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BEGAN HEARING A "WHINING" NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. NOISE WAS PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER AT ACCELERATED SPEEDS. LEFT VEHICLE AT LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER (CA) WHO DID AN INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSED A MECHANICAL ISSUE POSSIBLY WITH THE DIFFERENTIAL [REF. CLAIM CHECK 175]. SERVICE WRITER STATED ESTIMATED REPAIR COST FOR AN OVERHAUL WAS $3,000 VS. HIGHER COSTS TO REPLACE WITH USED OR NEW DIFFERENTIAL. SERVICE WRITER FURTHER INDICATED CONTINUED DRIVING COULD CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE AND ADDED COST IF AXLE WAS ALSO AFFECTED. DECIDED TO TAKE VEHICLE TO A RECOGNIZED POWERTRAIN REPAIR FACILITY WHO DETERMINED (ALSO WITH A DRIVE TEST) THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS THE PROBLEM AND GAVE INITIAL $1,200 ESTIMATE. AUTHORIZED REPAIR. FINAL COST WAS $813 AND INCLUDES 1 YEAR FULL WARRANTY. NOW RUNS SMOOTH / QUIET WHEN DRIVING. TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT ALTHOUGH FLUID LEVEL WAS GOOD (SEALED AT FACTORY), A RING INSIDE THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS BAD (HAD BECOME PITTED AND COULD HAVE CAUSED FURTHER ISSUES IF UNCHECKED. CHANGED OUT RING AND BEARINGS BUT ALL OTHER COMPONENTS INCLUDING CASING WERE FINE. TECHNICIAN STATED SUCH WEAR IS UNCOMMON FOR A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 126K MILES AND WITH NO TOWING ON FACTORY TOW PACKAGE. IS THIS AN ANNOMILY OR ARE THERE OTHER CASES OF BAD PARTS IN DIFFERENTIAL FOR THIS MAKE / MODEL? WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS FURTHER WITH GM ZONE REP. BUT NO RESPONSE!!!

NHTSA ODI #10721293

88,163 miles · May 7, 2015
Service Brakes

WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN I NOTICED MY BRAKES FEELING MUSHY AND THE PEDAL NEEDING TO BE PRESSED FURTHER INTO THE FLOORBOARD. MY "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM" LIGHT CAME ON AND UPON INSPECTION NOTICED THAT I WAS LOW ON BRAKE FLUID. I FILLED THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR TO THE MAX LINE. THE NEXT DAY THE SAME WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND I FURTHE…

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WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN I NOTICED MY BRAKES FEELING MUSHY AND THE PEDAL NEEDING TO BE PRESSED FURTHER INTO THE FLOORBOARD. MY "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM" LIGHT CAME ON AND UPON INSPECTION NOTICED THAT I WAS LOW ON BRAKE FLUID. I FILLED THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR TO THE MAX LINE. THE NEXT DAY THE SAME WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND I FURTHER INSPECTED THE BRAKE LINES TO FIND THAT THE LINES FROM THE ABS BOX TO THE REAR HAD RUSTED OUT AND WERE LEAKING BADLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10715251

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

TACH AND SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKIN

NHTSA ODI #10671636

77,801 miles · Nov 11, 2014
Service Brakes

WE BOUGHT OUR CHEVY SUBURBAN IN MAY OF 2014, 73,000 MILES, GARAGE KEPT VEHICLE. THE SUBURBAN IS IN BEAUTIFUL SHAPE, ENGINE COMPARTMENT SHOWS VERY LITTLE SIGNS OF RUST OR CORROSION, SAME GOES FOR THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, VERY CLEAN. THIS PAST WEEKEND WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A LARGE HILL, MY WIFE HAD OUR TWO BOYS WITH HER IN THE…

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WE BOUGHT OUR CHEVY SUBURBAN IN MAY OF 2014, 73,000 MILES, GARAGE KEPT VEHICLE. THE SUBURBAN IS IN BEAUTIFUL SHAPE, ENGINE COMPARTMENT SHOWS VERY LITTLE SIGNS OF RUST OR CORROSION, SAME GOES FOR THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, VERY CLEAN. THIS PAST WEEKEND WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A LARGE HILL, MY WIFE HAD OUR TWO BOYS WITH HER IN THE VEHICLE AGES 5 AND 7 WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKES GAVE OUT COMPLETELY, NO BRAKING POWER AT ALL. IF IT WASN'T FOR THE EMERGENCY BRAKE THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR WORSE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE WE FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINES ARE COMPLETELY ROTTED, THE ONLY PART ON THE VEHICLE THAT LOOKS LIKE THIS. WE KNOW WHO OWNED THE VEHICLE BEFORE US, ONE OWNER, AND SHE DID NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE VERY OFTEN IN WINTER WEATHER. SHE WORKS FOR A SCHOOL DISTRICT AND HAS OFF WHEN IT SNOWS. SHE ALSO HAD AN OLDER CAR THAT SHE DROVE WHEN THE WEATHER AND ROADS WERE BAD. THESE BRAKE LINES ARE FAULTY. THERE IS NO WAY THESE BRAKE LINES SHOULD LOOK LIKE THIS AFTER 9 YEARS ON THE ROAD. MY NEIGHBOR HAS A 2005 YUKON AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. MY FRIEND [XXX] HAS A 2003 GMC PICKUP, SAME PROBLEM, HE ALMOST CRASHED INTO A LAKE WHEN HIS BRAKE LINES FAILED. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS AND FAST AS PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET KILLED. I HAVE PICTURES I CAN SHARE WITH ANYONE WHO WANTS TO SEE THEM. YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT ME AT ANY TIME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654143

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2014
Service Brakes

MY 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN HAS RUSTED BRAKES LINES THAT WILL COST ME $2,000 TO REPAIR. INTERESTINGLY I SEE MANY NATIONAL ARTICLES ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FILED. GM HAS REFUSED TO ISSUE A RECALL TO COVER THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM; OTHER AUTOMAKERS HAVE DONE SO. THE NHTSA HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING THI…

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MY 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN HAS RUSTED BRAKES LINES THAT WILL COST ME $2,000 TO REPAIR. INTERESTINGLY I SEE MANY NATIONAL ARTICLES ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FILED. GM HAS REFUSED TO ISSUE A RECALL TO COVER THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM; OTHER AUTOMAKERS HAVE DONE SO. THE NHTSA HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING THIS FOR WELL OVER 3 YEARS AND DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT TO DATE. I DON'T HAVE $2,000 TO HAVE THE WORK DONE, HOWEVER I ALSO CAN'T RISK THE LIVES OF MY FAMILY AND THOSE OF OTHER DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS IMMEDIATE ACTION AND GM SHOULD TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. PRIOR TO THIS I WOULD CONSIDER BUYING ANOTHER SUBURBAN, HOWEVER, NO MORE GM FOR ME! ITS A DISGRACE THE GM DOES NOT VALUE ITS CUSTOMERS AND THEIR SAFETY AND THAT THE NHTSA HAS NOT STEPPED UP TO FORCE A RECALL. JUST HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR DIE FOR ACTION TO OCCUR? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10650392

Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE TWO WHEEL OR FOUR WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE PREVENTED THE CONTACT OF KNOWING WHICH GEAR THE VEHICLE WAS IN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE TWO WHEEL OR FOUR WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE PREVENTED THE CONTACT OF KNOWING WHICH GEAR THE VEHICLE WAS IN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10639002

120,000 miles · Aug 22, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF THE ENGINE FAN FAILED TO TURN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10627562

118,000 miles · Jun 17, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT ALWAYS TURN THE VEHICLE ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE CONTACT REFUSED TO HAVE T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT ALWAYS TURN THE VEHICLE ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE CONTACT REFUSED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 118,500.

NHTSA ODI #10598929

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.