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2005 GMC Sierra 2500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Sierra 2500 years

Owner complaints for the 2005 GMC Sierra 2500 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 46.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

104 reports with mileage · 11 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 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 19 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 reports6 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

115 reports
136,000 miles · May 10, 2011
EquipmentStructure

BROKEN FRAME ON THE FRONT BY THE FRONT SHOCK MOUNT I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL ON OTHER 2500 AND 3500 SERIES GMC AND CHEVROLET MODELS I HAVE HAD TO WELD AND PLATE THE FRAMES ON 2 OF MY OWN TRUCKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399732

88,400 miles · Mar 23, 2011
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA 2500HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER BECAME NON-FUNCTIONAL AND FAILED TO DISPLAY THE SPEED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA 2500HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER BECAME NON-FUNCTIONAL AND FAILED TO DISPLAY THE SPEED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,400.

NHTSA ODI #10392640

138,307 miles · Mar 16, 2011
Power Train

GM STATES THAT DEXRON-VI IS FULLY BACKWARDS COMPATIBLE WITH ALL DEXRON-III APPLICATIONS. MY VEHICLE IS A 2005 GMC SIERRA K2500HD, WITH AN 8.1L GASOLINE ENGINE AND ALLISON 1000 TRANSMISSION. AFTER PERFORMING A ROUTINE SERVICE ON MY TRANSMISSION (FLUID DRAIN AND REFILL), REPLACING THE DEXRON-III WITH DEXRON-VI, I NOTICED THE SEALS…

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GM STATES THAT DEXRON-VI IS FULLY BACKWARDS COMPATIBLE WITH ALL DEXRON-III APPLICATIONS. MY VEHICLE IS A 2005 GMC SIERRA K2500HD, WITH AN 8.1L GASOLINE ENGINE AND ALLISON 1000 TRANSMISSION. AFTER PERFORMING A ROUTINE SERVICE ON MY TRANSMISSION (FLUID DRAIN AND REFILL), REPLACING THE DEXRON-III WITH DEXRON-VI, I NOTICED THE SEALS AND GASKETS LEAKING FROM AROUND THE TRANSMISSION. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THE SYNTHETIC DEXRON-VI IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH CERTAIN SEALS INSTALLED IN ALLISON BRAND TRANSMISSIONS. ALLISON TRANSMISSION DOES NOT APPROVE THE USE OF DEXRON-VI IN ITS TRANSMISSIONS DUE TO THE SEAL INCOMPATIBILITY (ALLISON SERVICE TIP #1099P). ANOTHER ALLISON DOCUMENT (SA5429EN) LISTS TWO SERIAL NUMBER CUTOFFS, PRIOR TO WHICH CONTAIN SEALS INCOMPATIBLE WITH DEXRON-VI. THE SITUATION HAS YET TO BE RESOLVED - GM DENIES ANY POSSIBLE INCOMPATIBILITY, AND WILL NOT WARRANT ANY DAMAGES, WHILE ALLISON REPRESENTATIVES HAVE TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM IS A DIRECT RESULT OF DEXRON-VI. THE ESTIMATED COST TO REPLACE ALL OF THE SEALS IN THE TRANSMISSION IS $1,900.00. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10390385

1,000 miles · Mar 5, 2011
Exterior LightingFire

FACTORY SYLVANIA RUNNING LIGHT BULBS TO HOT AND SCORCHING/MELTING THE PLASTIC SOCKETS IN GM PICKUP TRUCKS. 2005 TO 2009 THAT'S WHY YOU SEE SO MANY GM TRUCKS INCLUDING CADILLAC ESCALADE WITH ONE OR BOTH OF THE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS NOT WORKING THE SOCKET HAS MELTED FROM THE HEAT OF THE LIGHT BULB. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10386575

85,183 miles · Mar 1, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OF THIS PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED TO FULL, A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WOULD SURROUND THE VEHICLE AND FUEL WOULD BEGIN TO DRIP FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE IN THE AREA OF THE FUEL TANK. WHEN TANK WAS FILLED ONLY PARTIALLY (BELOW 75%) ONLY THE STRONG SMELL OF GASOLI…

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PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OF THIS PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED TO FULL, A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WOULD SURROUND THE VEHICLE AND FUEL WOULD BEGIN TO DRIP FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE IN THE AREA OF THE FUEL TANK. WHEN TANK WAS FILLED ONLY PARTIALLY (BELOW 75%) ONLY THE STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WOULD OCCUR AFTER REFUELING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GM DEALERSHIP AND AN INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED AND A CRACK WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL TANK WHERE THE FILLER NECK ATTACHES TO THE BODY OF THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10386111

78,000 miles · Jan 20, 2011
Electrical System

AT 78,000 MILES SPEEDOMETER PEGGED OUT AT 120 MPH. PULLED CLUSTER PANEL AND PUSHED NEEDLE BACK DOWN TO 0. WORKED FINE FOR ABOUT 3,000 MILES. NOW IT IS A EVERYDAY REPAIR. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN. I LOVE HOW GM KNOWS WHEN THESE WILL FAIL AT 70,000. GM OR DELPHI SHOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND FIX THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10378073

Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKEN OFF (4). 6.0 L ENGINE AND EXHAUST IS ESCAPING AND ENTERING CABIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10369228

100,000 miles · Nov 30, 2010
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA 2500HD 6.0. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE AND HEAT ODOMETER GAVE INACCURATE READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA 2500HD 6.0. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE AND HEAT ODOMETER GAVE INACCURATE READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10368346

65,000 miles · Nov 24, 2010
Power TrainSuspension

NOTICED A NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION/DRIVE TRAIN. AN ALIGNMENT SHOP CHECKED THE FRONT END AND THEY FOUND THAT THE FRONT SEALED WHEEL BEARINGS WERE ABOUT TO HAVE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. VEHICLE HAS 65,000 MILES AND HAS NEVER BEEN SUBJECTED TO HARSH ENVIRONMENTS. WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN SAFELY. SEALED B…

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NOTICED A NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION/DRIVE TRAIN. AN ALIGNMENT SHOP CHECKED THE FRONT END AND THEY FOUND THAT THE FRONT SEALED WHEEL BEARINGS WERE ABOUT TO HAVE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. VEHICLE HAS 65,000 MILES AND HAS NEVER BEEN SUBJECTED TO HARSH ENVIRONMENTS. WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN SAFELY. SEALED BEARINGS HAVE NO MAINTENANCE OPTIONS AND CAN CREATE AN ACCIDENT. LEARNED OF OTHER GMC FRONT WHEEL BEARING ISSUES WHILE MEETING WITH THE SHOP TO ARRANGE FOR REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10367771

80,000 miles · Nov 16, 2010
Electrical System

DETAILS: 2005 GMC SIERRA PICK UP TRUCK. THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE WILL NOT GO BACK TO 0 WHEN I AM STOPPED, WHICH CAUSES THE SPEEDOMETER TO READ WRONG MPH WHEN DRIVING. THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING MORE AND MORE SINCE IT FIRST BEGAN. IT STARTED FOR NO APPARENT REASON APPROXIMATELY 6 - 7 MONTHS AGO. DEALER WAS VERY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM,…

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DETAILS: 2005 GMC SIERRA PICK UP TRUCK. THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE WILL NOT GO BACK TO 0 WHEN I AM STOPPED, WHICH CAUSES THE SPEEDOMETER TO READ WRONG MPH WHEN DRIVING. THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING MORE AND MORE SINCE IT FIRST BEGAN. IT STARTED FOR NO APPARENT REASON APPROXIMATELY 6 - 7 MONTHS AGO. DEALER WAS VERY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT I AM PAST ANY WARRANTIES OUT THERE. APPROXIMATE COST TO ME TO FIX FROM THE DEALER IS $500. I CANT AFFORD THIS. HOWEVER, BASED UPON NUMBER OF POSTINGS ON THE INTERNET, IT LOOKS TO ME LIKE A RECALL IS IN ORDER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10366430

Official recalls

1

08V519000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility

Oct 6, 2008

MOBILITYWORKS IS RECALLING 133 MY 2005-2006 FORD E250, MY 2000, 2004-2006 E350, MY 2000, 2005 E450, MY 2005-2006 GMC 2500, GMC 3500, AND MY 2006 DODGE 2500 VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy: MOBILITYWORKS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.

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.