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2005 GMC Sierra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Sierra years

Owner complaints for the 2005 GMC Sierra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 53.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

106 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.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

6 reports
Clear category filter
102,000 miles · Feb 3, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

NHTSA ODI #10680974

57,000 miles · Aug 24, 2014
Air BagsSteering

POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING ON SLOW RIGHT HAND TURNS. I SOMETIMES NEED TO BACK UP IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE TURN. I ALSO END UP CROSSING INTO ONCOMING LANES IF NO TRAFFIC IS COMEING TOWARDS ME. IF THERE IS TRAFFIC I NEED TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN UNTIL THE TRAFFIC CLEARS. THE "CHECK AIRBAG" LIGHT CAME ON AT 85000 MILES …

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POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING ON SLOW RIGHT HAND TURNS. I SOMETIMES NEED TO BACK UP IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE TURN. I ALSO END UP CROSSING INTO ONCOMING LANES IF NO TRAFFIC IS COMEING TOWARDS ME. IF THERE IS TRAFFIC I NEED TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN UNTIL THE TRAFFIC CLEARS. THE "CHECK AIRBAG" LIGHT CAME ON AT 85000 MILES AFTER THE BATTERY DISCHARGED FROM THE VEHICLE SITTING TO LONG WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627826

128,000 miles · Jul 7, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

NHTSA ODI #10608519

53,000 miles · May 28, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower Train

WITHIN 4 MONTHS OF PURCHASE, WAS DRIVING AT APPROX. 25 MPH WHEN TRANSFER CASE SHIFTED INTO 4 HIGH ON IT'S OWN. SHUT OFF VEHICLE, RESTART AND ABLE TO PUT BACK INTO 2 WHEEL DRIVE. HAPPENED ON AND OFF FOR A LITTLE MORE THAN A MONTH WHEN IT WENT TO 4 LO WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH THROUGH TOWN. UNABLE TO RESET. LIMPED IT THE 2 MILES TO …

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WITHIN 4 MONTHS OF PURCHASE, WAS DRIVING AT APPROX. 25 MPH WHEN TRANSFER CASE SHIFTED INTO 4 HIGH ON IT'S OWN. SHUT OFF VEHICLE, RESTART AND ABLE TO PUT BACK INTO 2 WHEEL DRIVE. HAPPENED ON AND OFF FOR A LITTLE MORE THAN A MONTH WHEN IT WENT TO 4 LO WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH THROUGH TOWN. UNABLE TO RESET. LIMPED IT THE 2 MILES TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS. COST ME $1200 TO HAVE THE TRANSFER CASE REBUILT. SMOKED THE CLUTCH PACK, BURNED OUT 2 BUSHINGS AND BENT SHIFT SHAFT. HAD SECOND ISSUE OF SHIFTING ON IT'S OWN, MAY 15TH, 2014. THIS TIME IT COST ME $500 FOR THE SHIFT MOTOR TO BE REPLACED. SECOND PROBLEM, SPEEDOMETER READING INCORRECTLY OR NOT AT ALL. BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 3 YEARS SPORADICALLY (APPARENTLY THE LITTLE DRIVE "MOTOR" ON THE BACK OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, $300 REPLACEMENT OR, FOUND A COMPANY TO REBUILD WITH NEW "MOTORS" FOR UNDER $200). PASSLOCK ISSUES STARTED IN JAN 2014, HAS LEFT ME STRANDED A COUPLE TIMES NOW. CAN'T GET A GOOD ANSWER FROM DEALER AS TO HOW TO REPAIR OTHER THAN "BRING IT IN AND WE'LL HOOK IT TO OUR DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM" (I.E. PAY US LOTS OF MONEY). ALSO HAVING ISSUE WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON CONSTANTLY. INTERMITTENT ENGINE MISS ON MULTIPLE CYLINDERS. ROUGH IDLE, CRAPPY MILEAGE, BUT NOT DOWN ON POWER. MISS SEAMS TO GO AWAY OFF IDLE AND NOT NOTICEABLE UNDER LOAD. NEW PLUGS, WIRES, ETC, ETC, ETC.... HAVEN'T FIGURED THIS ONE OUT YET. SAME ANSWER FROM DEALER (PAY US MORE MONEY PLEASE). LASTLY, AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON IN DEC OF 2012. NEVER CRASHED OR BUMPED BUT HAD TO REPLACE LEFT FRONT AIR BAG SENSOR. LOVE THE TRUCK, CURRENTLY HAS 154000 MILES BUT I'M GETTING FRUSTRATED WITH ALL THE LITTLE ELECTRICAL "GLITCHES" AND THE DEALER WON'T HELP A BIT WITHOUT THE NORMAL ANSWER, "BRING IT IN AND WE'LL HOOK IT TO OUR DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM". IT'S DANG NEAR $200 (DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE) JUST TO GET MY TRUCK IN AND OUT WITHOUT EVEN GETTING ANYTHING REPAIRED! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10594705

9,000 miles · Mar 3, 2008
Air BagsCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 5 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING 60 MPH CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF HIS VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE BUMPER, RADIATOR, ENGINE, AND TRANSMISSION WERE DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THERE WERE N…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 5 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING 60 MPH CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF HIS VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE BUMPER, RADIATOR, ENGINE, AND TRANSMISSION WERE DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 9,000.

NHTSA ODI #10219900

1,700 miles · Nov 4, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury

DT: THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN HIS VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT . UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10141765

Official recalls

9

06V417000 · Air Bags:frontal

Oct 31, 2006

CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.

Remedy: BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.

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.

05V455000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

Oct 5, 2005

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A POWER STEERING HOSE THAT IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION. UNDER EXTREME STEERING MANEUVERS, SUCH AS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FULLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE BRAKING, THE HOSE MAY FRACTURE AND LEAK FLUID.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD BE LOST AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRO-BOOST POWER BRAKES, IT COULD ALSO RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. IF THE POWER STEERING FLUID SPRAY WERE TO SPRAY ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING HOSE(S) FOR TWO SUSPECT DATE CODES AND REPLACE THEM IF REQUIRED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

05V161000 · Parking Brake

Apr 22, 2005

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND BUILT WITH EITHER PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS OR TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS, THE PARKING BRAKE FRICTION LININGS MAY WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD, UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC 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.

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.

05V018000 · Steering:gear Box:shaft Sector

Jan 21, 2005

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE BOLT THAT ATTACHES THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT TO THE STEERING GEAR MAY NOT MEET SPECIFICATION. THE BOLT MAY FRACTURE RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.

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.