2005 Gmc SIERRA 1500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
177 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
70,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 158 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 42 of 177 complaints (23.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 54 | 30.5% |
| Steering behavior | 23 | 13.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 7.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 4.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 42 |
| Service Brakes | 33 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 24 |
| Steering | 14 |
| Air Bags | 13 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 11 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Power Train | 5 |
Electrical System: 42; Service Brakes: 33; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 24; Steering: 14; Air Bags: 13; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 11; Engine: 6; Power Train: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 18 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 32 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 35 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 34 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 24 |
| 150,000 and above | 15 |
Under 25,000: 18; 25,000 to 49,999: 32; 50,000 to 74,999: 35; 75,000 to 99,999: 34; 100,000 to 149,999: 24; 150,000 and above: 15
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (35). 19 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 12 |
| 2008 | 20 |
| 2009 | 19 |
| 2010 | 26 |
| 2011 | 19 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 14 |
| 2014 | 14 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2006: 7; 2007: 12; 2008: 20; 2009: 19; 2010: 26; 2011: 19; 2012: 7; 2013: 14; 2014: 14; 2015: 7; 2016: 12; 2017: 6; 2018: 2; 2019: 5; 2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 54 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 13 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10160167 · 2006-06-19 (June 19, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS THE VEHICLE PULSATED AND UNDER PANIC BRAKING THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LOCKED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON FIVE OCCASIONS FOR THIS PROBLEM WHERE THE DEALER, ON THE LAST VISIT, REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS AND THE REAR DRUMS. AFTER 4000 MILES THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN ALERTED. THE FRONT CALIPERS FROZE AND CAUSED THE ROTORS TO OVERHEAT. UPDATED 07/07/06. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 14,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10160167 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10173569 · 2006-11-15 (November 15, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE FRONT BRAKES GRABBED THEN FADED DUE TO THE FACT THE REAR BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS FOUR TIMES; ONE SET OF FRONT ROTORS AND CALIPERS, AND ADJUSTED THE REAR BRAKES SIX TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED.
Owner-reported narrative. 28,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10173569 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10166770 · 2006-08-28 (August 28, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WAS LOOSE AND WOBBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND LUBE WAS ADDED TO THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONSUMER STATED THE LUBE DOESN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 09/13/06. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 17,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10166770 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10167128 · 2006-08-31 (August 31, 2006)
KNOCKING NOISE AND VIBRATION IN STEERING COLUMN. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 2 OCCASIONS AND THEY'VE SAID IT'S A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON A REPLACEMENT. THEY GREASED THE COLUMN TWICE AND THE VIBRATION AND NOISE ALWAYS COMES BACK. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10167128 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10176767 · 2006-12-21 (December 21, 2006)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ALL MY TRUCK LIGHTS DIM VERY LOW WHEN I ROLL THE WINDOWS UP OR DOWN WHEN DRIVING, WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES ALL LIGHTS DIM AND VOT. DROPS WE HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO THE SHOP A LOT FOR THIS AND STILL NO FIX. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AND MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE DOESN'T WORK I TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID THIS PROBLEM IS ONLY IN ALASKA AND THERE IS NO FIX. FRONT DIFF HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE DAY WE PICKED IT UP THE HAVE FIXED DIFFERENT THINGS ON IT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10176767 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10177745 · 2007-01-04 (January 4, 2007)
2005 GMC SIERRA - IF THE VEHICLE SITS FOR 3-4 DAYS WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN, THE BATTERY GOES DEAD. NOTHING HAS BEEN LEFT ON. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10177745 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10186922 · 2007-04-03 (April 3, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RAN HOT AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH AND GREATER. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS IF IT WAS SHIFTED INTO LOW FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER ON FIVE OCCASIONS FOR THIS FAILURE. THE DEALER CURRENTLY POSSESSED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 20,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10186922 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10210757 · 2007-12-04 (December 4, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT ACCIDENTALLY ENGAGED THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR INTO REVERSE WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. AS A RESULT, SHE FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS DRAGGED. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO PARK. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY SEVEN MONTHS LATER, A SEAL ON THE TRANSMISSION BLEW OUT. THE DEALER REBUILT AND INSTALLED THE TRANSMISSION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SHIFTED INTO DRIVE WITHOUT WARNING. SHE WAS ABL…
Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10210757 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10247867 · 2008-11-06 (November 6, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO COAST. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED. SHE SHIFTED THE GEAR FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. LATER THAT WEEK, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED 55 MPH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. WHILE DRIVING TO HER PLACE OF BUSINESS, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED 100-120 MPH. LATER THAT DAY, THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED TO BRING IT BACK FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR. THE M…
Owner-reported narrative. 72,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10247867 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10383458 · 2011-02-21 (February 21, 2011)
FUEL TANK VENT SYSTEM PLUGS UP WITH DUST. - CAUSES FUEL TO SPILL WHEN USING AUTOMATIC FILLERS, ALSO SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. - HAD TO REPLACE CANISTER (FULL OF DUST) AND PURGE SOLENOID AT 95,000 MILES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10383458 at NHTSA ↗