2005 Gmc SIERRA 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
50,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 24 complaints (20.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 13 | 54.2% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 20.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 8.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections | 2 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
Service Brakes: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 4; Electrical System: 3; Steering: 3; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections: 2; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2005: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2010: 4; 2011: 3; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 10198273 · 2007-08-02 (August 2, 2007)
EXITED THE INTERSTATE AND WHILE ROUNDING A CORNER WHEN I STARTED BRAKING AT LOW RPM THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS JUMPING UNDER MY FOOT. FINALLY GOT VEHICLE STOPPED BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AS I MADE MY WAY HOME. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 39,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10198273 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10245010 · 2008-10-09 (October 9, 2008)
TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. I WAS TOLD THAT MY RIGHT FRONT HUB & BEARING ASSEMBLY HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY. I NOW HAVE 69,587 MILES, AT 32,000 MILES THE SAME PROBLEM AROSE WITH THE LEFT FRONT HUB & BEARING ASSEMBLY WHICH WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY UNDER GM'S 36,000 MILE 3 YEARS WARRANTY. THIS DEFECTIVE HUB & BEARING ASSEMBLY JUST COST ME $553.81. THIS PART CANNOT BE LUBRICATED OR ADJUSTED. I HAD SOME SWAY WHEN TOWING MY TRAVEL TRAILER AND THOUGHT IT WAS THE ROADWAY, BUT NOW I KNOW IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED NEXT…
Owner-reported narrative. 69,587 miles reported. Look up ODI 10245010 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10320372 · 2010-03-17 (March 17, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 GMC 3500 TRUCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE HIS HOME WITH THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. WHILE INSIDE THE HOME, HE HEARD AN UNUSUALLY LOUD EXPLOSION. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED ACCORDINGLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD FURTHER INVESTIGATE FAILURE AND HAVE FAILED TO DO SO. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL FOR HER YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL DESCRIBING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE BUT WAS UNAWA…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10320372 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10367300 · 2010-11-23 (November 23, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATER AND DEFROST FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES, THE HEATER WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED FIVE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WASNT CORRECTED. THE DEALERSHIP WASN'T ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE EXACT LOCATION OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WASN'T REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10367300 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10789524 · 2015-11-10 (November 10, 2015)
DRIVING 75MPH IN HEAVY HIGHWAY TRAFFIC THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRUCK LOST POWER AND SLOWED TO 40 MPH IN ABOUT 200 YARDS. WE ALMOST GOT HIT BY ALL THE TRAFFIC BEHIND AND AROUND US AS THIS HAPPEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING. WE GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE HWY AND I HAVE A SCANNER AND FOUND 2 CODES P0207 AND P2146. I GOT OUT AND CHECKED THE WIRING TO THE #7 INJECTOR AND DID NOT FIND ANYTHING. PLUGGED IT BACK IN CLEARED CODES ,ENGINE RAN FINE SO START DOWN THE ROAD AGAIN. AFTER 5 MILES IT DID IT AGAIN. IT TOOK ME 5 HOURS TO GO 90 MILES TO GET TO …
Owner-reported narrative. 59,921 miles reported. Look up ODI 10789524 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10138128 · 2005-09-29 (September 29, 2005)
GMC 3500 CREW CAB DUALLY WITH THE 6.6 DURAMAX DIESEL AND ALLISON AUTOMATIC CAN TO PERFORM ITS DESIGNED JOB WITH OUT OVER HEATING. TRUCK IS RATED FOR 23,500 GCWR AND A 16000 TOWING CAPACITY. HOWEVER IT STRUGGLES TO PULL 7000 POUNDS AND ENGINE TEMPERATURE GOT OVER 230, AND TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE OVER 210. THE COOLING FAN STRUGGLES TO CONTROL THE HEAT AND RUNS CONSTANTLY, THE NOISE IS UNBEARABLE. IF ONE WERE TO ATTEMPT TO PULL MY RV UP A MOUNTAIN GRADE IN THE SUMMER I WOULD BE LEFT STRANDED ON THE ROAD OR IN TRAFFIC. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 3,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10138128 at NHTSA ↗