2005 Chevrolet SUBURBAN: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
129 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
84,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 95 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 129 complaints (17.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 30 | 23.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 7.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 4.7% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 3.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 3.1% |
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 | 23 |
| Service Brakes | 18 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 15 |
| Air Bags | 10 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 6 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
Electrical System: 23; Service Brakes: 18; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 15; Air Bags: 10; Vehicle Speed Control: 7; Engine: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 6; Fuel/Propulsion System: 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 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 22 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 22 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 22 |
| 150,000 and above | 11 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 22; 75,000 to 99,999: 22; 100,000 to 149,999: 22; 150,000 and above: 11
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (22). 34 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 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 11 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 17 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 3 |
2004: 1; 2005: 8; 2006: 9; 2007: 6; 2008: 7; 2009: 11; 2010: 11; 2011: 7; 2012: 8; 2013: 17; 2014: 9; 2015: 7; 2016: 5; 2018: 4; 2019: 2; 2020: 6; 2021: 4; 2022: 4; 2023: 3
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 30 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 10 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10103189 · 2004-12-22 (December 22, 2004)
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE MIRRORS FAILED. THE OBJECTS APPEARED FAR AWAY THAN NORMAL. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE HAD A TOW MIRROR PACKAGE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE MIRROR COULD BE REPLACED, BUT THE DRIVER HAD TO PAY FOR IT. *AK THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT HAD COME ON. *SC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10103189 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106062 · 2005-01-10 (January 10, 2005)
2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN (LESS THAN 1 WEEK OLD) -CAR WAS PLACED INTO PARK ON A DRIVEWAY WITH HILL -PARKING FOOT BRAKE WAS ENGAGED -I LEFT THE VEHICLE AND STARTED WALKING INTO THIS HOUSE -AT 30 YDS I HEARD SOMETHING BEHIND ME AND TURNED TO REALIZE THE CAR WAS ROLLING -I RAN BACK, JUMPED INTO THE CAR AND SLAMMED THE BRAKE ON -I TESTED THIS 3 MORE TIMES AND REPEATED THIS CONDITION. -THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR IS SAYING THE CAR IS IN PARK, BUT IT IS NOT LOCKING -AN ADDITIONAL CONCERN WAS THAT PARKING BRAKE DID NOT HOLD UP WITH 3 CHILDREN IN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10106062 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10118935 · 2005-04-19 (April 19, 2005)
MANUFACTURER PROMISED TO PURCHASE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE DUE TO THE HYDROBOOST BRAKE RECALL. THEY PROMISED TO MAKE THE FIRST PAYMENT UPON RECEIPT OF THE NEW VEHICLE. OWNER HAD IN HER POSSESSION AN ALERT BULLETIN ABOUT THE HYDROBOOST. NEITHER MANUFACTURER NOR DEALERSHIP CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY. NOTICE STATED, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY TO STOP DELIVERY AND ANY PURCHASES FOR THE SUBURBANS AND OTHER GM TRUCKS DATED FEBRUARY 4, 2005. HIGHLIGHTED SENTENCE STATED NOT TO ALLOW CONSUMERS TO PURCHASE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10118935 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10120032 · 2005-05-05 (May 5, 2005)
2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN K-1500 4WD; WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEED ~10-15 MPH AND APPLIED BRAKES HARD WITH SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTE LOSS OF BRAKES RESULTING IN MVA AND DAMAGE TO THREE VEHICLES, INCLUDING MY OWN
Owner-reported narrative. 101,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10120032 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10126396 · 2005-06-23 (June 23, 2005)
DT: THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE DEALER HAS CHANGED DIFFERENT PARTS, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10126396 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10129728 · 2005-07-22 (July 22, 2005)
THE ANTILOCK BRAKES COME ON AT LOW SPEED, WHICH IS STARTLING AND INCREASES STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS DEFECT IS ACKNOWLEGED BY GENERAL MOTORS, THOUGH THEY REFUSE TO ISSUE A RECALL. THEY TELL ME TO PAY FOR IT MYSELF. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS DEFECT WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10129728 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10140712 · 2005-10-25 (October 25, 2005)
GENERAL MOTORS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED AN SUV/TRUCK RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS. THE RECALL WENT INTO EFFECT IN 14 COLD-WEATHER STATES AND CANADA...BUT IT EXCLUDED WISCONSIN!!!! IT DID SO BECAUSE GM SAID IT DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS FROM WISCONSIN. THAT'S LUDICROUS! MANY HERE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS IN IOWA, MICHIGAN, AND ALL THE REST. I EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM, TOOK MY 2001 SUBURBAN TO MY GM DEALER FOR REPAIRS, AND WAS TOLD I'D BE REIMBURSED SUBJECT TO THE RECALL. THEN THE WISCONSIN EXCLUSION WAS ANNOUNCED. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10140712 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10144695 · 2005-12-07 (December 7, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING INTO WORK THE REAR END HOUSING EXPLODED AND THE DRIVE SHAFT DROPPED TO PIECES BOTH FLEW ALL OVER THE HIGHWAY SOME COMING OUT RED HOT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 1,845 miles reported. Look up ODI 10144695 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V376000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2004-08-02 (August 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗05V043000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Reported: 2005-02-08 (February 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗05V055000 · Power Train:Manual Transmission:Shift Pattern Indicator
Reported: 2005-02-14 (February 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗05V103000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages
Reported: 2005-03-18 (March 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗05V163000 · Seat Belts:Rear/Other
Reported: 2005-04-22 (April 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗06V289000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Reported: 2006-08-03 (August 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗