2005 Gmc SIERRA 3500: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10132977 · 2005-08-16 (August 16, 2005)
I HAVE A GMC PICKUP TRUCK WITH A DIESEL ENGINE THAT HAS A CHRONIC OVERHEATING ISSUE. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH SUCH AN ISSUE, AS THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS, MAYBE EVEN THOUSANDS WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE IS EXCLUSIVE TO GM DIESEL PICKUPS WITH THE 6.6 LITER DURAMAX DIESEL ENGINE MODEL YEAR 2004.5 AND 2005. I HAVE HAD MY TRUCK FOR ONLY 2 MONTHS AND AM TAKING IT TO THE DEALER FOR THE SECOND TIME. I HAVE READ THAT GM HAS HAD TO BUY BACK SEVERAL OF THESE VEHICLES. WHILE SOME DEALERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE RECOGNIZING THE PROBLEM AND TELLING…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10132977 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 ↗
Owner report 10186023 · 2007-03-23 (March 23, 2007)
TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2005 GMC SIERRA. THE PASSENGER'S FRONT TIRE WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT 6000 MILES BECAUSE THERE WAS NO TREAD LEFT ON THE TIRE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE HAD WORN UNEVENLY, AND THE PASSENGER'S FRONT TIRE WAS STARTING TO WEAR OUT AS WELL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE IS 9,691. THE DEALER STATED THE REASON FOR THE PREMATURE WEAR WAS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ALIGNED ACCORDING TO GMC SPECS. GMC O…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10186023 at NHTSA ↗
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 10245007 · 2008-10-09 (October 9, 2008)
SPEEDOMETER WAS OFF A LOT!! 74 MPH WHILE SITTING STILL, 130+ MPH WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL ROAD SPEEDS. I DID NOT KNOW HOW FAST I WAS TRAVELING. SCHOOL ZONES ETC. NEVER KNOW IF I WAS SPEEDING OR NOT. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE ON VACATION IN CALIFORNIA. SOMETIMES IT WAS NORMAL, BUT IT GOT WORSE. IT FIRST HAPPENED AT ABOUT 65,000 MILES. I CONTACTED MY DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT MAY BE UNDER WARRANTY, AS MANY HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. THEY SAID MY 2005 GMC DID NOT FALL UNDER A WARRANTY. I HAD TO PAY $356.70 PLUS TAX TO HAVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUS…
Owner-reported narrative. 69,587 miles reported. Look up ODI 10245007 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 10298557 · 2010-01-07 (January 7, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA 3500. WHENEVER THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED WITH THE GEAR SHIFTER PLACED IN THE "NEUTRAL" POSITION; THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10298557 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 ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.