Is the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado a bad year?
316 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Silverado years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado are in line with other Silverado years. Brakes and electrical system stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2005 Silverado owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 78,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 87 (28%) | 38k–108k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 64 (20%) | 39k–96k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 28 (9%) | 25k–85k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 22 (7%) | 12k–100k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel system | 17 (5%) | 21k–107k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 29 (9%) | 3k–72k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 24 (8%) | 16k–49k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Suspension | 19 (6%) | 1k–47k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Tires | 14 (4%) | 3k–41k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 11 (3%) | 4k–77k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 9 (3%) | 1k–39k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 5 (2%) | 20k–56k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Equipment | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 78,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 316 complaints: 14 mention a crash · 7 mention a fire · 9 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Jul 2021.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I was driving home from work which is 1.5 miles, when I heard a thumping sound, and it seemed as if my rear wheels were not turning.
Transmission failure at 53,000 miles. Vehicle engine runs high RPM but fails to shift, especially from 2nd to 3rd gear.
At 30 MPH in 4 wheel drive, on a snowpacked road, something in the front differential broke and caused the front end to lock up.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 78,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado: 14
These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility may be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Certain federal-mogul replacement wheel hub assemblies with the brand names: national, carquest p/nos. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, and 515060, shipped between january 23, 2006, and december 20, 2007, sold for light duty and medium duty trucks. Wheel separation can result in a vehicle crash.
Certain cequent 90 degree 7-WAY right angle adaptors sold by distributors in tow packages for aftermarket sales to tow 5th wheel RV travel trailers. Due to incorrect wiring of the harness, the trailer lights may not operate properly. If the trailer lights are not working properly, a vehicle crash can occur.
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. If the damper comes loose, a fuel leak may result. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash.
Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash
Certain anzo combination headlamp assemblies sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
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. If this were to occur, power steering assist would be lost and increased steering effort would be required.
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. 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…
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. If the parking brake does not hold, unintended vehicle movement could occur, which could result in a crash.
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." The vehicle may move in an unintended direction resulting in possible injury to others outside of the vehicle.
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. 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.
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. If this happens while the vehicle is moving, a crash could occur without prior warning.
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. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 51
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Close coupled converters and there affect on newly installed engines or engines during there break in period
Intermittent Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated with Reduced Engine Power displayed and DTC P2138 set
Gmc/chevrolet: engines, with EGR system, has leakage from EGR cooler engine coolant into the combustion chamber
General motors: an optional engine block heater plug in for onboard ac power and with continuous usage will result in shorting of wires, over heating system…
Neighbouring years
2004 Silverado: 622 complaints, keep it · 2006 Silverado: 182 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Silverado year
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Questions
Is the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado a bad year?
316 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Silverado years. At 78,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: brakes (87), electrical system (64), air bags (28), engine (22), fuel system (17).
How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado have?
14 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 08E050000), Wheels (NHTSA 07E106000), Equipment (NHTSA 07E066000), Engine (NHTSA 06V-289) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.