Total Complaints
361 filings
CHEVROLET SILVERADO · model year
361 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash reports, and 14 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2005CHEVROLETSILVERADO carries 361 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 16 crashes, 8 fires, 12 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 SILVERADO is service brakes with 61 filings, followed by electrical system (33) and electrical system: instrument cluster/panel (28). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 14 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2005 SILVERADO, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
361 filings
Crashes Reported
16 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES | 61 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 33 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | 28 |
| AIR BAGS | 23 |
| STEERING | 13 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 11 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 10 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 9 |
| POWER TRAIN | 9 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 8 |
| SUSPENSION | 7 |
| TIRES | 7 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 6 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING | 5 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL | 5 |
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 ASSOCIA
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
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.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
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
PARKING BRAKE
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.
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR
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.
WHEELS:HUB
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. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO M
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:SHIFT PATTERN INDICATOR
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
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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 EQUIPME
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. 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 A
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 mph, he lost control of the vehicle due to losing consciousness. The vehicle left the roadway and went airborne and crashed with a road sign landing in a field. None of the airbags deployed and only the seatbelt lap belt tensioned not the shoulder strap. The contact sustained injuries such as several lacerations across the face and inside the mouth, and broken L1 vertebrae. The contact mentioned he fractured the steering wheel with his face during the impact. A police report was filed and the vehicle was towed to a local lot then towed again to the contacts insurance lot where it was awaiting a diagnosis. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 281,000.
Mileage: 281,000
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 mph, he lost control of the vehicle due to losing consciousness. The vehicle left the roadway and went airborne and crashed with a road sign landing in a field. None of the airbags deployed and only the seatbelt lap belt tensioned not the shoulder strap. The contact sustained injuries such as several lacerations across the face and inside the mouth, and broken L1 vertebrae. The contact mentioned he fractured the steering wheel with his face during the impact. A police report was filed and the vehicle was towed to a local lot then towed again to the contacts insurance lot where it was awaiting a diagnosis. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 281,000.
Mileage: 281,000
THE VEHICLES BRAKES ARE CORRODING AND FAILED ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT ON 2/09/2016 WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION (AT THE INTERSECTION OF IL ROUTE 34 AND WOLFS CROSSING)
Mileage: 105,000
PEDAL GOES ON DOWN WHEN PRESSED -- SEEMS LIKE ABS ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY
BREAK LINES CORRODED THROUGH TO FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED JUST AFTER EXITING A HIGHWAY. ABS ENGAGED DUE TO ICY CONDITIONS THE NEXT TIME I DEPRESSED THE BREAK PEDDLE IT WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT THE BREAKS ENGAGING. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE NO WARNING LIGHT WAS PRESENT ON THE DASHBOARD. THE BREAKS FAILED WHILE DRIVING AND RESULTED IN ME RUNNING A RED LIGHT. LUCKILY IT WAS EARLY IN THE MORNING AND NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED.
Mileage: 160,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER SET ON LEVEL FIVE, THE BLOWER INTERMITTENTLY CLICKED OFF AND ON. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A BURNING SMELL EMITTED THROUGH THE VENTS OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS UNTIL LEVEL FIVE AND FOUR SETTINGS NO LONGER WORKED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE CONNECTOR SW/POWER ST ADJUSTER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE WIRES WERE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CONNECTOR AND RESISTOR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER AND THE RESISTOR FOR THE HEATER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
Mileage: 97,000
SITTING AT BURGER KING DRIVE THRU WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. BRAKE LINES HAD RUPTURED DUE TO CORROSION. VEHICLE ONLY 10 YEARS OLD AND 130,000 MILES. HAD BRAKES CHECKED OFTEN AT SERVICE CENTERS, NO MENTION OF PROBLEM. GLAD THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN LAST MONTH WHEN I WAS BARRELING DOWN THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY WITH A FULL LOAD IN THE BACK OF MY TRUCK. NHTSA AND GM SHOULD BE ASHAMED FOR ALLOWING THIS TO CONTINUE. I AM SURE PEOPLE ARE DYING DUE TO THIS NEGLIGENCE AND FAULTY MATERIALS BEING USED.
Mileage: 130,000
SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKING POWER DUE TO BRAKE LINE RUPTURE WHILE ON THE EXIT RAMP OF THE FREEWAY. FOUND BRAKE LINES COMPLETELY RUSTED AND THEY WERE PAPER THIN IN MULTIPLE SPOTS. WILL HAVE TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE LINES ON THE VEHICLE. ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. NOTE THAT VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED BY DEALERSHIP.
Mileage: 79,500
THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WHEN OUR FRIEND TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. A BRAKE LINE RUNNING ON TOP OF THE FRAME BEHIND THE RADIATOR HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THRU, ALLOWING ALL OF THE BRAKE FLUID TO PUMP OUT OF THE SYSTEM. ALL OF THE STEEL BRAKE LINES ARE EXTREMELY RUSTY AND PROBABLY NEAR FAILURE.
Mileage: 89,000
THESE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS THE BRAKES ARE SHAKING WHEN I GO TO STOP. I HAVE C HANGED THE FRONT CALIPERS SINCE THIS IS WHERE IT IS HAPPENING SINCE THE CALIPERS WENT BAD SO DID THE ROTERS AN PADS SO THOSE NEEDED TO BE CHANGED ALSO...WHICH IS MONEY I DON'T HAVE .....IT WORKED FOR A TOTAL OF 4 DAYS THEN PROBLEM BEGAN AGAIN. PLEASE INFORM ME OF OTHER ISSUES AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM ESPECIALLY SINCE I DRIVE THIS TRUCK TO EARN A LIVING FOR MY FAMILY EVERYDAY.. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.
Mileage: 160,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WAS A ENGINE LEAK AND NOTICED THAT A FEW BOLTS THAT HOLD THE EXHAUST PIPE WERE MISSING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 135,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WAS A ENGINE LEAK AND NOTICED THAT A FEW BOLTS THAT HOLD THE EXHAUST PIPE WERE MISSING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 135,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR IN ORDER TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AS A RESULT THE PRESSURE OF THE BRAKE FLUID CAUSED THE LINES TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 107,000
ANOTHER DRIVER NOTIFIED US THAT OUR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. WE STOPPED TO CHECK THE SITUATION AND MY WIFE APPLIED THE BRAKES AS I CHECKED THE LIGHTS, WHICH WERE NOT WORKING. I THEN MOVED THE TRUCK ABOUT 50 YARDS AND AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. WHEN I GOT OUT THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND. THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED OUT AND WHEN I APPLIED PRESSURE TO STOP, IT GAVE OUT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A NEARBY DEALER AND THEY REPLACED ALL THE BRAKE LINES DUE TO THE RUST. TOTAL COST $1050. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. LUCKILY I WAS STOPPED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE MOVING IN TRAFFIC THE RESULT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS.
Mileage: 135,254
DASH LIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD HAVE TO PUSH ON DASHBOARD TO MAKE THEM COME BACK CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY BE A FIRE HAZARD
Mileage: 71,000
BRAKE LINE BROKE. BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY CORRODED. I LOST MY BRAKES WHILE DRIVING. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. *TR
Mileage: 52,521
SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT READ ACCURATE. IT EITHER READS 15 MPH AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, OR GOES WAY HIGH SUCH AS 120 MPH AT 55 TO 60 MPH. SOMETIMES AT THE HIGHER READING, IT WILL READ 60 MPH WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED, IN PARK, AND IGNITION OFF. I WAS TOLD THIS IS A STEPPING MOTOR BUT HARD TO CHANGE AND EXPENSIVE TO CHANGE. I HAVE READ THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THAT WAS NEVER BROUGHT UP. *TR
Mileage: 98,750
FRAME IS ROTTED,WONT PASS INSPECTION,BRAKE LINES ARE ALSO ROTTED HAD TO REPLACE TWICE. *TR
Mileage: 30,567
FRAME IS ROTTED,WONT PASS INSPECTION,BRAKE LINES ARE ALSO ROTTED HAD TO REPLACE TWICE. *TR
Mileage: 30,567
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER REMAINED AT 120 MPH AND FAILED TO PROVIDE AN ACCURATE READING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
Mileage: 113,000
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Fuel Line Leak
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.