Total Complaints
102 filings
CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 · model year
102 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2005CHEVROLETSUBURBAN 1500 carries 102 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 2 fires, 0 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 SUBURBAN 1500 is electrical system: instrument cluster/panel with 24 filings, followed by electrical system (22) and air bags (7). 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 1 active recall campaign, 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 SUBURBAN 1500, 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
102 filings
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | 24 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 22 |
| AIR BAGS | 7 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 6 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 5 |
| POWER TRAIN | 5 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 4 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE | 2 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 2 |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 1 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 1 |
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
I NOTICED CORRODED AND WHAT I WOULD CALL CHARRED OR BURNT WIRING ON THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE REAR LIFT GATE OF MY SUBURBAN. I NOTICED IT WHEN I OPENED THE LIFT GATE TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE REAR OF THE SUBURBAN. IT APPEARS THAT THE RUBBER GROMMET MATERIAL PROTECTING THE WIRING HARNESS, WAS BURNT OR MELTED AWAY. THE RUBBER HOSE THAT SUPPLIES WATER TO THE REAR WINDOW WASHER/WIPER HAD A HOLE IN IT, AND MAY HAVE BEEN LEAKING WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID ONTO THE WIRES FOR A TIME. THE WIRES WERE BARE IN SOME SPOTS, SOME OF THE WIRE INSULATION LOOKED MELTED/BURNT AWAY, AND THEY LOOKED CORRODED/WITH A GREEN COLOR TO THEM. THE CONNECTOR THAT CONNECTS THE HARNESS, TO THE REST OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LOOKED LIKE IT HAS SOME BLACK/ POSSIBLY BURNT RESIDUE ON IT. I CAN TAKE A GUESS AT BEST, THAT BECAUSE OF THE HOLE IN THE RUBBER HOSE, WATER MAY HAVE BEEN LEAKING ONTO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING/CONNECTIONS WHEN I USED THIS FEATURE TO CLEAR DIRT FROM THE LIFT GATE WINDOW, BUT I DON'T REALLY KNOW FOR SU
Mileage: 158,724
I HAD A RUSTED BRAKE LINE (DRIVER SIDE FRONT) FAIL JUNE 25TH, 2017. THIS TRUCK IS 12 YEARS OLD AND HAS LESS THAN 90,000 MILES. IMMEDIATELY ALL BRAKING WAS LOST AND THE PEDAL PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. REPEATED PRESSING THE BRAKE ONLY PUMPED OUT ALL THE BRAKE FLUID. THIS WAS A SUDDEN AND CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF BRAKING. THE WORST PART IS, BRAKING IS SUPPOSED TO BE SPLIT AND INDEPENDENT BETWEEN FRONT AND REAR BRAKES, SO IF YOU LOSE THE FRONT, THE REAR BRAKES STILL WORK, AND VICE VERSA. WELL I LOST ALL BRAKING, I HAD NO FRONT OR REAR BRAKING! THIS SHOULD BE A CLEAR SAFETY PROBLEM AND A MANDATORY RECALL! I CRASHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, BECAUSE OF COURSE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE DIDN'T WORK EITHER. DESPITE GM'S INSISTENCE THAT SOMEHOW THIS PREMATURE BRAKE LINE FAILURE IS NORMAL AND THE OWNER'S MAINTENANCE PROBLEM, IT SHOULD BE A VERY SIMPLE ISSUE FOR THE NHTSA TO SIMPLY OPEN A SINGLE BRAKE LINE AND TEST TO REALIZE THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DO IN FACT LOSE ALL BRAKING, NOT JUST FRONT OR REAR. I'VE
Mileage: 88,000
FOR APPROXIMATELY THE LAST 4 YEARS THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON INDICATING AN ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. GIVEN ALL THE AIRBAG PROBLEMS IN RECENT YEARS AND THE FACT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2005 GM SUVS AND GIVEN AIRBAGS ARE VITAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT GM NEEDS TO PROVIDE OWNERS WITH THESE PROBLEMS A FREE FIX OR BE FORCED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES IMMEDIATELY FOR REPAIRS BEFORE ALOT OF PEOPLE GET HURT OR KILLED.
Mileage: 87,000
2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 4X4 FLEX FUEL, 5.3L. THIS VEHICLE'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT WORK. TACHOMETER PEGS AND STICKS. THE SPEEDOMETER IS STUCK AT ZERO. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT GENERAL MOTORS/GM SHOULD DO A FREE RECALL FOR AS MANY OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. MY ABS SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF NUMEROUS TIMES A DAY, AND CLUSTER STATES SERVICE AIR BAG. GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD ALSO FIX THIS FOR FREE UNDER A RECALL AS OTHERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. MY THIRD MAJOR COMPLAINT, IS THE VEHICLE STARTING PROBLEM/HARD START. IT TAKES TWO TURNS OF THE ENGINE FOR THE VEHICLE TO TURN ON AND STAY RUNNING. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ON VARIOUS SEARCH ENGINES, FORUMS, AND INCLUDING RECALL.GOV. GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUES AS WELL UNDER A RECALL. GM INSTALLED FAULTY FUEL PUMPS OR FUEL PUMPS WITH FAULTY COMPONENTS IN THEM. A VEHICLE SHOULD START WITH ONE TRY. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO GET THE FUEL PRESSURE GOING IN THE ON POSITION, OR CR
2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 4X4 FLEX FUEL, 5.3L. THIS VEHICLE'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT WORK. TACHOMETER PEGS AND STICKS. THE SPEEDOMETER IS STUCK AT ZERO. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT GENERAL MOTORS/GM SHOULD DO A FREE RECALL FOR AS MANY OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. MY ABS SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF NUMEROUS TIMES A DAY, AND CLUSTER STATES SERVICE AIR BAG. GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD ALSO FIX THIS FOR FREE UNDER A RECALL AS OTHERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. MY THIRD MAJOR COMPLAINT, IS THE VEHICLE STARTING PROBLEM/HARD START. IT TAKES TWO TURNS OF THE ENGINE FOR THE VEHICLE TO TURN ON AND STAY RUNNING. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ON VARIOUS SEARCH ENGINES, FORUMS, AND INCLUDING RECALL.GOV. GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUES AS WELL UNDER A RECALL. GM INSTALLED FAULTY FUEL PUMPS OR FUEL PUMPS WITH FAULTY COMPONENTS IN THEM. A VEHICLE SHOULD START WITH ONE TRY. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO GET THE FUEL PRESSURE GOING IN THE ON POSITION, OR CR
2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 4X4 FLEX FUEL, 5.3L. THIS VEHICLE'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT WORK. TACHOMETER PEGS AND STICKS. THE SPEEDOMETER IS STUCK AT ZERO. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT GENERAL MOTORS/GM SHOULD DO A FREE RECALL FOR AS MANY OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. MY ABS SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF NUMEROUS TIMES A DAY, AND CLUSTER STATES SERVICE AIR BAG. GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD ALSO FIX THIS FOR FREE UNDER A RECALL AS OTHERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. MY THIRD MAJOR COMPLAINT, IS THE VEHICLE STARTING PROBLEM/HARD START. IT TAKES TWO TURNS OF THE ENGINE FOR THE VEHICLE TO TURN ON AND STAY RUNNING. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ON VARIOUS SEARCH ENGINES, FORUMS, AND INCLUDING RECALL.GOV. GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUES AS WELL UNDER A RECALL. GM INSTALLED FAULTY FUEL PUMPS OR FUEL PUMPS WITH FAULTY COMPONENTS IN THEM. A VEHICLE SHOULD START WITH ONE TRY. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO GET THE FUEL PRESSURE GOING IN THE ON POSITION, OR CR
I TURNED MY 2005 SUBURBAN ON AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT IN TO THE CHEVY/GM DEALER WHO SAID, "THE RIGHT, FRONT, AIR BAG SENSOR WAS THE CAUSE." IT WOULD COST $375 TO FIX IT. I DID NOT GET IT FIXED AT THAT TIME. IT IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS ARE INOPERABLE. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AT ABOUT 150,000 MILES. FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS BY THE COMPANY.
Mileage: 150,000
FIRST INCIDENT EASTERN PA: 05/19/2014 APROX 119000 MILES: AFTER HITTING THE BRAKES HARD TO AVOID A VEHICLE THAT PULLED IN FRONT OF ME, THE BRAKES FAILED (BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR WITH LITTLE BRAKING ACTION). MANAGED TO SAFELY STOP. FOUND BURST BRAKE LINE IN THE REAR END OF VEHICLE. TWO REAR CORRODED REAR BRAKE LINES REPLACED BY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. SECOND INCIDENT MILFORD MA: 09/17/2015 127336 MILES: HIT BRAKES GOING DOWN DRIVEWAY. BRAKES WERE SOFT AND SANK TO FLOOR. BRAKE LINE GOING TO FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WAS BURST. ALL THE BRAKE FLUID DRAINED QUICKLY OUT OF THE MASTER CYLINDER ONTO THE DRIVEWAY. ORDERED ACDELCO 22932592 GM ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT HYDRAULIC BRAKE PIPE KIT AND AM IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING ALL BRAKE LINES AS ALL OF THEM OTHER THAN THE TWO REPLACED IN PA ARE VERY CORRODED. THE REPLACEMENT LINES ARE NOT REALLY OEM AS THEY HAVE A NYLON COATING FOR BETTER CORROSION PROTECTION
Mileage: 119,000
THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE BEGAN "CATCHING," NOT MOVING SMOOTHLY. AFTER ABOUT 2 WEEKS IT WOULD NOT RESET TO 0 WHEN STOPPED THEN AFTER 1 MORE DAY IT QUIT REGISTERING COMPLETELY.
Mileage: 58,908
HAD SERVICED THE TRANSFER CASE AND HAD TAKEN IT BACK TWICE NOW BESIDES A NOISE LIKE THAT OF A POWER STEERING PUMP GOING BAD ( WHINING ) , HAD A TURNING CLUNK NOISE COMING AND AT A STOP LIGHT I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM PASSENGER SIDE, GOT TO PARK IT AND SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING .BRING IT BACK TO SEE IF THE MECHANIC WILL WORK ON IT SINCE IT HASN'T BEEN 30 DAYS. PLEASE NOTIFY ME OF ANYTHING DO TO THE TRANSFER CASE. *TR
HAD SERVICED THE TRANSFER CASE AND HAD TAKEN IT BACK TWICE NOW BESIDES A NOISE LIKE THAT OF A POWER STEERING PUMP GOING BAD ( WHINING ) , HAD A TURNING CLUNK NOISE COMING AND AT A STOP LIGHT I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM PASSENGER SIDE, GOT TO PARK IT AND SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING .BRING IT BACK TO SEE IF THE MECHANIC WILL WORK ON IT SINCE IT HASN'T BEEN 30 DAYS. PLEASE NOTIFY ME OF ANYTHING DO TO THE TRANSFER CASE. *TR
FRONT BRAKE LINE FAILURE/BRAKE LINE RUPTURE. 6 MONTHS AGO IT WAS THE REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE/RUPTURE. BRAKE FLUID CAUSED SMOKE AND SMALL FIRE ON THE EXHAUST HEADERS. *TR
Mileage: 168,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED IN THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE MODE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TWICE WHERE THE SHIFT GEAR ACTUATOR WAS REPLACED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE PUSH BUTTON GEAR SELECTOR WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
Mileage: 38,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED IN THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE MODE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TWICE WHERE THE SHIFT GEAR ACTUATOR WAS REPLACED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE PUSH BUTTON GEAR SELECTOR WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
Mileage: 38,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE ROTTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
MY 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN Z71 SWITCHES RANDOMLY AND WITHOUT SPECIFIC CAUSE INTO REDUCED ENGINE POWER WHICH NEARLY GO ME KILLED WHEN MERGING INTO A HIGH-SPEED INTERSTATE PULLING A TRAILER. THE ONLY WAY TO "FIX" IT (MAKE THE ENGINE RUN NORMAL AGAIN) IS TO PULL TO THE SIDE IF THE HIGHWAY (DANGEROUS!) AND SHUT THE TRUCK OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES. THIS HAPPEN RANDOMLY BUT AT LEAST THREE TIMES A DAY. I KNOW OTHERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND GM SAYS I HAVE TO BRING IT TO THEN WHEN THIS IS OCCURRING BUT I CAN'T DO THAT WHEN THE TRUCK IS BARELY LIMPING ALONG! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON GM CHAT SITES ACROSS THE INTERNET. *TR
Mileage: 105,000
AIR BAG SENSOR HAS FAILED CAUSING THE AIRBAGS TO BE RENDERED INOPERABLE. *TR
Mileage: 60,000
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER RANDOMLY TURNS ITSELF ON. WHEN YOU TURN IT OFF IT COMES BACK ON AGAIN AND RANDOMLY CYCLES THROUGH THE VARIOUS SETTINGS. IT'S ALMOST A CONSTANT BATTLE TRYING TO KEEP IT TURNED OFF WHICH CREATES A HAZARDOUS SITUATION EQUAL TO, OR WORSE, THEN TEXTING WHILE DRIVING AS YOU HAVE TO KEEP LOOKING DOWN TO PUSH THE BUTTON, ESPECIALLY HERE IN FLORIDA WHERE YOU DON'T NEED (OR WANT) SEAT HEAT IN THE SUMMER. I'VE FOUGHT THIS TO THE POINT THAT I'VE WORN THE PAINT OFF THE SWITCH. IF YOU SEARCH THE INTERNET THIS IS A VERY PREVALENT PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES DURING THESE MODEL YEARS. I ALSO HAVE A 2006 GMC SIERRA THAT DOES THE EXACT SAME THING. I'VE BEEN TO AT LEAST 5 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND EITHER THEY CAN'T FIX IT OR THEY CLAIM THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM. THAT CAN'T BE TRUE SINCE GM ISSUED A TSB FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECOMMENDED FIX (REPROGRAMMING THE DRIVER DOOR SWITCH) ACTUALLY DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. IN FACT, WHEN THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED MY GMC IT ACTUALLY
Mileage: 50,000
THE FRONT AIRBAG SENSOR HAS FAILED AND THE AIRBAGS ARE NO LONGER OPERABLE. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE YEAR AND MODEL OF CHEVY TRUCK. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM DUE TO ITS IMPACT ON SAFETY. GIVEN THE LOW MILEAGE THERE IS NO LEGITIMATE REASON FOR THIS PART TO FAIL. *TR
Mileage: 75,000
UNDER ANY CONDITIONS, THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR LOCATED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT ILLUMINATE. WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER TO KNOW WHICH GEAR THE VEHICLE IS IN. WHICH INCREASES THE DRIVERS CHANCES OF CRASHING. *TR
Mileage: 94,000
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.