Your vehicle report
2005 Chevrolet Silverado
The problems owners report. The recalls to check. The evidence behind each.
Your vehicle at a glance
Complaint patterns and official recall records, kept distinct.
- Owner complaints
- 316
- Received Nov 2004 to Jul 2021
Owner reports
Most reported problems
- 1Brake pedal sinks due to leaking lines50 complaints · 16% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 2Instrument cluster or speedometer fails32 complaints · 10% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 3Chevrolet Silverado loses power and hesitates27 complaints · 8.5% of this vehicle’s complaints
Official NHTSA records
Recalls to check
- Recall #06V289000On 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.
- Recall #05V455000Certain 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.
BrakeNews signals
Flagged complaint patterns
Unusual complaint patterns with no matched recall yet. A flag does not mean a recall will happen.
No problems currently meet BrakeNews’s flagging criteria. This is not a safety rating.
How flags are identifiedComplaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA, not failure rates or a reliability ranking. Reported in these complaints: 14 crashes, 7 fires, 10 people injured, 0 deaths.
Explore by system
Where do owners report problems?
Choose an area on the car or a system below to explore the reported problems.
Illustrative only; not this vehicle’s exact design. Areas represent complaint categories, not confirmed defective parts.
Showing all 20 listed problems by system.
Engine & powertrain
Brakes
Electrical & lights
Airbags, belts & seats
Steering, suspension & tires
Body, doors & glass
Driver assistance
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Other
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Complaint history
When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.
Show as a table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 63 |
| 2006 | 39 |
| 2007 | 23 |
| 2008 | 18 |
| 2009 | 17 |
| 2010 | 19 |
| 2011 | 16 |
| 2012 | 22 |
| 2013 | 27 |
| 2014 | 50 |
| 2015 | 19 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 (to Oct 2026) | 0 |
| Total | 316 |
Problems owners report
Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.
| Problem | Complaints | Share | Share ratio | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brake pedal sinks due to leaking lines | 50 | 16% | – | |
| Instrument cluster or speedometer fails | 32 | 10% | – | |
| Chevrolet Silverado loses power and hesitates | 27 | 8.5% | – | |
| Airbag warning light stays on | 14 | 4.4% | – | |
| Tires blow out or tread separates | 9 | 2.9% | – | |
| Vehicle catches fire from wiring | 8 | 2.5% | – | |
| Steering wheel shakes violently at highway speed | 8 | 2.5% | – | |
| Anti-lock brakes fail or lock up | 8 | 2.5% | – | |
| Airbags fail to deploy in crashes | 7 | 2.2% | – | |
| Engine suddenly shuts off while driving | 7 | 2.2% | – | |
| Steering wheel clunks or clicks when turning | 6 | 1.9% | – | |
| Steering wanders or pulls at highway speed | 6 | 1.9% | – | |
| Transfer case shifts into 4-wheel drive unexpectedly | 4 | 1.3% | – | |
| Frame rusts and corrodes through | 4 | 1.3% | – | |
| Steering wheel seizes or locks suddenly | 4 | 1.3% | – | NHTSA recall #05V018000 |
| Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips | 4 | 1.3% | – | |
| Fuel pump fails and engine stalls | 4 | 1.3% | – | |
| Heater blows cold air, defroster fails | 4 | 1.3% | – | |
| Power steering cuts out while driving | 4 | 1.3% | – | |
| Head gasket leaks coolant into engine | 4 | 1.3% | – |
AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.
Recalls
NHTSA recall #06V289000August 3, 200638,439 vehicles affected
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.
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 recall #05V455000October 5, 2005123,592 vehicles affected
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.
If this were to occur, power steering assist would be lost and increased steering effort would be required. On vehicles equipped with hydro-boost power brakes, it could also result in loss of power brake assist and increased braking effort would be required. If the power steering fluid spray were to spray onto hot engine parts, an engine compartment fire could occur.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the power steering hose(s) for two suspect date codes and replace them if required. The recall will begin on october 14, 2005. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Gmc at 1-866-996-9463, Buick at 1-866-608-8080, Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Isuzu at 1-800-255-6727, or Hummer at 1-800-732-5493.
NHTSA recall #05V161000April 22, 200590,242 vehicles affected
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.
If the parking brake does not hold, unintended vehicle movement could occur, which could result in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will install a low-force spring clip retainer for vehicles equipped with a pbr parking brake system. On vehicles equipped with the trw parking brake system, dealers will install a redesigned parking brake cable assembly. The recall began on july 29, 2005. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
NHTSA recall #05V163000April 22, 20051,359,824 vehicles affected
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 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.
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 recall #05V055000February 14, 20057,194 vehicles affected
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 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.
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 recall #05V043000February 8, 200577,411 vehicles affected
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.
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 recall #05V018000January 21, 20053,344 vehicles affected
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.
If this happens while the vehicle is moving, a crash could occur without prior warning.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the intermediate steering shaft bolt free of charge. The recall began on january 24, 2005. Owners may contact Gmc at 1-866-996-9463 and Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.
NHTSA recall #04V376000August 2, 20041,103 vehicles affected
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.
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.
Other model years
About this data
NHTSA complaints and recalls through October 2026. Complaints are counted once each, however many components they name. Original complaints are on NHTSA's page for the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado.
Problem groups are formed by AI and may be approximate. BrakeNews flags unusual complaint patterns; they are not official defect findings. Investigation reports are written and checked by AI, with no human review. Owner reports do not establish that a defect exists.
Read the methodology and track record · Check current recalls by VIN