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ProblemsByVin File / 2005-CHEVROLET-SILVERADO
2005 · Chevrolet

Chevrolet Silverado problems

5 safety recalls. 1,184 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
5.6 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
5
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

electrical
335 reports · avg $850
critical
brakes
270 reports · avg $450
severe
steering
104 reports · avg $700
moderate
powertrain
81 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
airbags
78 reports · avg $1,100
critical
engine
71 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
suspension
46 reports · avg $900
severe
fuel system
42 reports · avg $1,200
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2005 Silverado · engine
IN JUNE, 2011, I BEGAN NOTICING MY ANTIFREEZE LEVELS WERE DROPPING SLIGHTLY. THERE WERE NO NOTICEABLE LEAKS OF ANTIFREEZE ANYWHERE. I ATTRIBUTED IT TO EVAPORATION & ADDED COOLANT. OVER TIME THE TRUCK STARTED USING MORE & MORE ANTIFREEZE. A FRIEND OF MINE NOTICED A PUFF OF WHITE…
12/31/2011 · NHTSA ODI #10441952.0
2005 Silverado · brakes
THE PROBLEM ADDRESSED IN YOUR NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE05020 FOR EARLIER MODEL YEARS OF THE SAME TRUCK ARE OCCURRING IN MY 2005 TRUCK. THIS HAS LED TO NEAR REAR-END COLLISIONS. THE BRAKES GO INTO AN "ANTI-LOCK" CONDITION AT SLOW SPEEDS WHILE BRAKING, NO MATTER WHAT THE WEATHER…
12/31/2011 · NHTSA ODI #10441966.0
2005 Silverado · steering
I WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE AND WHEN I LOOKER AT MY SPEEDOMETER I WAS DOING 110MPH AND WHEN I CAME TO A STOP IT DISPLAYED 60MPH THAT HAPPENED 12/31/08 AT 70,000 MILES. SO FAR MY PROBLEMS WITH MY 2005 SILVERADO AT 20,000 MILES I HAD THE STEERING WHEEL CLUMP FIXED BY PACKING IT…
12/31/2008 · NHTSA ODI #10253419.0
2005 Silverado · steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 5-30 MPH, THE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING COLUMN IS VERY LOOSE AND RATTLES LOUDLY. THE CONTACT HAS NOT YET SCHEDULED A REPAIR APPOINTMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
12/31/2007 · NHTSA ODI #10213287.0

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Active recalls showing 3 of 5

severe NHTSA 05V163000 22/04/2005

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, CAN EXPOSE THEM TO MORE RISK OF ABDOMINAL AND INTERNAL ORGAN INJURY.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 05V161000 22/04/2005

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.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 05V018000 21/01/2005

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE BOLT THAT ATTACHES THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT TO THE STEERING GEAR MAY NOT MEET SPECIFICATION

IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Fix: 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.
View all 5 recalls →

Common questions

Is the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.6 out of 10 based on 1,184 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 335 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Chevrolet Silverado has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 1,184 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Chevrolet. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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