TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WOULD REPAIR THE FAILURE FOR FREE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE FREE REMEDY BECAUSE THE MILEAGE …
2005 chevrolet Silverado electrical problems
critical 335 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850
Complaints
335
Recalls
0
Crashes
4
Avg fix
$850
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
THE SPEEDOMETER STICKS, WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES READS SLOWER THAN ACTUAL SPEED, SOMETIMES READS FASTER THAN ACTUAL SPEED, SOMETIMES DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. SOMETIMES WILL SIMPLY "FREEZE" AND NOT RESPOND TO CHANGES IN VEHICLE SPEED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WITH THE HEATER ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE AIR VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDER THE DASHBOARD AND OBSERVED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED. THERE WERE NO FLAMES VISIBLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…
IN OCTOBER 2007 I PURCHASED A USED 2005 CHEVY SILVERADO 2500 HD PICKUP FROM A USED CAR DEALER WITH 38,515 MILES ON IT. AFTER THE PURCHASE I DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER STICKS AND DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. NOW THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES ALSO APPEAR TO NOT BE SHOWING THE PROPER OPERATING TEMPERATURES FOR THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE RECEIVED NO HELP TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM OTHER THAN TO TELL ME …
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2005 chevrolet Silverado?
It's a serious issue. 335 complaints have been filed, including 4 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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