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ProblemsByVin File / 2005-CHEVROLET-SUBURBAN
2005 · chevrolet

chevrolet Suburban problems

2 safety recalls. 229 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.0 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

electrical
81 reports · avg $850
moderate
brakes
29 reports · avg $450
severe
powertrain
24 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
airbags
15 reports · avg $1,100
severe
body
12 reports · avg $1,500
severe
engine
11 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
cruise control
10 reports · avg $600
moderate
steering
7 reports · avg $700
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2005 Suburban · electrical
SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING ON OUR 2005 CHEVY SUBURBAN. STARTED OUT GOING FROM 20 TO 100 AND NOT REGISTERING THE PROPER SPEED. NOW IS STUCK AT 120 MPH. COST RANGES FROM 300 TO 1000 DOLLARS TO FIX. HAVING TO USE GPS FOR SPEED WHICH IS A DISTRACTION AND SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
12/30/2010 · NHTSA ODI #10373411.0
2005 Suburban · fuel system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE WALKED AROUND THE VEHICLE HE SMELLED GASOLINE AND COULDN'T TELL WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM, BUT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED…
12/30/2010 · NHTSA ODI #10373464.0
2005 Suburban · electrical
MY 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN HAS 79,985 MILES AND THIS WEEK WHILE DRIVING ROUTE 95 (70 MPH HIGHWAY IN THE SOUTH) FROM NEW JERSEY TO SOUTH CAROLINA MY SPEEDOMETER STARTED SHOWING A MUCH HIGHER SPEED THEN I WAS TRAVELING. I WAS USING MY GPS AT THE TIME AND IT SAID I WAS DOING 69…
12/30/2010 · NHTSA ODI #10373504.0
2005 Suburban · electrical
THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2005 CHEVY TAHOE HAS BEEN ACTING ERRATICALLY. SOMETIMES IT WILL WORK NORMALLY. OTHER TIMES, IT WILL NOT REGISTER AT ALL. ADDITIONALLY TIME IT WILL READ ERRONEOUSLY WHEN DRIVING TRAFFIC SPEEDS. THE SELECTION PROCESS DID NOT ALLOW ME TO REGISTER A…
12/30/2007 · NHTSA ODI #10213201.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
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Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 06E043000 19/05/2006

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
severe NHTSA 05V103000 18/03/2005

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD RETAINER MAY BE MISSING

THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKES WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD RETAINER AND INSTALL ONE IF IT IS MISSING FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER BEGAN CONTACTING OWNERS BY TELEPHONE ON MARCH 10, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Common questions

Is the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 229 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

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

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 81 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 Suburban 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 Suburban?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 229 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 6 hours 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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