I WAS TRAVELING AT 35 MPH AND APPROACHED A STOP LIGHT. THE BRAKES FAILED AND I WENT THROUGH THE RED LIGHT. I NEARLY WAS HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE BRAKE LINE HAS A SEVER LEAK AT A RUSTED AREA IN THE LINE. *TR
2005 GMC Sierra brakes problems
severe 118 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450
Complaints
118
Recalls
0
Crashes
5
Avg fix
$450
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
CRASH, INJURY, FRONTAL IMPACT, BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND QUICKLY ENOUGH. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB
AROUND THE MIDDLE OF DECEMBER 2014 THE "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM" MESSAGE APPEARED ON MY 2005 GMC 1500 SIERRA SLE. I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR AND IT WAS NEARLY EMPTY. I COULD NOT FIND WHERE THE FLUID HAD LEAKED FROM SO I SERVICED THE RESERVOIR WITH 12 OUNCES BRAKE FLUID TO THE FULL MARK. FROM ABOUT DECEMBER 15, 2014 UNTIL 28 DECEMBER 2014, I LOST ABOUT 7 OUNCES OF BRAKE FLUID. NO TRACE OF…
BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE AT INTERSECTION/STOPLIGHT. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND STAYED THERE. DETERMINED THAT RUST THROUGH IN BRAKE LINE AT DRIVER SIDE OF FRAME, UNDER DRIVER SEAT, HAD ALLOWED FLUID LOSS. *TR
THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE DID NOT STOP, BARELY AVOIDED A CRASH. FOUND POOL OF BRAKE FLUID UNDER TRUCK. FIRESTONE AUTO CHARGED $675 TO REPLACE A RUSTED OUT BRAKE LINE. ALL OTHER LINES ARE HEAVILY CORRODED AND READY TO FAIL AS WELL. *TR
COMPLAINT ON GM EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLT DEFECT, INFERIOR BRAKE/ FUEL LINES. MINE IS A 2005 GMC. DEFECTIVE EXHAUST BOLTS AFFECT 12 MILLION GM TRUCKS FROM 1999 TO 2007. GM EXHAUST BOLTS ARE TO SMALL BRITTLE FOR SECURING EXHAUST MANIFOLDS. BOLTS SNAP OFF CAUSING EXHAUST LEAKS. TRUCKS NOT PASSING EMISSIONS AND DANGEROUS EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE DRIVERS COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLES WHILE D…
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2005 GMC Sierra?
It's a meaningful issue. 118 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes 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 $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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.
Some links on this page are affiliate links.