DIESEL HESITATION OR THROTTLE DELAY.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 GMC Sierra cruise control problems
severe 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
1crash
What stands out
Of the 12 model years of GMC Sierra we track for cruise control problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 10.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE AND/OR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0833 STORED. THE CONDITION MAY NOT BE ABLE TO BE DUPLICATED BY THE DEALER YET THE CONSUMER MAY HAVE A REPEAT CONCERN.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2005 GMC Sierra models cite five distinct failure modes affecting drivability and safety. The speedometer frequently malfunctions—reading 20-30 mph higher than actual speed or failing completely, leaving drivers unaware of their velocity. One owner was cited for speeding in Georgia despite not knowing actual speed due to speedometer failure.
Accelerator control suffers on bumpy roads and at intersections, with the pedal becoming hard to modulate consistently. Some owners describe the issue as light spring tension making foot control impossible at all speeds. One truck experienced sudden uncontrolled acceleration upon shifting into Drive, resulting in a crash.
Cruise control has a persistent delay when accelerating or using the resume function—sometimes taking several seconds to respond to full throttle input. The manufacturer stated this is design intent, not a defect.
The most dangerous complaint is unpredictable reduced-engine-power limp mode, occurring at any speed without warning. Trucks must be pulled over, shut down, restarted, then driven again—sometimes only 1 mile before the fault repeats. This happens in heavy traffic and creates hazardous situations.
One narrative mentions brake line corrosion causing complete brake failure, though this may reflect a maintenance issue rather than defective design.
Failure modes owners describe
Speedometer malfunction
Speedometer displays incorrect speeds or becomes unresponsive, registering higher than actual vehicle speed or failing to register at all. Occurs intermittently and can jam between readings.
When: Occurs frequently during normal driving; narratives do not specify mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Speedometer reads higher than actual speed; Speedometer jams and fluctuates between readings; Speedometer fails intermittently; Unable to determine actual vehicle speed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: File #71-473831886 filed with manufacturer; no resolution documented
Cruise control resume/passing gear delay
Pressing the accelerator fully does not produce immediate throttle response. Delay occurs whether cruise control is engaged or not. Manufacturer stated this is design intent.
When: Since purchase; occurs on demand
Symptoms owners cite: Delayed throttle response when accelerator pedal pressed to floor; Passing gear and resume function sluggish; Slow acceleration regardless of cruise control status
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated behavior is by design
Accelerator control loss on rough/bumpy roads
Accelerator pedal becomes difficult to control during rough road conditions or at intersections. Spring tension appears light or insufficient for stable foot control at various speeds.
When: During rough road driving and bumpy conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Unable to control accelerator on rough roads; Pedal responds lightly to foot pressure; Loss of accelerator control at intersections; Inconsistent pedal response at all speeds
Engine unintended acceleration
Engine accelerates without driver input or control, particularly when shifting into Drive. One narrative reports crash resulting from uncontrolled acceleration.
When: Upon shifting into Drive; crash resulted
Symptoms owners cite: Engine accelerates when shifting into Drive; Uncontrolled acceleration; Crash due to inability to control throttle
Reduced engine power limp mode
Truck enters reduced engine power mode without warning at various speeds, requiring driver to pull over, shut off engine, wait, and restart. Problem recurs unpredictably—sometimes after 1 mile, sometimes after 50 miles.
When: Can occur at any mileage; unpredictable intervals
Symptoms owners cite: Truck enters reduced engine power state at any speed; Requires engine shutdown and restart; Recurs within 1 to 50 miles of restart; Creates dangerous situation in heavy traffic
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had cruise control trouble with your 2005 GMC Sierra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2005 GMC Sierra?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, cruise control issues most often appear around 98,757 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/GMC/Sierra.
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.