This informational bulletin provides dealership personnel with information on flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) and the usage of E85 fuel in GM vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 GMC Sierra fuel system problems
severe 8 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,200 · see fuel system across all vehicles →
Among the 6 model years of GMC Sierra in our records for fuel system problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering fuel system 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.
INACCURATE FUEL GAUGE READINGS/REAR FLOAT ARM STUCK. UPDATED 03-01-07. UPDATED 3/15/10.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗GMC: FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATION IN PARK OR NEUTRAL, CAUSING THE LOW FUEL LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CHEVROLET GMC SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTICS (OBD)-FUEL LEVEL SENDER-REPROGRAM ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM). CSC WAS RECEIVED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗DUAL TANKS FUEL GAUGE DEFAULTS TO EMPTY - NEW CALIBRATIONS. STALL START TANK TRANSFER. VEHICLES WITH 6.6L RPO LB7 OR LLY ENGINES.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the fuel system problem on the 2005 GMC Sierra?
It's a meaningful issue. 8 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,200.
At what mileage does the fuel system typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, fuel system issues most often appear around 51,358 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 $1,200 for fuel system 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 fuel system?
No active recalls currently cover fuel system 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.