This technical bulletin provides a procedure to lube the rear leaf springs on vehicles with the condition of a squeak noise originating from the rear of the vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 GMC Sierra suspension problems
moderate 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension 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.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have grease leaking from front hub bearings. Technician should not replace the bearing for grease purge. Technician should be advised to not clean the purged grease from the area immediately on or adjacent to the seals because this grease provides additional protection. Technician should only replace the bearing if the seals show visible damage, bearing endplay is greater than 0.005" or 0.13mm, bearing exhibits rough rotation, or bearing exhibits abnormal noise.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SUSPENSION VIBRATION OR FRAME BEAMING AT 40 - 60 MPH. UPDATED 8/25/08.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗EATON LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL CHATTER SHUDDER NOISE ON TURNS, EQUIPPED WITH A LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL RPO G80. UPDATED 7/17/2008.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗INSPECTION OF TIRE AND WHEEL SIZE PRIOR TO DIAGNOSIS OF TRANSMISSION SHIFTS, POOR PERFORMANCE, SPEEDOMETER, CRUISE CONTROL CONCERNS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Front wheel bearings are the main problem. Multiple owners report sealed bearings failing as early as 32,000 miles, then failing again multiple times on the same truck. One owner had three replacements by 154,000 miles. Bearings can't be serviced, so failure means buying new assemblies. At failure, you get grinding noise, wobbling tires, wheel lockup, ABS light activation, and steering wheel shake. Dealers acknowledge these are known failures but won't recall the truck.
Frame and undercarriage rust is severe and happens fast. Owners describe the rubberized coating flaking off within 8-9 years, exposing bare steel underneath. The rear third of the frame rusts badly—worse than trucks twice the age. Suspension mounting points corrode until they're unsafe, rear spring shackles fail, and shock absorber mounts snap. This happens on well-maintained trucks with no body rust visible. GM calls it normal and won't cover it.
Vibration between 40 and 60 mph is a chronic complaint. Owners report it from day one; some describe it at 45 mph like a tire out-of-round, others at 55+ mph like imbalance. GM's fix is dumping 400–500 lbs in the truck bed. It doesn't work. Harmonic noise appears at lower speeds. A judge even ordered GM to send a different mechanic, who confirmed the vibration was excessive, but GM still refuses to fix it.
Driveshaft or rear differential noise starts early and worsens over time. Dealers acknowledge it as a factory defect with no permanent solution.
Same GMC Sierra suspension reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Front wheel bearing assembly failure
Sealed wheel bearings wear prematurely, developing excessive play and noise. Failures occur as early as 32,000 miles and recur multiple times on the same vehicle. Bearings cannot be serviced or adjusted.
When: 32,000 to 72,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive play in hub bearing assembly; Grinding noise from front suspension; Wobbling or shimmy at highway speeds; Wheel lockup during braking; ABS light activation
Codes mentioned: ABS sensor fault
Repairs/costs cited: $553.81 for hub & bearing assembly replacement; multiple owners report repeated failures requiring multiple replacement cycles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM acknowledges these as known failures but has not issued recalls for this model year
Driveshaft or rear end noise
Loud noise from driveshaft or rear differential that starts early in ownership and worsens over time. Temporary greasing provides only short-term relief.
When: One month after purchase; 10,300 miles at report
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise during gear shifts in low gears; Noise doubles after turning; Noise progressively worsens over time
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer advised temporary greasing offers only temporary relief; described as factory defect with no lasting repair
Suspension vibration and shimmy
Vehicle vibrates excessively at highway speeds (45+ mph) with characteristics resembling tire imbalance or runout. At lower speeds, harmonic noise develops. Problem described by GM as 'beaming' but resists correction.
When: From first week of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration at 45 mph resembling tire out-of-round condition; Vibration at 55+ mph resembling tire imbalance; Harmonic noise at 45 mph and below; Steering wheel shake during braking at 45 mph; Bouncing between 40-60 mph
Repairs/costs cited: GM recommends adding 400-500 lbs weight to truck bed; owners report this temporary fix does not resolve the problem
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM claims vibration is 'normal' and resists repair; refers to problem as 'beaming'
Frame and undercarriage rust corrosion
Rubberized frame coating flakes off prematurely, exposing steel to rust. Frame corrosion occurs at rates inconsistent with normal aging, affecting structural integrity of suspension mounting points and making vehicles unsafe to drive.
When: 8-9 years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Rust on rear 3 feet of frame; Rusted control arms and cross members; Flaking rubberized coating on frame; Rear spring shackles failed from corrosion; Rear shock absorber upper frame mount failed
Repairs/costs cited: Suspension components become unroadworthy and unsafe; brake lines and fuel radiator also affected by corrosion
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM claims this is normal aging and owner neglect; refuses warranty coverage
Brake system shaking and shimmying
Front end shakes when braking at low speeds, with increased braking distance and vehicle pulling to one side. Rotors develop grooves; turning rotors provides only temporary relief.
When: 72,000 miles at report
Symptoms owners cite: Front end shakes during braking at speeds above 45 mph; Steering wheel shakes heavily during hard braking; Grooves present in rotors; Vehicle pulls toward right during braking failure; Increased braking distance
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple rotor turns required; problem recurs after each repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer acknowledges this as a known failure but no recall issued
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had suspension 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 suspension problem on the 2005 GMC Sierra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 60,000 and 86,202 miles, with the median around 69,587. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,000; a quarter make it past 86,202. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.