2005 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 problems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I NOTICED CORRODED AND WHAT I WOULD CALL CHARRED OR BURNT WIRING ON THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE REAR LIFT GATE OF MY SUBURBAN. I NOTICED IT WHEN I OPENED THE LIFT GATE TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE REAR OF THE SUBURBAN. IT APPEARS THAT THE RUBBER GROMMET MATERIAL PROTECTING THE WIRING HARNESS, WAS BURNT OR MELTED AWAY. THE RUBBER HOSE THAT SUPPLIES WATER TO THE REAR WINDOW WASHER/WIPER HAD A HOLE IN IT, AND MAY HAVE BEEN LEAKING WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID ONTO THE WIRES FOR A TIME. THE WIRES WERE BARE IN SOME SPOTS, SOME OF THE WIRE INSULATION LOOKED MELTED/BURNT AWAY, AND THEY LOOKED CORRODED/WITH A GREEN COLOR TO THEM. THE CONNECTOR THAT CONNECTS THE HARNESS, TO THE REST OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LOOKED LIKE IT HAS SOME BLACK/ POSSIBLY BURNT RESIDUE ON IT. I CAN TAKE A GUESS AT BEST, THAT BECAUSE OF THE HOLE IN THE RUBBER HOSE, WATER MAY HAVE BEEN LEAKING ONTO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING/CONNECTIONS WHEN I USED THIS FEATURE TO CLEAR DIRT FROM THE LIFT GATE WINDOW, BUT I DON'T REALLY KNOW FOR SURE IF THAT IS HOW THE DAMAGE TO THE WIRING HARNESS HAS OCCURED! THANKS!

NHTSA complaint #11141961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

FOR APPROXIMATELY THE LAST 4 YEARS THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON INDICATING AN ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. GIVEN ALL THE AIRBAG PROBLEMS IN RECENT YEARS AND THE FACT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2005 GM SUVS AND GIVEN AIRBAGS ARE VITAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT GM NEEDS TO PROVIDE OWNERS WITH THESE PROBLEMS A FREE FIX OR BE FORCED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES IMMEDIATELY FOR REPAIRS BEFORE ALOT OF PEOPLE GET HURT OR KILLED.

NHTSA complaint #10953672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 4X4 FLEX FUEL, 5.3L. THIS VEHICLE'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT WORK. TACHOMETER PEGS AND STICKS. THE SPEEDOMETER IS STUCK AT ZERO. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT GENERAL MOTORS/GM SHOULD DO A FREE RECALL FOR AS MANY OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. MY ABS SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF NUMEROUS TIMES A DAY, AND CLUSTER STATES SERVICE AIR BAG. GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD ALSO FIX THIS FOR FREE UNDER A RECALL AS OTHERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. MY THIRD MAJOR COMPLAINT, IS THE VEHICLE STARTING PROBLEM/HARD START. IT TAKES TWO TURNS OF THE ENGINE FOR THE VEHICLE TO TURN ON AND STAY RUNNING. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ON VARIOUS SEARCH ENGINES, FORUMS, AND INCLUDING RECALL.GOV. GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUES AS WELL UNDER A RECALL. GM INSTALLED FAULTY FUEL PUMPS OR FUEL PUMPS WITH FAULTY COMPONENTS IN THEM. A VEHICLE SHOULD START WITH ONE TRY. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO GET THE FUEL PRESSURE GOING IN THE ON POSITION, OR CRANK IT TWICE FOR MY TRUCK TO START.

NHTSA complaint #10893888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 4X4 FLEX FUEL, 5.3L. THIS VEHICLE'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT WORK. TACHOMETER PEGS AND STICKS. THE SPEEDOMETER IS STUCK AT ZERO. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT GENERAL MOTORS/GM SHOULD DO A FREE RECALL FOR AS MANY OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. MY ABS SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF NUMEROUS TIMES A DAY, AND CLUSTER STATES SERVICE AIR BAG. GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD ALSO FIX THIS FOR FREE UNDER A RECALL AS OTHERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. MY THIRD MAJOR COMPLAINT, IS THE VEHICLE STARTING PROBLEM/HARD START. IT TAKES TWO TURNS OF THE ENGINE FOR THE VEHICLE TO TURN ON AND STAY RUNNING. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ON VARIOUS SEARCH ENGINES, FORUMS, AND INCLUDING RECALL.GOV. GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUES AS WELL UNDER A RECALL. GM INSTALLED FAULTY FUEL PUMPS OR FUEL PUMPS WITH FAULTY COMPONENTS IN THEM. A VEHICLE SHOULD START WITH ONE TRY. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO GET THE FUEL PRESSURE GOING IN THE ON POSITION, OR CRANK IT TWICE FOR MY TRUCK TO START.

NHTSA complaint #10893888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 4X4 FLEX FUEL, 5.3L. THIS VEHICLE'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT WORK. TACHOMETER PEGS AND STICKS. THE SPEEDOMETER IS STUCK AT ZERO. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT GENERAL MOTORS/GM SHOULD DO A FREE RECALL FOR AS MANY OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. MY ABS SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF NUMEROUS TIMES A DAY, AND CLUSTER STATES SERVICE AIR BAG. GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD ALSO FIX THIS FOR FREE UNDER A RECALL AS OTHERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. MY THIRD MAJOR COMPLAINT, IS THE VEHICLE STARTING PROBLEM/HARD START. IT TAKES TWO TURNS OF THE ENGINE FOR THE VEHICLE TO TURN ON AND STAY RUNNING. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ON VARIOUS SEARCH ENGINES, FORUMS, AND INCLUDING RECALL.GOV. GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUES AS WELL UNDER A RECALL. GM INSTALLED FAULTY FUEL PUMPS OR FUEL PUMPS WITH FAULTY COMPONENTS IN THEM. A VEHICLE SHOULD START WITH ONE TRY. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO GET THE FUEL PRESSURE GOING IN THE ON POSITION, OR CRANK IT TWICE FOR MY TRUCK TO START.

NHTSA complaint #10893888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

I TURNED MY 2005 SUBURBAN ON AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT IN TO THE CHEVY/GM DEALER WHO SAID, "THE RIGHT, FRONT, AIR BAG SENSOR WAS THE CAUSE." IT WOULD COST $375 TO FIX IT. I DID NOT GET IT FIXED AT THAT TIME. IT IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS ARE INOPERABLE. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AT ABOUT 150,000 MILES. FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS BY THE COMPANY.

NHTSA complaint #10863519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

FIRST INCIDENT EASTERN PA: 05/19/2014 APROX 119000 MILES: AFTER HITTING THE BRAKES HARD TO AVOID A VEHICLE THAT PULLED IN FRONT OF ME, THE BRAKES FAILED (BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR WITH LITTLE BRAKING ACTION). MANAGED TO SAFELY STOP. FOUND BURST BRAKE LINE IN THE REAR END OF VEHICLE. TWO REAR CORRODED REAR BRAKE LINES REPLACED BY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. SECOND INCIDENT MILFORD MA: 09/17/2015 127336 MILES: HIT BRAKES GOING DOWN DRIVEWAY. BRAKES WERE SOFT AND SANK TO FLOOR. BRAKE LINE GOING TO FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WAS BURST. ALL THE BRAKE FLUID DRAINED QUICKLY OUT OF THE MASTER CYLINDER ONTO THE DRIVEWAY. ORDERED ACDELCO 22932592 GM ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT HYDRAULIC BRAKE PIPE KIT AND AM IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING ALL BRAKE LINES AS ALL OF THEM OTHER THAN THE TWO REPLACED IN PA ARE VERY CORRODED. THE REPLACEMENT LINES ARE NOT REALLY OEM AS THEY HAVE A NYLON COATING FOR BETTER CORROSION PROTECTION

NHTSA complaint #10766829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE BEGAN "CATCHING," NOT MOVING SMOOTHLY. AFTER ABOUT 2 WEEKS IT WOULD NOT RESET TO 0 WHEN STOPPED THEN AFTER 1 MORE DAY IT QUIT REGISTERING COMPLETELY.

NHTSA complaint #10690807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

HAD SERVICED THE TRANSFER CASE AND HAD TAKEN IT BACK TWICE NOW BESIDES A NOISE LIKE THAT OF A POWER STEERING PUMP GOING BAD ( WHINING ) , HAD A TURNING CLUNK NOISE COMING AND AT A STOP LIGHT I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM PASSENGER SIDE, GOT TO PARK IT AND SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING .BRING IT BACK TO SEE IF THE MECHANIC WILL WORK ON IT SINCE IT HASN'T BEEN 30 DAYS. PLEASE NOTIFY ME OF ANYTHING DO TO THE TRANSFER CASE.

NHTSA complaint #10654073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

HAD SERVICED THE TRANSFER CASE AND HAD TAKEN IT BACK TWICE NOW BESIDES A NOISE LIKE THAT OF A POWER STEERING PUMP GOING BAD ( WHINING ) , HAD A TURNING CLUNK NOISE COMING AND AT A STOP LIGHT I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM PASSENGER SIDE, GOT TO PARK IT AND SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING .BRING IT BACK TO SEE IF THE MECHANIC WILL WORK ON IT SINCE IT HASN'T BEEN 30 DAYS. PLEASE NOTIFY ME OF ANYTHING DO TO THE TRANSFER CASE.

NHTSA complaint #10654073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED IN THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE MODE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TWICE WHERE THE SHIFT GEAR ACTUATOR WAS REPLACED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE PUSH BUTTON GEAR SELECTOR WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

NHTSA complaint #10640616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED IN THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE MODE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TWICE WHERE THE SHIFT GEAR ACTUATOR WAS REPLACED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE PUSH BUTTON GEAR SELECTOR WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

NHTSA complaint #10640616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE ROTTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10631625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

MY 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN Z71 SWITCHES RANDOMLY AND WITHOUT SPECIFIC CAUSE INTO REDUCED ENGINE POWER WHICH NEARLY GO ME KILLED WHEN MERGING INTO A HIGH-SPEED INTERSTATE PULLING A TRAILER. THE ONLY WAY TO "FIX" IT (MAKE THE ENGINE RUN NORMAL AGAIN) IS TO PULL TO THE SIDE IF THE HIGHWAY (DANGEROUS!) AND SHUT THE TRUCK OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES. THIS HAPPEN RANDOMLY BUT AT LEAST THREE TIMES A DAY. I KNOW OTHERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND GM SAYS I HAVE TO BRING IT TO THEN WHEN THIS IS OCCURRING BUT I CAN'T DO THAT WHEN THE TRUCK IS BARELY LIMPING ALONG! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON GM CHAT SITES ACROSS THE INTERNET.

NHTSA complaint #10629998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

AIR BAG SENSOR HAS FAILED CAUSING THE AIRBAGS TO BE RENDERED INOPERABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10604916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER RANDOMLY TURNS ITSELF ON. WHEN YOU TURN IT OFF IT COMES BACK ON AGAIN AND RANDOMLY CYCLES THROUGH THE VARIOUS SETTINGS. IT'S ALMOST A CONSTANT BATTLE TRYING TO KEEP IT TURNED OFF WHICH CREATES A HAZARDOUS SITUATION EQUAL TO, OR WORSE, THEN TEXTING WHILE DRIVING AS YOU HAVE TO KEEP LOOKING DOWN TO PUSH THE BUTTON, ESPECIALLY HERE IN FLORIDA WHERE YOU DON'T NEED (OR WANT) SEAT HEAT IN THE SUMMER. I'VE FOUGHT THIS TO THE POINT THAT I'VE WORN THE PAINT OFF THE SWITCH. IF YOU SEARCH THE INTERNET THIS IS A VERY PREVALENT PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES DURING THESE MODEL YEARS. I ALSO HAVE A 2006 GMC SIERRA THAT DOES THE EXACT SAME THING. I'VE BEEN TO AT LEAST 5 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND EITHER THEY CAN'T FIX IT OR THEY CLAIM THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM. THAT CAN'T BE TRUE SINCE GM ISSUED A TSB FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECOMMENDED FIX (REPROGRAMMING THE DRIVER DOOR SWITCH) ACTUALLY DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. IN FACT, WHEN THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED MY GMC IT ACTUALLY MADE IT WORSE TO WHERE IT HAPPENS MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY. I CONTACTED GM AND EVEN THOUGH I TOOK IT TO A DEALER 4-5 MONTHS AGO WHERE THEY COULDN'T FIX IT, GM SAYS I HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER (PAY ANOTHER $100 DIAGNOSTIC FEE) TO MEET THEIR POLICY THAT THEY WILL ONLY ADDRESS THE ISSUE IF YOU'VE BEEN TO A DEALER WITHIN THE LAST 30 DAYS. SOME REPORTS ARE THE SEAT HEATER ELEMENTS ARE SHORTING OUT. EITHER WAY THIS CREATES A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION FOR DRIVERS. GM SAYS I CAN PULL THE FUSE FOR THE SEAT HEATERS. HOWEVER, WHEN YOU REMOVE THE FUSE LABELED "SEAT HEATER" IT ACTUALLY DOES NOTHING. THE SEATS ARE STILL POWERED AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THIS CLEARLY INDICATES AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND DESIGN FLAW. THE ONLY SURE CURE IS TO REMOVE THE 30 AMP BREAKER UNDER THE DASH RENDERING YOUR DRIVER/PASSENGER INOPERATIVE. GM MUST FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED FROM BEING DISTRACTED.

NHTSA complaint #10597216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

THE FRONT AIRBAG SENSOR HAS FAILED AND THE AIRBAGS ARE NO LONGER OPERABLE. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE YEAR AND MODEL OF CHEVY TRUCK. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM DUE TO ITS IMPACT ON SAFETY. GIVEN THE LOW MILEAGE THERE IS NO LEGITIMATE REASON FOR THIS PART TO FAIL.

NHTSA complaint #10593763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

UNDER ANY CONDITIONS, THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR LOCATED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT ILLUMINATE. WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER TO KNOW WHICH GEAR THE VEHICLE IS IN. WHICH INCREASES THE DRIVERS CHANCES OF CRASHING.

NHTSA complaint #10565645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE, WITHOUT ANY WARNING , CAUSED BY COMPLETE CORROSION OF ENTIRE BRAKE LINE! RAN CAR OFF ROAD TO AVOID CARS AT STOP. EMERGENCY BRAKE ALSO FAILED DUE TO CORROSION.

NHTSA complaint #10557468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET K1500 SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER ON THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT LATCH OR DETACH PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED, DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,175.

NHTSA complaint #10553196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

HAD TO REPLACE THE SENSOR FOR THE AIR BAG. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY GENERAL MOTORS. I KNOW THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED DUE TO THE COST. WHEN THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON IT DEACTIVATES THE AIR BAGS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. WE HAVE A 2000 CHEVROLET TAHOE IN OUT FAMILY THAT HAS NOT HAD THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10531970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

HAD TO REPLACE THE SENSOR FOR THE AIR BAG. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY GENERAL MOTORS. I KNOW THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED DUE TO THE COST. WHEN THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON IT DEACTIVATES THE AIR BAGS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. WE HAVE A 2000 CHEVROLET TAHOE IN OUT FAMILY THAT HAS NOT HAD THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10531970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

THE AUTO TRANSMISSION 3 AND 4TH GEAR CLUTCH FAILED IN THIS UNIT WHICH RESEARCH SHOWS IS A COMMON FAILURE. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS OPENED FOR THE REPAIR THERE WERE TWO PARTS THAT SHOWED A LOT OF RUST WHICH INDICATED AN EXPOSURE TO WATER. I WOULD NOT BE WRITING THIS IF THE TRANSMISSION SHOP HAD NOT SHOWN ME A CHEVY AVALANCHE TRANSMISSION THEY HAD JUST CAME IN WITH THE SAME PARTS SHOWING THE RUST PATTERN. BOTH TRANSMISSIONS WERE MADE IN THE RAMOS, MEXICO GM FACTORY IN WITHIN A SHORT TIME FRAME. THIS IS MAJOR CONCERN IF THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED ON AN INTERSTATE AND THE LOSS OF SPEED COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC LIKE AN ACCIDENT LOCALLY IN LOWNDES COUNTY, MS WHERE A CROWN VICTORIA WAS HIT FROM BEHIND WHEN SOMETHING FAILED IN THAT CAR AND SLOWED DOWN. TWO PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIFE.

NHTSA complaint #10509788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.