FaultScore

2005 Chevrolet Suburban transmission problems

15 of the 161 complaints about the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban are about the transmission — 9% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 16,950 miles.

A

15

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Automatic Transmission 6 40.0%
Power Train 5 33.3%
Transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive) 2 13.3%
Column Shift 1 6.7%
Axle Shaft 1 6.7%

Transmission & Drivetrain across every Chevrolet Suburban year

1991 11 1.7%
1993 12 1.9%
1994 15 2.4%
1995 29 4.6%
1996 45 7.1%
1997 56 8.8%
1998 20 3.2%
1999 50 7.9%
2000 15 2.4%
2001 34 5.4%
2002 24 3.8%
2003 22 3.5%
2004 14 2.2%
2005 15 2.4%
2015 47 7.4%
2016 45 7.1%
2017 39 6.2%
2018 17 2.7%
2019 38 6.0%
2020 10 1.6%
2021 35 5.5%
2022 29 4.6%
2023 12 1.9%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Lowgap, NC

POWER TRAIN

Gear status indicator does not display selected gear.

NHTSA complaint #11417528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Palm Beach, FL

POWER TRAIN

TRUCK DOOR IS NOT OPENING, FUEL GAS DEFECTIVE, REAR LIGHT SYSTEM HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM ALL THE TIMES, A/C SYSTEM ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #11342278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Spout Spring, VA

POWER TRAIN

FIRST THE TRANSMISSION FAILED RIGHT AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 2 YEARS AGO. I HAD TO BUY A NEW TRANSMISSION THAT WASN'T CHEAP AROUND $3,500. THEN THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS STARTED WITH THE RIGHT SIDE LAST YEAR JUST HAD A TON OF PLAY IN IT MY MECHANIC FOUND IT WHEN LIFTING UP MY TRUCK FOR A TIRE ROTATION. THEN THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING JUST STARTED MAKING A LOAD ROARING NOISE BUT HAD NO PLAY IN IT AT ALL THAT I COULD FEEL WHEN CHECKING IT OUT. BOTH COST AROUND $250 A WHEEL TO REPLACE. NOW MY 5.3 LITER ENGINE IS HAVING A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN AT A STOP AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 30 MINUTES OR WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT. ALSO I AM HEARING A SLIGHT TICKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE COLD OR HOT. I HAVE 4 SMALL KIDS SO I NEED A VERY RELIABLE LARGE VEHICLE AND THIS IS SUBURBAN IS DRIVING ME AND MY WIFE CRAZY HAVING TO POOR MONEY IN THIS VEHICLE EVERY YEAR. I AM THE SOIL PROVIDER FOR MY FAMILY I CANT AFFORD PUTTING ALL MY MONEY INTO A VEHICLE LIKE THIS.

NHTSA complaint #11322481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 139,000 miles Denton, TX

POWER TRAIN

IN MOTION ON CITY AND HIGHWAY

NHTSA complaint #11102991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 126,600 miles Huntington Beach, CA

POWER TRAIN

BEGAN HEARING A "WHINING" NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. NOISE WAS PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER AT ACCELERATED SPEEDS. LEFT VEHICLE AT LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER (CA) WHO DID AN INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSED A MECHANICAL ISSUE POSSIBLY WITH THE DIFFERENTIAL [REF. CLAIM CHECK 175]. SERVICE WRITER STATED ESTIMATED REPAIR COST FOR AN OVERHAUL WAS $3,000 VS. HIGHER COSTS TO REPLACE WITH USED OR NEW DIFFERENTIAL. SERVICE WRITER FURTHER INDICATED CONTINUED DRIVING COULD CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE AND ADDED COST IF AXLE WAS ALSO AFFECTED. DECIDED TO TAKE VEHICLE TO A RECOGNIZED POWERTRAIN REPAIR FACILITY WHO DETERMINED (ALSO WITH A DRIVE TEST) THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS THE PROBLEM AND GAVE INITIAL $1,200 ESTIMATE. AUTHORIZED REPAIR. FINAL COST WAS $813 AND INCLUDES 1 YEAR FULL WARRANTY. NOW RUNS SMOOTH / QUIET WHEN DRIVING. TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT ALTHOUGH FLUID LEVEL WAS GOOD (SEALED AT FACTORY), A RING INSIDE THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS BAD (HAD BECOME PITTED AND COULD HAVE CAUSED FURTHER ISSUES IF UNCHECKED. CHANGED OUT RING AND BEARINGS BUT ALL OTHER COMPONENTS INCLUDING CASING WERE FINE. TECHNICIAN STATED SUCH WEAR IS UNCOMMON FOR A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 126K MILES AND WITH NO TOWING ON FACTORY TOW PACKAGE. IS THIS AN ANNOMILY OR ARE THERE OTHER CASES OF BAD PARTS IN DIFFERENTIAL FOR THIS MAKE / MODEL? WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS FURTHER WITH GM ZONE REP. BUT NO RESPONSE!!!

NHTSA complaint #10721293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Monument, CO

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. CONSUMER STATES DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER. *TGW CONSUMER SENT IN DUPLICATE LETTER ON 3/25/2010. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE SPEEDOMETER WAS STUCK AT 120 MPH. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HER VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL, AS HER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE RANGE. THE SECOND PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE WAS THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER, DUE TO THE INTERAL FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. *JB UPDATED 04/12/10.

NHTSA complaint #10323111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 69,710 miles Dexter, GA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING; THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR; THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED ON 2/06/2008, WE HAD IT REBUILT. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 69710 MILES. WE WERE IN A RURAL AREA AT THE TIME RATHER THAN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THANK GOODNESS.

NHTSA complaint #10232748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 14,000 miles Dixon, CA

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY SUBURBAN 4X4 AND WITHIN THE FIRST 14,000 MILES IT HAS STARTED TO ENGAGE INTO 4W LO WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, IN REVERSE, GOING 25 MPH IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD(THIS IS A GEAR THAT YOU CANNOT DRIVE OVER 15MPH IN). NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT SHELLWORTH CHEVROLET LOCATED IN VACAVILLE, CA HAS BEEN TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR OVER 25,000 MILES AND OVER 6 TIMES IN THE SHOP. THEY HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL WITH THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN THE SHOP UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME. IT HAS EVEN BEEN TOWED INTO THEIR SHOP ON ONE OCCASION. THEY NO LONGER WANT TO PROVIDE ME WITH SERVICE, TOLD ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH GM FOR A BUYBACK PURCHASE AND SHOED ME OFF. GM SAYS IT IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE BUYBACK PROGRAM PROBABLY BECAUSE OF ALL THE FALSE AND INACCURATE INFORMATION THE SERVICE WRITERS HAVE DOCUMENTED ON THE WORK ORDERS. I HAVE ASKED TO SPEAK TO GM DISTRICT MANAGER WHO HAS MADE THIS DECISION AND HE HAS DECLINED TO SPEAK TO ME, AS WELL AS THE SERVICE MANAGER AT SHELLWORTH HAS NOT RETURNED MY LAST 2 PHONE CALLS. THE LAW STATES THAT THEY EITHER FIX MY VEHICLE TO A WORKING ORDER OR GIVE ME A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. THEY ARE NOT DOING EITHER. ON OCT. 31 AFTER ARGUING WITH THEM BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT TO HANDLE THE ISSUE THAT TIME EITHER THEY DECIDED TO GO LOOK AT A DIFFERENT BULLETIN AND FOUND SOMETHING, SO THEY REPLACED SOME PARTS AND RELEASED THE VEHICLE TO ME. SINCE THEN THE LIGHT HAS CAME ON 2 TIMES WHICH IS THE START OF THE PROCESS IN WHICH IT THEN ENGAGES TO 4W LO ALL BY ITSELF.

NHTSA complaint #10215337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 19,900 miles Stuart, FL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BEING ON AN INCLINE AND WITH THE GEAR SHIFTER IN DRIVE THE VEHICLE ROLLS BACK IF THE BRAKES ARE NOT APPLIED. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THIS IS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED. UPDATED 4/14/2006 -

NHTSA complaint #10153836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Richmond, VA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN HAS NO QUICK EXIT FROM THE THIRD SEAT AND THE TAILGATE. IT TAKES TOO MUCH FORCE TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THE VEHICLE IS SO LONG THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS DO NOT SHOW THE ROAD VERY WELL EVEN AFTER ADJUSTMENTS ARE MADE. THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE TAKE TOO MUCH FORCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY. LASTLY, THE PICKUP ON THE TRANSMISSION IS SLUGGISH WHICH IS A CONCERN IN EMERGENCY CONDITIONS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER, AND WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE ALL ISSUES ARE WITH THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10147622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 14,000 miles Temecula, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND PRESSURE PUMP.

NHTSA complaint #10147324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,845 miles Chicago, IL

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

WHILE DRIVING INTO WORK THE REAR END HOUSING EXPLODED AND THE DRIVE SHAFT DROPPED TO PIECES BOTH FLEW ALL OVER THE HIGHWAY SOME COMING OUT RED HOT.

NHTSA complaint #10144695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 900 miles Sherman Oaks, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DT: THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE DEALER HAS CHANGED DIFFERENT PARTS, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED.

NHTSA complaint #10126396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Simsbury, CT

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN (LESS THAN 1 WEEK OLD) -CAR WAS PLACED INTO PARK ON A DRIVEWAY WITH HILL -PARKING FOOT BRAKE WAS ENGAGED -I LEFT THE VEHICLE AND STARTED WALKING INTO THIS HOUSE -AT 30 YDS I HEARD SOMETHING BEHIND ME AND TURNED TO REALIZE THE CAR WAS ROLLING -I RAN BACK, JUMPED INTO THE CAR AND SLAMMED THE BRAKE ON -I TESTED THIS 3 MORE TIMES AND REPEATED THIS CONDITION. -THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR IS SAYING THE CAR IS IN PARK, BUT IT IS NOT LOCKING -AN ADDITIONAL CONCERN WAS THAT PARKING BRAKE DID NOT HOLD UP WITH 3 CHILDREN IN MY HOUSEHOLD THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN. NOT TO MENTION IT NEARLY RAN ME OVER. THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR!!! NOT MORE THAN 400 MILES ON IT. CAR IS CURRENTLY BEING LOOKED AT BY THE CHEVY DEALER. THIS IS SERIOUS AND THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO INFORM THE AGENCY.I*=*AK -

NHTSA complaint #10106062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairfax, VA

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE MIRRORS FAILED. THE OBJECTS APPEARED FAR AWAY THAN NORMAL. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE HAD A TOW MIRROR PACKAGE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE MIRROR COULD BE REPLACED, BUT THE DRIVER HAD TO PAY FOR IT. *AK THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT HAD COME ON.

NHTSA complaint #10103189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2005 Chevrolet Suburban problems

← Full 2005 Chevrolet Suburban report