Owners have filed 16 complaints
about the 2005 GMC Savana with NHTSA between 2005 and 2023.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 12 of 12 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 24
Against the median year of the GMC Savana. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 68
40% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2005 GMC Savana
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Tires
212.5%
Body & Structure
212.5%
Median failure at 63,961 miles
Brakes
212.5%
Median failure at 18,561 miles
Steering
212.5%
Median failure at 51,900 miles
Electrical System
212.5%
Median failure at 100,000 miles
Equipment & Accessories
16.3%
Median failure at 41,000 miles
Doors, Latches & Locks
16.3%
Median failure at 49,923 miles
Seat Belts
16.3%
Wheels
16.3%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
16.3%
Suspension
16.3%
Median failure at 20,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
220.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
110.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
440.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
110.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
220.0%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2005 GMC Savana Van
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—
—
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When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Oct 2005peak 3Jul 2023
Recalls on the 2005 GMC Savana
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202321025,587 units in Canada
Electrical
Issue: On certain vehicles, an unused wiring harness for a rear HVAC blower motor, located in the left B-pillar area, could become damaged if exposed to moisture or contaminants. If this happens, the wires could short circuit. Note: This recall only affects cutaway chassis incomplete vehicles. Safety Risk: A short circuit can create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and instruct you to bring your vehicle to a dealership to seal the wiring for the rear HVAC blower motor at the left B-pillar.
Recall 2008120106 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
Certain full-size passenger, cargo and cutaway vans may have front and rear seat belt buckles that will not latch or will not unlatch. There are two conditions that render the buckle inoperative after customer usage. Specifically, (1) with a damaged ejector hood, the latch tongue cannot fully enter the buckle and will not latch, and (2) if the release bar moves permanently out of position the buckle will either be unable to engage the latch or the pushbutton will be unable to unlatch the buckle. Correction: Dealers will inspect buckles and, if found to be inoperative, the entire buckle assembly will be replaced. Note: This is an expansion of recall 2005390.
Recall 200539039,243 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
Certain full-size passenger, cargo and cutaway vans may have front and rear seat belt buckles that will not latch or will not unlatch. There are two conditions that render the buckle inoperative after customer usage. Specifically, (1) with a damaged ejector hood, the latch tongue cannot fully enter the buckle and will not latch, and (2) if the release bar moves permanently out of position the buckle will either be unable to engage the latch or the pushbutton will be unable to unlatch the buckle. Correction: Dealers will inspect buckles and, if found to be inoperative, the entire buckle assembly will be replaced.
Recall 20050335,014 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain vehicles, the hydraulic brake booster's pressure accumulator may crack and/or separate from the Hydro-Boost assembly during normal vehicle operating conditions. If a separation occurred and the hood of the vehicle was open, fragments from the accumulator could cause injury to people in the immediate area. In addition, the presence of this crack or fractured surface could allow the hydraulic fluid to leak from the accumulator circuit of the booster assembly. The loss of fluid would cause increased steering and braking effort. Correction: Dealers will test and, if necessary, replace the Hydro-Boost assembly.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Deer Lodge, MT
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
I had a new front windshield sold by PGW installed by Coughlin Auto Glass in Deer Lodge Montana in November - December 2022. I immediately noticed that the windshield did not allow RED LIGHT to pass through the tinted area. This is most likely due to a manufacturing defect and is dangerous. Unfortunately I did not have time to argue with the installer about a replacement until now, as I have been out of the state until yesterday. The installer confirmed that the glass was defective. He states that he contacted PGW today and that they will not replace the window. He and Pittsburg Glass Works state that they have had no other complaints and that it is too late to do anything about it. I suspect there is an entire batch of glass windshields that have this manufacturing defect. The consumer representative for PGW admitted that they had problems with supplies and manufacturing during COVID. I suspect this happened due to COVID related manufacturing problems.
NHTSA complaint #11532862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 milesMiami, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY
WHITE VAN SINCE WAS 4 YEARS OLD THE FRONT HOOD WHITE PAINT STAR PEELING OFF . KNOW IS HAVE PAINT ONLY. BAD QUALITY PAINT. YOU CAN SEE IN THE ROAD ALMOST ALL CHEVY OR GMC CARGO VAN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10617484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesHouston, TX
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING ON BUMPY ROAD AT 30 MILES / HOUR CAR TURNS OFF. I COULD NOT TURN, POWER STEERING LOCKED. CAR EVENTUALLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUSY ROAD AND I BRAKE, CHANGED GEARS TO PARK. I TURN IGNITION KEY OFF AND THEN TURNED IT ON AGAIN. THIS HAPPEN A FEW TIMES. I TRY TO AVOID BUMPY AREAS. I TOOK TO MECHANIC & HE FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH ENGINE. I DID TO MENTION IT ONLY HAPPENS ON BUMPY RIDES, ( HE DROVE IT ON EXPRESSWAY). I JUST FOUND OUT GMC CARS HAVE A RECALL ON KEY IGNITIONS BUT NOT MY 2005 GMC. I CONTACTED GMC AND MY LOCAL DEALER BUT THEY SAY IT IS NOT RECALLED AND UNLESS IT HAPPENS WHILE THEY DRIVE IT THEY CAN'T DIAGNOSE IT. THEY WILL NOT FIX IT UNLESS THEY DIAGNOSE IT.
NHTSA complaint #10598720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesHouston, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING ON BUMPY ROAD AT 30 MILES / HOUR CAR TURNS OFF. I COULD NOT TURN, POWER STEERING LOCKED. CAR EVENTUALLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUSY ROAD AND I BRAKE, CHANGED GEARS TO PARK. I TURN IGNITION KEY OFF AND THEN TURNED IT ON AGAIN. THIS HAPPEN A FEW TIMES. I TRY TO AVOID BUMPY AREAS. I TOOK TO MECHANIC & HE FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH ENGINE. I DID TO MENTION IT ONLY HAPPENS ON BUMPY RIDES, ( HE DROVE IT ON EXPRESSWAY). I JUST FOUND OUT GMC CARS HAVE A RECALL ON KEY IGNITIONS BUT NOT MY 2005 GMC. I CONTACTED GMC AND MY LOCAL DEALER BUT THEY SAY IT IS NOT RECALLED AND UNLESS IT HAPPENS WHILE THEY DRIVE IT THEY CAN'T DIAGNOSE IT. THEY WILL NOT FIX IT UNLESS THEY DIAGNOSE IT.
NHTSA complaint #10598720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ontario, CA
TIRES
TIRE "DEFINITY DAKOTA" HAD DEFECTED JUST FOR 20,000 MI.
NHTSA complaint #10421488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,923 milesCommerce Township, MI
STRUCTURE
SIDE CARGO REAR DOOR HINGES SIEZED AND BENT AFTER OPENING. NOW IT DOES NOT CLOSE PROPERLY (ALIGNMENT FROM HINGE), CAUSING FRONT SIDE CARGO DOOR TO STAY OPEN AT ALL TIMES. REAR DOOR IS OVER 1" OUT OF POSITION, PREVENTING FRONT DOOR FROM CLOSING AND ENGAGING LATCH. IF REAR DOOR IS OPENED, IT DOES NOT CLOSE WITHOUT EXCESSIVE FORCE TO REALIGN TO LATCHES, BUT STILL NOT ENOUGH TO CLOSE FRONT DOOR.
NHTSA complaint #10368034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,923 milesCommerce Township, MI
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
SIDE CARGO REAR DOOR HINGES SIEZED AND BENT AFTER OPENING. NOW IT DOES NOT CLOSE PROPERLY (ALIGNMENT FROM HINGE), CAUSING FRONT SIDE CARGO DOOR TO STAY OPEN AT ALL TIMES. REAR DOOR IS OVER 1" OUT OF POSITION, PREVENTING FRONT DOOR FROM CLOSING AND ENGAGING LATCH. IF REAR DOOR IS OPENED, IT DOES NOT CLOSE WITHOUT EXCESSIVE FORCE TO REALIGN TO LATCHES, BUT STILL NOT ENOUGH TO CLOSE FRONT DOOR.
NHTSA complaint #10368034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,000 milesLivoni, MI
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SAVANA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACTIVATE THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT VEHICLE WOULD NOT BECOME COOL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE COOLING LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A LEAK. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 41000. THE COOLANT LINES THAT RAN TO THE REAR CLIMATE CONTROL WERE LEAKING FREON. UPDATED 11/24/10
NHTSA complaint #10349083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,000 milesMamaroneck, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SAVANA. WHILE TRAVELING AT 20 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WHERE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 33,000.
NHTSA complaint #10342976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lexington, KY
WHEELS
2005 GMC SAVANNA WITH TIRE FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VAN HAS HAD THREE TIRE BLOW OUTS. HE STATED THAT THE BLOW OUTS OCCURRED ON THE SAME TIRE AND THE SAME SPOT. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE LOW PROFILE TIRES WERE NOT A GOOD MATCH FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED HE HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRONICS AND THE WHEELS.
NHTSA complaint #10213888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lexington, KY
TIRES
2005 GMC SAVANNA WITH TIRE FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VAN HAS HAD THREE TIRE BLOW OUTS. HE STATED THAT THE BLOW OUTS OCCURRED ON THE SAME TIRE AND THE SAME SPOT. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE LOW PROFILE TIRES WERE NOT A GOOD MATCH FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED HE HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRONICS AND THE WHEELS.
NHTSA complaint #10213888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lexington, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2005 GMC SAVANNA WITH TIRE FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VAN HAS HAD THREE TIRE BLOW OUTS. HE STATED THAT THE BLOW OUTS OCCURRED ON THE SAME TIRE AND THE SAME SPOT. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE LOW PROFILE TIRES WERE NOT A GOOD MATCH FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED HE HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRONICS AND THE WHEELS.
NHTSA complaint #10213888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Leesburg, VA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
PASSENGER SEAT BELT WILL NOT LATCH.
NHTSA complaint #10199742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,800 milesDurham, NC
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SAVANA. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING GEAR TWICE AND THE STEERING PUMP ONCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,800. UPDATED 02/01/08. *LJ UPDATED 02/01/08
NHTSA complaint #10197645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesBurkesville, KY
SUSPENSION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MPH THE ENTIRE VEHICLE VIBRATED. IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM THE TIRES AND RIMS WERE CHANGED, BY THE DEALER. THIS HAD NO AFFECT AND THE VIBRATION STILL OCCURRED. THE DEALER INDICATED THE VIBRATION CAN BE FELT, BUT THE CAUSE CAN NOT BE DETERMINED.
NHTSA complaint #10158675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,122 milesLake Stevens, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2005 GMC 2500 HAS SEVERE RUST ON BRAKE BEARING SPINDLES & KNOCK HEAD JOINTS. *TS
NHTSA complaint #10138816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.