Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 HD with NHTSA between 2009 and 2018.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 4 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 — 44
Against the median year of the GMC Sierra 1500 HD. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 43
8.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 14
8% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2005 compares with every other GMC Sierra 1500 HD
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 Sierra 1500 HD
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
541.7%
Median failure at 68,505 miles
Engine & Cooling
216.7%
Median failure at 56,500 miles
Other & Unspecified
18.3%
Median failure at 80,000 miles
Body & Structure
18.3%
Median failure at 93,700 miles
Steering
18.3%
Median failure at 117,174 miles
Electrical System
18.3%
Median failure at 89,323 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
18.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 85,000 mi
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
18.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
18.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
216.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
650.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
216.7%
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.
Jun 2009peak 3Mar 2018
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 85,000 milesSouth Padre Island, TXFire
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
MULTIPLE REPORTS TO THE DEALERSHIP OF A CONTINUOUS VIBRATION AND NOISE IN THE FRONT END ACCOMPANIED BY UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. TIRES WERE ROTATED REDUCING BUT NOT ELIMINATING THE NOISE. THREE TO FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS WAS REQUESTED FROM ME BY THE DEALERSHIP TO REMOVE AND DISASSEMBLE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THIS REQUEST WAS DENIED BY ME BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. WITHIN 1100 MILES AND TWO WEEKS OF LAST INSPECTION BY DEALERSHIP, FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL BEARING CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED. DURING THIS EVENT THE VEHICLE BECAME NEARLY UNCONTROLLABLE AND DOVE INTO THE ONCOMING LANE, STEERING WAS VIOLENTLY REACTIVE AND THE VEHICLE ENDED UP TRAVELING OFF THE ROAD INTO THE DITCH IN THE OF THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL. THE BRAKE ROTOR AND CALIPER HAD BECOME RED HOT SETTING FIRE TO THE DRIVE AXEL BOOT AND GRASS BENEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE WAS ABLE TO BE QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED. DEATH AND/OR INJURY WERE ONLY AVOIDED DUE TO THE LACK OF TRAFFIC IN THE ONCOMING LANE AND NO OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE AREA OF THE DITCH WITHIN WHICH THE VEHICLE TRAVELED. RESULTS OF BEARING FAILURE INCLUDE DESTROYED BRAKE ROTOR, CALIPER AND PADS. THE FRONT DRIVE AXEL WAS PURGED OF GREASE THROUGH EXTREME HEATING AND AXEL BOOT WAS ALSO DESTROYED. ALTHOUGH REPAIRS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED BY THE DEALERSHIP I HAVE INCURRED A 300 DOLLAR TOWING BILL WHICH THE DEALERSHIP, GENERAL MOTORS, AND THE WARRANTY COMPANY GMPP ARE REFUSING TO COVER. THE DEALERSHIP IS CLAIMING THAT THERE IS NO DIAGNOSTIC METHOD OF INSPECTION TO PREDICT EMINENT WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER IS REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THE ISSUE AND SUPPORTS IT'S DEALERSHIPS PRACTICES. THE WARRANTY COMPANY IS ONLY ACCEPTING LIABILITY OF 50 DOLLARS FOR TOWING WHICH I HAVE HAD TO PAY 300 DOLLARS FOR.
NHTSA complaint #10273531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 105,000 milesWauwatosa, WI
SERVICE BRAKES
A CAR DROVE THROUGH AN INTERSECTION IN FRONT OF ME AS I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, MARCH 3, 2018. I HIT THE BRAKES AND TURNED AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. MY BRAKES FAILED, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AS I WAS STOPPING. BRAKE LINE NEAR LH FR.T WHEEL BUSTED AND BRAKE FLUID SHOT OUT. LUCKY I TURNED AWAY AS I WAS BRAKING THAT I MISSED THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE OTHER VEHICLE ALSO TURNED AWAY FROM ME AND THEN DROVE AWAY.
NHTSA complaint #11076217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 117,174 milesHurdle Mills, NC
STEERING
STEERING COLUMN GOES OUT FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 117000 MILES AND RATTLES WHILE DRIVING. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS AN ON GOING THING WITH THIS MODEL AND OTHERS
NHTSA complaint #10891900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesKnoxville, TN
ENGINE
RECENTLY PURCHASED A 05 GMC SIERRA 1500 HD WITH 6.0 VORTEC ENGINE. IT HAS A NOTICEABLE TICKING AND AFTER CHECKING MY EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS I FOUND THAT FOUR ARE BROKEN AND ALLOWING RAW EXHAUST FUMES INTO THE AIR. WITH THE BOLTS BREAKING THE MANIFOLD IS WARPED AND BROKEN. THIS IS ALL AT 94,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10891490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,107 milesTownsend, MA
SERVICE BRAKES
METAL BRAKE LINE RUPTURED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP QUICKLY, NARROWLY MISSING STOPPED VEHICLE AHEAD
NHTSA complaint #10724240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,505 milesHummelstown, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LINES BLEW TO MASTER CYLINDER.
NHTSA complaint #10555295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesPeoria, AZ
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA 1500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLYWHEEL BECAME CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE FLYWHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
NHTSA complaint #10520691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,700 milesLebanon, OH
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
DRIVING HOME FROM LITTLE LEAGUE GAME WITH MY 7 YR OLD, CAME INTO TRAFFIC IN TOWN AND MY BRAKES WENT MUSHY, WITHIN A COUPLE MINUTES WENT FROM MUSHY TO 5% BRAKING. MADE IT HOME ABOUT 2 MILES BY PUMPING QUICKLY JUST ENOUGH TO SLOWLY STOP AT THE END OF DRIVE. WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A POOL OF BRAKE FLUID EATING THROUGH MY ASPHALT DRIVEWAY. ALL BRAKE FLUID HAD DRAINED OUT COMPLETELY RUSTED / CORROSION AREA OF ALL BRAKE LINES BY BUNDLE UNDER DRIVERS SEAT. MY MECHANIC, SAYS OTHER AREAS ARE ALMOST AS BAD IN OTHER AREAS IN THE REAR. NOW I'M LOOKING AT 500+ IN LINE REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10520198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,700 milesLebanon, OH
SERVICE BRAKES
DRIVING HOME FROM LITTLE LEAGUE GAME WITH MY 7 YR OLD, CAME INTO TRAFFIC IN TOWN AND MY BRAKES WENT MUSHY, WITHIN A COUPLE MINUTES WENT FROM MUSHY TO 5% BRAKING. MADE IT HOME ABOUT 2 MILES BY PUMPING QUICKLY JUST ENOUGH TO SLOWLY STOP AT THE END OF DRIVE. WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A POOL OF BRAKE FLUID EATING THROUGH MY ASPHALT DRIVEWAY. ALL BRAKE FLUID HAD DRAINED OUT COMPLETELY RUSTED / CORROSION AREA OF ALL BRAKE LINES BY BUNDLE UNDER DRIVERS SEAT. MY MECHANIC, SAYS OTHER AREAS ARE ALMOST AS BAD IN OTHER AREAS IN THE REAR. NOW I'M LOOKING AT 500+ IN LINE REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10520198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,533 milesHellertown, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SIERRA 1500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 66,533.
NHTSA complaint #10476589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesWaskom, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND GM SHOULD HAVE TO REPAIR MY TRUCK AT NO COST TO ME.
NHTSA complaint #10426885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,323 milesAppling, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
I OWN A 2005 GMC SIERRA 1500HD, THE SPEEDOMETER HAD BEEN MESSING UP BUT ALL THE OTHER GAUGES WORK FINE. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL SHOP THINKING IT WAS A LOOSE OR BROKEN CABLE. THE SHOP FOREMAN LAUGHED AND SAID THAT CHEVROLET/GMC HAS HAD A RASH OF THE CLUSTERS GO BAD, AND THAT HE ALONE HAS REPLACED 5 IN THE PAST MONTH. IF THIS IS THE CASE, I FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE $553.50 THAT I HAD TO PAY TO FIX SOMETHING THAT WAS DEFECTIVE FROM THE COMPANY.
NHTSA complaint #10292003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesSouth Padre Island, TXFire
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
MULTIPLE REPORTS TO THE DEALERSHIP OF A CONTINUOUS VIBRATION AND NOISE IN THE FRONT END ACCOMPANIED BY UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. TIRES WERE ROTATED REDUCING BUT NOT ELIMINATING THE NOISE. THREE TO FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS WAS REQUESTED FROM ME BY THE DEALERSHIP TO REMOVE AND DISASSEMBLE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THIS REQUEST WAS DENIED BY ME BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. WITHIN 1100 MILES AND TWO WEEKS OF LAST INSPECTION BY DEALERSHIP, FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL BEARING CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED. DURING THIS EVENT THE VEHICLE BECAME NEARLY UNCONTROLLABLE AND DOVE INTO THE ONCOMING LANE, STEERING WAS VIOLENTLY REACTIVE AND THE VEHICLE ENDED UP TRAVELING OFF THE ROAD INTO THE DITCH IN THE OF THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL. THE BRAKE ROTOR AND CALIPER HAD BECOME RED HOT SETTING FIRE TO THE DRIVE AXEL BOOT AND GRASS BENEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE WAS ABLE TO BE QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED. DEATH AND/OR INJURY WERE ONLY AVOIDED DUE TO THE LACK OF TRAFFIC IN THE ONCOMING LANE AND NO OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE AREA OF THE DITCH WITHIN WHICH THE VEHICLE TRAVELED. RESULTS OF BEARING FAILURE INCLUDE DESTROYED BRAKE ROTOR, CALIPER AND PADS. THE FRONT DRIVE AXEL WAS PURGED OF GREASE THROUGH EXTREME HEATING AND AXEL BOOT WAS ALSO DESTROYED. ALTHOUGH REPAIRS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED BY THE DEALERSHIP I HAVE INCURRED A 300 DOLLAR TOWING BILL WHICH THE DEALERSHIP, GENERAL MOTORS, AND THE WARRANTY COMPANY GMPP ARE REFUSING TO COVER. THE DEALERSHIP IS CLAIMING THAT THERE IS NO DIAGNOSTIC METHOD OF INSPECTION TO PREDICT EMINENT WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER IS REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THE ISSUE AND SUPPORTS IT'S DEALERSHIPS PRACTICES. THE WARRANTY COMPANY IS ONLY ACCEPTING LIABILITY OF 50 DOLLARS FOR TOWING WHICH I HAVE HAD TO PAY 300 DOLLARS FOR.
NHTSA complaint #10273531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.