Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The front airbag impact sensor when they stop working will not work on impact. You can get them from GMC because they stopped making them and you can not find them on the aftermarket. How can a company discontinue a safety part.
Vehicle was sold which was believed to be an illegal california safety inspections had for three months driveshaft flew off of vehicle a week after purchasing dealer ship fix but but a driveshaft that was to short for the vehicle which was the reason for the incident second incident cause collision into brick wall because vehicle lost steering believed to be cause by safety issues dealership retired to pass off as an "as is " vehicle air bags did not deploy
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the brakes failed to operate. The contact crashed into a ditch. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Front to rear 5 car collision, causing me to hit a vehicle and then a high curb and drainage grate, front damage to my truck is severe and my truck will require over $8,000, my insurance company will probably call the truck a total loss...my airbags did not deploy.
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While the driver was traveling at an unknown rate of speed on an on ramp, the driver crashed into another vehicle. The vehicle swayed back and forth on the road and then crashed into the rear of an 18 wheeler truck. The driver's bumper attached to the 18 wheeler truck and the driver's vehicle was dragged for a few miles until the state highway patrol assisted. The contact indicated that none of the air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The driver sustained massive head injuries and abdominal bleeding. The contact received extensive medical attention and had to be sent to a trauma unit in another hospital. The driver sustained fatal injuries due to the air bags not deploying. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but was not able to diagnose the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
I hit another vehicle in the side, it was traveling approx. 55 MPH. I was pulling into a walmart and crossing 2 lanes of traffic. Upon impact I pushed the other vehicle off the road from her inside lane. The airbag on my vehicle never deployed. I was told by the repair shop that the impact wasn't hard enough to cause the airbag to deploy. That is why I never reported the accident until now. Just recently the airbag light came on and when I took it to the dealer they said it needed a new front bumper impact sensor for $549.00. I had contacted GM about and they said since there was over 100,000 mi. They could not do anything. I have since learned there have been myriad complaints on this vehicle for the same thing. It seems to me that there are ample enough complaints for the nhtsb to order a recall. I plan on doing the repair myself. The part costs $90.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While starting the vehicle, the driver and passenger side air bags deployed without warning or impact. There were no injuries. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. While driving, the radio, air conditioner, and instrument panel gauges stopped operating. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and checked the vehicle. While driving, the service air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact called price Kia (1390 richmond rd, charlottesville, va 22911, [phone]) and was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 20,000.
I have had a "service air bag" light on for several years now. I have owned the truck since new and it has never been in an accident. From what I have heard it is a driver's side airbag connection issue and if there is an accident the airbag won't activate. After reading about the recall on the 2007 models on up I was surprised and disappointed that my year is not involved in that recall as it sounds like the same safety defect. Mileage on my truck is only 81,000 miles. The truck was stationary and just started when the light first came on and it's been on ever since.
Low mileage 2005 truck. At just under 50,000 miles passenger airbag dash light came on (nov. 2018). Performed protocol according to manual and it turned off. Came back on same day after moving passenger seat to clean. Dealership in missoula montana claimed needed passenger airbag replacement, cost over $800.00. Admitted not a problem mechanically that would affect the truck if did not replace. After reading on this site the reliability of the air bags in this truck, not worth it to me. Mileage today March 2019 little under 51,000.
The air bag warning came on disabling drivers air bag. After checking this out I found this was a real common problem in this age silverados. Problem is a sensor that cost 400$ to repair at dealer. If this is a common problem shouldn't GM fix the defect at their cost? How many owners of this age truck opt not to have this defect fixed due to cost? This endangers owners and passengers and GM should be liable. Thank you, [redacted]
Airbag complaints in other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 10% of the model year's 525 complaints. The component named most often is frontal › sensor/control module (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 9 injuries and 1 death to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.