Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
Well, I contacted GM years ago asking why the frames on these vehicles rot out so fast. They told me to send pics. and that's all that came from that. So, years ago, I heard a banging noise in the right rear side of my truck. My rear shock mount rotted out and driving home later there was even more noise. The left rear shock mount rotted out also. I removed the bed to assess damage, and I couldn't believe the amount of rust I was looking at. I bought an aftermarket kit and had the shock mounts welded back on. The company selling the kit said that they sell tons of those kits. I would say that's a safety issue. Especially when the whole from appears to be rotting away. That seems like a mayor issue to me. I probably won't be buying another Chevy truck seeing how my wife's Honda is as old as my truck and has no rust under it.
03/09/2025 Purchased 2005 Chev Silverado 1500 from Tony's Trade Co, Inc. Owner stated he had been a highly respected licensed used car dealer 34 years. AutoCheck had no issues. 1-Component: Right Rear Shock absorber--critical suspension part (49 CFR Section 570.8 Suspension Systems)-mechanic agrees. Upper mounting bracket to frame totally rusted away. Bottom of shock absorber attached--top floating in the air. Shock absorber is untouched and available for inspection. 2-Truck was driven at highway speeds several time before unattached shock absorber noticed - found. One trip included a medium load for the truck. 3-Free floating shock absorber top is apparent in pictures. I sent the used car dealer a photo of the detached shock absorber top and mount. Will pay for a professional view and statement of the shock absorber if requested by you. …
Driving home on the highway the left rear wheel became detached from the axle and hub assembly. The tire and wheel assembly rolled away from the vehicle to the other side of the highway, causing the vehicle to lose traction and crash into the median of the highway and skid to a halt. Completely tore apart the driver side rear suspension and brake assembly as well as considerable body damage to the rear quarter panel, rear bumper, and tow hitch. Vehicle has only light duty use, mostly commuter miles, with good tires, excellent maintenance records, and less than 39,000 , just out of warranty.
Drivers side rear shock absorber upper mounting cross member has corroded off the vehicle. This should cause a recall as rotting frame parts are very hazardous. This truck has 88000 miles. Recently I had to replace all the brake lines in this truck as well. Brakes were lost luckily in the driveway. Heard a loud clunking in the rear and found the shock absorber mount had rotted off.
Rust rust rust. Frame is so bad truck will not pass nys safety inspection next year. I have to sell it for scrap/salvage as GM won't offer anything but a "possible" credit if I buy a new Chevy truck. No way I'll do that:(. Truck only has 25,500 miles as it is a second vehicle. It was never used off road or for snow plowing. Just rusted away sitting in the driveway.
Suspension system potentially life threatening. On [redacted] I purchased a 2005 Chevy Silverado truck from used car dealer in Tallassee, AL/$6000. Several days after driving home at Interstate speeds, I discovered extreme rust on the underside of the truck. The spare tire rim was unusable from rust and the tire hoist was rusted beyond use--I had to cut the tire hoist cable tip with a grinder and let the tire fall to the driveway. At that point, I found an extremely unsafe and dangerous defect to the truck. The top of the right rear shock absorber was not attached to the truck frame. The connector bracket had rusted completely away from the truck frame. I texted pictures and called the dealer and was told the sale was "as is"--not his problem. …
Tl contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, she would hear a loud abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where they advised her that the driver's side hub failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, when driving at low speeds and completing turns, the steering wheel would seize and the contact was unable to maneuver the steering wheel. There was also a loud grinding noise when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they advised her that the power steering box failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised her that the vehicle had no existing recalls. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000. The current mileage was approximately 100,000.
My 2005 general motors product (purchased new) now has 15,600 miles on the odometer, and has had (5) five front end alignments. Each time the toe/camber/and caster , have changed. This product had (2) new front tires replaced by a g m dealer @ 2,800 miles it is still "pulling to the left" and as of two days ago the steering wheel does not lock when the key is removed from the ignition. This vehicle is also on it's(3) third battery,(3) third radio, and the sun roof has leaked water inside cab >directly on my left hand on the steering wheel @ 55 MPH. The water is dripping from the sunvisor post directly above steering wheel. I have filed my complaint with the n h t s a .. On oct.28,2005 reference # 10141129.
ABS light came on and flashed while driving. It went off when vehicle was turned off and sat for several hours. Two days later, was driving and heard a noise from the driver's side front wheel. Took vehicle into a mechanic and discovered wheel bearing was bad and had to be replaced. The mechanic advised me to keep the part due to the fact of the number of chevrolets he has seen with this same problem. My vehicle has approx. 44,000 miles.
In February 2010, I started to notice a clicking noise in the front wheel of my 2005 Silverado. While returning from florida the noise increased and the right front hub bearing failed and had to be replaced at 32,000 for $500. Approximately two months later, the left side failed and the dealer replaced it and I had to pay $100. During the summer the intermediate steering shaft had to be replaced at a cost of $120.
Suspension complaints in other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the suspension of the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 4% of the model year's 525 complaints. The component named most often is front (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to suspension 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.