Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The brakes , air bag, wheel hubs, lights, alignment, power steering. brakes coming to a stop instantly stops the vehicle. Air bag light comes on. Wheels hubs towed in from top. Light switch will not turn light off when driving. Alignment, steering wheel goes everywhere. Front tire getting wore out . Power steering leaking oil.
While driving forward in traffic when car cut in front from the next lane to the right. This required emergency braking, but my speed was slow and truck should have stopped within the space available and the truck brakes seemed to feel as if they released on their own. Damage occurred to the car I rear ended and they rear-ended a car in front of them. Damage to all 3 vehicles was light enough that all were driven away after crash. On the way home I noticed the brakes were not working properly and lost stopping power shortly after depressing the brake pedal each time. After a 2 mile trip home like this I check the brake fluid and found it low. Then I saw fluid on the ground and found the brake line was dripping brake fluid. It appears to have ruptured from the pressure of the fluid inside. The lines were also seriously corroded. …
Complaint on GM exhaust manifold bolt defect, inferior brake/ fuel lines. Mine is a 2005 GMC. Defective exhaust bolts affect 12 million GM trucks from 1999 to 2007. GM exhaust bolts are to small brittle for securing exhaust manifolds. Bolts snap off causing exhaust leaks. Trucks not passing emissions and dangerous exhaust fumes entering the drivers compartment of the vehicles while driving. I and my family get a carbon monoxide headache when I drive it and have had to pull over to the side of the road feeling like I was going to pass out, open windows and sit until I felt better. I have also had problems getting my truck to pass emissions due to the leaks and the leaks are causing the vehicles to be none epa compliant because of o2 sensor errors resulting in failed emission test. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that when activating the A/C, there was smoke emitting from the vents. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the vehicle was repaired but the repairs were unknown. The contact also stated that that the brake pedal was applied and failed to respond. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic, who diagnosed that the entire brake line needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred three years later. The vehicle was repaired a second time under NHTSA campaign number: 05V043000 (service brakes, hydraulic). In addition, the contact stated that the passenger side air bag light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact mentioned that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 06V417000 (air bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failures. …
I have had the brakes go out 3 different times on me in the last year. There are no signs of problems and you step on the brakes and a line blows. You have no brakes peddle goes to the floor and little to no stopping. One time I was coming down a dirt road to a stop sign and stepped on the brakes and a line blew and the ABS kicked in because of the dirt road and I could not stop and went right through a intersection. They used cheap lines, and now people in the ne where salt is used are having problems. I could have been killed.the line rusty out where they bend and salt and dirt build up. There is no reason they can not make these lines out of ss or as with the newer lines they are coated. Why come out with a coat line if there is not a problem.
While driving at approximately 55 MPH on urban road I had to slam on my brakes because of a driver backing out of a driveway in front of me. Brakes initially slowed vehicle then brake pedal went clear to the floor. I quickly engaged parking/emergency brake and was able to stop just in time while simultaneously running off the right side of the road. After inspection leaking brake fluid was observed on left upper frame rail just to the rear of the radiator. After being towed home future inspection revealed a longitudinal fracture on the brake line for the right front wheel. No injuries, minor damage to right side (brush scrapes).
Tl contact owns a 2005 GMC Sierra 1500. While driving at 65 MPH, the contact noticed that the ABS light illuminated on the instrument panel. An hour later, the contact noticed that the vehicle displayed difficulty stopping. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the driver side tire was tilted and smoke and flames had began rising from behind the wheel. The contact called the fire department but no report was filed. The vehicle had not been inspected at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 49,000. Updated 07/26/10. Updated 08/06/10
My GMC Sierra I bought new in 2006 it has 68,800 miles on it when I was sitting at a red light on a city street when the brake pedal lost pressure and went all the way to the floor. The brake lines had rusted and brake fluid was pouring out when I taped on the brake pedal. If I was moving at the time this happen something real bad could have happen. I own a 1948 Chevrolet pickup and the brake lines are still good on that 70 year old truck. GM is using poor quality parts from low bidders on contract putting the public at risk.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 GMC Sierra 1500. While operating the vehicle and depressing the brake pedal, the braking system malfunctioned and the stopping distance was extended. The contact discovered that the brake fluid leaked from the vehicle due to rusted brake lines. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the brake lines, but the failure recurred. The contact indicated that the failure occurred on three separate occasions. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 42,000.
Tl contact owns a 2005 GMC Sierra 1500. While driving at an unknown speed with the heat activated, the contact smelled something burning coming from the blower motor. Sometimes, after the vehicle was driven, he would smell fuel. When making a left or right turn, one of the rear tires slides and the other one keeps spinning. The contact believes that the failure was caused by the rear differential or the ABS. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by a dealer or mechanic at this time. The failure mileage was 205.
Brake complaints in other Sierra 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2005 GMC Sierra 1500?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the brakes of the 2005 GMC Sierra 1500, 28% of the model year's 177 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2005 GMC Sierra 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 GMC Sierra 1500 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 3 fires and 3 injuries to brakes 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.