Most common 2005 GMC Sierra 2500 problems
Share of the 115 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Sierra 2500 complaints by model year
Best Sierra 2500 years: 2012, 2014, 2013. Years to avoid: 2024, 2025, 2020, 2021, 2022. Compare all years →
2005 GMC Sierra 2500 recalls (1)
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Mobilityworks is recalling 133 my 2005-2006 Ford e250, my 2000, 2004-2006 e350, my 2000, 2005 e450, my 2005-2006 GMC 2500, GMC 3500, and my 2006 Dodge 2500 vans equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Mobilityworks is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners May contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or mobilityworks at 1-800-769-8267.
What 2005 GMC Sierra 2500 owners say
Electrical system all 42 →
1). Dash light stays on constantly and reads SERVICE AIR BAG. This was checked out at an auto repair shop. If air bag doesn't respond, it could be fatal. 2). Check engine light is always on. Was checked out at an auto repair shop and repaired on 10/19/2021. 3). Right engine exhaust manifold is cracked and leaking exhaust. Was checked out at a muffler repair shop. In time I'm afraid fumes my leak into the truck cab. 4). A brake line ruptured and was repaired on 09/02/2020.
After returning from a day of shopping, I parked my truck at the back, like always. I had been noticing oil spots for the last few days but chalked it up to age and mileage of the truck. After about two hours I saw smoke from the back area where I parked. I ran outside to catch to my surprise! My truck was on fire, I as quickly as possible, grabbed the garden hose and put out the fire! I realized as I looked, that the fire had started at the area under the hood where the fuses, and wiring were located. As I slowly rebuilt my truck, I realized that the fire was not the only problem that I had! The fact of the matter was that if the fire had not shut my truck down, there were a whole array of other problems that I would of had to repair.
Brakes all 38 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated he replaced all the brake lines on the vehicle and also stated that the body frame of the vehicle was corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independence mechanic where all the corroded brake lines were replace. The vehicle was not diagnosed. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.
Taking vehicle out of park brake pedal went all way to floor because steel line ruptured causing massive leakage of brake fluid, rolled out of drive way into street cutting wheel to avoid wreck before could get in neutral and roll to stop !
Engine & cooling
1). Dash light stays on constantly and reads SERVICE AIR BAG. This was checked out at an auto repair shop. If air bag doesn't respond, it could be fatal. 2). Check engine light is always on. Was checked out at an auto repair shop and repaired on 10/19/2021. 3). Right engine exhaust manifold is cracked and leaking exhaust. Was checked out at a muffler repair shop. In time I'm afraid fumes my leak into the truck cab. 4). A brake line ruptured and was repaired on 09/02/2020.
2005 GMC 2500hd pickup truck, HVAC blower speed controller/relay connector got hot, burned out connector and wire, lots of smoke. It happened when turn fan to high. The failure was due to contact resistance at the connector. The wire harness end is tinted copper, the relay/controller connector is bare metal. Due to galvanization of different metal in the connection system, the connector is undersize for the black wire, which is the return current because the blower assembly is plastic. The resistance between the contact point of the connector act as heater and got hot, burn out connection and connector housing. The speed control unit, which composed of few power resistor is mounted in the air stream that it will collect vapor water due to condensation when ac is in used. This cause corrosion in the speed controller/relay board. …
2005 GMC Sierra 2500 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 10 / 12 / 11 |
| 6.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 8 / 11 / 9 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 GMC Sierra 2500 a good car?
Based on 115 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Sierra 2500 rates avoid: 2.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the Sierra 2500 at the same age. It is one of the Sierra 2500 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 GMC Sierra 2500?
The electrical system — 42 complaints, 37% of all complaints for this model year, most often about instrument cluster/panel. Next are the brakes (38) and engine & cooling (18).
How many recalls does the 2005 GMC Sierra 2500 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2005 GMC Sierra 2500, the most recent from October 6, 2008 (equipment adaptive/mobility). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Sierra 2500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2014 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2025, 2020, 2021 and 2022. See the full GMC Sierra 2500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2005 GMC Sierra 2500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 miles; 30% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.