Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 GMC Sierra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The blower motor would work and then not work and when it worked for a long period of time, smoke would come out from under the passenger dashboard. I removed the cardboard cover and saw smoke from the connection to the blower loter and the connection was hot to the touch so I pulled it off from the blower.
My speedometer recently malfunctioned at around 77,000 miles and I brought it to the attention of the dealership's service manager, jeff bevington, at rally GMC auto group in palmdale, ca (where I purchased the vehicle new in 2005). I was given service bulletin #07187c - special coverage adjustment instrument panel cluster gauge needle function (March 20, 2009), which indicates the following: this bulletin is being revised to include certain 2005 model year vehicles in the U.S. Additionally, for U.S. 2003-2005 model year vehicles, GM will provide the instrument panel cluster (ipc) only, at no charge to the customer for verified failures between 70,001 miles (110,001 km) and 80,000 miles (130,000 km). Any additional costs, including labor to replace the instrument panel cluster, will be the responsibility of the customer. …
Tl* - the contact owns a 2005 GMC Sierra hybrid truck. Two weeks ago while driving at 5 MPH the vehicle's steering wheel and the brakes locked. The contact was able to drift to a stop. The vehicle also vibrated, and made a whistling sound. After several attempts the contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle's lost power at red lights; however, it restarted. The dealer stated that they did not have the parts to repair the vehicle, they were also waiting for a technician to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle has been at the dealere for three weeks. The dealer also stated they didn't know where the parts were coming from, yet they've ordered the parts. The contact was currently renting a vehicle. There were no warning indicator lights present at the time of the incident. Two weeks prior to the failure, the contact's vehicle overheated and the warning indicator light appeared. …
The driver seat heater randomly turns on by itself. It randomly switches from the seat to the back of the seat to both at the same time, in no particular order. When I turn it off it just comes right back on again. I had the module in the door replaced one time, but it still does it. I live in the south, so it's extremely unbearable during the summer months. I will go for weeks at a time when it doesn't do it, but then it just seems to start again. There really does not seem to be anything in particular that triggers it. I thought maybe it was getting wet when it rains, but since I live in the south we have high humidity 95% of the time, so we have moisture problems here all the time. I can go for weeks that it doesn't happen, then it just starts up again. …
When listening to the radio only in accessory mode for approx. 2-4 hours the battery is drained without warning to the point that the truck will not start, the OnStar goes dead -we are unable to summon help if needed, and the radio goes completely dead. We have had the vehicle to the dealership and was given a bulliten from GM (document id# 1689523). General motors customer service is working with us, but the dealership claims that there is no way to fix the problem. The truck has approximately 3600 miles on the odometer, when purchased in June the truck had approximately 590 miles.
My speedometer quit working around 78,000 miles. Slowly but surely all my other gauges have quit working over time. The RPM gauge, speedometer, oil temp, and gas gauge. Only one works now. The rest either don't work or fluctuate back and forth. I would have reported this earlier if I knew about this site. It's not the first complaint so there is something up with these models. They should be recalled and fixed by the dealers. I won't ever buy another GMC vehicle. That's for sure.
Tl contact owns a 2005 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that the wiring harness to the lower resistor melted, began smoking which caused the blow motor to malfunction. The manufacturer stated that since there were no recalls they are not obligated to repair the vehicle. The contact feels the safety risk can potentially cause a fire without warning. The current and failure mileages were 100,000. Updated 9/17/09 updated 09/21/09.
2005 GMC 2500 hd Sierra 4x4 speedometer is stuck on 120mph and never reads below 70 head lights shut off for no reason while driving at night. Mileage odometer was moving 1 mile for ever 30 miles I drove now it went black all together auto seat adjustment is stuck and will not work right all dash lights are not working and everytime I unlock the truck the alarm goes off , I have to put the key in and turn it to stop the alarm.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that the speedometer would illuminate incorrectly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was 60,000. Updated 2/25/13 updated 03/11/2013
My vehicle was parked in my driveway. I was walking down the driveway and thought the car was being stolen as it was starting. There was no one in the car. The car did start several times on its own so I disconnected the battery cable and had it serviced immediately. How long it had been doing this I do not know. I do know it had not been doing this on the previous day as I walk be there every day at least 2 times.
Electrical complaints in other Sierra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2005 GMC Sierra?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 GMC Sierra, 20% of the model year's 121 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 GMC Sierra electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2005 GMC Sierra, though it has 10 recalls for other components. 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.