Most common 2005 Hummer H2 problems
Share of the 79 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Hummer H2 complaints by model year
Best H2 years: 2008, 2007, 2006. Years to avoid: 2003, 2005, 2004. Compare all years →
2005 Hummer H2 recalls (2)
Seat belts › Rear/other
On certain crew cab pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the 2nd row center occupant seat belt routing May make it difficult to position the lap portion of the safety belt low around the hips of occupants, especially smaller occupants, seated in this position.
Remedy: Dealers will cut open the guide loop, remove a portion of the loop, and then the remaining two sides should be folded over and secured with a retainer free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2005.
Service brakes, hydraulic
Certain trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans equipped with Bosch hydro-boost brake assemblies, the hydraulic brake booster pressure accumulator May crack and separate from the hydro-boost assembly during normal operating conditions.
Remedy: Dealers will test the hydro-boost assembly for functional operation of the two-function valve. If the hydro-boost assembly fails the test, dealers will replace the assembly free of charge.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2005 Hummer H2:
Hummer h2 steering knuckle failures
Odi upgraded this investigation at the conclusion of pe04-080.the alleged defect involves the failure of the steering knuckle at the lower ball joint boss, resulting in a separation of the lower ball joint from the knuckle.a lower ball joint separation could result in a loss of steering and/or a disabled vehicle.
What 2005 Hummer H2 owners say
Electrical system all 27 →
The contact owns a 2005 Hummer H2. The contact stated that while parking in the mountains, the vehicle was in the park position, and it unexpectedly rolled and stopped at a boulder. There were no warning lights illuminated. The door hit the driver and knocked him to the ground, and he sustained an injury to his head, but medical attention was not provided. Another person on an ATV provided a jump start, but the vehicle failed to restart. The contact walked several miles to get assistance. The contact was able to view YouTube and replace the part. The contact stated that the transmission shifter cable had failed. There was a hole in the shaft connected to the transmission to the C clip. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 111,400.
Driving home I began to smell and electrical burning smell. It began very quickly and came and went for about 2 miles. I pulled over and looked and could not see smoke or fire so I continued home. I drove the remaining 4 miles to my home and immediately got my husband to check as the cab had filled with the smell of an electrical fire. He located the area the smell was strongest and then watched as smoke came out. He unbolted the windshield washer fluid tank and the motor on bottom had actually burned, melted and was on the verge of causing some serious damage. The wipers were not being used and had not been touched. This vehicle is equipped with a heater for the fluid.
Windows, wipers & sunroof
Driving home I began to smell and electrical burning smell. It began very quickly and came and went for about 2 miles. I pulled over and looked and could not see smoke or fire so I continued home. I drove the remaining 4 miles to my home and immediately got my husband to check as the cab had filled with the smell of an electrical fire. He located the area the smell was strongest and then watched as smoke came out. He unbolted the windshield washer fluid tank and the motor on bottom had actually burned, melted and was on the verge of causing some serious damage. The wipers were not being used and had not been touched. This vehicle is equipped with a heater for the fluid.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Hummer H2. The contact stated that the windshield wipers failed. Through online research, he discovered NHTSA campaign id number 08V456000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor). The recall states that vehicles have a condition in which water can enter the windshield wiper motor module. If a sufficient amount of water enters the module, over time, the front windshield wipers May work intermittently or they May become inoperative. The contact wants Hummer to repair this issue, but his VIN was not included in the recall. The current and failure mileages were 70,000.
Air bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Hummer H2. While driving at approximately 30 MPH, another vehicle made an improper left turn and crashed into the front driver side of the contact's vehicle. The air bag light warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle would not move forward after the accident occurred and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact stated that the air bag module for the SRS was discontinued. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was filed. The vehicle was diagnosed with impact sensor and SRS failure. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 113,687.
A problem with nearly all Hummer h2s is roof leak, there is a drainage system to drain the water thru the vehicle. This clogs up periodically and the water drains into the vehicle and ends up on the front floorboard. The airbag sensor diagnostic module is mounted on the floorboard directly under the drivers seat. If this gets wet, which it does, the module is ruined and renders the airbags inoperable. This has happened to my vehicle and I am sure many others. If this module is not in working order it has to be replaced, however, general motors has discontinued making the airbag sensor diagnostic module for the 2005 Hummer H2 model year!. I am sure I am not the only person (owner) caught up in this situation. The vehicle is still operative and drivable. Airbag sensor diagnostic module should be available and manufacture should ensure it is available. …
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Hummer H2 a good car?
Based on 79 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 H2 rates avoid: 3.1× as many complaints as a typical year of the H2 at the same age. It is one of the H2 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 Hummer H2?
The electrical system — 27 complaints, 34% of all complaints for this model year, most often about instrument cluster/panel. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (19) and air bags (12).
How many recalls does the 2005 Hummer H2 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2005 Hummer H2, the most recent from April 22, 2005 (rear/other). 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 Hummer H2?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2008, 2007 and 2006. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2003, 2005 and 2004. See the full Hummer H2 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2005 Hummer H2 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 70,000 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.