YearToAvoid

2005 Chevrolet Express Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

47/100

#11 most-complained of 20 Express years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2005 Chevrolet Express has 23 owner complaints and 8 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 47 out of 100 — #11 highest of 20 Express model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is brakes (7 complaints, 30% of the total). Complaints report 1 fire and 1 injury.

Complaints
23
Recalls
8
Crashes / fires
0 / 1
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
14.5
13 city / 17.5 hwy

Top 2005 Chevy Express problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes7 (30%)
  2. Electrical System6 (26%)
  3. Structure & Body6 (26%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (26%)
  5. Fuel System2 (9%)
  6. Seat Belts2 (9%)
  7. Airbags1 (4%)
  8. Steering1 (4%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain1 (4%)
2005 Chevrolet Express complaints: complaints filed per month4Apr 2005Jul 2007Jan 2012Oct 2013Dec 2014Mar 2021Nov 2025
32 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2005 to May 2026; peak Dec 2007 (4).

2005 Chevrolet Express recalls

8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 09V307000Jul 29, 2009Other3 vehicles

    Equipment adaptive/mobility

    Customizers is recalling 3 vans equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "platform lift system accessible for motor vehicles," the anti-stow interlock may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or something is still on the lift.

    Risk: A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.

    Remedy: Customizers is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000.

  2. NHTSA 09V272000Jul 6, 2009Other185 vehicles

    Equipment adaptive/mobility

    Main mobility is recalling 185 model year 2005 through 2009 chevrolet express and gmc savana vans manufactured between april 1, 2005 and june 25, 2009, equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the anti-stow interlock may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or something is still on the lift.

    Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.

    Remedy: Main mobility 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 main mobility at 1-716-759-6811.

  3. NHTSA 09V270000Jul 6, 2009Other185 vehicles

    Equipment adaptive/mobility

    Main mobility is recalling 185 model year 2005 through 2009 chevrolet express and gmc savana vans manufactured between april 1, 2005 and june 25, 2009, equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the threshold warning system may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.

    Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.

    Remedy: Main mobility is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or main mobility at 1-716-759-6811.

See all 8 recalls for the 2005 Chevrolet Express →

2005 Chevrolet Express fuel economy and fuel cost

City
13 MPG
Highway
17.5 MPG
Combined
14.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,475
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2005 compared with other Express years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Caution4723814.5
2006Caution42121614.5
2007Caution5317414.5

All Chevrolet Express years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2005 Chevrolet Express a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Chevrolet Express ranks #11 of 20 among Express model years (Complaint Index 47/100, verdict: Caution). It has 23 complaints and 8 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Express?
The most reported problem areas are brakes (7 complaints), electrical system (6 complaints), and structure & body (6 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 85,934 miles.
Does the 2005 Chevrolet Express have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2005 Chevrolet Express, most recently reported 2009, covering other, seat belts, electrical system, and brakes.
What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Chevrolet Express?
EPA rates the 2005 Chevrolet Express at 14.5 MPG combined (13 city / 17.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,475. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.