2005 Chevrolet Suburban Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
45/100
#12 most-complained of 21 Suburban years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2005 Chevrolet Suburban has a complaint index of 45, ranking 12th worst out of 21 model years, and earns a Good verdict relative to other Suburban years. It has 229 complaints, 6 recalls, and no reported deaths.
- Complaints
- 229
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 7 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 14.5
- 13 city / 17.5 hwy
Top 2005 Chevy Suburban problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System85 (37%)
- Brakes34 (15%)
- Transmission & Powertrain26 (11%)
- Engine25 (11%)
- Structure & Body24 (10%)
- Airbags18 (8%)
- Fuel System13 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (5%)
- Other8 (3%)
- Steering7 (3%)
What owners report
- Brake lines corrode and rupture, causing sudden total loss of braking with the pedal pushing to the floor.
- Electrical wiring under the dashboard or near rear brake lights melts or shorts, in some cases igniting small fires.
- Airbags failed to deploy during moderate-speed frontal or side impacts, leading to driver injuries.
- Rear tire tread separated at highway speed, contributing to a rollover accident.
- Owners describe the vehicle lurching forward on its own while the driver's foot remained on the brake, leading to a collision.
- Tow mirrors reportedly distort distance perception, described by owners as a design flaw causing poor visibility.
2005 Chevrolet Suburban recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 06V289000Aug 3, 2006Engine38,439 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling
On certain trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 (rpo l8-VIN g) engine have a condition in which the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip may fracture resulting in inadequate retention of the damper.
Risk: If the damper comes loose, a fuel leak may result. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip free of charge. The recall began on august 31, 2006. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc trucks at 1-866-996-9463.
- NHTSA 05V163000Apr 22, 2005Seat Belts1,359,824 vehicles
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. Appropriate use of a child seat or booster seat, as recommended for small children, does improve the fit condition for this user group. In addition to instructions on proper infant and young child restraint (with child seats or boosters), special verbiage for restraining older child is included in the owner's manual. Also, the suggested seat belt fit/routing for adults, irrespective of seating position, is described in the owner's manual text.
Risk: A lap portion of the seat belt routing that is not low and snug on the hips can allow the lap belt to ride up on an occupant's abdomen instead of fitting low around their hipbones, and therefore, can expose them to more risk of abdominal and internal organ injury.
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. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or hummer at 1-800-732-5493.
- NHTSA 05V103000Mar 18, 2005Brakes707 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
On certain sport utility vehicles, the brake pedal pushrod retainer may be missing. If the retainer is missing, the brake booster pushrod could disengage from the brake pedal.
Risk: This could result in a loss of brakes which could result in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles for the brake pedal pushrod retainer and install one if it is missing free of charge. The manufacturer began contacting owners by telephone on march 10, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
2005 Chevrolet Suburban 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
- Gasoline or E85
- 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 Suburban years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
- Compared to other Suburban model years, the 2005 rates Good, with a complaint index of 45 and rank of 12th worst out of 21 years tracked.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban?
- NHTSA complaints point mainly to the Electrical System (37% of complaints, median failure mileage 63,000) and Brakes (15% of complaints, median failure mileage 89,471.5 miles).
- Does the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2005 Suburban, covering brakes, seat belts, the fuel system, transmission shift interlock, and engine fuel rail components.
- How does the 2005 Suburban compare to other years?
- The 2005 model's complaint index of 45 is well below the worst years like 2015 (index 100, Avoid) and 2007 (index 95, Avoid), placing it among the better Suburban years.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban?
- EPA rates it at 14.5 mpg combined (13 city / 17.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,475.