2005 GMC Savana Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 GMC Savana has a complaint index of 84, ranks 4th worst out of 20 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Owners most often reported suspension, brake, and steering issues, with a median failure mileage of 37,000 and 5 recall campaigns on file.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 84/100
- #4 of 20 Savana years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 12
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 14
- 13 city / 17 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2005 GMC Savana problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (25%)
- Brakes2 (17%)
- Electrical System2 (17%)
- Steering2 (17%)
- Structure & Body2 (17%)
- Other1 (8%)
- Seat Belts1 (8%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (8%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe vehicle-wide vibration between 40 and 50 mph that persisted even after tires and rims were replaced.
- Some report grinding noise from the front end during low-speed turns, requiring repeated replacement of the power steering gear and pump.
- Tire blowouts occurred repeatedly at the same spot on the same tire, which owners linked to a poor match between low-profile tires and the van.
- Brake pads and rotors were replaced after the vehicle shook and vibrated excessively under light braking at low speed.
- Rear cargo door hinges seized and bent, throwing the door out of alignment and preventing the front cargo door from latching.
- One owner reported the power steering locking up and the vehicle stalling on a bumpy road at 30 mph.
2005 GMC Savana recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V247000Apr 6, 2023Electrical System150,830 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. When the HVAC blower motor circuit is left unused with exposed connectors and wiring, the circuit can corrode and overheat.
Risk: An overheated electrical circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will properly seal the rear HVAC blower motor circuits at the left side B-pillar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222386050.
- 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.
- 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.
2005 GMC Savana fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 13 MPG
- Highway
- 17 MPG
- Combined
- 14 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,650
- 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 Savana years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 GMC Savana reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Savana ranks 4th worst among 20 model years with a complaint index of 84 and carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Savana years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 GMC Savana?
- NHTSA complaint data shows suspension, wheels and tires issues led with 3 complaints (25% share), followed by brakes, electrical system, steering, and structure/body issues at 2 complaints each.
- Does the 2005 GMC Savana have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2005 Savana, covering electrical wiring, wheelchair lifts, seat belt buckles, and a brake hydro-boost assembly issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- At what mileage do problems typically show up on the 2005 GMC Savana?
- The median mileage at failure across reported complaints is 37,000 miles, though individual problem areas ranged from a median of 18,561 miles for brakes to 100,000 miles for electrical system issues.