YearToAvoid

2005 GMC Sierra 1500 Airbags Problems

NHTSA has 20 owner complaints about airbag problems in the 2005 GMC Sierra 1500, 7% of all 298 complaints for this model year. That is #10 highest airbag complaint count among 21 Sierra 1500 model years. These complaints report 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 57,000 miles.

Airbags complaints
20
7% of 298
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
57,000 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 4, 2005, latest Aug 31, 2023.

2005 GMC Sierra 1500 airbags complaints: complaints filed per month1Nov 2005Feb 2011Sep 2013Jul 2014Feb 2015Jan 2019Dec 2022
20 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2005 to Aug 2023; peak Nov 2005 (1).

Airbags recalls for the 2005 GMC Sierra 1500

  1. NHTSA 06V417000Oct 31, 2006Airbags794 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal

    Certain vehicles originally built with cloth seats that were equipped with an automatic air bag passenger sensing system and later reupholstered with aftermarket leather seat cover kits are involved. Testing has indicated that the aftermarket leather seat covers can cause the passenger sensing system to malfunction.

    Risk: If the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side may be disabled when it should be enabled, or enabled when it should be disabled. In either case, in the event of a crash that requires air bag deployment, a front passenger's level of injury may be increased.

    Remedy: Because a replacement leather seat cover that is compatible with the passenger sensing system is not available, general motors (gm) will repurchase these vehicles in accordance with the terms stated in gm's letter to owners. The recall began on november 6, 2006. Owners should contact gm at 1-877-477-1022 to begin the process of repurchasing their vehicle.

Airbags complaints by Sierra 1500 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200520 (7%)
  2. 200612 (6%)
  3. 2007159 (49%)
  4. 2008275 (59%)
  5. 2009133 (48%)
  6. 201087 (41%)
  7. 2011133 (37%)
  8. 201246 (32%)
  9. 201344 (27%)
  10. 201431 (4%)
  11. 201542 (5%)
  12. 201614 (4%)
  13. 20176 (1%)
  14. 20188 (2%)
  15. 20197 (1%)
  16. 20206 (1%)
  17. 20216 (1%)
  18. 20223 (1%)
  19. 20232 (0%)
  20. 20242 (1%)
  21. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 have airbag problems?
NHTSA has 20 owner complaints about the airbag in the 2005 GMC Sierra 1500, 7% of all complaints for this model year, including 3 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 57,000 miles.
Which GMC Sierra 1500 year has the most airbag complaints?
The 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 has the most airbag complaints (275), compared with 20 for the 2005.
Is there a airbag recall for the 2005 GMC Sierra 1500?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 concerns the airbag: 06V417000.

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.