2005 Chevrolet Suburban Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 12%of 129 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 16,950miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban, 12% of the 129 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 16,950 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The transmission began slipping; the car would not move from 2nd to 3rd gear; the transmission had to be rebuilt or replaced on 2/06/2008, we had it rebuilt. The vehicle only had 69710 miles. We were in a rural area at the time rather than rush hour traffic. Thank goodness.”
NHTSA complaint #10232748, filed 2008-06, 69,710 miles“I have a 2005 chevy Suburban 4x4 and within the first 14,000 miles it has started to engage into 4w lo while driving on the freeway, in reverse, going 25 MPH in residential neighborhood(this is a gear that you cannot drive over 15mph in). Needless to say that shellworth Chevrolet located in vacaville, ca has been trying to fix the problem for over 25,000 miles and over 6 times in the shop. They have been unsuccessful with the last time it was in the shop unwilling to do anything for me. It has even been towed into their shop on one occasion. …”
NHTSA complaint #10215337, filed 2008-01, 14,000 miles“Began hearing a whining noise under the vehicle. Noise was progressively louder at accelerated speeds. Left vehicle at local Chevrolet dealer (ca) who did an inspection and diagnosed a mechanical issue possibly with the differential [ref. Claim check 175]. Service writer stated estimated repair cost for an overhaul was $3,000 vs. Higher costs to replace with used or new differential. Service writer further indicated continued driving could cause further damage and added cost if axle was also affected. …”
NHTSA complaint #10721293, filed 2015-05, 126,600 miles“First the transmission failed right after I purchased the vehicle 2 years ago. I had to buy a new transmission that wasn't cheap around $3,500. Then the front wheel bearings started with the right side last year just had a ton of play in it my mechanic found it when lifting up my truck for a tire rotation. Then the left front wheel bearing just started making a load roaring noise but had no play in it at all that I could feel when checking it out. Both cost around $250 a wheel to replace. …”
NHTSA complaint #11322481, filed 2020-04“2005 Chevrolet Suburban (less than 1 week old) -car was placed into park on a driveway with hill -parking foot brake was engaged -I left the vehicle and started walking into this house -at 30 yds I heard something behind me and turned to realize the car was rolling -I ran back, jumped into the car and slammed the brake on -I tested this 3 more times and repeated this condition. -the dashboard indicator is saying the car is in park, but it is not locking -an additional concern was that parking brake did not hold up with 3 children in my household this is a major concern. …”
NHTSA complaint #10106062, filed 2005-01Related recalls
- 05V055000Feb 14, 2005Certain sport utility vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 102…Covers: Chevrolet Suburban 2005, Tahoe 2005, GMC Yukon 2005 +7 more
Related service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 11001321May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 10250347Feb 2, 2024This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10234619Apr 6, 2023This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 10228863Dec 13, 2022This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and…
- 10227241Nov 18, 2022This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and…
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 16% |
| 2023 | 19 | 14% |
| 2022 | 32 | 26% |
| 2021 | 39 | 19% |
| 2020 | 10 | 23% |
| 2019 | 38 | 49% |
| 2018 | 19 | 23% |
| 2017 | 39 | 27% |
| 2016 | 45 | 20% |
| 2015 | 48 | 11% |
| 2014 | 5 | 8% |
| 2013 | 6 | 5% |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 7 | 3% |
| 2007 | 9 | 3% |
| 2006 | 2 | 9% |
| 2005 | 15 | 12% |
| 2004 | 14 | 7% |
| 2003 | 21 | 7% |
| 2002 | 23 | 8% |
| 2001 | 33 | 8% |
| 2000 | 12 | 4% |
| 1999 | 47 | 7% |
| 1998 | 19 | 9% |
| 1997 | 47 | 11% |
| 1996 | 40 | 11% |
| 1995 | 25 | 5% |
| 1994 | 14 | 2% |
| 1993 | 11 | 2% |
| 1992 | 6 | 3% |
| 1991 | 9 | 17% |
| 1990 | 7 | 13% |
| 1989 | 5 | 8% |
| 1988 | 3 | 10% |
| 1987 | 1 | 6% |
| 1985 | 2 | 22% |
Other parts of the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
36 complaintsBrakes
25 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsEquipment
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology