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GMC SavanaModel year report

2005 GMC Savana Problems

Complaints
13filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
37,000miles, 8 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
15 mpgcombined, 4.3L 6-cyl RWD · 13 city / 18 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 GMC Savana (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2005 GMC Savana. The part named most often is brakes, with 2 complaints (15% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and steering (2). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 75% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 37,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 615 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 23 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 122 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “The contact owns a 2005 Gmc Savana. While traveling at 20 MPH, the contact applied the brakes and the vehicle began to shake and vibrate excessively. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the rear brake pads and rotors where replaced. There were no prior warnings of the failure. The current and failure mileages were 33,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10342976, filed 2010-07, 33,000 miles

Electrical system: “While driving on bumpy road at 30 miles / hour car turns off. I could not turn, power steering locked. Car eventually stopped in the middle of the busy road and I brake, changed gears to park. I turn ignition key off and then turned it on again. This happen a few times. I try to avoid bumpy areas. I took to mechanic & he found nothing wrong with engine. I did to mention it only happens on bumpy rides, ( he drove it on expressway). I just found out Gmc cars have a recall on key ignitions but not my 2005 Gmc. …”

NHTSA complaint #10598720, filed 2014-06, 100,000 miles

Steering: “The contact owns a 2005 Gmc Savana. While making a left turn at 5 MPH, the contact heard a grinding noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The dealer replaced the power steering gear twice and the steering pump once. The current mileage was 4,500 and failure mileage was 3,800. Updated 02/01/08. Updated 02/01/08”

NHTSA complaint #10197645, filed 2007-07, 3,800 miles

Body and structure: “Side cargo rear door hinges siezed and bent after opening. Now it does not close properly (alignment from hinge), causing front side cargo door to stay open at all times. Rear door is over 1 out of position, preventing front door from closing and engaging latch. If rear door is opened, it does not close without excessive force to realign to latches, but still not enough to close front door.”

NHTSA complaint #10368034, filed 2010-11, 49,923 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

75% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 20,000 and 49,923 miles.

25%0–1013%10–2538%25–500%50–7513%75–10013%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 37,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2005200620073201032011201420232026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 GMC Savana. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Savana · sedan RWDnot rated5 / 5———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2005 GMC Savana version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Savana 15/25 2WD Conversion (cargo)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic131714$4,800
Savana 15/25 2WD Conversion (cargo)5.3L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131714$4,800
Savana 15/25 AWD Conversion (cargo)5.3L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131714$4,800
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (Passenger)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic131815$4,450
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (Passenger)5.3L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131714$4,800
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic141816$4,200
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)5.3L 8-cyl4-speed automatic141915$4,450
Savana 1500/2500 AWD (cargo)5.3L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131714$4,800

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2005 GMC Savana → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 615 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 615 bulletins →

Other model years of the GMC Savana

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2019564,0005———Not enough data
2017724,0006—13—Not enough data
2016637,1007—13—Not enough data
2007664,2073—14—Not enough data
2006771,0007—15—Not enough data
20051337,0006—15—Not enough data
20041245,9257—15—Not enough data
20032224,75011—15—Stable
20021217,5000—15—Not enough data
20011952,0000—14—Rising
20004953,7002—14Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19994962,0001—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19983363,0001—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19974669,7071—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19963566,1752—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All GMC Savana model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005 GMC Savana have?

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2005 GMC Savana as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2005 GMC Savana is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 2 complaints (15% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.

Has the 2005 GMC Savana been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2005 GMC Savana get?

The EPA rates the 2005 GMC Savana (Savana 1500/2500 2WD (Passenger), 4.3L 6-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 13 city and 18 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2005 GMC Savana reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 37,000 miles and the middle half falls between 20,000 and 49,923 miles; 75% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.