2005 GMC Sierra 1500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 6%of 177 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 GMC Sierra 1500, 6% of the 177 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Concerning GM 706 castech cylinder heads/GM TSB 06-06-01-019b I have a 2005 Gmc sierra which has slowly been leaking coolant for about 6 months. I have had it looked at and the dealer informed me that I have a 706 castech cylinder head that is notorious for cracking and leaking. The dealer told me there was coolant inside my oil and recommended replacing the engine. As I have begun researching this issue I realize these cylinder heads affect millions of GM vehicles and loyal customers. …”
NHTSA complaint #10864326, filed 2016-05, 107,500 miles“Hello, my complaint is that GM placed an undersized transmission (4l60e) in the popular crew cab 1/2 ton trucks and I am requesting for NHTSA to investigate GM regarding this issue and make a recall. My truck is a 2005 Gmc sierra sle z71 crew cab (k1500) with only 76k+ miles and has the 4l60/65e transmission. This 4l60e transmission is also used in GM trucks colorado & canyon and works good for these smaller trucks but in the larger silverado & sierra crew cabs the transmission wears our the 3-4 clutch prematurely due to the weight of the truck. …”
NHTSA complaint #10263209, filed 2009-03, 76,535 miles“Four wheel drive functions intermittently. Replaced switch and transfer motor. Every 6 months four wheel drive becomes inoperative often after a highway run. Costs to repair have exceeded $1000. Conversations with other owners of similar vehicles, including silverados, experience similar issues.”
NHTSA complaint #10370388, filed 2010-12, 60,000 miles“Castech cylinder heads on 2001 through 2006 5.3l vortec engines are porous and allow antifreeze to seap into the oil. This is a safety concern as it can destroy the engine (oil doesn't lubricate correctly, sludge buildup) and leave someone, at the least, stranded, at the worst, it can cause a huge engine fire. Gm has been aware of this since 2007. They issued a bulletin describing the problem and what needs to be done to fix, but no recall. To fix either the cylinder heads need to be replaced ($2500) or the entire engine needs to be replaced ($5500). My vehicle is a 2005 Gmc SIERRA 1500 sle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10894924, filed 2016-08, 157,000 miles“The contact owns a 2005 Gmc SIERRA 1500. When the vehicle was placed into gear, the contact noticed that the gear selector was barely illuminated. The failure progressively worsened and the contact had to memorize in what gear the vehicle was placed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 138,000. Updated 06/15/16 the consumer stated the LED shift indicator display had faded, and he was unable to determine what gear the vehicle was in. Updated 06/22/16.”
NHTSA complaint #10845746, filed 2016-03, 138,000 milesRelated 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 35 | 24% |
| 2025 | 28 | 22% |
| 2024 | 73 | 19% |
| 2023 | 92 | 18% |
| 2022 | 113 | 19% |
| 2021 | 145 | 24% |
| 2020 | 99 | 20% |
| 2019 | 140 | 21% |
| 2018 | 131 | 43% |
| 2017 | 118 | 33% |
| 2016 | 84 | 24% |
| 2015 | 99 | 14% |
| 2014 | 69 | 9% |
| 2013 | 3 | 3% |
| 2012 | 6 | 6% |
| 2011 | 24 | 8% |
| 2010 | 4 | 2% |
| 2009 | 9 | 4% |
| 2008 | 6 | 2% |
| 2007 | 6 | 2% |
| 2006 | 13 | 9% |
| 2005 | 11 | 6% |
| 2004 | 8 | 4% |
| 2003 | 6 | 3% |
| 2002 | 5 | 3% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 9 | 5% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 7 | 12% |
| 1997 | 8 | 10% |
| 1994 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2005 GMC Sierra 1500
67 complaintsBrakes
50 complaintsSteering
18 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 GMC Sierra 1500
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