2005 GMC Sierra 2500 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 11%of 115 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2005 GMC Sierra 2500, 11% of the 115 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,500 miles.
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.
“Major rust of the undercarriage of my 2005 Gmc sierra 78,000 miles. So far had to replace brake rotors, brake lines , fuel radiator and lines. Frame and cross members as well as control arms are all rusted. Made complaint with Gmc they had me bring to a dealer to tell me this is normal rusting. Two of my relatives have the same year truck but are not experiencing this issue and we all live in the same area drive same roads.”
NHTSA complaint #10416571, filed 2011-08, 78,000 miles“When climbing a significant grade , 6%, while towing 12.500# 5th wheel on a day with high ambient temperature , 95% engine temperature, immediately began to climb and reached almost overheat when I fortunately found a place to pull off the road. Incident took place on the grapevine in ca. If I hadn't been able to pull over I would have been stuck in traffic lane with 18 wheelers right behind me. 2 dealers were unable to help.”
NHTSA complaint #10187387, filed 2007-04, 12,000 miles“While traveling west of denver, colorado my 2005 Gmc sierra 2500hd equipped with the duramax diesel overheated to the point of the vehicle shutting down. This happened on a stretch of highway where there was no shoulder to pull off on resulting in an extremely hazardous condition. I have done extensive on-line research and have found this to be a common occurrence with the 2004.5 and 2005 model year chevrolet and Gmc hd series trucks equipped with the diesel motor. …”
NHTSA complaint #10137610, filed 2005-09, 9,900 miles“This model year has an engine defect from the manufacturer. The head gasket is known to break causing the engine to overheat. This can cause several safety issues dependent on the circumstance at the time of the engine overheating. After some research, it is openly known that this is a defect from the manufacturer for this particular engine year.”
NHTSA complaint #10423588, filed 2011-08, 108,267 miles“This is my 2nd Gmc 6.0l that has broken exhaust bolts first truck broke 3 bolts at 32,000 miles, replaced by dealer and broke bolts off again at 39,000 miles. Now have 2005 with 51,000 mile with three broken manifold bolts and an exhaust leak. This is a very expensive repair that is a design problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10407412, filed 2011-06, 51,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10251887Mar 14, 2024This bulletin advises the technician of possible location of an internal coolant leak from a specific cylinder head and location.
- 10251890Mar 13, 2024This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank…
- 10250775Feb 22, 2024This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large…
- 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…
- 10244273Oct 6, 2023This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
- 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…
- 10242262Aug 24, 2023This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and…
- 10240344Jul 31, 2023This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 2% |
| 2020 | 2 | 3% |
| 2019 | 2 | 6% |
| 2014 | 1 | 3% |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2011 | 1 | 2% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 5 | 8% |
| 2005 | 13 | 11% |
| 2004 | 9 | 6% |
| 2003 | 5 | 3% |
| 2002 | 11 | 8% |
| 2001 | 21 | 16% |
| 2000 | 4 | 8% |
| 1998 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2005 GMC Sierra 2500
42 complaintsBrakes
38 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsWheels
5 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 GMC Sierra 2500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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