2005 GMC Sierra 2500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 6%of 115 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 GMC Sierra 2500, 6% of the 115 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 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.
“Exhaust manifold bolts are breaking off for no apparent reason. I have four broken already and an exhaust leak developing. This appears to be a defect in manufacturing. I have a friend with two of the same trucks that the same thing has happened to. There are numerous complaints posted on the web. I have had many vehicles over the years and worked them hard but have never seen a broken exhaust manifold bolt on any of them. This can be a dangerous situation as having exhaust leaks under hood could cause a fire. …”
NHTSA complaint #10482144, filed 2012-10, 35,000 miles“Gm states that dexron-vi is fully backwards compatible with all dexron-iii applications. My vehicle is a 2005 Gmc sierra k2500hd, with an 8.1l gasoline engine and allison 1000 transmission. After performing a routine service on my transmission (fluid drain and refill), replacing the dexron-iii with dexron-vi, I noticed the seals and gaskets leaking from around the transmission. Upon further research, I found that the synthetic dexron-vi is not compatible with certain seals installed in allison brand transmissions. …”
NHTSA complaint #10390385, filed 2011-03, 138,307 miles“Noticed a noise in the front suspension/drive train. An alignment shop checked the front end and they found that the front sealed wheel bearings were about to have a catastrophic failure. Vehicle has 65,000 miles and has never been subjected to harsh environments. Was told that the vehicle could not be driven safely. Sealed bearings have no maintenance options and can create an accident. Learned of other Gmc front wheel bearing issues while meeting with the shop to arrange for repairs.”
NHTSA complaint #10367771, filed 2010-11, 65,000 miles“Slight clunking started when shifting into drive. Fluid on garage floor. Off to aamco. Found two holes in transfercase. The 4 star buffering ring on shaft inside pounded two holes in casing. Just step on gas and torque pounds the ring into the casing until holes are made. All fluid pours out. Most people wont even know its happened until castastrophic failure. Several seals, chain, two gears, 3 bottles of fluid, 4 star buffer ring and a new casing half was required. $2654.00 to repair for a 12 month warranty. Aamco pointed out I did nothing wrong. Its an engineered failure point by GM. …”
NHTSA complaint #10717648, filed 2015-05, 153,200 miles“The contact owns a 2005 Gmc SIERRA 2500 hd. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the gear shift indicator on the instrument panel failed to illuminate and display what gear the vehicle was positioned in. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but the VIN was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10984285, filed 2017-05, 85,000 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 | 1 | 7% |
| 2025 | 3 | 11% |
| 2024 | 27 | 25% |
| 2023 | 20 | 61% |
| 2022 | 7 | 16% |
| 2021 | 13 | 25% |
| 2020 | 25 | 31% |
| 2019 | 2 | 6% |
| 2018 | 3 | 9% |
| 2017 | 6 | 16% |
| 2016 | 1 | 2% |
| 2015 | 8 | 9% |
| 2014 | 3 | 10% |
| 2013 | 5 | 11% |
| 2012 | 4 | 13% |
| 2011 | 6 | 10% |
| 2008 | 3 | 5% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 12 | 18% |
| 2005 | 7 | 6% |
| 2004 | 9 | 6% |
| 2003 | 13 | 8% |
| 2002 | 14 | 10% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
| 2000 | 1 | 2% |
| 1999 | 1 | 3% |
| 1998 | 3 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2005 GMC Sierra 2500
42 complaintsBrakes
38 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsEngine cooling
13 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 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