Model year guide

2005 Chevrolet Suburban

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 143 on record.

2005 Chevrolet Suburban — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2005 Chevrolet Suburban at a glance

Safety recalls7
Owner complaints229
Combined15 mpg
Typical price$5,639

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2005 Chevrolet Suburban recalls 7

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages NHTSA Campaign #05V103000 · 18/03/2005

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD RETAINER MAY BE MISSING. IF THE RETAINER IS MISSING, THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUSHROD COULD DISENGAGE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD RETAINER AND INSTALL ONE IF IT IS MISSING FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER BEGAN CONTACTING OWNERS BY TELEPHONE ON MARCH 10, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Fuel System, Gasoline NHTSA Campaign #06E043000 · 19/05/2006

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE…

Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Power Train:manual Transmission:shift Pattern Indicator NHTSA Campaign #05V055000 · 14/02/2005

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT." UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE STARTING CONDITIONS, THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR LOCATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. IF THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDI…

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Engine And Engine Cooling NHTSA Campaign #06V289000 · 03/08/2006

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN 8.1L V8 (RPO L8-VIN G) ENGINE HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP MAY FRACTURE RESULTING IN INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE DAMPER.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #04V376000 · 02/08/2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.3L (RPO L59) V8 ENGINES, THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE RETAINER SCREWS WERE NOT MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY BREAK.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE RETAINER SCREWS. OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE ON JULY 30, 2004, WITH A FOLLOWUP OWNER LETTER BEGAN AUGUST 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463. NOTE: THE GM BU…

Seat Belts:rear/other NHTSA Campaign #05V163000 · 22/04/2005

ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE USE OF A CHILD SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GROUP. IN ADDITION TO…

Fix: DEALERS WILL CUT OPEN THE GUIDE LOOP, REMOVE A PORTION OF THE LOOP, AND THEN THE REMAINING TWO SIDES SHOULD BE FOLDED OVER AND SECURED WITH A RETAINER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-94…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic NHTSA Campaign #05V043000 · 08/02/2005

CERTAIN TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH HYDRO-BOOST BRAKE ASSEMBLIES, THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR MAY CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY DURING NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS.

Fix: DEALERS WILL TEST THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY FOR FUNCTIONAL OPERATION OF THE TWO-FUNCTION VALVE. IF THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY FAILS THE TEST, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-99…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2005 Chevrolet Suburban common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 229 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

2005 Chevrolet Suburban MPG & running costs

Combined15 mpg
City13 mpg
Highway18 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,250

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban worth?

Low
$2,900
Typical price
$5,639
High
$9,400

From 143 comparable 2005 Chevrolet Suburban listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$21,250
Depreciation (5 yrs)$3,550
Total$24,800
Per mile$0.33

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($5,639) with the same model 5 model-years older ($2,093), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2005 Chevrolet Suburban trims & engines on record

Trims
1500 LS
Engines
5.3L 8-cyl · 8.1L 8-cyl

2005 Chevrolet Suburban vehicles on record

Other Chevrolet Suburban model years

2005 Chevrolet Suburban — frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls for the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban?

Based on 229 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, air bags, power train.

What gas mileage does the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban at about 15 mpg combined (13 city / 18 highway).

How much is a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban worth?

Comparable 2005 Chevrolet Suburban listings run roughly $2,900–$9,400, typically around $5,639 (from 143 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.