2005 Chevrolet Silverado

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.

Chevrolet Silverado
Pictured: 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD High Country, Front Left, 11-21-2021. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
Body styles
1500 Crew Cab S/Box, 1500 Crew Cab S/Box 4X4, 1500 Ext Cab L/Box, 1500 Ext Cab L/Box 4X4
Engines
5.3L 8-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 4.3L 6-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline, FFV, Premium Gasoline, CNG
MPG (best)
17 combined · 16 city / 20 hwy
Length
224.8–243.7 in
Curb weight
4,365–5,285 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
0 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • No recalls so far

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 6 similar 2005 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2005 Chevrolet Silverado is a standard pickup truck offered with 4 engines (5.3L 8-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 4.3L 6-cyl and 6.0L 8-cyl), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 225 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 144-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,987 lb (1500 Crew Cab S/Box).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 17 MPG combined (16 city / 20 highway), 2% better than the 2005 standard pickup truck average of 16.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,950 a year in fuel.

It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 204 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
1500 Crew Cab S/Box224.8 in79.5 in71.3 in143.7 in65 / 66.1 in4,987 lb60/40
1500 Crew Cab S/Box 4X4224.8 in79.5 in76.4 in143.7 in65 / 66.1 in5,285 lb60/40
1500 Ext Cab L/Box243.7 in79.5 in71.3 in157.5 in65 / 66.1 in4,643 lb60/40
1500 Ext Cab L/Box 4X4243.7 in79.5 in76.4 in157.5 in65 / 66.1 in4,941 lb60/40
1500 Ext Cab M/Box224.8 in79.5 in71.3 in143.7 in65 / 66.1 in4,365 lb60/40
1500 Ext Cab M/Box 4X4224.8 in79.5 in76.4 in143.7 in65 / 66.1 in4,742 lb60/40

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Silverado 15 Hybrid 2WD Hybrid5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive16 / 19 / 17+2%$3,950523
Silverado 1500 2WD4.8L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive15 / 19 / 17+2%$3,950523
Silverado 1500 2WD4.3L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16-4%$4,200555
Silverado 1500 2WD4.3L 6-cylManual 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive14 / 20 / 16-4%$4,200555
Silverado 1500 2WD4.8L 8-cylManual 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16-4%$4,200555
Silverado 1500 2WD5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16-4%$4,200555
Silverado 15 Hybrid 4WD Hybrid5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive15 / 18 / 16+3%$4,200555
Silverado 1500 2WD FFV5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16-4%$4,200555
Silverado 1500 2WD6.0L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive13 / 18 / 15-10%$5,500592
Silverado 1500 4WD4.3L 6-cylManual 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive13 / 18 / 15-4%$4,450592
Silverado 1500 4WD4.8L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 15-4%$4,450592
Silverado 1500 4WD4.8L 8-cylManual 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 15-4%$4,450592
Silverado 1500 4WD5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 15-4%$4,450592
Silverado 1500 4WD FFV5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 15-4%$4,450592
Silverado 1500 4WD4.3L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 14-10%$4,800635
Silverado 1500 AWD6.0L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive12 / 15 / 13-17%$5,150684
Silverado 2500 HD 2WD6.0L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive10 / 12 / 11-34%$6,100808
Silverado 2500 HD 2WD CNG CNG6.0L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive8 / 11 / 9-46%$5,150781
Silverado 2500 HD 4WD CNG CNG6.0L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive8 / 11 / 9-42%$5,150781
Spend $7,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
16.6 MPG2005 Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2005 standard pickup trucks

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2005 Chevrolet Silverado (this car)17 MPGNot rated0
2005 Nissan Titan14 MPGNot rated2
2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup16 MPGNot rated4
2005 Dodge Dakota Pickup17 MPGNot rated4
2005 GMC Sierra17 MPGNot rated0
2005 Mazda B Pickup23 MPGNot rated0
2005 Chevrolet SSR Pickup15 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (0)

No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado.

Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2005 Chevrolet Silverado is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

204Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
16Involved a crash
7Involved a fire
9Injuries reported
105,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Service Brakes80
Air Bags32
Electrical System27
Engine16
Unknown Or Other11
Steering11
Fuel/Propulsion System11
Suspension9
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
20/11: 120/12: 121/01: 221/03: 121/06: 121/07: 221/08: 121/11: 221/12: 122/02: 222/06: 122/10: 122/12: 123/05: 123/09: 123/11: 123/12: 124/06: 125/03: 125/04: 225/06: 125/07: 226/01: 126/06: 120/1121/0321/0822/0222/1223/1125/0325/07max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2005 Chevrolet Silverado buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
  2. Service Brakes — 80 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  3. Air Bags — 32 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  4. Electrical System — 27 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 105,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Silverado years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Silverado25241.3 inNot rated7143
2025 Silverado26233.1 inNot rated4164
2024 Silverado26229.5 inNot rated12541
2023 Silverado26229.5 inNot rated5457
2022 Silverado26241.3 inNot rated9777
2021 Silverado27241.3 inNot rated12983
2020 Silverado27241.3 in★★★★★18900
2019 Silverado21241.3 in★★★★★201,195
2018 Silverado20235.4 in★★★★★12596
2017 Silverado20235.4 in★★★★★12906
2016 Silverado20235.4 inNot rated15979
2015 Silverado20235.4 inNot rated241,417

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →