DecodedCars2005 GMC Sierra
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.
- 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 GMC Sierra 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 82 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1500 Crew Cab S/Box | 224.8 in | 79.5 in | 71.3 in | 143.7 in | 65 / 66.1 in | 4,987 lb | 60/40 |
| 1500 Crew Cab S/Box 4X4 | 224.8 in | 79.5 in | 76.4 in | 143.7 in | 65 / 66.1 in | 5,285 lb | 60/40 |
| 1500 Ext Cab L/Box | 243.7 in | 79.5 in | 71.3 in | 157.5 in | 65 / 66.1 in | 4,643 lb | 60/40 |
| 1500 Ext Cab L/Box 4X4 | 243.7 in | 79.5 in | 76.4 in | 157.5 in | 65 / 66.1 in | 4,941 lb | 60/40 |
| 1500 Ext Cab M/Box | 224.8 in | 79.5 in | 71.3 in | 143.7 in | 65 / 66.1 in | 4,365 lb | 60/40 |
| 1500 Ext Cab M/Box 4X4 | 224.8 in | 79.5 in | 76.4 in | 143.7 in | 65 / 66.1 in | 4,742 lb | 60/40 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra 15 Hybrid 2WD Hybrid | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 19 / 17 | +2% | $3,950 | 523 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 4.8L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 19 / 17 | +2% | $3,950 | 523 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -4% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -4% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 4.8L 8-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | -4% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | -4% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Sierra 15 Hybrid 4WD Hybrid | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 18 / 16 | +3% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD | 4.8L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 18 / 16 | +3% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD FFV | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | -4% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 6.0L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | -10% | $5,500 | 592 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 17 / 15 | -4% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | -4% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD | 4.8L 8-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 18 / 15 | -4% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 17 / 15 | -4% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD FFV | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 17 / 15 | -4% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Sierra 1500 AWD | 6.0L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 15 / 13 | -17% | $5,150 | 684 |
| Sierra 2500 Hd 2WD | 6.0L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 10 / 12 / 11 | -34% | $6,100 | 808 |
| Sierra 2500 HD 2WD CNG CNG | 6.0L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 8 / 11 / 9 | -46% | $5,150 | 781 |
| Sierra 2500 HD 4WD CNG CNG | 6.0L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 8 / 11 / 9 | -42% | $5,150 | 781 |
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 GMC Sierra under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2005 standard pickup trucks
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 GMC Sierra (this car) | 17 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Chevrolet Silverado | 17 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Nissan Titan | 14 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup | 16 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2005 Dodge Dakota Pickup | 17 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2005 Mazda B Pickup | 23 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Chevrolet SSR Pickup | 15 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (0)
No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2005 GMC Sierra.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗Not every 2005 GMC Sierra is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2005 GMC Sierra buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
- Service Brakes — 30 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Electrical System — 16 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Steering — 10 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 105,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 GMC Sierra. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Sierra years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sierra | 25 | 241.3 in | Not rated | 6 | 169 |
| 2025 Sierra | 26 | 241.3 in | Not rated | 4 | 178 |
| 2024 Sierra | 25 | 233.1 in | Not rated | 8 | 538 |
| 2023 Sierra | 26 | 229.5 in | Not rated | 4 | 558 |
| 2022 Sierra | 26 | 241.3 in | Not rated | 8 | 674 |
| 2021 Sierra | 26 | 241.3 in | Not rated | 10 | 668 |
| 2020 Sierra | 26 | 241.3 in | Not rated | 16 | 624 |
| 2019 Sierra | 21 | 225.6 in | Not rated | 17 | 729 |
| 2018 Sierra | 20 | 235.4 in | Not rated | 12 | 371 |
| 2017 Sierra | 20 | 235.4 in | Not rated | 11 | 481 |
| 2016 Sierra | 20 | 235.4 in | Not rated | 13 | 457 |
| 2015 Sierra | 20 | 235.4 in | Not rated | 23 | 915 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or GMC. How we calculate this →