The 2005 GMC Sierra is perfectly suited to farm work, construction, hauling, towing, and everything else you expect of a full-size pickup. What it’s not is an SUV with a box attached. The ride is rough, the interior is basic, and onboard tech is adequate at best.
Is the 2005 GMC Sierra a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – It’s great for what it is. Go in expecting a solid work truck and you won’t be disappointed.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – Split the difference: It’s a ten for cargo, and a five for comfort.
- Reliability 7/10 – The engine and powertrain might just cross a quarter million miles, but you’ll probably have to cover a couple thousand-dollar repairs along the way.
- Safety 7/10 – Safety tech is out of date and crash test scores are mediocre. But this thing is built like a tank.
- Gas Mileage 5/10 – One more reason why this is a poor choice of daily driver. An average combined MPG of 16 isn’t so bad if you’re making short trips to deliver lumber and feed, but it adds up fast if you’re commuting to work in this thing every day.
- Value 7/10 – With typical listing prices at around eight grand for a mid-range model, the 2005 Sierra is priced fairly. But it’s pricey enough to make you wonder if you really need a full-size truck, or if a compact might do the job just fine.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2005 GMC Sierra?
Consumer Reports, testing a Z71 model Sierra, found the ride stiff and choppy, the fit and finish underwhelming, the powertrain a bit rough, and the braking “adequate.” On the other hand, they liked the four wheel drive system and the hefty payload capacity.
Kelley Blue Book users give the 2005 Sierra a very strong 95% recommendation, praising the powerful engines, responsive handling, durable frame, and tough workhorse performance. Drivers do note that, when something does break, it’s usually something expensive.
Edmunds liked the roomy Extended and Crew cabs, they liked the powerful V8 engines, and they found the onboard features innovative for 2005, but note that the overall finish and build quality is a bit cheap compared to that year’s F-150 and Dodge Ram.
What Common Problems Does the 2005 GMC Sierra Have?
More than one in four of the 2005 GMC Sierra’s 443 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration complaints are for electrical issues, with problems ranging from dim headlights to fidgety warning lights and dying batteries. One driver reports the dashboard melting after the fog lights randomly came on while the truck was parked.
The truck has 92 complaints on file for service brakes, with drivers reporting corroded brake lines leaking fluid. Unfortunately, by the time the brake lines are rusted through, the subframe has probably suffered extensive damage, as well, and at that point all you can really do is salvage the truck for parts.
Powertrain and engine complaints are relatively scarce, with reports of early failure frequently being linked to the truck’s issues with premature corrosion, which can be prevented with a coating of anti-rust spray, but is almost impossible to fix once it settles in.
The truck has 17 recalls on file with the NHTSA, which sounds a bit high but it’s not unusual after nearly twenty years on the road for a truck that sells as many units as the GMC Sierra.
How Long Will the 2005 GMC Sierra Last?
You can expect a GMC Sierra to have a minimum lifespan of around 200,000 miles with regular maintenance. If the previous owner took good care of the truck, you’ve got a good chance of hitting 250,000 miles before it gets to be too expensive to keep fixing.
RepairPal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $727, with some of the more expensive common fixes being new fuel pumps starting at $1,102, suspension control modules at $491, and blower motors at $319.
No problems beyond the standard maintenance and regular quarterly upkeep. And the changing of light bulbs and wipers.
Yes check engine light comes on many dash lights stay on same parts keep breaking motor blew up after one year of purchase.
It burns oil and needed the heated seat elements replaced. I also replaced the transfer case. The service airbag light has been on for years.
It's very reliable! We do not have problems with the engine or transmission, kit only requires regular maintenance and ours is getting up there in miles!!
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is pretty basic. You’ve got a CD player in the Regular Cab, and that’s about it. It’s a 2005 work truck, and the Sierra/Silverado was always a year or two behind the F-150. But, the Extended Cab does feature a separate rear sound system in the higher trims.
Safety technology is adequate, if unimpressive, even by 2005 standards. Anti-lock brakes are about as high-tech as it gets here.
Is the 2005 GMC Sierra a Good Value?
The 2005 GMC Sierra is worth the sticker price, typically listing at around $8,734, but when you add that to the cost of ownership, the question comes down to whether you really need a used full-size truck in the first place. It’s a great work truck, but a poor daily-driver.
A Sierra guzzles gas, repairs can be expensive, and it doesn’t have the modern comforts and conveniences that you might expect of a full-size pickup. But, if you need something for hauling bales of hay around the ranch, pulling horse trailers, or carrying construction supplies, the 2005 Sierra is awesome.
What are the Different Models of the 2005 GMC Sierra?
Not counting the Denali and Hybrid models, which are marketed and sold as their own vehicles, the 2005 Sierra is available in four trim levels, from the stripped-down Work Truck to the high-end SLT.
The Work Truck starts you off with:
- Vinyl seating
- Manual air conditioning
- AM/FM radio
With the entry-level Base you’re getting:
- Premium cloth seats
- CD player
- PASSLock theft deterrent
Next up is the SLE, adding:
- Heated mirrors
- Remote keyless entry
- Fog lights Power windows and door locks
With the top-of-the-line SLT you get:
- Leather seating
- Heated seats
- Automatic dual zone air conditioning
What Engines Come In the 2005 GMC Sierra?
- The base engine found in the 2005 GMC Sierra is a 4.3L V6 delivering 195 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. The 4.3L can tow up to 4,100 pounds depending on your options, it’s paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission, with an optional 5-speed manual, and configured in rear/four wheel drive. Expect to average 16 miles to the gallon combined.
- Next up is a 4.8L V8 delivering 285 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. Configuration and transmission options are the same as in the V6 (in fact, it’s the same across the board), and it can tow up to 8,000 pounds. The 4.8L should average 17 MPG combined.
- A 5.3L V8 is available, delivering 295 horsepower and 335 lb.-ft. of torque. This one can tow up to 9,000 pounds. The 5.3L V8 should average around 16 MPG combined.
What Colors Does the 2005 GMC Sierra Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2005 GMC Sierra?
The 2005 GMC Sierra isn’t incredibly comfortable, offering 61.4 inches of hip room in the back and firm seating. The suspension has held up pretty well over the years, as long as you don’t have any corrosion in the shocks and struts, but many drivers find the ride to be pretty stiff.
It’s been said before and it’s worth repeating: This isn’t a daily driver. Just about any job you want done, it’ll get it done. But it’s a work truck, not a grocery-getter, not a station wagon, but a rugged, performance-oriented trooper. Comfort was a low priority in the 2005 Sierra’s design.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2005 GMC Sierra Have?
The Sierra is available with a 6’6″ short bed or an 8′ long bed. Whichever you choose, the bed is 63 inches across and 22 inches deep. If you’ve ever driven a full-size truck, you know what to expect here.
Payload capacity maxes out at 2,040 in the 1500 models, which should be more than enough power to haul anything you need to haul.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2005 GMC Sierra was the sixth model year in the truck’s 2nd Generation (making it the third year for the Silverado’s 1st).
2002: The truck saw a minor visual redesign for 2002, but no major changes.
2003: User interface was updated to be a little more intuitive, with new air conditioning and audio controls.
2004: 2004 saw the debut of the Crew Cab.
2005: Power sunroofs were added to Crew and Extended cabs.
2006: No major changes for 2006, but burled wood and brushed aluminum trim options were added to the interior.
2007: 2007 saw the launch of the Sierra’s 3rd Generation, which stood three inches longer and one and a half inches wider than the previous generation models.
How Does the 2005 GMC Sierra Compare to the Competition?
A 2005 Ford F-150 typically sells for about five hundred dollars cheaper than a comparable GMC Sierra, the interior is a little more comfortable, and performance specs are only marginally different, depending on your options.
The 2005 Dodge Ram is a bit more powerful from trim to trim, and a bit more spacious, with 65 inches of rear hip room. It’s also about two thousand dollars more expensive than a comparable Sierra. You probably don’t want to spend two grand on three inches of seating.
As for the Silverado, that’s literally the exact same truck as the GMC Sierra, just sold under a different brand.
Do Owners Recommend the 2005 GMC Sierra?
Yes runs great no issues used on the farm hauls equipment 4 door plenty of power for everything we need.
Yes it is a good midsize truck not a lot of power but gets the job done. Not to bad on gas ac works great. Has its problems.
Yes it is reliable, good on slick roads, and comfortable with heated leather seats. My vehicle has 201,000 miles.
It is a wonderful vehicle! We have no problems with this truck, very solid, safe and dependable. Plus the full backseat is perfect for our 2 boys to fit in comfortably.