NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 GMC Savana Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2005 GMC Savana has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 13 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized GMC dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2005 GMC Savana, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2005 GMC Savana owner complaints

Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 GMC Savana, describing incidents dated September 1, 2005 to October 12, 2026.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 2 complaints
Service Brakes 2 complaints
Steering 2 complaints
Structure 2 complaints
Tires 2 complaints
Air Bags 1 complaint

Of the 13 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash; across all 13 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11770691 · Filed October 12, 2026
I was in a crash today october 12th 2026 and the airbags failed to deploy it was a front end collision that resulted in the motor shutting off
ODI #11532862 · Filed July 17, 2023
I had a new front windshield sold by PGW installed by Coughlin Auto Glass in Deer Lodge Montana in November - December 2022. I immediately noticed that the windshield did not allow RED LIGHT to pass through the tinted area. This is most likely due to a manufacturing defect and is dangerous…
ODI #10617484 · Filed July 30, 2014
WHITE VAN SINCE WAS 4 YEARS OLD THE FRONT HOOD WHITE PAINT STAR PEELING OFF . KNOW IS HAVE PAINT ONLY. BAD QUALITY PAINT. YOU CAN SEE IN THE ROAD ALMOST ALL CHEVY OR GMC CARGO VAN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Read all 13 complaints

Rear HVAC Electrical Circuit May Overheat

NHTSA #23V247000 · Electrical System — Wiring · NHTSA notice

Reported April 6, 2023 · General Motors, LLC

Potentially affected: 150,830 vehicles

Repair completion: 57.88% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign N222386050 · Owners notified May 2, 2023

Defect description

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. When the HVAC blower motor circuit is left unused with exposed connectors and wiring, the circuit can corrode and overheat.

Safety consequence

An overheated electrical circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will properly seal the rear HVAC blower motor circuits at the left side B-pillar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222386050.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

WHEELCHAIR LIFT ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK

NHTSA #09V272000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility · NHTSA notice

Reported July 6, 2009 · MAIN MOBILITY, INC.

Potentially affected: 185 vehicles

Owners notified June 25, 2009 · Vehicles built April 1, 2005 – June 25, 2009 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

MAIN MOBILITY IS RECALLING 185 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VANS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1, 2005 AND JUNE 25, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.

Safety consequence

THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.

Manufacturer remedy

MAIN MOBILITY IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR MAIN MOBILITY AT 1-716-759-6811.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

WHEELCHAIR LIFT THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM

NHTSA #09V270000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility · NHTSA notice

Reported July 6, 2009 · MAIN MOBILITY, INC.

Potentially affected: 185 vehicles

Owners notified June 25, 2009 · Vehicles built April 1, 2005 – June 25, 2009 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

MAIN MOBILITY IS RECALLING 185 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VANS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1, 2005 AND JUNE 25, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.

Safety consequence

THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.

Manufacturer remedy

MAIN MOBILITY IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR MAIN MOBILITY AT 1-716-759-6811.

Notes

SEAT BELT BUCKLES

NHTSA #05V558000 · Seat Belts · NHTSA notice

Reported December 19, 2005 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 425,593 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 05113 · Owners notified March 15, 2006 · Vehicles built March 1, 2004 – June 30, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN FULL-SIZE PASSENGER, CARGO, OR CUTAWAY VANS, THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL NOT LATCH OR WILL NOT UNLATCH.

Safety consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLES AND, IF FOUND TO BE INOPERATIVE, THE ENTIRE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WOULD BE REPLACED. FOR BUCKLES FOUND TO BE OPERATIVE, DEALER WILL REPLACE ONLY THE UPPER BUCKLE COVER. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES. THE FIRST PHASE MAILING BEGAN DURING MARCH 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 05113. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

HYDRO-BOOST/HYDRAULIC BRAKE/BOSCH

NHTSA #05V043000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA notice

Reported February 8, 2005 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 77,411 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 05006 · Owners notified March 23, 2005 · Vehicles built March 1, 2004 – September 30, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WERE OPEN, FRAGMENTS FROM THE ACCUMULATOR COULD CAUSE INJURY TO PEOPLE IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA. THE PRESENCE OF THIS CRACK OR FRACTURED SURFACE COULD ALLOW THE HYDRAULIC FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE ACCUMULATOR CIRCUIT OF THE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY. THE LOSS OF FLUID WOULD CAUSE INCREASED STEERING AND BRAKING EFFORT AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

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 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 05006.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2005 GMC Savana Van

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

13 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 GMC Savana.

Air Bags

ODI #11770691

Crash 1 injury

Incident: October 12, 2026 · Filed: October 12, 2026

I was in a crash today october 12th 2026 and the airbags failed to deploy it was a front end collision that resulted in the motor shutting off

Visibility

ODI #11532862

Incident: November 12, 2022 · Filed: July 17, 2023

I had a new front windshield sold by PGW installed by Coughlin Auto Glass in Deer Lodge Montana in November - December 2022. I immediately noticed that the windshield did not allow RED LIGHT to pass through the tinted area. This is most likely due to a manufacturing defect and is dangerous. Unfortunately I did not have time to argue with the installer about a replacement until now, as I have been out of the state until yesterday. The installer confirmed that the glass was defective. He states that he contacted PGW today and that they will not replace the window. He and Pittsburg Glass Works state that they have had no other complaints and that it is too late to do anything about it. I suspect there is an entire batch of glass windshields that have this manufacturing defect. The consumer representative for PGW admitted that they had problems with supplies and manufacturing during COVID. I suspect this happened due to COVID related manufacturing problems.

Structure

ODI #10617484

Incident: July 1, 2009 · Filed: July 30, 2014

WHITE VAN SINCE WAS 4 YEARS OLD THE FRONT HOOD WHITE PAINT STAR PEELING OFF . KNOW IS HAVE PAINT ONLY. BAD QUALITY PAINT. YOU CAN SEE IN THE ROAD ALMOST ALL CHEVY OR GMC CARGO VAN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Steering; Electrical System

ODI #10598720

Incident: May 31, 2014 · Filed: June 17, 2014

WHILE DRIVING ON BUMPY ROAD AT 30 MILES / HOUR CAR TURNS OFF. I COULD NOT TURN, POWER STEERING LOCKED. CAR EVENTUALLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUSY ROAD AND I BRAKE, CHANGED GEARS TO PARK. I TURN IGNITION KEY OFF AND THEN TURNED IT ON AGAIN. THIS HAPPEN A FEW TIMES. I TRY TO AVOID BUMPY AREAS. I TOOK TO MECHANIC & HE FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH ENGINE. I DID TO MENTION IT ONLY HAPPENS ON BUMPY RIDES, ( HE DROVE IT ON EXPRESSWAY). I JUST FOUND OUT GMC CARS HAVE A RECALL ON KEY IGNITIONS BUT NOT MY 2005 GMC. I CONTACTED GMC AND MY LOCAL DEALER BUT THEY SAY IT IS NOT RECALLED AND UNLESS IT HAPPENS WHILE THEY DRIVE IT THEY CAN'T DIAGNOSE IT. THEY WILL NOT FIX IT UNLESS THEY DIAGNOSE IT. *TR

Tires

ODI #10421488

Incident: August 23, 2011 · Filed: August 25, 2011

TIRE "DEFINITY DAKOTA" HAD DEFECTED JUST FOR 20,000 MI. *TR

Structure; Latches/Locks/Linkages

ODI #10368034

Incident: November 11, 2010 · Filed: November 28, 2010

SIDE CARGO REAR DOOR HINGES SIEZED AND BENT AFTER OPENING. NOW IT DOES NOT CLOSE PROPERLY (ALIGNMENT FROM HINGE), CAUSING FRONT SIDE CARGO DOOR TO STAY OPEN AT ALL TIMES. REAR DOOR IS OVER 1" OUT OF POSITION, PREVENTING FRONT DOOR FROM CLOSING AND ENGAGING LATCH. IF REAR DOOR IS OPENED, IT DOES NOT CLOSE WITHOUT EXCESSIVE FORCE TO REALIGN TO LATCHES, BUT STILL NOT ENOUGH TO CLOSE FRONT DOOR. *TR

Equipment

ODI #10349083

Incident: May 20, 2010 · Filed: August 12, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SAVANA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACTIVATE THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT VEHICLE WOULD NOT BECOME COOL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE COOLING LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A LEAK. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 41000. THE COOLANT LINES THAT RAN TO THE REAR CLIMATE CONTROL WERE LEAKING FREON. UPDATED 11/24/10

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10342976

Incident: May 27, 2010 · Filed: July 13, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC SAVANA. WHILE TRAVELING AT 20 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WHERE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 33,000.

Electrical System; Tires; Wheels

ODI #10213888

Incident: October 1, 2006 · Filed: December 28, 2007

2005 GMC SAVANNA WITH TIRE FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VAN HAS HAD THREE TIRE BLOW OUTS. HE STATED THAT THE BLOW OUTS OCCURRED ON THE SAME TIRE AND THE SAME SPOT. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE LOW PROFILE TIRES WERE NOT A GOOD MATCH FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED HE HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRONICS AND THE WHEELS. *JB

Seat Belts

ODI #10199742

Incident: January 1, 2006 · Filed: August 15, 2007

PASSENGER SEAT BELT WILL NOT LATCH. *JB

Other GMC Savana model years

Check your 2005 GMC Savana VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your GMC Savana at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a GMC VIN