2005 Chevrolet Express: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2005 Chevrolet Express: 8 recalls, 23 owner complaints and up to 15 mpg combined.
Recalls
8 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #05V043000 · 2005 · 77,411 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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…
The 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.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #05V530000 · 2005 · 3 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain conversion vans built on GMC/Chevrolet chassis fail to comply with requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment." the housing lens of the center high mounted stop lamp does not allow enough light to emit from the lamp.
Why it matters: Following vehicles May not be fully informed of vehicle braking. Rear-end collisions and injury to occupants May occur.
The fix: Santa fe is working with audiovox to replace the center high-mounted brake lamp assembly.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #05V558000 · 2005 · 425,593 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain full-size passenger, cargo, or cutaway vans, the front and rear seat belt buckles will not latch or will not unlatch.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, a seat occupant May not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix: 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.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility Vehicle recall #09V050000 · 2009 · 43 vehicles
What's wrong: These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 403, "platform lift system accessible for 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…
Why it matters: A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.
The fix: Mobility is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097).
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility Vehicle recall #09V049000 · 2009 · 86 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 404, "platform lift installations on 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.
Why it matters: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
The fix: Mobility is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095).
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility Vehicle recall #09V272000 · 2009 · 185 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
The fix: Main mobility is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097).
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility Vehicle recall #09V270000 · 2009 · 185 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
The fix: Main mobility is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095).
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility Vehicle recall #09V307000 · 2009 · 3 vehicles
What's wrong: These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 403, "platform lift system accessible for 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…
Why it matters: A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.
The fix: Customizers is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097).
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Body & structure (5): the most common themes are door / lock issues (2).
- Suspension (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Electrical (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Brakes (4): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (2).
The 2005 Chevrolet Express has 23 owner complaints, ranking #8 of 31 Express model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 21). Complaints peaked in 2014 (4 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 85,934 miles. Neighboring years: 2004 (21 complaints, 6 recalls), 2006 (12 complaints, 16 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | Regular |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2005 Chevrolet Express.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2005 Chevrolet Express have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 8 vehicle recalls for the 2005 Chevrolet Express, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2005 Chevrolet Express problems?
Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are body & structure (5), suspension (4), electrical (4).
What gas mileage does the 2005 Chevrolet Express get?
EPA ratings run up to 15 mpg combined (4.3 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2005 Chevrolet Express repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.