Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

2005 Gmc TOPKICK: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

1 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

17,848 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2005 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags1

Air Bags: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0001
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2009
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20091

2009: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10294950 · 2009-12-08 (December 8, 2009)

1. ON OR ABOUT 9/2009 IT WAS DISCOVERED OUR 2005 GM TRUCK SERIES TC4C042 WAS CONSTRUCTED AT THE GM FACTORY WITHOUT AN AIR BAG. IT WAS DISCOVERED BY A 3RD PARTY REPAIR SHOP, AND CONFIRMED BY A LOCAL GM DEALER WHO PRINTED THE BUILD REPORT. 2.NA 3. AFTER AN EXHAUSTIVE AMOUNT OF PHONE CALLS TO THE GM SERVICE CENTER WHO INTERN TURNED THE MATTER OVER TO TECH SERVICES AND THE LOCAL DEALER ALL OF WHICH STATED THEY COULD DO NOTHING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM OF THE FAILURE TO INSTALL THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. GM CUSTOMER SERVICES AND THE LOCAL DEALER DO…

Owner-reported narrative. 17,848 miles reported. Look up ODI 10294950 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

05V043000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported: 2005-02-08 (February 8, 2005)

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.

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.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
05V288000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Fluid

Reported: 2005-06-16 (June 16, 2005)

CERTAIN 2003-2005 MODEL YEAR 4500/5500 SERIES CHEVROLET KODIAK, SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS, AND GMC TOPKICK VEHICLES; AND 2003-2004 MODEL YEAR GMC SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN 8.1L ENGINE AND HYDROMAX BRAKE SYSTEM. THE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY COME INTO CONTACT WITH A PORTION OF THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. A HOLE COULD BE WORN IN THE HOSE AND A LOSS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID WOULD OCCUR.

Consequence: IF THERE IS SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF FLUID LOSS, THE DRIVER WILL HEAR A NOISE FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND WARNING TONE WILL ACTIVATE. INCREASED EFFORT MAY BE REQUIRED FOR STEERING AND BRAKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE POWER STEERING HOSE. IF THE STEEL BRAIDING OF THE HOSE IS EXPOSED, DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HOSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 866-996-9463.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
07V469000 · Steering

Reported: 2007-10-04 (October 4, 2007)

ON CERTAIN MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH ZF MODEL 8018 STEERING GEARS, THE STEERING GEAR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED INCORRECTLY. A STEERING GEAR WITH THIS CONDITION MAY PRODUCE THE FEELING OF HITTING A CURB AND A CRACKING OR PINGING SOUND WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED.

Consequence: THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION MAY BE OFF-CENTER AND INCREASED EFFORT MAY BE REQUIRED WHEN TURNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CERTAIN DATE CODES AND VERIFY THE MILEAGE ON STEERING GEARS AND REPLACE GEARS AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 25, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

1 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

100.0%Usable mileage1 / 1 records
100.0%Valid incident date1 / 1 records
100.0%Valid filing date1 / 1 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates1 / 1 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component1995199619992003200420052006200720082009
Electrical System
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

120.0%
ODI 10178351 · 69,170 mi

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON 1/10/07 UNDER GOOD ROAD CONDITIONS, AND AT 80 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER LOSS LASTED ABOUT 2 SECONDS AND THE VEHICLE CAME BACK ON. THE VEHICLE SLOWED TO APPROXIMATE 78 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE GAUGE LIGHTS CAME ON, BUT THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER WERE NOT VISIBLE DURING THE LOSS OF POWER. THE ENGINE DID NOT LOSE POWER COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT WAS ON A DELIVERY RUN, AND WAS TOLD BY LL JOHNSON DISTRIBUTION TO CALL THE HOT LINE AND REPORT THIS INC…

Look up ODI 10178351 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 10256500 · 5,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 GMC TOPKICK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A WIRING ERROR RELATED TO THE UPFITTER. WHILE THE BODY WAS BEING PLACED ON THE VEHICLE, THEY CLIPPED THE WIRING THAT WAS SUPPLIED FROM GM. THE TAIL LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING DUE TO THE CLIPPED WIRING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 5,000. UPDATED 3/16/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE TAILLIGHTS, MARKER LIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS WERE ALL OUT. THE PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE A BLOWN FUSE. UPDATED 03/19/09.(KB

Look up ODI 10256500 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 10217497 · 15,604 mi

4500 TOPKICK HAS HAD NUMEROUS FAILURES THAT CAUSE THE ENGINE TO DERATE AND THE VEHICLE WILL ONLY RUN 20 MPH WHICH IS A HAZARD TO TRAFFIC. IT HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES ONLY TO HAVE ANOTHER FAILURE. THIS VEHICLE IS A 2007 MODEL AND THE PROBLEM IS ALWAYS BLAMED ON SOMETHING WE DID LIKE BAD FUEL OR A SENSOR GOT UNPLUGGED SOMEHOW. I PERSONALLY WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER GM PRODUCT. *TR

Look up ODI 10217497 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Steering:Linkages
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

240.0%
ODI 10166854 · 31,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE'S DRAG LINKS WERE WORN OUT TO THE POINT OF FALLING OFF. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT STEERING WOULD BE COMPLETELY LOST IF THE DRAG LINKS FELL OFF. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED NUMEROUS TIMES AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED.

Look up ODI 10166854 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Air Bags
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 10294950 · 17,848 mi

1. ON OR ABOUT 9/2009 IT WAS DISCOVERED OUR 2005 GM TRUCK SERIES TC4C042 WAS CONSTRUCTED AT THE GM FACTORY WITHOUT AN AIR BAG. IT WAS DISCOVERED BY A 3RD PARTY REPAIR SHOP, AND CONFIRMED BY A LOCAL GM DEALER WHO PRINTED THE BUILD REPORT. 2.NA 3. AFTER AN EXHAUSTIVE AMOUNT OF PHONE CALLS TO THE GM SERVICE CENTER WHO INTERN TURNED THE MATTER OVER TO TECH SERVICES AND THE LOCAL DEALER ALL OF WHICH STATED THEY COULD DO NOTHING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM OF THE FAILURE TO INSTALL THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. GM CUSTOMER SERVICES AND THE LOCAL DEALER DO…

Look up ODI 10294950 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Equipment:Electrical
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 857106

THIS IS A FLAT BED ROLL BACK TOW TRUCK. SPEED SENSOR IS FAULTY, CAUSING THE CABLE TO RELEASE TENSION WHEN LOADING A VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

Look up ODI 857106 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

120.0%
ODI 10141747 · 6,500 mi

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A PUDDLE ON THE DRIVEWAY BENEATH THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY REPLACED THE AUXILIARY FUEL TANK. THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED AGAIN. *AK THE FULE HOSE WAS LEAKING AND THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING.

Look up ODI 10141747 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Parking Brake
150.0%
ODI 10456445 · 100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 GMC TOPKICK. WHILE PARKED ON AN INCLINE, THE CONTACT SET THE AUTOMATIC PARKING BRAKE BUT IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD EITHER SET ITSELF OR NOT RELEASE UPON DISENGAGEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS WATER ACCUMULATION IN THE PARKING BREAK FLUID, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE UNIT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILU…

Look up ODI 10456445 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Power Train:Clutch Assembly
150.0%
ODI 877711

CLUTCHES KEEP FAILING ,ONLY LAST ABOUT 6 MONTHS, CAUSE IS UNKNOWN .PLEASE PROVIDE FUTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Look up ODI 877711 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Air BagsToo few reports for a range17,848 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10294950 · 17,848 mi

1. ON OR ABOUT 9/2009 IT WAS DISCOVERED OUR 2005 GM TRUCK SERIES TC4C042 WAS CONSTRUCTED AT THE GM FACTORY WITHOUT AN AIR BAG. IT WAS DISCOVERED BY A 3RD PARTY REPAIR SHOP, AND CONFIRMED BY A LOCAL GM DEALER WHO PRINTED THE BUILD REPORT. 2.NA 3. AFTER AN EXHAUSTIVE AMOUNT OF PHONE CALLS TO THE GM SERVICE CENTER WHO INTERN TURNED THE MATTER OVER TO TECH SERVICES AND THE LOCAL DEALER ALL OF WHICH STATED THEY COULD DO NOTHING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM OF THE FAILURE TO INSTALL THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. GM CUSTOMER SERVICES AND THE LOCAL DEALER DO…

Look up ODI 10294950 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-102026-09

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-09 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

2008: 0 complaints · 2009: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2008000
2009000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
2008000
2009000

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentAir Bags
Air Bags—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

0 patterns with matching reports.

No narratives match the published patterns.