2005 Chevrolet Express recalls and problems

The 2005 Chevrolet Express has 8 safety recalls and 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Chevrolet dealer.

Recalls
8
Complaints
23
Crashes / fires
0 / 1
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2005 Chevrolet Express vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2005 Chevrolet Express recalls

Recall 09V-307: Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

Reported Jul 29, 2009 · 3 vehicles affected · THE CUSTOMIZERS INC.

Problem: Customizers is recalling 3 vans equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. 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 something is still on the lift.

Risk: A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.

Fix: Customizers is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (Please see 07e097). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000.

Recall 09V-272: Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

Reported Jul 6, 2009 · 185 vehicles affected · MAIN MOBILITY, INC.

Problem: 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.

Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.

Fix: 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.

Recall 09V-270: Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

Reported Jul 6, 2009 · 185 vehicles affected · MAIN MOBILITY, INC.

Problem: 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.

Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.

Fix: 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.

Recall 09V-049: Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

Reported Feb 6, 2009 · 86 vehicles affected · MOBILITY SPECIALIST INC

Problem: Mobility is recalling 86 my 2005-2006 ford e-series and chevrolet express van 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 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.

Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.

Fix: 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 mobility at 714-674-0480.

Recall 09V-050: Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

Reported Feb 6, 2009 · 43 vehicles affected · MOBILITY SPECIALIST INC

Problem: Mobility is recalling 43 my 2005-2006 ford e-series and chevrolet express vans equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. 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 something is still on the lift.

Risk: A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.

Fix: 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 mobility at 714-674-0480.

Recall 05V-558: Seat Belts

Reported Dec 19, 2005 · 425,593 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: On certain full-size passenger, cargo, or cutaway vans, the front and rear seat belt buckles will not latch or will not unlatch.

Risk: In the event of a crash, a seat occupant may not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.

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. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.

Recall 05V-530: Exterior Lighting

Reported Nov 7, 2005 · 3 vehicles affected · SANTA FE VANS

Problem: 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.

Risk: Following vehicles may not be fully informed of vehicle braking. Rear-end collisions and injury to occupants may occur.

Fix: Santa fe is working with audiovox to replace the center high-mounted brake lamp assembly. Owners may contact santa fe at 1-800-274-1886 or asa at 1-574-266-3172.

Recall 05V-043: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Feb 8, 2005 · 77,411 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

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. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc trucks at 1-866-996-9463 and hummer at 1-800-732-5493.

2005 Chevrolet Express problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Structure5
Suspension4
Electrical System4
Service Brakes4
Seat Belts2
Wheels2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Exterior Lighting2
Power Train1
Latches/Locks/Linkages1
Steering1
Fuel/Propulsion System1

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 4
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 1
  • Wheels › Rim — 1
  • Suspension › Front › Shock Absorber — 1
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 1
  • Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly — 1
  • Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 89,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2005 Chevrolet Express complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Tires · reported May 8, 2026
LT245/75R16. Driving north on I-77 around Charlotte, NC around 7:40 PM and the tire blew out. I saw in my left rearview mirror the treads roll off the right side of the highway. I did not run over anything. Travel speed was 65 to 70 mph in medium traffic. No warning lights came on. Did not lose control and was able to navigate to the left side of highway when enough space opened up after a guide rail. All that was left was the rim and shredded sidewalls. Tire was installed in August, 2025 and had just about 3000 miles on it when the blowout occurred. The passenger side of the vehicle was about…
Service Brakes · reported Apr 11, 2026
I was driving and out of no where my brakes “ all four wheels “ locked up as if I was hauling a heavy load . I put on my hazard lights to warn the semi behind me. So I maintained control of my line until the cargo van slowed down to a safe speed for me to pull over . I thought the semi was going to run into the back of me, luckily the southbound line was clear so the semi took off pass me. So as I was coming to a safe stopping speed my brake pedal was stiff as well and when the cargo van slowed down to a safe speed, I pulled over to check my brakes with a warm liquid “ all four brakes…
Air Bags · reported Nov 24, 2025
I was in a front end Collison due to a brake failure and when I have a steel gate at about 30 mph no airbag deployed. Car was towed by the Upper Darby Police Department and it is totaled. I sustained injuries. There was no airbag light brake warning light came when I attempted to use the emergency brake when regular failed
Suspension · at 200,000 miles · reported Sep 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated that while driving, the front passenger’s side tire started to wobble. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the tie rod needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving, the headlights failed to operate without engaging the lever. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the bulbs were replaced; however, the high-beam headlights failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the…
Service Brakes · reported Sep 8, 2022
Hole warn in front passenger side brake line from battery cable going to engine starter motor. The shielding on electrical cable rubbed and wore a hole in the brake line causing fluid to flow out and caused brakes to fail. No one was injured and no accident. I was backing out of the driveway the brakes failed, next I saw a large puddle of fluid on driveway, I just put it in park. The battery cable crosses over the break line and both are fastened to the frame near each other. I can provide break line and photo. The van has 60,000 miles on it, I purchased it new in 2005.

Other Chevrolet Express years

Compare all Chevrolet Express years · All Chevrolet models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Chevrolet Express have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2005 Chevrolet Express: 09V-307 (equipment adaptive/mobility), 09V-272 (equipment adaptive/mobility), 09V-270 (equipment adaptive/mobility), 09V-049 (equipment adaptive/mobility), 09V-050 (equipment adaptive/mobility) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Chevrolet Express?

Owners report structure problems most often (5 reports), followed by suspension (4). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 89,000 miles.

Are Chevrolet recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Chevrolet dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.