2005 Chevrolet Denali recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
What could happen: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2005 DENALI.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 06E064000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO TRADESONIC AFTERMARKET LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS." CUSTOMERS MAY 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.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (2), Electrical system (1), Electronic Stability Control (esc) (1), Fuel system (1), Gasoline (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (3)
09/30/2015 · Electrical system
MY DENALI HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS AND THEY CANNOT FIND WHAT IS HAPPENING. MY STABILITY DISABLED AND TRACTION ACTIVE LIGHTS/SENSORS KEEP COMING ON. MASS AIR FLOWER AND SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THE MESSAGES STILL KEEP COMING ON. MY TRUCK HAS EVEN LOST SPEED IN MIDST OF DRIVING. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN THAT I TRANSPOR…
03/15/2012 · Fuel system
FUEL LEVEL SENSOR MALFUNCTIONING. FUEL LEVEL ALWAYS SHOWS EMPTY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS ON CAUSING CAR TO FAIL EMISSIONS. GM DEALER ESTIMATES COSTS TO REPAIR AT OVER $700.
06/21/2007 · Engine
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATS AND THE TRANNY REDLINES WHEN TOWING OTHER VEHICLES. THIS FAILURE HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO AND A HALF YEARS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REMEDIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 33,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4.