The Lemon Index
200420061st generation
Not enough data. Only 12 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.
Better years to buy
12 owner complaints, first 3 years — combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Nissan Armada 2162005 Ford Freestyle 2902005 Jeep Liberty 217
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 8 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 06E010000 (steering), 05V163000 (seat belts) and 05V043000 (brakes) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Hummer sent dealers 735 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on, transmission stuck in third gear, instrument cluster…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Hummer's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 12 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 1K to 52K miles (2K to 84K km) on the car (8 of all 12 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 20.4M views · 2003–2009 Hummer H2
Most-watched topics
- Heat, A/C & blend door127K views
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 hummer resistor repair. Fan not blowing on hummer h2 both Ac and heat fanVito Mirra · 62K views · 3 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical101K views
How to program A Hummer H2 remote key fob 2003 - 2007PYR Automotive · 91K views · 2 videos - Steering & suspension78K views
Wheel bearing hub assembly replacement Hummer H2 2005 GMC Cheverolet 2001-2007Fixing cars and stuff · 52K views · 2 videos - Driveshaft, axles & 4x435K views
How to use 2007 Hummer H2 4x4 and rear lock4x4 Rides · 35K views
Show 4 more
- Timing chain & engine35K views
2003 HUMMER H2 6.0L - ENGINE MISFIRE DIAGNOSISSuper Mario Diagnostics · 24K views · 2 videos - Oil changes & service29K views
How to Change Engine Oil & Filter on HUMMER H2 | 2006 H2 HUMMEREasy Steps · 29K views - Windows, doors & mirrors28K views
Hummer H2 Rear Window Regulator Replacement & Repair. 2003-2009 Hummer H2 2003-2009 RearPower Up Auto · 21K views · 2 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank17K views
2003 Hummer H2 Gas Tank Removal Fuel Pump/Sending Unit Replacement Part 1Patrick Murphy · 17K views
Before you buy, watch
Hummer H2 2003 to 2009 common problems, issues, defects and complaintsHOWSTUFFINMYCARWORKS · 23K views
2003 HUMMER H2 PROBLEMSLifeissimple · 21K views
2003 hummer h2 problemsFelix Rosario · 10K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2005 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Hummer told dealers about
Hummer sent dealers 735 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on, transmission stuck in third gear, instrument cluster…
- Clunk noise that can be heard on a 2-3 upshift on 2002 and prior light duty trucks
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Steering · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN FABTECH AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2005
ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALL…
- Brakes · recall issued 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 OPERA…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedHummer h2 steering knuckle failures2005–2007
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Every Hummer H2 year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 7 Hummer H2 years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Hummer H2 reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 12 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2005 Hummer H2 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are visibility (33%), transmission & drivetrain (17%) and wheels (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Hummer H2 have?
3 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Does the 2005 Hummer H2 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
What Hummer H2 year is better than the 2005?
Nearby, the 2003 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (somewhat fewer complaints than the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works