RoadVitals

2005 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
47
Latest Apr 27, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
36%
of 129 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 47 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 47, in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Apr 27, 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale from a towing company. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 163,428, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 167,126. The contact stated that the Carfax Report indicated that the mileage was 141,207, and that the odometer had been rolled back.

NHTSA ID
11734010
Incident
Apr 20, 2026
Mileage
167,126 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 23, 2019

THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR LOCATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER DOES NOT ILLUMINATE THEREFORE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE IS IN. IT SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE TO ME. IT OCCURS WHEN I START THE VEHICLE, AM MOVING AND WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON.

NHTSA ID
11234168
Incident
Oct 15, 2018
Mileage
99,882 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Sep 11, 2018

FUEL PUMP FAILED

NHTSA ID
11128608
Incident
Aug 22, 2018
Electrical
Filed Dec 22, 2016

THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR DOES NOT ILLUMINATE. THE ODOMETER DOES NOT SHOW CURRENT SPEED ( MILES PER HOUR .) THE ABS SENSOR DOESN'T WORK.

NHTSA ID
10937135
Incident
Dec 22, 2016
Electrical
Filed Dec 20, 2016
Fire reported

THE FAN MOTOR CONTROL RELAY AND CONNECTOR SHORT CIRCUITED AND BURNED UP. THE LOCATION OF THIS RELAY IS BEHIND AND SLIGHTLY BELOW THE GLOVE BOX. GENERAL MOTORS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT BULLETIN NO 11046 FOR THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER IT WAS ONLY VALID IN CANADA, NOT THE UNITED STATES.

NHTSA ID
10936520
Incident
Nov 26, 2016
Mileage
100,100 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Feb 27, 2015

2005 CHEVY AVALANCHE 1500 Z66 (5.3L FLEX FUEL). SUDDEN WARNING FROM INFO CENTER ON DASH THAT STABILITRAK HAD BEEN DISABLED. TRACTION CONTROL OFF AND THEFT DETERRENT WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON UNTIL VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. TRUCK WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AFTER APPROX. 1 MINUTE. ALL SYSTEMS NORMAL WHEN RESTARTED. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AND WHEN IT RETURNED LATER THAT SAME NIGHT, INNOVA CODE READER WAS AT THE READY. P1626 CODE SUGGESTED LOSS OF COMMUNICATION WITH MODULES AMONG OTHER ISSUES. PROBLEM VERY SIMILAR TO ANOTHER COMPLAINT [10631837] IN A 4-WHEEL DRIVE AVALANCHE--MY TRUCK HAS 2-WHEEL DRIVE. WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SO WILLING TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT MY 2007 AVALANCHE LTZ 4-WHEEL DRIVE (5.3 FLEX FUEL) ALSO HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE LOSS OF COMMUNICATION/VOLTAGE DROP EVENTS AMONG INTERNAL COMPONENTS WITH WACKY EVENTS WHILE EITHER DRIVING OR WHILE PARKED [TO INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO FLICKERING HEADLIGHTS WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGING AT SPEED EITHER BY ITSELF OR WHEN LANE CHANGE/TURN SIGNAL ACTIVATED, HVAC HEAD UNIT GOING OFF AND RESETTING, NAV/RADIO GOING OFF WITH A "POP", DRIVERS DOOR CONTROL PANEL FLASHING ALONG WITH HEADLIGHTS AS TRUCK IS PARKED @ NITE, A DRIVERS SEAT THAT MOVES ALL THE WAY FORWARD AS THE DOORS ARE UNLOCKED WITH THE REMOTE (EASY EXIT FEATURE NEVER USED BY ME), REVERSE MIRROR TILT ACTIVE (THOUGH NEVER SET TO DO SO), ONLY REAR DOORS LOCKING WHEN REMOTE PUSHED--2 FRONT DOORS HAD TO BE MANUALLY LOCKED, ENGINE HOURS BACK TO ZERO, ETC]. NO IMMEDIATE SAFETY ISSUES TO DATE, BUT STABILITRAK TURNING ITSELF OFF WHILE DRIVING WAS NOT REASSURING [AND COULD POSE A DANGER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND/OR HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.] DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE PROBLEM(S), BUT HAS SUGGESTED A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE OEM BATTERY CABLES--MINE TESTED OK PER DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10690995
Incident
Feb 25, 2015
Mileage
59,645 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 26, 2012

WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER SHOWED 72 MPH. I SEE A RECALL FOR 2005 AVALANCHE BUT MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT QUALIFY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10486018
Incident
Nov 19, 2012
Mileage
67,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 4, 2012
Fire reported

2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE LOSS DUE TO ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENT PANEL WIRE HARNESS FIRE IN FUSE BOX *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN SEPTEMBER 2011 REGARDING THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY CATCH FIRE.

NHTSA ID
10442972
Incident
Dec 20, 2009
Electrical
Filed Dec 13, 2011

AFTER STARTING THE TRUCK AND TURNING ON THE AC THE DRIVER SIDE WAS PUSHING HOT AIR WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS COOL. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS THE ONLY WAY TO CLEAR THE ERROR WAS TO RESTART THE TRUCK. I HAVE NOT BROUGHT THE ISSUE TO THE DEALER AS IT HAPPENS SO IN FREQUENTLY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10439693
Incident
Dec 13, 2011
Mileage
100,000 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Nov 11, 2011
Fire reported

OWNER WAS DRIVING, ATTEMPTED TO TURN UP HVAC FAN TO HIGHER SPEED BUT NOTICED THAT FAN WOULD NOT INCREASE SPEED AND STAYED ON THE LOW SPEED. THEN STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE. PULLED OVER, SHUT TRUCK OFF BUT NOTICED HVAC BLOWER FAN WAS STILL RUNNING ON LOW SPEED. SAW FIRE INSIDE RIGHT SIDE OF DASH. FIRE ORIGINATED INSIDE RIGHT SIDE OF DASH AT LOCATION OF BLOWER MOTOR AND RESISTOR COMPONENTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10435266
Incident
Oct 27, 2011
Electrical
Filed Mar 20, 2011

SPEEDOMETER STICK, DON'T WORK AND SHOWS WRONG SPEED AT DIFFERENT TIMES. TOOK TO DEALER SAYS THERE WAS A PROBLEM IN 2004 , BUT MINE WAS NOT COVERED IN 2005 AFTER THERE BREAKPOINT ?? STILL NOT FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10392270
Incident
Feb 28, 2011
Mileage
58,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 9, 2011

THE SPEEDOMETER AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL ARE PINNED AT MAX AND MIN READINGS, NO LONGER WORKING AT ALL. NOTHING I'M AWARE OF LED TO THIS HAPPENING. I PLAN ON HAVING THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED SHORTLY. I AM AWARE THAT THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL HAVE HAD FREQUENT PROBLEMS OF THIS SORT, BUT AM SURPRISED MY VEHICLE'S VIN IS NOT INCLUDED AS PART OF A RECENT RECALL: HTTP://WW2.JUSTANSWER.COM/UPLOADS/BLUEGORILLA/2009-09-28_123058_CLUSTER_POLICY.PDF. I WOULD ASK THAT THE DECISION TO EXCLUDE MY VEHICLE FROM THIS RECALL BE RE-EXAMINED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10389655
Incident
Jan 15, 2011
Mileage
55,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 24, 2011

I OWN A 2005 CHEVY AVALANCHE. AT ABOUT 125K MILES ON THE ODOMETER I NOTICED THAT MY SPEEDOMETER WOULD START TO GRADUALLY LOSE TRACK OF THE SPEED AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 40 - 60 MILES. SO, WHEN TRAVELING AT A CONSISTENT RATE OF SPEED OF, SAY, 60 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD SLOW DOWN GRADUALLY TO ZERO OVER THE COURSE OF 5 - 10 MILES. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF FOR A PERIOD OF TIME THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD RESET ITSELF. ONCE RESET IT MAY START HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY OR IT MIGHT BE ANOTHER WEEK OR TWO BEFORE THIS PROBLEM PRESENTED ITSELF AGAIN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE "CLUSTER" WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR APPROX. $600. JUDGING FROM THE OTHER COMPLAINTS REGISTERED HERE, I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER REGARDLESS OF THE MILEAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10384385
Incident
Feb 24, 2011
Mileage
125,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 22, 2011

MY 2005 CHEVY AVALANCHE HAS SHORT IN THE SPEEDOMETER, REAR RIGHT TAIL LIGHTS NOT WORKING,SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT-TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING LIGHT NOT WORKING PROPERLY IT JUMPS REVERSE WHEN I SHIFT INTO DRIVE AND INSTEAD I GO FORWARD I AM GOING BACKWARD AND NOW MY TRANSMISSION IS BROKEN. IT ONLY SHIFT TO 3RD GEAR AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO REPAIR IT. I CALL CHEVROLET TO REPAIR THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS AND EQUIPMENTS BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO REPAIR IT. THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE. AND I ALMOST HIT SOMEBODY DURING STOPPING AT THE INTERSECTION. BECAUSE MY CAR SUDDENLY PULLS ON REVERSE. CAN I ASK THE NHTSA PLEASE HELP ME BY DEMANDING CHEVROLET TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE PLEASE! I WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATED, [XXX] OR LET ME KNOW WHAT I SHOULD PLEASE? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10378262
Incident
Dec 2, 2010
Mileage
90,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 16, 2011

SPEEDOMETER READS 60 MPH FASTER THAN ACTUAL SPEED. SPEEDOMETER READS 60 MPH AT STOP. REPAIR SHOP STATES INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. *LN

NHTSA ID
10376845
Incident
Dec 28, 2010
Mileage
95,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 12, 2011

2005 CHEVY AVALANCHE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTION. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER RACED TO 120 MPH AND IS NOW STUCK. I AM UNABLE TO VERIFY MY SPEED WHILE DRIVING. ODOMETER READS 62K MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10376371
Incident
Dec 20, 2010
Electrical
Filed Dec 5, 2010

MY 2005 AVALANCHE 1500 SPEEDOMETER IS NOT WORKING IT FAILS TO RECORD THE CORRECT SPEED IT STAY ON 0 MOST OF THE TIME. THINK GM SHOULD HAVE RECALL THIS PROBLEM TOO MANY 05 CHEVY AVALANCHE OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS TROUBLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10369230
Incident
Nov 30, 2010
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Oct 3, 2010

DRIVERS SIDE A/C UNIT BLOWS VERY HOT AIR EVEN WITH A/C IS PROGRAMMED TO LOWEST SETTING. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE ONCE RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET. *TR

NHTSA ID
10358905
Incident
Apr 4, 2010
Mileage
78,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 30, 2010

SPEEDOMETER GIVES FALSE READINGS AND STICKS. OTHER GAUGES (OIL PRES, TEMP) REDLINE AND ARE INACCURATE. GETS WORST WITH TIME. 41K MILES ON A 2005 AVALANCHE (CHEVY). *TR

NHTSA ID
10358534
Incident
Jan 20, 2008
Mileage
35,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 13, 2010

MY 2005 CHEVY AVALANCHE 1500 SPEEDOMETER IS HAVING PROBLEMS. THE GAUGE WILL READ FASTER THEN WHAT I AM DRIVE. THEN IT WILL STICK AT OVER 60 MPH, THE ARROW WILL POINT COMPLETELY DOWN. IF I TURN ON AND OFF ENGINE THE GAUGE WILL RESET IT SELF BACKWARDS 5 MPH EACH TIME I DO THIS. IT WILL WORK FOR TWO DAYS AFTER THAT THEN THE PROBLEM HAPPEN ALL OVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10330365
Incident
May 13, 2010
Mileage
56,898 mi
Electrical
Filed May 12, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD INTERMITTENTLY BECOME STUCK ON ONE SPEED AND WOULD ALSO DISPLAY THE INACCURATE SPEED TRAVELED. THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD INDICATE THAT THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, BECOME STUCK AND WOULD THEN IMMEDIATELY INCREASE TO 60 MPH REGARDLESS OF THE ACTUAL SPEED DRIVEN. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT IN ORDER FOR THE SPEEDOMETER TO RESET ITSELF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER GAUGE WAS FAILING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

NHTSA ID
10330117
Incident
Apr 24, 2010
Mileage
51,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 6, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER FAILED; THE COMPONENTS WOULD NOT GO BACK DOWN TO ZERO. SHE HAD NOT NOTICED ANY PRIOR ISSUES WITH THOSE COMPONENTS. SHE HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO-DATE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,582.

NHTSA ID
10298487
Incident
Jan 3, 2010
Mileage
55,582 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 12, 2009

I OWN A 2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE AND THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. THE TRUCK HAS 51K MILES AND NOT BEEN MODIFIED. THIS IS A DANGER TO MY FAMILY AND THE COST OF REPAIR IS EXPENSIVE. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10295449
Incident
Dec 9, 2009
Mileage
51,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 3, 2009

SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2005 CHEVY AVALANCHE IS STUCK ON 100 PLUS MILES PER HOUR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10264099
Incident
Feb 20, 2009
Electrical
Filed Jan 24, 2009

SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING PROPERLY. USUALLY STUCK ANYWHERE FROM 65 - OVER 120 MPH, WHETHER PARKED OR MOVING AT A LOWER SPEED. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IT HAD RESET ITSELF AND DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN FOR A WHILE. NOW CONSTANTLY INCORRECT. ALSO, SOME OTHER LIGHTS ARE OUT ON INSTRUMENT PANEL AND STEERING WHEEL. TOO EXPENSIVE TO FIX. *TR

NHTSA ID
10256207
Incident
Aug 1, 2008

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data on this page last refreshed .