RoadVitals

2006 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
39
Latest Jun 25, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Dec 17, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 39 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500, most frequently naming the brakes, powertrain (other) and airbags categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 736 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes1016.4%
  • Powertrain (other)813.1%
  • Airbags711.5%
  • Fuel system58.2%
  • Body & structure58.2%
  • Electrical58.2%
  • Engine46.6%
  • Transmission34.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07E106000

WHEELS:HUB

Dec 17, 2007
130,000 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
The risk: WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
06V289000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Aug 3, 2006
38,439 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN 8.1L V8 (RPO L8-VIN G) ENGINE HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP MAY FRACTURE RESULTING IN INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE DAMPER.
The risk: IF THE DAMPER COMES LOOSE, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 06080View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 39
Body & structurePowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Jun 25, 2026

After purchasing my vehicle through a bank loan, the frame started to deteriorate resulting in suspension components to come loose and fall off. Lastly, rear driveshaft broke off, leaving me inoperable.

NHTSA ID
11746366
Incident
Mar 12, 2026
Body & structurePowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Jan 9, 2025

The vehicle was sold with significant rust damage to the underbody of the truck. The truck parts are rusted to a point the suspension, and axel are about to fall out. The truck is leaking gasoline due to the amount of rust. The power steering that they fixed after one day driving it had issues when sold is still having issues leaking fluid. It has been deemed unsafe to drive on road. The dealership sold the vehicle in unsafe conditions, and will not rectify the situation. I have documentation, and photos of the damage to the vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11635088
Incident
Oct 15, 2024
Brakes
Filed Sep 14, 2022

Brake lines rusted out. Apparently this is an issue for this year and many other model year vehicles. Considering the brakes stop the vehicle, this is a big safety issue, and very expensive to be fixed.

NHTSA ID
11484381
Incident
May 4, 2017
Engine
Filed May 1, 2019
Crash reported1 injury reported

I WAS RECENTLY INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I PASSED OUT WHILE OPERATING MY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING WAS THE CONTRIBUTING FACTOR THAT CAUSED THIS ACCIDENT. FAULTY EXHAUST MANIFOLD FASTENERS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS ACCIDENT. I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE INCURRED NUMEROUS PERSONAL EXPENSES DUE TO THE ACCIDENT, BUT FEEL LUCKY THAT THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES OR FATALITIES. I AM WRITING THIS TO CALL ATTENTION TO THE ISSUE IN HOPES THAT YOU WILL DO SOMETHING TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING TO SOMEONE ELSE WHO MIGHT NOT BE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON THIS PRODUCT. THE VEHICLE IS TOTALED, BUT COULD STILL BE EXAMINED TO FIND THE CAUSE.

NHTSA ID
11204960
Incident
Apr 6, 2019
Mileage
135,000 mi
Body & structureEngineOther / unspecified
Filed Mar 11, 2019
Crash reported

VEHICLE HIT A TREE AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ID
11185790
Incident
Mar 2, 2019
Mileage
175,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 2, 2018
1 injury reported

HEATED SEAT COMES ON BY ITSELF ALL THE TIME. IT HAS BURNED MY FATHER'S REAR END. I CHECKED IT OUT AND IT CAME ON 12 TIMES IN 5 MINUTES. MY FATHER IS OLDER AND DID NOT REALIZE HE WAS BURNING UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. I WAS TOLD BY THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS THAT THERE ARE NO SAFETY RECALLS FOR THIS. UPON READING HELP FORUMS, I DISCOVERED THEY DO HAVE A RECALL. I AM WAITING FOR A RESPONSE BEFORE I TAKE ANY FURTHER ACTIONS. THANK YOU

NHTSA ID
11105126
Incident
Jun 15, 2018
Mileage
128,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 10, 2018

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE TRUCK ENGINE WILL BE RUNNING WITH NO ABNORMAL SOUNDS, SMELLS, LEAKS BUT WILL ACT AS IF NOT IN GEAR. RPM'S WILL REV BUT TRUCK WILL NOT MOVE. ONLY AFTER PUTTING TRUCK IN PARK (LOTS OF GRINDING NOISES) THEN PRESSING THE 4WHEEL BUTTON THEN BACK TO 2WHEEL (SOMETIMES THROUGH TWO CYCLES) THE TRUCK WILL BACK INTO GEAR AND OPERATE PROPERLY. TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP PUT IT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND NO ERROR CODES WERE GIVEN TO GIVE REASON WHY THE TRANSFER CASE DISENGAGES RANDOMLY. REPLACED THE TRANSFER SWITCH PER SHOP RECOMMENDATION "JUST IN CASE"IT WAS OKAY FOR ABOUT A MONTH THEN ONCE AGAIN ISSUES STARTED AGAIN JUST THE SAME AS BEFORE.

NHTSA ID
11084470
Incident
Apr 10, 2018
Mileage
83,000 mi
AirbagsFuel system
Filed Feb 14, 2018

THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON AND OFF. TOOK IT TO SERIVE CENTERS THE LIGHT CAME OFF FOR A WEEK THEN CAME BACK AGAIN. MECHANIC TOLD ME THE SPRING COUL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED GOT IT REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL THE SAME. WHEN ITHE WEATHER IS COLD THE LIGHTS COMES OFF WHEN ITS WARM THE LIGHTS ARE ONE TOLD THE MECHANICS THEY SAID ITS THE CONNECTION THEY TRIED TO FIX LIGHT WILL COME OF FOR A FEW DAYS THEN BACK AGAIN. THE SECOND PROBLEM IS THE ENGINE LIGHT - THEY TOLD ME ITS THE FUEL EJECTION PUMP GOT IT REPLACED BUT NOT RESOLVED. I KEEP TAKING TTHE TRUCK BACK TO THE SERVICE CENTERS BUT AFTER A WEEK THE LIGHT INDICATORS ARE ON. I ALSO FAILED MY INSPECTIONS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. THE ONLY REASON I PASS IS THAT IT HAS TO BE FIXED BUT AFTER INSPECTION THE LIGHTS ARE ON AGAIN. I HAVE READ ALL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEMS BUT GMC MOTORS DOESN'T HAVE AN ACTIVE RECALL FOR IT ITS JUST A COMMUNICATION STATING THE PROBLEM. THE TRUCK IS STILL RUNNING BUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BY THE COMPANY. AND I THINK THATS PART OF THE REASON TGEY DONT MAKE THE AVALANCE ANYMORE.

NHTSA ID
11072819
Incident
Jun 22, 2010
Mileage
68,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIP5358D

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.

03-06-01-023I

ENGINE

This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2013291034.7
2012160028.5
2011282041.0
2010600—
2009200028.8
2008370239.5
20071131248.5
2006Viewing392054.0
20051292044.2
20041442046.0
20031822150.2
20021542157.8

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.