RoadVitals

2005 Chevrolet Avalanche

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.
71
Latest Aug 6, 2021
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.
3
Latest Apr 22, 2005
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.
2
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 71 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche, most frequently naming the electrical, airbags and fuel system categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 190 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

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

3 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
05V163000

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

Apr 22, 2005
1,359,824 units potentially affected
The defect: 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, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE USE OF A CHILD SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GROUP. IN ADDITION TO INSTRUCTIONS ON PROPER INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD RESTRAINT (WITH CHILD SEATS OR BOOSTERS), SPECIAL VERBIAGE FOR RESTRAINING OLDER CHILD IS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ALSO, THE SUGGESTED SEAT BELT FIT/ROUTING FOR ADULTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF SEATING POSITION, IS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TEXT.
The risk: A LAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ROUTING THAT IS NOT LOW AND SNUG ON THE HIPS CAN ALLOW THE LAP BELT TO RIDE UP ON AN OCCUPANT'S ABDOMEN INSTEAD OF FITTING LOW AROUND THEIR HIPBONES, AND THEREFORE, CAN EXPOSE THEM TO MORE RISK OF ABDOMINAL AND INTERNAL ORGAN INJURY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL CUT OPEN THE GUIDE LOOP, REMOVE A PORTION OF THE LOOP, AND THEN THE REMAINING TWO SIDES SHOULD BE FOLDED OVER AND SECURED WITH A RETAINER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 05037View on NHTSA.gov
05V055000

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:SHIFT PATTERN INDICATOR

Feb 14, 2005
7,194 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT." UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE STARTING CONDITIONS, THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR LOCATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. IF THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR DOES NOT ILLUMINATE, THE DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHICH GEAR THE VEHICLE IS IN.
The risk: THE VEHICLE MAY MOVE IN AN UNINTENDED DIRECTION RESULTING IN POSSIBLE INJURY TO OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 05023View on NHTSA.gov
05V043000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Feb 8, 2005
77,411 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: 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.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 05006View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 71
Airbags
Filed Aug 6, 2021

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed that the passenger’s side air bag was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,900.

NHTSA ID
11428108
Incident
Aug 6, 2021
Mileage
16,900 mi
ElectricalEngineSeat belts
Filed Feb 29, 2016

CLUSTER GAUGE IS NOT READ PROPERLY ALL READING ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE.

NHTSA ID
10839019
Incident
Feb 13, 2016
Brakes
Filed Dec 14, 2015

CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE BECAUSE OF FOUR CORRODED BRAKE LINES. ALL FOUR LINES CORRODED IN THE BRACKET HOLDING THE LINES TO THE DRIVER SIDE FRAME RAIL. I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES THERE WAS INITIAL RESISTANCE AND THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR. I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AGAIN BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. I HAD TO APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP.

NHTSA ID
10809980
Incident
Dec 13, 2015
Mileage
220,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 8, 2015

THE FUEL LINES RUBBING TOGETHER CAUSING FUEL TO DUMP EVERY WHERE RIGHT NEXT TO THE CAT ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE TRUCK N THIS IS NOT A RECALL. THEN I SAY ITS ATTEPMED MURDER CHARGE AGAISNT CHEVY....

NHTSA ID
10808951
Incident
Dec 7, 2015
Mileage
215,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 23, 2015

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER DOES NOT LIGHT UP. CANNOT TELL WHAT GEAR I AM SHIFTING IN AND OUT OF. THE DIC BUTTONS ON MY STEERING WHEEL DO NOT LIGHT UP, CANNOT TELL IF I HAVE A MALFUNCTION WHEN DRIVING DURING THE DARK. I DID CHECK FOR A RECALL ON THIS AND SAW THAT THERE WAS AN OLDER ONE ISSUED IN 2005 AND THAT IT CLOSED IN 2011. I WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALLS BUT NONE THE LESS I FEEL THAT WITH BOTH COMPONENTS FAILING AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY CAN CAUSE A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WHEN IN OPERATION (DRIVING)

NHTSA ID
10806367
Incident
Nov 16, 2015
Mileage
203,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 19, 2015

CYLINDER HEADS CRACKED DUE TO POOR CASTING (KNOWN ISSUE BY GM). THIS LED TO COOLANT IN THE ENGINE CAUSING DAMAGE TO LIFTERS. EXPECTED COST TO FIX IS APPROXIMATELY $1,500 IN PARTS UP TO $4,000 IN LABOR.

NHTSA ID
10783541
Incident
Oct 19, 2015
Mileage
124,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 21, 2015

8/15/2014 - SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT DISPLAYED. DEALER DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS CRASH SENSOR (10370149). DEALERSHIP REPLACED SENSOR - COST $419. 07/10/2015 - SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT DISPLAYED. DEALER DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE AS ANOTHER CRASH SENSOR (10370149). DEALERSHIP REPLACED SENSOR - COST $473. I FIND IT CONCERNING THAT AIR BAG SENSORS ARE FAILING ON A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 35,000 MILES. I'M NOT SURE IF THE SYSTEM IS FUNCTIONAL WHEN THESE SENSORS FAIL.

NHTSA ID
10735600
Incident
Aug 15, 2014
Mileage
30,268 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 27, 2015

SERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGE APPEARS IN THE DIC (DIGITAL INFORMATION CENTER). SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE ON THE CHEVROLET AVALANCHE.

NHTSA ID
10730739
Incident
Jun 23, 2015
Mileage
41,500 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

PIT5484A

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that if OnStar is unable to configure the vehicle after the OnStar 15-08-44-001 upgrade and Onstar receives a 118 error code when attempting to configure the vehicle. Dealers should receive a sheet with the kit that provides steps to assist with handling this error. Dealer will follow one of the listed steps to resolve the issue. If there are still configuration issues, please contact the OnStar Technical Assistance Centre for assistance.

PIC5953A

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have an issue when using Bluetooth voice recognition with an iPhone. Technician should work with the customer to insure the phone contacts to not have any Emojis loaded to any contact.

PIP5226A

EQUIPMENT

THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION PROVIDES INFORMATION TO THE TECHNICIAN ABOUT FINDING NEEDLE BEARINGS DURING AN OIL CHANGE. TECHNICIAN WILL GAIN ACCESS TO THE ROLLER ROCKERS TO INSPECT THEM. ONLY REPLACE THE ROLLER ROCKER THAT IS MISSING NEEDLE BEARINGS. BE SURE TO CLEAN THE OIL DRAINS TO RETRIEVE THE NEEDLE BEARINGS. EACH ROLLER ROCKER HAS 66 BEARINGS.

03-08-46-004R

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

This informational bulletin provides information on Part Restriction and Ordering Process Information for OnStar Vehicle Communication Interface Modules (VCIM) (GMNA Only)

06-06-01-010C

ENGINE

This informational bulletin provides information on close coupled converters and there affect on newly installed engines or engines during there break in period.

PIP5232B

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about gasoline powered cars, mid-size trucks, light duty trucks, and heavy duty trucks with premature catalytic converter failures. It is recommended to inspect for a poor crimp on the grounds ring terminal at the engine block for the bank with the concern and repair the wire.

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 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2014000—
2013822149.7
2012363149.2
20111273148.6
20101114149.9
2009765157.7
20082584255.5
20073774257.0
2006111037.3
2005Viewing713043.9
20041656151.7
20032046459.4
20024444762.9
2001204—
2000204—
1999002—

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.