RoadVitals

2006 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.
11
Latest Jan 4, 2016
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.
1
Latest Dec 7, 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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), brakes and driver assistance categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 95 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

  • Powertrain (other)325.0%
  • Brakes216.7%
  • Driver assistance18.3%
  • Engine18.3%
  • Fuel system18.3%
  • Exterior lighting18.3%
  • Airbags18.3%
  • Transmission18.3%

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

1 campaign 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
05V552000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Dec 7, 2005
32,068 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABELS LISTING AN INACCCURATE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT.
The risk: A MISPRINTED LABEL COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. AT THE CUSTOMER'S OPTION, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 05109View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 11
Fuel system
Filed Jan 4, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR AND THAT FUEL WAS NOTICED LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE HOSE WAS RUBBING IN THE FUEL TANK CAUSING A HOLE ON THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

NHTSA ID
10817533
Incident
Dec 30, 2015
Mileage
165,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 21, 2015

DRIVING 35MPH ON DRY ROAD. 2WD JUMP OUT OF GEAR ACTED LIKE WENT INTO NEUTRAL I HAD NO DRIVE OR ANY OF MY GEARS CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITH NO WARNING. WENT TO PUT IN PARK IT GRIND WITH LOUD NOISE. ONLY WAY TO GET TRUCK TO MOVE WAS TO PUT IN 4WD

NHTSA ID
10735505
Incident
Jul 21, 2015
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 5, 2015

I MADE A STOP, UP ON TAKING OFF MY TRUCK MADE IT TO SECOND GEAR AND I HEAR A LOUD BROKEN NOISE, TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON SECOND GEAR.

NHTSA ID
10732026
Incident
Jul 2, 2015
Mileage
105,538 mi
Brakes
Filed May 12, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND COMING TO A STOP, THE BRAKE LINE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.

NHTSA ID
10716063
Incident
May 12, 2015
Mileage
152,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 12, 2014
Crash reported

I HIT SOMEONE IN THE BACK OF HIS CAR AND DID A LOT OF DAMAGE ON MY TRUCK AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT OPEN. THE REPAIR SHOP ALSO ? WHY. THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK WAS PUSHED BACK APPROX. 6 TO 10 INCHES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10663839
Incident
Dec 1, 2014
Mileage
142,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 1, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT PERSONALLY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT CONTROL SWITCH HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,862. UPDATED 12/26/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHAT HE SAW INSIDE THE SWITCH, WAS OLD BURNT CLEAR PLASTIC MELTED DOWN, HALF OF THE SWITCH WAS WORKING AND THE OTHER HALF WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY. UPDATED 12/31/13

NHTSA ID
10546399
Incident
Aug 3, 2006
Mileage
24,862 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 12, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, SHE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO AVOID CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO A LOWER GEAR IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD COVER THE REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. ..UPDATED 01/30/13 *BF UPDATED 2/5/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID
10488114
Incident
Dec 6, 2012
Mileage
44,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed May 10, 2012

WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP IT FEELS LIKE I AM BEING BUMPED FROM BEHIND, OR LIKE THE ENGINE JUST DROPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. VERY HARD SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST, 2ND AND 3RD WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN ABOUT 50 MILES CONSECUTIVE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON BUT WILL GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10458076
Incident
May 6, 2010
Mileage
75,200 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.

12-03-10-001C

TIRES; WHEELS

This informational bulletin provides information on the proper mounting paste to apply to tires when mounting and balancing them to prevent conditions like Vibration Shortly After Tires are Mounted/Preventing Vibration from Wheel Slip (Tire Sliding on Wheel)

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.

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
2006Viewing111037.3
2005713043.9
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.