RoadVitals

2012 Chevrolet Avalanche Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
36
Latest May 5, 2024
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
13
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Airbags623.1%
  • Engine311.5%
  • Powertrain (other)311.5%
  • Driver assistance27.7%
  • Steering27.7%
  • Other / unspecified27.7%
  • Body & structure27.7%
  • Tires & wheels13.8%
  • Brakes13.8%
  • Electrical13.8%
  • Fuel system13.8%
  • Exterior lighting13.8%
  • Suspension13.8%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was updated and now displayed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The failure recurred. The vehicle then was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the air bag needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that a senior adviser would reach out him for further assistance however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 171,000

NHTSA ID 11429670 · filed Aug 18, 2021

SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYING ON. WAS TOLD WE NEED A NEW AIRBAG AND CONNECTOR. AIRBAG HAS NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ID 11194619 · filed Apr 8, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The vehicle is displaying error messages Reduced Engine Power, Service Stabilitrak, Service Traction Control. It also has the related service indicator lights for the Stabilitrak, the Traction Control, and the Check Engine Light is on. There is a service bulletin for this issue that only addresses the 2008-2011 model years, my vehicle is a 2012 and thus not included in the current bulletin and should be added to the covered vehicle list. #11-06-04-007B : Diagnosis and Repair - Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated, Reduced Power Message Displayed, DTC P2135 Set - (April 16, 2012)

NHTSA ID 11483870 · filed Sep 11, 2022

MY 2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 5.3L ENGINE HAS STARTED A OIL CONSUMPTION LOSS. THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED OCT. 30TH 2013 TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. IT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM! WHAT I'VE READ IS THAT WHERE THE CYLINDERS DEACTIVATE TO HELP FUEL ECONOMY AFTER TIME THOSE PISTONS GET DAMAGED FROM NOT HAVING FUEL OR FIRE ON THEM AND ITDAMAGES PISTONS AND CAUSES OIL CONSUMPTION. IN THE PAST FEW DAYS I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE 5 PEOPLE I KNOW WITH THE SAME ISSUE. LOOKING ON LINE THERE APPEARS TO BE CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY ON THIS ISSUE. GM/CHEVROLET KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM BUT REFUSE TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS AND I'M SURE NEVER WILL BE BECAUSE IT HAPPENS WHEN THE ENGINES REACH HIGHER MILEAGE. I HAVE ALL MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS ON MY TRUCK AND HAD NO INTENTION OF TRADING IT, BUT NOW THE MOTOR WILL HAVE TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACE.

NHTSA ID 11316234 · filed Mar 5, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

REAR END STARTED MAKING A CLUNK NOISE DURING THE TIME ONE STEPS ON GAS TO MOVE THE TRUCK. ALSO REAR END NOW MAKES A HOLLING NOISE WHEN MOVING.

NHTSA ID 11229747 · filed Jul 6, 2019

THE STEERING WHEEL IS DIFFICULT TO TURN OR CONTROL, WENT TO DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER THE DEALERSHIP ALLEGEDLY FIX THE PROBLEM, WE HAD CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING (CONTROLLING THE STEERING WHEEL) AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JUMP OR SKIP GEARS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE TO BUSY TO HELP US. ALL OF THE AFOREMENTIONED DEFECTS CAUSED MY HUSBAND TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AND ULTIMATELY FLEW OFF THE ROAD AND VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER (ROLL OVER). *TR

NHTSA ID 10604372 · filed Jun 18, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The vehicle is displaying error messages Reduced Engine Power, Service Stabilitrak, Service Traction Control. It also has the related service indicator lights for the Stabilitrak, the Traction Control, and the Check Engine Light is on. There is a service bulletin for this issue that only addresses the 2008-2011 model years, my vehicle is a 2012 and thus not included in the current bulletin and should be added to the covered vehicle list. #11-06-04-007B : Diagnosis and Repair - Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated, Reduced Power Message Displayed, DTC P2135 Set - (April 16, 2012)

NHTSA ID 11483870 · filed Sep 11, 2022

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE ENGAGING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE SURGED SPORADICALLY WHEN BEING DRIVEN AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, NO FAILURE WAS DISCOVERED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND A CLAIM WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,929.

NHTSA ID 10474463 · filed Sep 10, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE STEERING WHEEL IS DIFFICULT TO TURN OR CONTROL, WENT TO DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER THE DEALERSHIP ALLEGEDLY FIX THE PROBLEM, WE HAD CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING (CONTROLLING THE STEERING WHEEL) AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JUMP OR SKIP GEARS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE TO BUSY TO HELP US. ALL OF THE AFOREMENTIONED DEFECTS CAUSED MY HUSBAND TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AND ULTIMATELY FLEW OFF THE ROAD AND VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER (ROLL OVER). *TR

NHTSA ID 10604372 · filed Jun 18, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT A VERY LOUD POP EMITTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10522096 · filed Jun 27, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ONE OF THE VEHICLE WHEELS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. *SMD MA 09/25 UPDATED 11/22/2017*CN

NHTSA ID 10734156 · filed Jul 15, 2015

I'VE HAD A PROBLEM WITH WHEEL CORROSION. I REPORTED THIS TO GM IN NOVEMBER 2013. THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ON APRIL 24, WHILE TRAVELING OUT OF STATE, MY WHEEL SENSOR WENT OFF INDICATING LOW TIRE PRESSURE. I PULLED INTO A GARAGE. THEY INFORMED ME THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE WHEEL WAS CORRODING AROUND THE VALVE STEM, AND THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE WHEEL. FORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT OCCUR AT HIGH SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10586492 · filed May 5, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CRACK DEVELOPED ON THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ID 10746406 · filed Aug 5, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRECIPITATION WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND SATURATING THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS RETAINING WATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,400. UPDATED 4/24/13 *CN UPDATED 06/3/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID 10499577 · filed Feb 21, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR WRANGLER TIRES, SIZE: P265/70/R17 (NA). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, IT WAS OBSERVED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES HAD BLISTERS AND THE TREAD WAS SEPARATED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE AND TIRES WAS 44,000. UPDATED 10/26/2017*CN

NHTSA ID 10726526 · filed Jun 22, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN NEARING A STOP LIGHT AT EST. 15 MPH I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND IT WAS LIKE STEPPING ON A ROCK. THE PEDAL DID NOT MOVE. I POUNDED ON THE PEDAL AND FINALLY HAD ENOUGH BRAKE TO STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS. AFTERWARDS THE BRAKES WERE GOOD. THIS WAS REPEATED TWICE MORE. I TOOK IT TO A BRAKE SHOP WHERE THEY CHECKED ALL MECHANICAL FUNCTION AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THEY HOOKED UP THE COMPUTER AND FOUND NO CODES. I TOOK IT TO A CHEVROLET DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY CODES. DURING A TEST DRIVE THE MECHANIC UNHOOKED THE VACUUM LINE AND HAD NO VACUUM. HE FOUND THE MOTOR WAS MAKING VACUUM. BACK AT THE SHOP HE SAID IT WAS PROBABLY THE VACUUM BOOSTER. WHEN IT WAS REPLACED THE BRAKES WORKED AS THEY ALWAYS HAD EXCEPT WHEN THEY DIDN'T WORK. NOW THAT THE BOOSTER HAS BEEN REPLACED I DO NOT KNOW IF THE PROBLEM IS FIXED SINCE IT IS A RANDOM PROBLEM. I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TRUST THE BRAKES UNTIL AT LEAST A MONTH GOES BY WITH NO PROBLEMS. THE TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 29000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ID 10967914 · filed Mar 23, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TRAILER BRAKE WARNING IS SHOWING ON DASH. NOTED THERE IS A RECALL BULLETIN #14515B ISSUED RELATING TO THIS ISSUE AND NOT SURE WHY MY SERIAL NUMBER IS NOT FOUND IN THIS RECALL?

NHTSA ID 11351333 · filed Aug 26, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The vehicle is displaying error messages Reduced Engine Power, Service Stabilitrak, Service Traction Control. It also has the related service indicator lights for the Stabilitrak, the Traction Control, and the Check Engine Light is on. There is a service bulletin for this issue that only addresses the 2008-2011 model years, my vehicle is a 2012 and thus not included in the current bulletin and should be added to the covered vehicle list. #11-06-04-007B : Diagnosis and Repair - Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated, Reduced Power Message Displayed, DTC P2135 Set - (April 16, 2012)

NHTSA ID 11483870 · filed Sep 11, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT ONE OF MY DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS IS BURNED OUT. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO INSPECT THE LIGHTS BECAUSE THEY ONLY COME ON IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT IN PARK. I CALLED DEALER TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS ANY WAY TO HAVE THEM COME ON WITHOUT THE TRANSMISSION IN GEAR. THE DEALER SAID TO SET THE PARKING BRAKE, PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN GEAR, AND GET OUT TO LOOK AT THE LIGHTS (OR HAVE A SECOND PERSON LOOK AT THEM, WHICH IS NOT PRACTICAL FOR ME). THIS SOUNDS LIKE A DANGEROUS PRACTICE. THERE SHOULD BE A BETTER WAY TO DO THIS. MY OLD 2007 AVALANCHE WOULD HAVE THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS ON WHEN IN PARK.

NHTSA ID 11317492 · filed Mar 11, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Rear control arms were rusted out and fell off the frame. Additionally with that happening the rear drive shaft was pulled out from transmission and could cause a vehicle to flip. Upon further investigation body frame was extremely rusted for a truck this age. 85450 mes on it.

NHTSA ID 11587068 · filed May 5, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .