Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
180–25K
1725–50K
3150–75K
2175–100K
17100–150K
6150K+
110 reports with mileage · 19 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports4 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
129 reports
14,973 miles · Sep 10, 2013
Service Brakes
THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED DUE TO BRAKE LINE CORROSION. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IS 8 YEARS OLD, IT IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND ONLY HAS 14973 ORIGINAL MILES. ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES ON THE VEHICLE NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. GM REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A DESIGN FLAW AND REFUSES TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE IN REPLACING …
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THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED DUE TO BRAKE LINE CORROSION. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IS 8 YEARS OLD, IT IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND ONLY HAS 14973 ORIGINAL MILES. ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES ON THE VEHICLE NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. GM REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A DESIGN FLAW AND REFUSES TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE IN REPLACING THE BRAKE LINES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10542836
94,600 miles · Aug 20, 2013
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING ON A 1200 MILE TRIP, THE MESSAGE "SERVICE 4WD" APPEARED AND MY 2WD YELLOW INDICATOR LIGHT WENT OUT. I CALLED ONSTAR AND THEY PERFORMED A SYSTEM DIAG. COULD NOT PULL ANY CODES, SO THEY CONNECTED ME WITH GM. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON AT GM TOLD ME TO RESET THE WARNING LIGHT AND IF IT CAME ON AGAIN TO TAKE THE VEHIC…
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WHILE DRIVING ON A 1200 MILE TRIP, THE MESSAGE "SERVICE 4WD" APPEARED AND MY 2WD YELLOW INDICATOR LIGHT WENT OUT. I CALLED ONSTAR AND THEY PERFORMED A SYSTEM DIAG. COULD NOT PULL ANY CODES, SO THEY CONNECTED ME WITH GM. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON AT GM TOLD ME TO RESET THE WARNING LIGHT AND IF IT CAME ON AGAIN TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP. THE NEXT DAY THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY WANTED $990.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I DID NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY WHILE ON MY TRIP. THEY ALSO WOULD NOT VERIFY IF THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO TAKE ON A 1200 MILE TRIP BACK HOME. TODAY (3 DAYS LATER, AND AFTER I DROVE ANOTHER 1200 MILES BACK HOME), THE SERVICE 4WD LIGHT IS BACK ON AND NOW A RED LIGHT IS SHOWING IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION OF THE TRANSFER CASE. I LOOKED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL HOW TO GET THE TRUCK OUT OF THE NEUTRAL POSITION IN THE TRANSFER CASE AND PERFORMED THESE ACTIONS. NOT SURE WHAT WILL HAPPEN TOMORROW WITH THE TRUCK. IN MY OPINION, THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN AN OPEN RECALL AS I HAVE NOTICED MANY OTHER AVALANCHE OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MY CONFIDENCE IS SHAKEN NOW WITH MY GM TRUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10536406
81,194 miles · Apr 4, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, I NOTICE A RAW GAS SMELL. PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY, LEFT THE TRUCK RUNNING AND GOT OUT TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND SAW GAS POURING OUT. STOPPED THE ENGINE AND GOT UNDER THE TRUCK FOR A CLOSER LOOK. UPON INSPECTION, I NOTICED THAT THE TWO PLASTIC BRAID OVER RUBBER FUEL LINES WERE …
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DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, I NOTICE A RAW GAS SMELL. PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY, LEFT THE TRUCK RUNNING AND GOT OUT TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND SAW GAS POURING OUT. STOPPED THE ENGINE AND GOT UNDER THE TRUCK FOR A CLOSER LOOK. UPON INSPECTION, I NOTICED THAT THE TWO PLASTIC BRAID OVER RUBBER FUEL LINES WERE COILED OVER EACH OTHER CAUSING THEM TO RUB, WEAR AWAY THE PLASTIC BRAID AND RUB THE RUBBER HOSE TO THE POINT OF CREATING A HOLE. THIS IS WHERE THE GAS WAS SPRAYING OUT FROM, RIGHT NEAT TO THE EXHAUST PIPE! I IMMEDIATELY GOT OUT FROM UNDER THE TRUCK FOR FEAR THAT IT MIGHT IGNITE. LOOKED ON-LINE AND SAW MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS EXACTLY WHAT I FOUND ON MY INSPECTION! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10507194
92,092 miles · Feb 16, 2013
Structure
THE LOCK ON THE TAILGATE BECAME DIFFICULT TO LOCK. THEN, A WEEK LATER WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH DOWN A CITY STREET, THE TAILGATE DROPPED OPEN. WHEN I TRIED CLOSING IT, THE LEFT SIDE WOULD NOT LATCH. THE TAILGATE HANDLE WAS REPLACED A WEEK LATER. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS PART WAS REPLACED. THIS SAME THING HAPPENED IN 2008 WHE…
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THE LOCK ON THE TAILGATE BECAME DIFFICULT TO LOCK. THEN, A WEEK LATER WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH DOWN A CITY STREET, THE TAILGATE DROPPED OPEN. WHEN I TRIED CLOSING IT, THE LEFT SIDE WOULD NOT LATCH. THE TAILGATE HANDLE WAS REPLACED A WEEK LATER. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS PART WAS REPLACED. THIS SAME THING HAPPENED IN 2008 WHEN IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10498342
67,000 miles · Nov 26, 2012
Electrical System
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 ODI #10486018
106,808 miles · Jul 16, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline
I HAVE A 2005 AVALANCHE THAT I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND I STARTED TO SMELL GAS IN THE CAB OF THE TRUCK. WHEN I ARRIVED AT WORK A CO WORKER CAME OVER AND STATED YOUR TRUCK IS LEAKING FLUID. I GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK AND IT WAS LEAKING GAS ALL OVER THE GROUND. I HAD JUST FILLED UP THE TANK AND IT WAS A LITTLE OVER 1/4 FILLED. UPON FUR…
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I HAVE A 2005 AVALANCHE THAT I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND I STARTED TO SMELL GAS IN THE CAB OF THE TRUCK. WHEN I ARRIVED AT WORK A CO WORKER CAME OVER AND STATED YOUR TRUCK IS LEAKING FLUID. I GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK AND IT WAS LEAKING GAS ALL OVER THE GROUND. I HAD JUST FILLED UP THE TANK AND IT WAS A LITTLE OVER 1/4 FILLED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION AFTER THE LINES DRIED I NOTICED A HOLE IN THE FUEL LINES. IT LOOKED LIKE IT HAD RUBBED TOGETHER WITH ANOTHER LINE AND CAUSING A HOLE.
NHTSA ODI #10466221
90,000 miles · May 29, 2012
Service Brakes
STEPPED ON THE BRAKES TO STOP FOR A STOP SIGN AT A MAJOR INTERSECTION AND MY BRAKE PEDAL WAS GOOD A FIRST THEN COMPLETELY SUNK TO THE FLOOR. THE TRUCK STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION THAT WAS THANKFULLY VOID OF TRAFFIC. MY WIFE AND I WERE A BIT SHOOK UP. IT COULD EASILY BEEN WORSE. WE CAREFULLY TRAVELED TO THE NEAREST…
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STEPPED ON THE BRAKES TO STOP FOR A STOP SIGN AT A MAJOR INTERSECTION AND MY BRAKE PEDAL WAS GOOD A FIRST THEN COMPLETELY SUNK TO THE FLOOR. THE TRUCK STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION THAT WAS THANKFULLY VOID OF TRAFFIC. MY WIFE AND I WERE A BIT SHOOK UP. IT COULD EASILY BEEN WORSE. WE CAREFULLY TRAVELED TO THE NEAREST SERVICE STATION AND WERE LUCKY TO GET FLATBEDDED TO A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER. MEMORIAL DAY 4PM IN GEORGIA, I DID NOT HAVE HIGH HOPES. THE SERVICE PEOPLE EXAMINED THE TRUCK AND IT WAS APPARENT THAT MY TRUCK HAD CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LINES. I THOUGHT IT WAS A MASTER CYLINDER DUE TO THE COMPLETE LOSS OF FLUID. WHILE WE WAITED FOR TOW TRUCK I PURCHASED BRAKE FLUID AND FILLED MY COMPLETELY EMPTY RESERVOIR, HAD MY WIFE STEP ON THE BRAKE AS I WATCHED THE FLUID JUST POUR OUT FROM THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AREA NEAR THE FRAME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10459959
132,000 miles · May 3, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL LINES WERE CROSSED ABOVE THE CATALYT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL LINES WERE CROSSED ABOVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSING THE THEM TO RUB AND FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE FUEL LINES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 132,000. UPDATED 05/31/12*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10457371
45,000 miles · Jan 22, 2012
Power Train
CLUNK WHEN GOING INTO DRIVE, ALSO SHIFTS HARD WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10444802
81,000 miles · Jan 10, 2012
Power Train
WENT TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING LOT, GAVE IT A LITTLE GAS AND NOTHING. ENGINE IDLED UP BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE. WENT DOWN THROUGH THE GEARS BUT STILL WOULD NOT MOVE. HAD TO PUT IT IN REVERSE AND BACK INTO A PARKING SPACE AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. $2900 DOLLARS LATER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH GENUINE GM REBUILT TRANSMISSION. …
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WENT TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING LOT, GAVE IT A LITTLE GAS AND NOTHING. ENGINE IDLED UP BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE. WENT DOWN THROUGH THE GEARS BUT STILL WOULD NOT MOVE. HAD TO PUT IT IN REVERSE AND BACK INTO A PARKING SPACE AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. $2900 DOLLARS LATER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH GENUINE GM REBUILT TRANSMISSION. *TR
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE DAMPER COMES LOOSE, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2005 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year