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2005 Chevrolet Avalanche

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 82.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

62 reports with mileage · 9 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 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

21 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 29, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineSeat Belts

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

NHTSA ODI #10839019

108,784 miles · Mar 13, 2015
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER STICKS AT A SPEED AND WILL DROP TO THE 6 O'CLOCK POSITION. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE AMONG OWNERS BUT GM NOR THE DEALERSHIPS ARE WILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR FIX IT. THIS IS THE SECOND ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE THAT GM IS NOT WILLING TO FIX OR TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER GM VEHICLE AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10694091

40,000 miles · Nov 18, 2014
Electrical System

AFTER AND DURING RAIN THE SEAT WARMERS CONTINUALLY TURN ON OVER AND OVER FOR SEVERAL DAYS. ITS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE ABOUT 40,000 MILES RIGHT AFTER EXPIRATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10658891

47,000 miles · Oct 18, 2014
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

AT APPROX 47000 MI TRAVELING AT 65MPH A HEAVY THUD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT SOUNDED LIKE THE WHOLE ENGINE BLOCK HAD DROPPED OUT, WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF ROAD TO A VACANT LOT. TRANSMISSION TOAST WITH DAMAGE TO RING AND PINION GEARS,NEVER TOWED ANYTHING, CITY DRIVING TO WORK AND HOME MOSTLY.(47K) MILES. REALLY? 3500$ REPAIR. N…

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AT APPROX 47000 MI TRAVELING AT 65MPH A HEAVY THUD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT SOUNDED LIKE THE WHOLE ENGINE BLOCK HAD DROPPED OUT, WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF ROAD TO A VACANT LOT. TRANSMISSION TOAST WITH DAMAGE TO RING AND PINION GEARS,NEVER TOWED ANYTHING, CITY DRIVING TO WORK AND HOME MOSTLY.(47K) MILES. REALLY? 3500$ REPAIR. NEXT SPEEDOMETER FAILURE AT ABOUT 53K MILES, IM EITHER GOING 0MPH OR 120MPH. ALSO HAVE LOST ALOT OF BACKLIGHTING ON MY DASHBOARD INSTRUMENTATION ALONG WITH CD PLAYER. SEEMS THE CD PLAYER CANNOT EJECT A NON EXISTENT CD, JUST MAKES CLICKING NOISE AND SAYS CHECK DISC. NOW AT 59K MILES IM EXPERIENCING THE POPPING FRONT END SOUND WHEN TURNING SHARPLY IN REVERSE, POSSIBLY SUSPENSION OR A-ARM RELATED HAVE NOT LOOKED INTO YET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10648533

28,476 miles · Sep 15, 2014
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT TRACK WITH THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. IT DOES NOT RESET TO ZERO WHEN THE TRUCK STOPS, AND CAN HAVE THE NEEDLE EXCEED THE MAXIMUM SPEED SHOWN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10633410

85,000 miles · Jun 2, 2014
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING AT APPROXIMATELY 85000 MILES. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH 2005 AVALANCHES BUT FOR SOME REASON THIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10595621

124,000 miles · Nov 26, 2013
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. IT HAD BEEN WORKING FINE WHEN I LAST DROVE IT. BUT WHEN I STARTED DRIVING WITHIN THE NEXT 3-4 HOURS I NOTICED IT WAS NOT READING THE SPEED AT ALL. ALL THE OTHER GAUGES ON THE CLUSTER WERE WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN TALKING TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THEY STATED IT WASN'T A SIMPLE FIX…

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SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. IT HAD BEEN WORKING FINE WHEN I LAST DROVE IT. BUT WHEN I STARTED DRIVING WITHIN THE NEXT 3-4 HOURS I NOTICED IT WAS NOT READING THE SPEED AT ALL. ALL THE OTHER GAUGES ON THE CLUSTER WERE WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN TALKING TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THEY STATED IT WASN'T A SIMPLE FIX AND COULD COST ME ABOVE $500, THEY COULDN'T GIVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST. .AFTER REVIEWING THE COMPLAINTS LISTED ON THIS WEBSITE, THIS SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS SAME VEHICLE HAVE HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT AND ITS RARE THAT IT FUNCTIONS PROPERLY IN ANY OF THE VEHICLES. EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE IS OVER THE WARRANTY PERIOD I BELIEVE THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR WORK AND CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. A RECALL IS DEFINITELY IN ORDER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553824

68,000 miles · Jul 30, 2013
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE FAILED. THE RPM GAUGES BECAME STUCK AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE FAILED. THE RPM GAUGES BECAME STUCK AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #10532723

60,000 miles · Jun 27, 2013
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER WENT OUT. BOUGHT GPS TO KEEP UP WITH SPEED. DEALER WOULD NOT FIX PROBLEM. THEN, OIL PRESSURE, WATER TEMP ALSO STOPPED WORKING. COME TO FIND OUT, GM USED DEFECTIVE STEPPER MOTORS ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FROM 02 - 07 I BELIEVE IT WAS, NOT SURE. I HAVE HAD 1 SPEEDING TICKET AND THEY TAGGED ON WRECKLESS DRIVING FOR 20 MPH…

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SPEEDOMETER WENT OUT. BOUGHT GPS TO KEEP UP WITH SPEED. DEALER WOULD NOT FIX PROBLEM. THEN, OIL PRESSURE, WATER TEMP ALSO STOPPED WORKING. COME TO FIND OUT, GM USED DEFECTIVE STEPPER MOTORS ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FROM 02 - 07 I BELIEVE IT WAS, NOT SURE. I HAVE HAD 1 SPEEDING TICKET AND THEY TAGGED ON WRECKLESS DRIVING FOR 20 MPH OVER LIMIT. I HAVE BEEN A DEDICATED GM OWNER MY ENTIRE LIFE. DON'T THINK I WILL BY ONE AGAIN. SEEMS TO ME THEY WOULD WANT TO DO WHAT THEY CAN TO KEEP THERE CUSTOMERS, INSTEAD, THEY ARE RUNNING THEM AWAY. I HAVE KNOW MORE LOYALTY FOR THEM AT THIS POINT. I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY AVALANCHE Z71 ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE TRUCK BUT IT HAS TO GO. HUMMM...TOYOTA MAYBE, DODGE SO MANY CHOICES. BUY AMERICA, SAVE AMERICA....BULL CRAP. I'D BETTER HUSH... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522098

128,000 miles · Feb 19, 2013
Electrical System

I PULLED OFF ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY TO TAKE A CALL. I STARTED UP MY TRUCK STEPPED ON THE GAS TO GET BACK ON THE FREEWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM 0 TO THE OTHER END OF THE READING. IT STAYED THERE ALL THE WAY HOME SO I COULD NOT TELL HOW FAST I WAS DRIVING. WHEN I STOPPED, IT STARTED TO GO BACK DOWN BUT…

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I PULLED OFF ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY TO TAKE A CALL. I STARTED UP MY TRUCK STEPPED ON THE GAS TO GET BACK ON THE FREEWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM 0 TO THE OTHER END OF THE READING. IT STAYED THERE ALL THE WAY HOME SO I COULD NOT TELL HOW FAST I WAS DRIVING. WHEN I STOPPED, IT STARTED TO GO BACK DOWN BUT AS I WOULD PRESS THE GAS IT WOULD GO ALL THE WAY PAST THE HIGHEST READING. IT SEEMS TO GET STUCK NOW AND THEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499280

Official recalls

3

05V163000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Apr 22, 2005

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

05V055000 · Power Train:manual Transmission:shift Pattern Indicator

Feb 14, 2005

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE VEHICLE MAY MOVE IN AN UNINTENDED DIRECTION RESULTING IN POSSIBLE INJURY TO OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE.

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.

05V043000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Feb 8, 2005

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

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.