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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

71 reports
120,000 miles · Jan 12, 2015
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS OVERHEATED AND PRODUCED STEAM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS OVERHEATED AND PRODUCED STEAM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10671796

54,000 miles · Dec 31, 2014
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SHIFT HARD. THE ANSWER FROM THE DEALER WAS NEED NEW TRANSMISSION FOR $4500. STATED THAT THE FLUID SENSOR HOUSING WAS CRACKED AND THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. SEEMED A BIT RIDICULOUS FOR A TWO YEAR OLD VEHICLE THAT TOWED NOTHING. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10669395

37,000 miles · Nov 18, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED THE TRANSMISSION WENT AND I HAD TO REBUILD IT. AT THE SHOP THE TECHS TOLD ME IT WAS DUE TO COOLING, AND THEY INSTALLED A SMALL COOLER BECAUSE THEY SAID THE COOLING WAS NOT SUFFICIENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10658896

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

121,000 miles · Oct 17, 2014
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY AND SWERVED HITTING THE DIVIDER WITH THE FRONT LEFT CORNER OF VEHICLE. THE SEATBELTS DID NOT HOLD ME IN MY SEAT AND MY HEAD SHATTERED THROUGH THE WINDOW STRIKING THE STREET LIGHT LAMP. AIRBAGS ALSO DID NOT DEPLOY MEANWHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 57MPH. THE INJURIES WERE DRASTIC INCLUDING…

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WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY AND SWERVED HITTING THE DIVIDER WITH THE FRONT LEFT CORNER OF VEHICLE. THE SEATBELTS DID NOT HOLD ME IN MY SEAT AND MY HEAD SHATTERED THROUGH THE WINDOW STRIKING THE STREET LIGHT LAMP. AIRBAGS ALSO DID NOT DEPLOY MEANWHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 57MPH. THE INJURIES WERE DRASTIC INCLUDING PARTIAL AMPUTATION OF MY EAR, I WAS IN A COMA FOR A FEW WEEK, 3 SKULL FRACTURES, TBI, BRAIN BLEEDING AND THE LIST OF INJURIES CONTINUE TO GROW! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10648483

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

115,000 miles · Apr 30, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

SUPPLY AND RETURN FUEL LINES HAVE A FLEXIBLE, SHIELDED SECTION AT THE FRONTMOST END ... THE HOSES CROSS AND THEREFORE RUB AGAINST ONE ANOTHER ... TOP HOSE BECAME WORN THROUGH, CAUSING COPIOUS QUANTITIES OF FUEL TO BE PUMPED OUT ONTO THE CROSS MEMBER AND ROADWAY ... EXTREME FIRE HAZARD. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10585768

127,000 miles · Apr 26, 2014
Air Bags

I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT CRUISING SPEED AND I HAPPENED TO LOOK DOWN AND MY DIT SAYS SERVICE AIR BAGS AND SHORTLY AFTER ONSTAR CALLS ME ASKING IF EVERYTHING WAS ALRIGHT. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND GOT LED IN MANY DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS SAYING THERE WAS A RECALL FOR AIR BAG SENSORS AND ALSO RECALL IN THE T CONNECTOR IN THE DS KICK PANEL…

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I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT CRUISING SPEED AND I HAPPENED TO LOOK DOWN AND MY DIT SAYS SERVICE AIR BAGS AND SHORTLY AFTER ONSTAR CALLS ME ASKING IF EVERYTHING WAS ALRIGHT. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND GOT LED IN MANY DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS SAYING THERE WAS A RECALL FOR AIR BAG SENSORS AND ALSO RECALL IN THE T CONNECTOR IN THE DS KICK PANEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10585072

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.