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2000-2013 · 14 model years

Chevrolet Avalanche Problems by year

Owners have filed 2,965 complaints about the Chevrolet Avalanche across 14 model years, and it has 21 recalls. The 2002 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (671), while 2000, 2001, 2012 have far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the airbags, followed by the brakes.

Most complaints for its age2002671 complaints · 4 recallsSee the 2002
Complaints
2,965
Recalls
21
Crashes
130
Fires
29
Injuries
131
Deaths
4

Avalanche complaints by model year

Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
201382220AirbagsB
201252320AirbagsA
2011155330AirbagsC
2010117400AirbagsC
200996541AirbagsC
2008295483AirbagsF
200749341210AirbagsF
200653162Transmission & drivetrainB
2005206344Electrical systemD
20043196151Electrical systemF
20034226165BrakesF
20026714583BrakesF
20012000Body, doors & structureA
20002000Body, doors & structureA

Most common Avalanche problems

Chevrolet Avalanche recalls 21

Air bags: inflator module

21V0500002,641,272 vehicles affected

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra...

Latest Avalanche complaints

2002 Chevrolet AvalancheElectrical system

Odometer Fraud. The contact previously owned a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. The contact stated the vehicle was sold to a private buyer with an odometer reading of 205,000 miles. Subsequently, the contact discovered the vehicle was listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace with a rolled-back odometer reading of 158,000 miles. When the contact's daughter inquired about the discrepancy, the seller confirmed the lower mileage. Upon further investigation, the contact found a second listing for the same vehicle displaying 178,000 miles. The contact messaged the seller and inquired about the accuracy of the odometer reading. The current status of the vehicle was unknown.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11742785
2005 Chevrolet AvalancheElectrical system

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale from a towing company. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 163,428, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 167,126. The contact stated that the Carfax Report indicated that the mileage was 141,207, and that the odometer had been rolled back.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11734010
2007 Chevrolet AvalancheEngine & cooling

Traveling hiway on cruise. My 5.3l down shifted to accelerate to go up an incline. Shortly after that there was low to almost no power. Check engine light then came on. I was able to do 30mph on freeway to get it home. Took it to a local garage since gray Daniels chevy wouldn't service it since I recently transitioned to MS. The problem was the #4 lifter had collapsed. It costed me just shy of $4k out of pocket. I've read that this was a recall item for my vehicle, I was never notified. I would like to be compensated if this was indeed a recall item

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11732748
2013 Chevrolet AvalancheAirbagsCrash3 injuries

I had an auto accident that totaled my vehicle (2013 Chevy Avalanche). It was t-boned by the other vehicle with significant damage from the front quarter panel to the rear quarter panel. All on the driver's side. NONE of the airbags deployed in my vehicle. The other vehicle that hit me had all of the air bags deployed. I had my passenger airbag replaced, based on a manufacturers recall, this past summer 09/26/2025 at a certified Chevy dealer. At that time, they said everything was replaced that needed to be and...

Read the full complaint

confirmed that everything was working. Because NONE of the airbags deployed in my vehicle, I sustained minor injuries, i.e. cuts, bruises, etc. and my passenger sustained minor injuries as well, i.e. bruises and neck pain. At the time of the accident, there were no warning lights or messages related to air bags. All manufacturers recalls were already applied to the vehicle and the airbags were supposedly in good condition only months before the accident (i.e. 09/26/2025).

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11709721

Questions about the Chevrolet Avalanche

Which Chevrolet Avalanche years have the most problems?

By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 2002 (671), 2007 (493), 2003 (422). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 2002 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.

Which Chevrolet Avalanche years have the fewest complaints?

Among model years that have been on the road for at least three years, 2000, 2001, 2012 have the best Safety Index - the fewest complaints, crashes and recalls for their age compared with other Avalanche years. Always check the exact vehicle's recalls by VIN before you buy.

What are the most common Chevrolet Avalanche problems?

Across every model year, owners report problems with the airbags (742), brakes (598), electrical system (454) most often.

How many recalls does the Chevrolet Avalanche have?

NHTSA lists 21 recalls across all Chevrolet Avalanche model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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