2005 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 129 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (36% of complaints); the 2006 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 129 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2026
“Gear shift indicator does not always light. Has been an issue with other models but has never been recalled for this specific model. Don't always know what gear you are in. Spare tire completely rusted out, unable to get down. Not sure if this is a recall issue but apparently common for this vehicle”Owner report · Wheels · Jan 2024
“So the hydraboost is failing and my truck is pouring an insane amount of power steering fluid from hydraboost system. When researching this problem for my year make and model the hydraboost recall pops up but when calling chevrolet they want to do nothing. When its apparent my truck is affected by trash parts. It only has 149000 miles on it and the hydraboost system is gone. I'm tired of adding 2 quarts of power steering fluid a week, and cant even drive my family around because I waiting on brakes to sporadically fail due to the system being compromised.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“The shift lever position indicator located in the instrument panel cluster does not illuminate therefore, I don't know what gear the vehicle is in. It seems like a safety issue to me. It occurs when I start the vehicle, am moving and when the headlights are on.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet avalanche 1500. While driving approximately 35 mph, a screeching noise emerged from the front driver's side of the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and shut off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to wilson county motors chevrolet in lebanon, tennessee (615-257-0578) where it was diagnosed that the front driver's side wheel hub failed and needed replacement along with the rotors and brake pads. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 178,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2018
“The shift lever position is not illuminated. There is another recall for this same issue but the company will not do anything. I turn the vehicle on and cannot tell what gear I even am in,”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2018
“The gear shift indicator does not light up in the instrument pannel. Therefore you don't know vwhat gear you are in. I do understand there was a recall NHTSA campaign 05v055000 recall bagan on 02/14/2005”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2018
“At 80k I put my truck in reverse and heard a clunk sound and immediately it wouldn't shift gears anymore. I went and had the transmission rebuilt which lasted roughly 10k more. Now, the truck won't shift yet again and the filter was changed and the rear output seal. Currently, when I drive since its my only vehicle, one minute it will shift fine but after I turn the engine off and on again, it will not shift from first and the again, check engine light is on!”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2018
“Driving down county rd stopped at stop sign. Started to take off it started slipping then quit pulling completly.puet it in all drives 1,2,3, & d nothing happened cut engine off put it in drive it started out like nothing happened for short distance then same thing again.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2017
“There is a fuel smell that occurs when vehicle is running and immediately when ignition is turn to on position especially on the driver side of the vehicle.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Avalanche 1500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 reliable?
NHTSA has 129 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. The most complained-about area is electrical system (36% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 64,400 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning wheels:hub. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.