2005 Chevrolet Avalanche: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 71 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (26% of complaints); the 2006 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2005
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 71 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the passenger's side air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed that the passenger's side air bag was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,900.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2021
“Catastrophic brake failure because of four corroded brake lines. All four lines corroded in the bracket holding the lines to the driver side frame rail. I was driving the vehicle and when I attempted to apply the brakes there was initial resistance and then the brake pedal went straight to the floor. I attempted to apply the brakes again but the vehicle would not stop. I had to apply the parking brake to stop.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2015
“The fuel lines rubbing together causing fuel to dump every where right next to the cat on the driver side of the truck n this is not a recall. Then I say its attepmed murder charge agaisnt chevy....”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“The instrument panel cluster does not light up. Cannot tell what gear I am shifting in and out of. The dic buttons on my steering wheel do not light up, cannot tell if I have a malfunction when driving during the dark. I did check for a recall on this and saw that there was an older one issued in 2005 and that it closed in 2011. I was not aware of any recalls but none the less I feel that with both components failing and not working properly can cause a potential problem when in operation (driving)”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2015
“Cylinder heads cracked due to poor casting (known issue by gm). This led to coolant in the engine causing damage to lifters. Expected cost to fix is approximately $1,500 in parts up to $4,000 in labor.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2015
“Service airbag message appears in the dic (digital information center). Seems to be a very common issue on the chevrolet avalanche.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2015
“After driving the smell of fuel comes from the engine by the drivers door. I contacted gm and my vehicle does not show on the list of this known recall. They passed me to a local dealership which stated my vehicle is not one that falls under the recall and admitted they had fixed others with similar issues. This is appalling that a manufacture can assist some customers but not all. I will never purchase another gm vehicle again. *tr”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2015
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 2015
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2014
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Avalanche 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 reliable?
NHTSA has 71 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche. The most complained-about area is electrical system (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 71,685 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic. 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.