2005 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500

Routine

Owners filed 129 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system › instrument cluster/panel. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
62,900 milesMedian miles at failure

110 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 50,00060,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel24
000
Electrical System20
030
Air Bags9
000
Service Brakes8
000
Steering7
000
Power Train7
000
Fuel System, Gasoline6
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission5
000
Fuel/Propulsion System5
000
Unknown or Other4
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Wheels › Hub07E106000
Filed Dec 17, 2007130,000 vehiclesFederal-Mogul Corporation

Defect. 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.

Risk. WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling06V289000
Filed Aug 3, 200638,439 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Risk. IF THE DAMPER COMES LOOSE, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer
Filed Apr 27, 2026167,126 milesCA

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.

Wheels
Filed Jan 17, 2024MD

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

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 6, 2020134,000 milesAL

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.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 23, 201999,882 milesID

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.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 11, 2018IL

FUEL PUMP FAILED

Suspension
Filed Apr 26, 2018178,000 milesTN

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.

Interior Lighting
Filed Mar 22, 2018217,000 milesMN

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,

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 19, 201885,000 milesIN

METAL BRAKE LINE CORRODED THROUGH WHILE DRIVING CAUSING ALMOST TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 23, 2018200,000 milesPA

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

Power Train
Filed Jan 8, 2018TX

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!

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 12, 2017FL

WHILE FUELING THERE SEEMS TO BE A BACKLASH AIR BUBBLE THAT OCCURS AND IT TAKES APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES TO PUT $30 WORTH OF FUEL. WHILE PUMPING THE GAS NO MATTER HOW SLOW OR FAST AS THE SAFETY IS IN PLACE TO STOP THE FUEL FROM COMING OUT OF THE FUEL NECK WHERE IT MEETS THE FUEL GOING IN THIS IS NORMAL TO KICK OFF THE FUEL SO SPILLAGE DOES NOT BECOME A PROBLEM HOWEVER WHEN YOU STOP FUELING THERE IS A BURP BACK AS IN A AIR BUBBLE THAT SPLASHES OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY SPLASH IN A FACE OR ON YOUR SKIN AND IT ALSO RUNS DOWN THE SIDE OF THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE AGAIN THAT IS WHEN FUELING HAS STOPPED IT BURPS THE FUEL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. OBVIOUSLY THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY WHILE FUELING. THIS OCCURS NO MATTER WHAT GAS STATION IS USED OLD NEW IT DOESN'T MATTER.

Power Train
Filed Aug 12, 2017110,000 milesAL

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.

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 17, 2017IL

I WAS TOLD BY A GM DEALER HOW MY VEHICLE IS RUSTED EXCESSIVELY WITH THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND THE QUARTER SILLS THAT HAVE A RUST THROUGH HOLE ABOUT 3 INCHES. I'VE OPENED A CASE WITH GM AND THEY STATED ITS OUT OF WARRANTY. I DON'T KNOW HOW GM GETS AWAY WITH THIS REPAIR AND TOYOTA HAD TO BUYBACK VEHICLE OR DO FRAME REPLACEMENTS

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 23, 2017146,800 milesKS

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.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 22, 2016WI

THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR DOES NOT ILLUMINATE. THE ODOMETER DOES NOT SHOW CURRENT SPEED ( MILES PER HOUR .) THE ABS SENSOR DOESN'T WORK.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Dec 20, 2016100,100 milesMT

THE FAN MOTOR CONTROL RELAY AND CONNECTOR SHORT CIRCUITED AND BURNED UP. THE LOCATION OF THIS RELAY IS BEHIND AND SLIGHTLY BELOW THE GLOVE BOX. GENERAL MOTORS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT BULLETIN NO 11046 FOR THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER IT WAS ONLY VALID IN CANADA, NOT THE UNITED STATES.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Dec 19, 20161 milesOH

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK 12/17/16, 5:40AM. I WAS TRAVELING TO WORK AND I LOST ALL PRESSURE IN MY PEDAL. WHICH LED ME TO NEARLY HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. THE MASTER CYLINDER AND A FLEX BRAKE LINE GOING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER(MODULE) WERE REPLACED. BUT THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BENCH BLED THE MASTER CYLINDER, AND ALL BRAKE LINES AROUND THE TRUCK. I STILL HAVE NO BRAKES UNLESS YOU PUSH THEM TO THE FLOOR. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH, AND FOUND WERE OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR TRUCK HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER READING ALL THOSE BLOGS AND POST, I DISCOVERED THAT THE MODEL AND YEAR OF AVALANCHE THAT I HAVE WAS RECALLED FOR THE ABS SYSTEM FOR FAILURE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 27, 201573,721 milesPA

BRAKES FAILED UNDER HARD STOP (HIGHWAY, IN MOTION). INTERMEDIATE STEEL BRAKE LINE FAILED TO REAR BRAKES IN A MODE OF RUPTURE DUE TO CORROSION. ABS LIGHT HAD BEEN ON WITH SERVICE BRAKE MESSAGE AS WELL. ALL OTHER STEEL LINES WERE CORRODED AND CONTACTED GM. 2 OTHER SILVERADO LINE VEHICLES OWNED ALSO FAILED THIS YEAR DUE TO CORROSION. GM RESPONSE WAS THAT NO RECALL EXISTED. REPLACED ALL STEEL BRAKE LINES IN VEHICLE WITH STAINLESS AFTERMARKET LINES. AFTER MULTIPLE CONTACTS WITH GM CUSTOMER SERVICE, I WAS TOLD TO SAVE MY RECEIPTS FOR REPAIRS. THIS IS AN INCORRECT MATERIAL SPECIFICATION, LATENT DEFECT AND GM NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. 3 VEHICLES THAT I OWN WITH THE SAME REPAIR IN 8 MONTHS. INEXCUSABLE!

Air Bags
Filed Aug 25, 2015116,000 milesNY

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND IT SHOWS IN THE DISPLAY WHEN STARTED TO "SERVICE AIR BAG". NO PREVIOUS ACCIDENT OR ANY INDICATION AS TO THE CAUSE JUST WAS ON ONE DAY WHEN I STARTED IT.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 28, 2015110,000 milesPA

THE BLOWER STOPPED WORKING ON MY AUTO TEMP CONTROL AND NOW WON'T SHUT OFF.

20 of 129 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201329100Routine
201216000Routine
201128200Routine
20106000Routine
200920000Routine
200837000Routine
2007113130Routine
200639220Routine
2005 — this page129240Routine
2004144200Routine
2003182230Routine
2002154211Fatalities reported

Compare every Avalanche 1500 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 17, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.