2006 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500

Routine

Owners filed 39 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the brakes. It has been recalled 2 times.

Not among the Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 years to avoid. Which Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
85,000 milesMedian miles at failure

32 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000–150,000 miles.

Most common 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 problems

9 of the 39 complaints (23%) are about the brakes.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes · brakes7
000
Air Bags · airbags6
000
Structure › Body · body and frame3
100
Power Train · transmission3
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc) · stability control3
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission2
000
Engine2
111
Electrical System2
010
Unknown or Other1
000
Trailer Hitches · trailer hitch1
100

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.

All 2 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Structure › Body
Filed Jun 25, 2026WI

After purchasing my vehicle through a bank loan, the frame started to deteriorate resulting in suspension components to come loose and fall off. Lastly, rear driveshaft broke off, leaving me inoperable.

Suspension
Filed Jan 9, 2025FL

The vehicle was sold with significant rust damage to the underbody of the truck. The truck parts are rusted to a point the suspension, and axel are about to fall out. The truck is leaking gasoline due to the amount of rust. The power steering that they fixed after one day driving it had issues when sold is still having issues leaking fluid. It has been deemed unsafe to drive on road. The dealership sold the vehicle in unsafe conditions, and will not rectify the situation. I have documentation, and photos of the damage to the vehicle.

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 14, 2022MO

Brake lines rusted out. Apparently this is an issue for this year and many other model year vehicles. Considering the brakes stop the vehicle, this is a big safety issue, and very expensive to be fixed.

EngineCrash1 injured
Filed May 1, 2019135,000 milesMO

I WAS RECENTLY INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I PASSED OUT WHILE OPERATING MY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING WAS THE CONTRIBUTING FACTOR THAT CAUSED THIS ACCIDENT. FAULTY EXHAUST MANIFOLD FASTENERS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS ACCIDENT. I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE INCURRED NUMEROUS PERSONAL EXPENSES DUE TO THE ACCIDENT, BUT FEEL LUCKY THAT THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES OR FATALITIES. I AM WRITING THIS TO CALL ATTENTION TO THE ISSUE IN HOPES THAT YOU WILL DO SOMETHING TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING TO SOMEONE ELSE WHO MIGHT NOT BE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON THIS PRODUCT. THE VEHICLE IS TOTALED, BUT COULD STILL BE EXAMINED TO FIND THE CAUSE.

Structure › BodyCrash
Filed Mar 11, 2019175,000 milesMS

VEHICLE HIT A TREE AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

Seats1 injured
Filed Jul 2, 2018128,000 milesTN

HEATED SEAT COMES ON BY ITSELF ALL THE TIME. IT HAS BURNED MY FATHER'S REAR END. I CHECKED IT OUT AND IT CAME ON 12 TIMES IN 5 MINUTES. MY FATHER IS OLDER AND DID NOT REALIZE HE WAS BURNING UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. I WAS TOLD BY THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS THAT THERE ARE NO SAFETY RECALLS FOR THIS. UPON READING HELP FORUMS, I DISCOVERED THEY DO HAVE A RECALL. I AM WAITING FOR A RESPONSE BEFORE I TAKE ANY FURTHER ACTIONS. THANK YOU

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Apr 10, 201883,000 milesCO

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE TRUCK ENGINE WILL BE RUNNING WITH NO ABNORMAL SOUNDS, SMELLS, LEAKS BUT WILL ACT AS IF NOT IN GEAR. RPM'S WILL REV BUT TRUCK WILL NOT MOVE. ONLY AFTER PUTTING TRUCK IN PARK (LOTS OF GRINDING NOISES) THEN PRESSING THE 4WHEEL BUTTON THEN BACK TO 2WHEEL (SOMETIMES THROUGH TWO CYCLES) THE TRUCK WILL BACK INTO GEAR AND OPERATE PROPERLY. TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP PUT IT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND NO ERROR CODES WERE GIVEN TO GIVE REASON WHY THE TRANSFER CASE DISENGAGES RANDOMLY. REPLACED THE TRANSFER SWITCH PER SHOP RECOMMENDATION "JUST IN CASE"IT WAS OKAY FOR ABOUT A MONTH THEN ONCE AGAIN ISSUES STARTED AGAIN JUST THE SAME AS BEFORE.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 14, 201868,000 milesVA

THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON AND OFF. TOOK IT TO SERIVE CENTERS THE LIGHT CAME OFF FOR A WEEK THEN CAME BACK AGAIN. MECHANIC TOLD ME THE SPRING COUL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED GOT IT REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL THE SAME. WHEN ITHE WEATHER IS COLD THE LIGHTS COMES OFF WHEN ITS WARM THE LIGHTS ARE ONE TOLD THE MECHANICS THEY SAID ITS THE CONNECTION THEY TRIED TO FIX LIGHT WILL COME OF FOR A FEW DAYS THEN BACK AGAIN. THE SECOND PROBLEM IS THE ENGINE LIGHT - THEY TOLD ME ITS THE FUEL EJECTION PUMP GOT IT REPLACED BUT NOT RESOLVED. I KEEP TAKING TTHE TRUCK BACK TO THE SERVICE CENTERS BUT AFTER A WEEK THE LIGHT INDICATORS ARE ON. I ALSO FAILED MY INSPECTIONS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. THE ONLY REASON I PASS IS THAT IT HAS TO BE FIXED BUT AFTER INSPECTION THE LIGHTS ARE ON AGAIN. I HAVE READ ALL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEMS BUT GMC MOTORS DOESN'T HAVE AN ACTIVE RECALL FOR IT ITS JUST A COMMUNICATION STATING THE PROBLEM. THE TRUCK IS STILL RUNNING BUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BY THE COMPANY. AND I THINK THATS PART OF THE REASON TGEY DONT MAKE THE AVALANCE ANYMORE.

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 19, 201785,000 milesPA

POOR QUALITY BRAKE LINES HAVE CORRODED MAKING THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAIL HARD BRAKING, HAD LINE RUPTURE DUE TO CORROSION, NEAR COLLISION DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 16, 2017143,589 milesPA

REAR BRAKE LINES BURST WHILE I WAS IN MOTION. I WAS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO USE THE GEARS TO SLOW DOWN. THEY WERE CORRODED THROUGH. SAME THING HAPPENED IN 2016 WITH MY FUEL PUMP LINE CORRODED THROUGH. WAS LEAKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. DID NOT NOTICE FOR A FEW DAYS UNTIL THERE WAS PUDDLES OF GAS WHERE I PARK. OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS MY CLADDING HAS BEEN FALLING OFF FROM RUST THROUGH ON THE BOTTOM SECURE POINTS.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 9, 2017143,000 milesIN

BRAKE LINES RUSTING OUT ON THESE AUTOS

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 15, 2017NE

I PURCHASED THE 2006 VEHICLE USED IN DEC 2013. IN 2014 THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD. IN 2015 I REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND BRAKE PADS & ROADERS.2016 REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP BECAUSE IT ALSO WENT BAD, REPLACED TIRES (NORMAL WEAR), BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY BECAUSE IT DIED. 2017 IT NEEDED TWO HUB BEARING AND BOTH FRONT WHEEL HUB REPLACED. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE! I JUST FOUND OUT MY AIR BAG SENSOR WILL NEED TO BE REMOVED AND REPLACED. ALL MY MONEY HAS BEEN FLUSHED DOWN TO THIS VEHICLE. I DON'T RECOMMEND ANYONE BUYING A CHEVY TRUCK.

Power Train
Filed Nov 27, 2016129,000 milesWA

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. WHEN TRAVELING AT SHIFT POINT 1-2, 2-3 THE ENGINE RPMS SUDDENLY INCREASE THEN RETURN TO NOMINAL SPEED. THE MILEAGE IS WAY TO LOW FOR THIS BEHAVOIR. I BELIEVE GM SHOULD ISSUE (OR PAY FOR) THE PARTS (THE TOUGHENED OR IMPROVED PARTS) TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM OR RE-REIMBURSE THE CURRENT OWNER FOR THE RETAIL COST OF THE GM (IMPROVED) PARTS IF THE OWNER CHOOSES TO HAVE THE WORK DONE ELSE WHERE. THE SHIFTING ACTION IS NOT FIRM, IT'S SLOPPY. AT TIMES YOU CAN'T FEEL THE SHIFT IN THE CONVENTIONAL WAY BUT YOU CAN HEAR IT.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 2, 2016103,000 milesNY

BRAKES FAILED COMING TO TRAFFIC LIGHT. PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. WENT HALF WAY THRU BEFORE TRUCK STOPPED. INSPECTED AND FOUND REAR BRAKE STEEL LINE HAD RUSTED THRU AND HAD A HOLE. BRAKES SHOULD NOT RUST THRU IN ONLY TEN YEARS,

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 15, 2016168,000 milesNC

SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP FOR TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND IT APPEARED THAT ALL BRAKING HAD BEEN LOST. THE CAR WAS NAVIGATED TO THE SHOULDER AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS USED TO COME TO A FULL STOP. IF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE PARKING BRAKE RELEASED, THE CAR WOULD BEGIN TO MOVE AGAIN. THIS APPEARED TO INDICATE ANY REDUNDANCY IN THE SYSTEM WAS ABSENT.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 24, 201625 milesAR

AIR BAGS WARING LIGHT ON.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Aug 20, 2016127,000 milesPA

I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY STOPPED MY TRUCK LIKE ALWAYS PUT IT IN D TO DRIVE HEARD A LOUD CLUNK NOISE AND NOW I HAVE 1 AND 2 GEAR ONLY TO USE THE TRUCK WAS STATIONARY WAS ON A MAIN ROAD I CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID SCREENS FILTERS EVERYTHING FLUSHED IT OUT AND STILL THE SAME THING A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SAYING IT'S THE SPRAG UNIT I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT IS I HAVE ONLY HAULED A FEW THINGS WITH IT WHEN WE WERE MOVING WE ONLY MOVED EIGHT MILES DOWN THE ROAD USED A TRAILER AND THE TOW GEAR THAT IS ON THE TRUCK. ALSO ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE THIS HAPPENED THE STABILITY SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AND SAID DISABLED BUT HAS NOT DONE IT SINCE ALSO MY TRUCK IS VERY CLEAN ALWAYS SERVICED ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL AND IS IN VERY VERY GOOD CONDITION

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 5, 2016150,000 milesTN

RUSTED BRAKE LINES

Power Train
Filed Apr 30, 201669,000 milesMA

TAKATA RECALL TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY STOPPED. ONLY DRIVES IN FIRST GEAR, HAS 70,000 MILES, HAS BEEN MAINTAINED. WHILE DRIVING ON 128 SOUTH IN DANVERS, MA AT 4:30 THE TRUCK BECAME SLUGGISH, GREW WORSE WITH IN SECONDS CAUSING MY TOP ACCELERATION TO DECREASE TO 20 MPH AT BEST, WAS ABLE TO GET OFF AFTER A MILE AND SPEED DECREASED TO 10 MPH. I LOST ALL GEARS ASIDE FROM FIRST. I HAVE INQUIRED WITH A FEW MECHANICS GETTING MIXED ANSWERS RANGING FROM TOTAL REBUILD TO SOLENOIDS. TRUCK IS DEAD WITH 70,000 MILES.

Power Train
Filed Jul 2, 201550,000 milesIL

FOR NO REASON AND WITHOUT WARNING, AFTER A "CLUNK" NOISE THE TRUCK WAS COASTING. ONLY 1ST, 2ND, AND REVERSE GEARS WORK.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 24, 2015WA

THE WARNING FOR AIRBAG MALFUNCTION /INOPERATIVE. CAME ON TOOK INTO DEALER THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS BAD MODULE . THEY REPLACED IT . 6MO LATER SAME ISSUE THE DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS BAD CONTACTS . SO THE DEALER CLEANED THEM LIGHT WENT OUT FOR 6 MO. AND CAME BACK ON . I CALLED DEALER THEY SAID WARRANTY RAN OUT .BUT I COULD TALK TO DISTRICT MANAGER ABOUT ISSUE . AT WHICH HE TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW AIRBAG WHICH WOULD COST OUT OF POCKET 3000 DOLLARS . I ANSWERED THAT ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND ISSUE STILL NOT SOLVED. HIS ANSWER WAS THEN HE WOULD CHARGE ME 1500 . YEAR LATER THERE WAS A BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE AS IT WAS THE CLOCK SPRING UNDER THE AIRBAG THAT IS THE ISSUE . HAVE NOT HEARD FROM CHEVROLET SINCE NOW WITH ARCING IN DASH BOARD AND THNP8 CONTROL SWITCH GOING OUT FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS EQUIPMENT ON CHEVROLET VEHICLES DANAGEROUS. *TR

EngineFire
Filed Feb 24, 2015147,000 milesWV

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE IF A POLICE/FIRE REPORT WAS FILED OR NOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Apr 25, 2014150,000 milesMS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE IGNITION, A STRONG BURNING ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEATER BLOWER WIRE HARNESS AND RESISTOR MELTED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE RESISTOR PERSONALLY BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 4, 201287,000 milesCO

MY "SERVICE AIR BAG" LIGHT HAS STEADILY BEEN ON FOR A FEW WEEKS, CHECKED THE FUSE, CHECKED BASIC CONNECTORS (NO LOOSE WIRES). HAVE BEEN DOING INTERNET RESEARCH & FOUND MANY FORUM DISCUSSIONS ON THIS TOPIC DATING BACK TO 2003! I SEARCHED THIS SITE & FOUND THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL RELATED TO THIS ISSUE. CONSIDERING ONCE THIS "SERVICE" LIGHT IS ON, THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT WORK IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL?? I AM DEFINITELY NOT EXCITED ABOUT GOING TO THE DEALER TO SEE WHAT THEY'RE GONNA CHARGE TO LOOK AT THE ISSUE & THEN FIND OUT WHAT THEY WILL CHARGE TO REPAIR THE ISSUE, ALTHOUGH MANY OWNERS HAVE RETURNED TO THEIR DEALERS MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE SAME "FIX". THIS SHOULD BE FREE OF CHARGE TO DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR CONSIDERING IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 6, 201282,421 milesFL

HVAC BLOWER DID NOT FUNCTION ON CERTAIN OR ALL BLOWER SPEEDS. THE HVAC BLOWER RAN CONTINUALLY WITH THE IGNITION IN THE OFF POSITION AND THE KEY REMOVED. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jul 24, 201135,000 milesIN

SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING STAYS ON AT ANY SPEED AND THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT! DEALER SAYS GM ONLY HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE PROBLEM BUT NO RECALL YET! IS GM LIABLE IN AN ACCIDENT IF THE AIR BAGS FAIL TO DEPLOY? *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 23, 201079,100 milesNY

2006 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500 4WD IN 2WD HI, DRIVING AT 55 MPH WITH TRANSMISSION IN D, ENGINE REVVED FREELY AS IF TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL. COASTED TO A STOP ONTO SHOULDER, SHIFTED INTO PARK, RELEASED FOOT BRAKE, VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD (DOWNHILL), APPARENTLY BECAUSE TRANSFER CASE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. SES INDICATOR NOT ON. TURNED OFF ENGINE. NO CODES (HAD CODE READER IN GLOVE BOX). TURNED ENGINE ON, SHIFTED TRANSMISSION INTO D AND FELT TRANSMISSION ENGAGE (APPARENTLY, TRANSFER CASE HAD ENGAGED FROM NEUTRAL). ACCELERATED GRADUALLY AND DROVE DOWN HIGHWAY FOR 1/4 MILE AND WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RELEASED, TRANSFER CASE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, AGAIN, ENGINE REVVING FREELY WITH TRANSMISSION STILL IN D. COASTED TO A STOP ON SHOULDER, PRESSED 4WD HI AND FELT TRANSFER CASE ENGAGE, PRESSED 2WD HI AND FELT TRANSFER CASE DISENGAGE BUT NOW IN 2WD HI INSTEAD OF NEUTRAL. ACCELERATED GRADUALLY AND DROVE DOWN HIGHWAY AND WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RELEASED, TRANSFER CASE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, AGAIN, ENGINE REVVING FREELY WITH TRANSMISSION STILL IN D. COASTED TO A STOP ON SHOULDER, AND REPEATED ABOVE SEQUENCE ON TRANSFER CASE TO SHIFT INTO 2WD HI. SHIFTED TRANSMISSION INTO 3, ACCELERATED GRADUALLY AND DROVE DOWN HIGHWAY, TRANSFER CASE REMAINED IN 2WD HI. SLOWED DOWN TO A STOP ON SHOULDER, TURNED OFF ENGINE, RESTARTED ENGINE AND SHIFTED TRANSMISSION INTO D, ACCELERATED GRADUALLY AND DROVE DOWN HIGHWAY AND WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RELEASED, TRANSFER CASE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL ONCE AGAIN

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 13, 2010134,700 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT DID NOT ENGAGE. THE BRAKES WERE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 134,700. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 137,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 11, 201089,596 milesTX

DRIVING HOME LAST NIGHT, I LOST 3RD AND 4TH GEARS IN MY TRANSMISSION UNDER NORMAL ACCELERATION. I HAVE AN '06 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE Z71 WITH LESS THAN 89,600 MILES ON IT. I HAVE NEVER TOWED ANYTHING EXCEPT FOR A UHAUL TRAILER ONCE FOR ABOUT 250 MILES. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED, TRAVELING 50-55 MPH WHEN IT OCCURRED. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT, HOWEVER I WAS ALMOST REARENDED BY FOLLOWING TRAFFIC THE MOMENT IT HAPPENED BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN DECREASE OF SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. THE TRANSMISSION GAVE NO WARNING BEFORE IT BROKE. I STILL HAD 1ST AND 2ND GEARS AS WELL AS REVERSE. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH A MECHANIC AND HE ESTIMATES REPAIR COSTS TO BE AROUND $3000. I HAVE CHECKED SEVERAL FORUMS FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A "COMMON" PROBLEM HAPPENING TO AVALANCHES THAT ARE 2-6 YEARS OLD AND HAVING AS FEW AS 14,000 MILES ON THEM. MY TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT THIS IS A PERVASIVE PROBLEM THAT HAS EXISTED SINCE 2002 ACCORDING TO OTHER AVALANCHE OWNERS. THE FORUMS I FOUND THE INFORMATION ON ARE; CHEVYAVALANCHEFANCLUB.COM, AVOWNERS.COM, AND CHEVYAVALANCHE.COM. THIS IS MORE THAN AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, HAVING HAPPENED TO MANY PEOPLE WHO OWN AVALANCHE'S AS EVIDENCED ON THE FORUMS. THIS DEFECT IS KNOWN BY GM AS EVIDENCED BY THERE OWN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER "08-07-30-027 JUNE 08 A/T - NO MOVEMENT IN DRIVE OR 3RD GEAR". IT IS A FLAWED DESIGN OR FLAWED PARTS ARE BEING USED.

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Feb 2, 201064,000 milesWA

NO ACCIDENT YET. *TR

Tires
Filed Jan 12, 200926,475 milesGA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. THE VEHICLE HAD FIRESTONE WILDERNESS LE TIRES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED.. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED. AFTER THE ROTATION, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40-50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A THUMPING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. SHE WAS NEVER VERBALLY INFORMED OF THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE INVOICE STATED THAT THE TIRE WEAR WAS CAUSED BY THE ALIGNMENT. THE INVOICE ALSO STATED THAT THE NEGATIVE CAMBER WAS VERY CLOSE TO THE OUTER LIMIT, WHICH WOULD STILL CAUSE TIRE WEAR. APPROXIMATELY A MONTH LATER, THE THUMPING NOISE RETURNED AND CURRENTLY PERSISTS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PERSISTING THUMPING SOUND AND THEY REPLACED ONE TIRE THAT WAS WORN; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 47,773 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,475. UPDATED 03/24/09.*LJ UPDATED 03/24/09.*JB

Air Bags
Filed Sep 12, 20089,235 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE, BUT IT RECURRED THE FOLLOWING YEAR. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER REPEATEDLY TO HAVE THE AIR BAG FAILURE REPAIRED. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT SEATS WERE MAKING STRANGE NOISES. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE TO HAVE THE SEATS REPAIRED. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG FAILURE WAS A SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,235 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 10/03/08 *BF THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT MOVE IN FORWARD GEAR. THE DEALER FOUND THE SPRAG BROKE AND THE CLUTCHES WERE BURNT. THE FRONT DOOR SPEAKER MADE A BUZZING NOISE. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS AN INTERNAL FAILURE. UPDATED 10/06/08. *JB

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Mar 13, 200818,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 25, 2008 WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT; HOWEVER, THE STABILITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED DURING THE LAST FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE FAILURE WAS ESCALATED. THE CONTACT WILL RECEIVE A CALL BACK. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

Trailer HitchesCrash
Filed Jan 2, 200843,650 milesIL

TRAILER HITCH RECEIVER FAILED. WELDS FAILED CAUSING RECEIVER TO BREAK AWAY FROM TRUCK. DAMAGE TO TRUCK AND CAMPER OCCURED.*CN

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Oct 1, 200740,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. THERE ARE TWO FLEX/GAS LINES CONNECTED TO THE FUEL REGULATORS UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE LINES HAVE RUBBED AGAINST EACH OTHER; THEY ARE WORN, AND CAUSE A FRICTION THAT CREATED A HOLE. THE PUMP SPRAYED GAS UNDER THE EXHAUST OF THE VEHICLE AND IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed Mar 30, 2007CT

2006 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. CAUSE: THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR INTERNALLY OPEN REPLACED: FUEL TANK PRESSURE. *MC THE CONSUMER SATED THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE ACTIVATED ON ITS OWN, AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE TRANSFER CASE WAS REPLACED. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Mar 1, 2007200 milesPA

BRAKE,STEERING FAILURES AND STEERING ISSUES. *JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 20, 2006MD

AGGRESSIVE DRIVING/TAILGATING/EXCESSIVE SPEED BY A GOVERNMENT VAN- TAG G 4/3 1335B AT 2:05 PM, JULY 20, 2006 ON AND NEAR THE WOODROW WILSON BRIDGE, WASHINGTON DC. PLEASE PASS THIS INFORMATION ALONG TO THE APPROPRIATE AGENCY. *NM

StructureCrash
Filed Jul 17, 20061,200 milesMO

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THERE WAS A QUIVER IN THE 2006 CHEVROLET KODIAK, THEN THE RECEIVER FELL OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWED DOWN, WHICH RESULTED IN THE TRAILER STRIKING THE TRUCK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED ON THE SCENE. THE POLICE OFFICER NOTED THAT THERE WAS NO PENETRATION IN THE WELDING. THE MANUFACTURER COLLECTED THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIR.

All 39 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201329100Routine
201216000Routine
201128200Routine
20106000Routine
200920000Routine
200837000Routine
2007113130Routine
2006 — this page39220Routine
2005129240Routine
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.