2012 Chevrolet Avalanche

Routine

Owners filed 36 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the airbags. It has been recalled 3 times.

One of the better Chevrolet Avalanche years: fewer complaints than most, without an unusual share of serious ones. Which Chevrolet Avalanche years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
44,000 milesMedian miles at failure

25 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 20,000–30,000 miles.

Most common 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche problems

6 of the 36 complaints (17%) are about the airbags.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Unknown or Other14
000
Air Bags · airbags6
101
Wheels2
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration2
000
Structure › Body · body and frame2
000
Power Train · transmission2
101
Engine2
000
Tires › Tread/Belt1
000
Suspension1
000
Steering1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module21V051000
Filed Feb 5, 2021284,645 vehiclesGeneral Motors, LLC

Defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328770.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module21V054000
Filed Feb 5, 20211,778,128 vehiclesGeneral Motors, LLC

Defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.

Electrical System › Ignition14V827000
Filed Dec 30, 201484,192 vehiclesGeneral Motors LLC

Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.

Risk. If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.

All 3 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Suspension
Filed May 5, 2024NJ

Rear control arms were rusted out and fell off the frame. Additionally with that happening the rear drive shaft was pulled out from transmission and could cause a vehicle to flip. Upon further investigation body frame was extremely rusted for a truck this age. 85450 mes on it.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 11, 2022OH

The vehicle is displaying error messages Reduced Engine Power, Service Stabilitrak, Service Traction Control. It also has the related service indicator lights for the Stabilitrak, the Traction Control, and the Check Engine Light is on. There is a service bulletin for this issue that only addresses the 2008-2011 model years, my vehicle is a 2012 and thus not included in the current bulletin and should be added to the covered vehicle list. #11-06-04-007B : Diagnosis and Repair - Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated, Reduced Power Message Displayed, DTC P2135 Set - (April 16, 2012)

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 29, 2022VA

There is a problem with GM vehicles developing cracked dashboards including my own. The cracks are happening around/above the instrument cluster and more importantly, around the airbag. I am concerned that the defected dashboard would cause some sort of airbag puncture if it were deployed causing serious injury. Should someone get killed or seriously injured before this matter is taken into consideration. I own a 2012 Chevy Avalanche. I have developed the same cracks just as so many other GM vehicle owners.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 18, 2021171,000 milesNY

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was updated and now displayed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The failure recurred. The vehicle then was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the air bag needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that a senior adviser would reach out him for further assistance however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 171,000

Electrical System
Filed Aug 26, 2020FL

TRAILER BRAKE WARNING IS SHOWING ON DASH. NOTED THERE IS A RECALL BULLETIN #14515B ISSUED RELATING TO THIS ISSUE AND NOT SURE WHY MY SERIAL NUMBER IS NOT FOUND IN THIS RECALL?

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 30, 202050,000 milesIL

SEVERELY CRACKED DASHBOARD. THIS HAPPENED BOTH WHEN STATIONARY AND MOVING. PURCHASED THIS TRUCK JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO. HAD CRACKED DASHBOARD. PREVIOUS OWNER SAID IT HAD BEEN THAT WAY FOR YEARS. FIGURED IT WOULD NOT COST MUCH TO FIX/REPLACE. TOOK IT TO BODY SHOP THIS MORNING. NO WAY THEIR PRICE IS WITHIN MY BUDGET. CRACK CAUSES CONSTANT RATTLING AND IS EXTREMELY ANNOYING. FRIENDS HAVE LOOKED AT THE TRUCK SINCE I BOUGHT IT AND ARE REALLY IMPRESSED WITH ALL THE ADVANTAGES IT HAS TO OFFER. HOWEVER THE LOOK ON THEIR FACES WHEN THEY SEE THE DASHBOARD MAKES ME WISH I HAD NEVER PURCHASED THIS TRUCK. I WOULD LOVE TO SAY I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS TRUCK TO OTHERS WHO ARE PURCHASING A USED VEHICLE BUT THAT WOULD BE A LIE. SOMETIMES IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT CAN CHANGE A PERSONS WHOLE OUTLOOK AND THIS IS A BIGGIE. YOU DROPPED THE ON THIS. NOT ONLY IS IT A COSMETIC DEFECT BUT I CAN SEE A LOT OF SAFETY ISSUES ALSO. WISH I HAD NEVER PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 11, 202080,000 milesWV

I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT ONE OF MY DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS IS BURNED OUT. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO INSPECT THE LIGHTS BECAUSE THEY ONLY COME ON IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT IN PARK. I CALLED DEALER TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS ANY WAY TO HAVE THEM COME ON WITHOUT THE TRANSMISSION IN GEAR. THE DEALER SAID TO SET THE PARKING BRAKE, PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN GEAR, AND GET OUT TO LOOK AT THE LIGHTS (OR HAVE A SECOND PERSON LOOK AT THEM, WHICH IS NOT PRACTICAL FOR ME). THIS SOUNDS LIKE A DANGEROUS PRACTICE. THERE SHOULD BE A BETTER WAY TO DO THIS. MY OLD 2007 AVALANCHE WOULD HAVE THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS ON WHEN IN PARK.

Engine
Filed Mar 5, 2020WV

MY 2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 5.3L ENGINE HAS STARTED A OIL CONSUMPTION LOSS. THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED OCT. 30TH 2013 TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. IT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM! WHAT I'VE READ IS THAT WHERE THE CYLINDERS DEACTIVATE TO HELP FUEL ECONOMY AFTER TIME THOSE PISTONS GET DAMAGED FROM NOT HAVING FUEL OR FIRE ON THEM AND ITDAMAGES PISTONS AND CAUSES OIL CONSUMPTION. IN THE PAST FEW DAYS I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE 5 PEOPLE I KNOW WITH THE SAME ISSUE. LOOKING ON LINE THERE APPEARS TO BE CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY ON THIS ISSUE. GM/CHEVROLET KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM BUT REFUSE TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS AND I'M SURE NEVER WILL BE BECAUSE IT HAPPENS WHEN THE ENGINES REACH HIGHER MILEAGE. I HAVE ALL MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS ON MY TRUCK AND HAD NO INTENTION OF TRADING IT, BUT NOW THE MOTOR WILL HAVE TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 11, 202039,000 milesPA

MULTILPLE CRACKS IN DASHBOARD, KEPT IN GARAGE

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 25, 201955,000 milesTX

MULTIPLE CRACKS IN DASH (INSTRUMENT PANEL). HAD ONE CRACK WHEN PURCHASED THE AVALANCHE USED. 2ND CRACK APPEARED ONE MONTH AGO. FIRST ONE IS THE FRONT LEFT CORNER OF THE AIRBAG. 2ND ONE IS OVER THE GAUGE CLUSTER.

Power Train
Filed Jul 6, 201972,000 milesAZ

REAR END STARTED MAKING A CLUNK NOISE DURING THE TIME ONE STEPS ON GAS TO MOVE THE TRUCK. ALSO REAR END NOW MAKES A HOLLING NOISE WHEN MOVING.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 8, 201995,000 milesWA

SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYING ON. WAS TOLD WE NEED A NEW AIRBAG AND CONNECTOR. AIRBAG HAS NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 4, 2019100,000 milesLA

DASHBOARD CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 20, 201846,327 milesTX

MY DASHBOARD HAS BEEN GETTING CRACKS IN IT FOR YEARS AND I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL EFFECT THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT IF I EVER HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS. ALSO I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES BREAKING AND COMING OFF. AS OF THIS MOMENT I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY DON'T STAND BEHIND IT.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 25, 201818,000 milesVA

DASH HAS CRACKED IN TWO PLACES NEAR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT HOUSING. CHECKING ONLINE FORUMS IDENTIFIES THAT THIS A COMMON ISSUE WITH CHEVROLET DASHES. THIS CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION AS THESE PIECES COULD BECOME PROJECTILES. CHEVROLET SHOULD STEP UP AND FIX THIS ISSUE!!

Air Bags
Filed Jan 15, 2018MI

TAKATA RECALL ; CRACKED DASH

Air Bags
Filed Nov 19, 201738,900 milesOH

DASHBOARD AROUND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS CRACKED. IN MY OPINION THIS COULD AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE AIRBAG, OR EVEN TEAR IT UPON ACTIVATION.

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 6, 201775,000 milesNY

GM VEHICLES ARE SYSTEMATICALLY MANUFACTURED AND DESIGNED IN A MANNER THAT MAKES THEM PRONE TO CRACK. THESE ARE NOT THE TYPE OF COSMETIC BLEMISHES THAT MAY BE CAUSED BY A CAR LEFT IN THE SUN FOR MANY YEARS. INSTEAD, THESE CRACKS ARE DEEPER, MORE SUBSTANTIAL, OCCUR TO VEHICLES STORED IN ALL MANNERS AND IN ALL ENVIRONMENTS, OCCUR DURING A SHORTER TIME PERIOD, AND OCCUR WITH A RELATIVELY UNIFORM LOCATION AND PRESENTATION. IN SHORT, THE DASHBOARDS ARE DEFECTIVE IN THAT THEY ARE CERTAIN TO EXHIBIT A LARGE, DISCERNIBLE CRACK TO THE DASHBOARD PANEL. THE CRACKING AROUND THE AIRBAG IS PARTICULARLY TROUBLING AS IT COULD INTERFERE WITH THE DEPLOYMENT OF PASSENGER AIRBAG. THE DASH IS MORE LIKELY TO SPLINTER IN UNPLANNED AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DIRECTIONS DURING DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG. AS A RESULT OF THE CRACKED DASHBOARD PROBLEM, THE DASHBOARD PORTION IS MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO SHATTERING, WHICH CREATES THE POTENTIAL FOR BODILY HARM FROM SHRAPNEL DURING IMPACT.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 25, 2017FL

CRACKED DASHBOARD BY THE AIRBAG AND GAUGES

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 5, 201740,000 milesIL

THE DASH IS CRACKING ALL OVER AND NEXT TO THE AIR BAD. I THINK IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS IT WOULD SEND PIECES ALL OVER. THANKS

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 3, 2017NC

MY DASHBOARD HAS TWO CRACKS THAT JUST APPEARED, ONE OF THE CRACKS IS RIGHT WHERE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS. MY VEHICLE HAS 76000 MILES IM BEING TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT COVER UNDER THE WARRANTY, I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE BUT YET GM IS REFUSING TO ISSUE A RECALL, EVEN THOUGHT THE AIRBAG IS BEING COMPROMISED , MY VEHICLE IS PARKED IN A GARAGE, I KEEP IT IN EXCELLENT SHAPE BECAUSE I ENTER IT IN CAR SHOWS , I'M HOPING THAT ALL THESE COMPLAINTS ARE BEING TAKEN SERIOUS, AND GM ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED BY A AIRBAG THAT GETS INFLATED AND BECAUSE THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IT GETS INBEDDED IN SOMEONES FACE OR HEAD, OR IT CAUSES SOMEONE TO LOOSE AN EYE, LIKE I STATED, THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND NO ONE HAS DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I'M SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING CONTACTING A LAWYER ABOUT THIS MATTER. IT'S A SERIOUS MATTER , BUT GM IS TREATING IT LIKE IT'S NOT, PUTTING PEOPLES LIFE IN DANGER.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 14, 2017LA

I AM ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE DASH HAS CRACKED AND I AM WORRIED ON A SIR BAG DEPLOYMENT THAT THE BAG WILL BE TORN. LOOKING INTO THE ISSUE THERE ARE A LOT OF WORRIED ABOUT SAFETY ISSUES.

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 23, 201728,857 milesWA

WHEN NEARING A STOP LIGHT AT EST. 15 MPH I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND IT WAS LIKE STEPPING ON A ROCK. THE PEDAL DID NOT MOVE. I POUNDED ON THE PEDAL AND FINALLY HAD ENOUGH BRAKE TO STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS. AFTERWARDS THE BRAKES WERE GOOD. THIS WAS REPEATED TWICE MORE. I TOOK IT TO A BRAKE SHOP WHERE THEY CHECKED ALL MECHANICAL FUNCTION AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THEY HOOKED UP THE COMPUTER AND FOUND NO CODES. I TOOK IT TO A CHEVROLET DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY CODES. DURING A TEST DRIVE THE MECHANIC UNHOOKED THE VACUUM LINE AND HAD NO VACUUM. HE FOUND THE MOTOR WAS MAKING VACUUM. BACK AT THE SHOP HE SAID IT WAS PROBABLY THE VACUUM BOOSTER. WHEN IT WAS REPLACED THE BRAKES WORKED AS THEY ALWAYS HAD EXCEPT WHEN THEY DIDN'T WORK. NOW THAT THE BOOSTER HAS BEEN REPLACED I DO NOT KNOW IF THE PROBLEM IS FIXED SINCE IT IS A RANDOM PROBLEM. I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TRUST THE BRAKES UNTIL AT LEAST A MONTH GOES BY WITH NO PROBLEMS. THE TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 29000 MILES ON IT.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 15, 2016CA

MY AVALANCHE IS A 2012 WITH 36500 MILES ON IT. I HEARD A RATTLING NOISE AND FOUND MY DASH IS CRACKED ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 10, 201521,000 milesSC

SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I RELEASED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WHILE ON A HILL, TE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 21,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED, DEALER SAYS IT WILL COST ABOUT $1,000 TO REPLACE THE SDM DUE TO A FAILED CURRENT IN THE SDM, THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, THE WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT BUT STILL WELL BELOW THE ALLOTTED MILEAGE. THE DEALER SAYS THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT WORK IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 5, 201598,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CRACK DEVELOPED ON THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

Wheels
Filed Jul 15, 2015VA

2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ONE OF THE VEHICLE WHEELS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. *SMD MA 09/25 UPDATED 11/22/2017*CN

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jun 22, 201544,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR WRANGLER TIRES, SIZE: P265/70/R17 (NA). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, IT WAS OBSERVED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES HAD BLISTERS AND THE TREAD WAS SEPARATED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE AND TIRES WAS 44,000. UPDATED 10/26/2017*CN

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 11, 201554,000 milesGA

DASHBOARD ON A 2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE LTZ CRACKED IN THE AREA OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. CONCERNED THAT THIS DEFECT MAY CAUSE SHRAPNEL IN THE EVENT OF AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 18, 201426,000 milesCA

THE STEERING WHEEL IS DIFFICULT TO TURN OR CONTROL, WENT TO DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER THE DEALERSHIP ALLEGEDLY FIX THE PROBLEM, WE HAD CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING (CONTROLLING THE STEERING WHEEL) AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JUMP OR SKIP GEARS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE TO BUSY TO HELP US. ALL OF THE AFOREMENTIONED DEFECTS CAUSED MY HUSBAND TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AND ULTIMATELY FLEW OFF THE ROAD AND VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER (ROLL OVER). *TR

Wheels
Filed May 5, 201455,000 milesMI

I'VE HAD A PROBLEM WITH WHEEL CORROSION. I REPORTED THIS TO GM IN NOVEMBER 2013. THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ON APRIL 24, WHILE TRAVELING OUT OF STATE, MY WHEEL SENSOR WENT OFF INDICATING LOW TIRE PRESSURE. I PULLED INTO A GARAGE. THEY INFORMED ME THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE WHEEL WAS CORRODING AROUND THE VALVE STEM, AND THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE WHEEL. FORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT OCCUR AT HIGH SPEED. *TR

Engine
Filed Feb 16, 201429,000 milesVA

THE ENGINE FAILS TO START SOME TIMES, THIS HAPPEN 2 TO 3 TIME A MONTH THE ENGINE CRANK OK VOLT ON BATTERY DROPS TO 10.5 VOLTS, INSTALLED NEW BATTERY, NO HELP. AFTER SETTING FOR 15 TO 20 MIN. IT WILL START, NO CHECK ENG. LITE NO CODE SET IN COMPUTER. CHEV DEALER SAID CANNOT HELP UNLESS IT HAPPEN AT THE DEALERSHIP.I CANNOT CHECK FOR SPARK BECAUSE THE SPARK PLUG ARE OUT OF SIGHT, THE FUEL PUMP RUNS OK. I NEED HELP. *TR

Steering
Filed Jun 27, 20131,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT A VERY LOUD POP EMITTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

Power TrainCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 29, 201334,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STANDING AT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED AND THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS KNOCKED OVER AND SUSTAINED SEVERAL INJURIES INCLUDING A CONCUSSION AND SOFT TISSUE INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HALTED TO A STOP AFTER CRASHING AGAINST A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS DAMAGED HOWEVER, THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 21, 20133,400 milesLA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRECIPITATION WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND SATURATING THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS RETAINING WATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,400. UPDATED 4/24/13 *CN UPDATED 06/3/2013 *JS

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 10, 201211 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE ENGAGING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE SURGED SPORADICALLY WHEN BEING DRIVEN AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, NO FAILURE WAS DISCOVERED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND A CLAIM WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,929.

All 36 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2002
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201382200Routine
2012 — this page36300Routine
2011127300Routine
2010111400Routine
200976510Routine
2008258430Above average
2007377470Above average
200611100Routine
200571300Routine
2004165610Routine
2003204620Above average
2002444403Fatalities reported
20012000Routine
20002000Routine

Compare every Avalanche 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: Feb 5, 2021. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.