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2005 Chevrolet Avalanche Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 71 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche, most often about the electrical (30% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles). It is 10th of 14 Avalanche model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche problems
Electrical
21 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
Speedometer went out. Bought GPS to keep up with speed. Dealer would not fix problem. Then, oil pressure, water temp also stopped working. Come to find out, gm used defective stepper motors on instrument cluster from 02 - 07 I believe it was, not sure. I have had 1 speeding ticket and they tagged on wreckless driving…
Tl contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche. While traveling 55 MPH the contact noticed that the speedometer suddenly stopped functioning. The contact stated that the manufacturer sent recall information regarding the failure to the dealers and not the consumers; therefore, he was unable to get the remedy repaired at…
Air bags
11 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche. The air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument control panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection, and the front crash sensor was repaired. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on a separate occasion for an identical failure. The…
8/15/2014 - service air bag light displayed. Dealer diagnosed the issue as crash sensor (10370149). Dealership replaced sensor - cost $419. 07/10/2015 - service air bag light displayed. Dealer diagnose the issue as another crash sensor (10370149). Dealership replaced sensor - cost $473. I find it concerning that air…
Transmission
9 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 50,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
At approx 47000 mi traveling at 65mph a heavy thud in the engine compartment that sounded like the whole engine block had dropped out, was able to coast off road to a vacant lot. Transmission toast with damage to ring and pinion gears,never towed anything, city driving to work and home mostly.(47k) miles. Really?…
The transmission began to shift hard. The answer from the dealer was need new transmission for $4500. Stated that the fluid sensor housing was cracked and the entire transmission needed replacement. Seemed a bit ridiculous for a two year old vehicle that towed nothing.
Fuel system
9 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 110,000 miles.
Noticed a strong gas odor in the garage. I couldn't see any leakage until I started (pressurized the fuel lines). I noticed a braided area of the fuel lines that cross over each other, touching, which caused them to rub together creating a pin hole in each line. When pressurized, they shoot fuel out. Luckily, they…
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…
Engine
8 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 47,500 miles.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche which was purchased on december 31, 2007. She stated that the heater on the vehicle failed. A certified mechanic found that coolant was being utilized but could not determine where. Upon further investigation, her mechanic found coolant and several cracks in the head gasket.…
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.
Brakes
5 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components.
Sudden brake failure due to overwhelming rusted brake lines ,rotors,and caliper bolts
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that the ABS system activated when he attempted to accelerate from a stop. As a result, he would lose power to the wheels and the wheels would not move. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified nor was the vehicle diagnosed or repaired. The…
Steering
4 complaints · 6%: the contact stated while turning left the steering wheel makes a popping noise. This occurred on normal roads during normal steering without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection. Upon inspection, the dealership replaced the front suspension, but the problem still exists. The manufacturer…
Bought our 2005 Avalanche in june 05. Not long after it started making a popping noise in the front end every time I turned the corner, into and out of the driveway etc. Have taken it in numerous times. They have replaced the steering shaft. They also did something with the upper and lower actuator. They have also…
Body and structure
3 complaints · 4%The spare tire release is impossible to operate unless there are two people around. After 7 years of corrosion and rust the release mechanism wont release the tire. This is hazardous should you have a flat at 3am on the side of the highway.
The rear window molding broke due to unknown reasons leaving sharp jagged edges that my son cut his hands on. After reading in other blogs, this rear window molding separation problem in the Chevrolet Avalanche is a common wide spread problem. People have had water leak in to their vehicles causing premature and…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Chevrolet Avalanche recalls
Seat belts: rear/other
Risk: A lap portion of the seat belt routing that is not low and snug on the hips can allow the lap belt to ride up on an occupant's abdomen instead of fitting low around their hipbones, and therefore, can expose them to more risk of abdominal and internal organ injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: shift pattern indicator
Risk: The vehicle may move in an unintended direction resulting in possible injury to others outside of the vehicle.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: service brakes, hydraulic
Risk: If a separation occurred and the hood of the vehicle were open, fragments from the accumulator could cause injury to people in the immediate area. The presence of this crack or fractured surface could allow the hydraulic fluid to leak from the accumulator circuit of the booster assembly. The loss of fluid would cause increased steering and braking effort and a crash may occur without prior warning.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (21 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); air bags (11 complaints, typically around 45,000 miles); transmission (9 complaints, typically around 50,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 22, 2005 (seat belts). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Chevrolet Avalanche?
- It is 10th of 14 Avalanche model years by number of complaints, with 71 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.