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2005 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Avalanche 1500 years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 38.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

110 reports with mileage · 19 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports4 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

129 reports
20,000 miles · Oct 10, 2006
Tires

4 INCH RIP IN SIDEWALL OF TIRE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10170408

7,000 miles · Aug 28, 2006
StructureUnknown Or Other

(1) NORMAL DRIVING USE - WITH LIMITED USAGE OF MID GATE. (2) WHILE RAINING WATER ENTERS THE CAB THROUGH THE MID GATE, CAUSING THE CARPET AND MATTING TO BECOME SOAKED WITH WATER TO THE POINT THAT WATER POOLS ON TOP OF THE CARPET. THIS MORE THAN LIKELY WILL RESULT IN THE IMMEDIATE RUSTING OF THE FLOOR AND POSSIBLE GROWING OF MOLD…

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(1) NORMAL DRIVING USE - WITH LIMITED USAGE OF MID GATE. (2) WHILE RAINING WATER ENTERS THE CAB THROUGH THE MID GATE, CAUSING THE CARPET AND MATTING TO BECOME SOAKED WITH WATER TO THE POINT THAT WATER POOLS ON TOP OF THE CARPET. THIS MORE THAN LIKELY WILL RESULT IN THE IMMEDIATE RUSTING OF THE FLOOR AND POSSIBLE GROWING OF MOLD IN THE CONSTANTLY WET CARPET AND MATTING. (3)DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED AND SEALS ON SEVERAL LOCATION WAS WELL AS ADDED ADDITIONAL SILICONE, ALTHOUGH NO ATTEMPT AT REPAIR HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN SLOWING DOWN OR STOPPING THE WATER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10166694

19,000 miles · Jun 26, 2006
Electrical System

I AM POSTING THIS TO HELP OTHERS AND GET THIS INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET. I OWN A 2005 AVALANCHE 1500 2/WD WITH 22000 MILES. AT ABOUT 19000 MILES, WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT I HEARD A CLICK THE LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT OUT. DEALER REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, WITH IN 3 DAYS ANOTHER CLICK AND THE LIGHTS WENT OUT. DEALER…

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I AM POSTING THIS TO HELP OTHERS AND GET THIS INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET. I OWN A 2005 AVALANCHE 1500 2/WD WITH 22000 MILES. AT ABOUT 19000 MILES, WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT I HEARD A CLICK THE LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT OUT. DEALER REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, WITH IN 3 DAYS ANOTHER CLICK AND THE LIGHTS WENT OUT. DEALER REPLACED INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE NEXT TIME I DRIVE AT NIGHT "CLICK" AND THE LIGHTS WENT OUT. NOW MY DEALER HAS HAD MY TRUCK IN HIS SHOP FOR 7 DAYS AND I DON'T KNOW WHEN I WILL GET IT BACK. FOR A VEHICLE TO BLOW 4 INSTRUMENT PANELS, WHICH COST $600.00 A PIECE PLUS INSTALLATION, MAKES ME WONDER IF THIS MIGHT BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND A RECALL SHOULD MADE SO GM WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. I WILL ALSO SEND THIS TO THE NHSTA. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10160738

17,000 miles · Jun 14, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

FILLING UP WITH GAS ON MY 2005 CHEVY AVALANCHE. WHILE FILLING WITH GAS, WITH THE LOCK ON THE GAS DESPENER, AND WATCHING TO MAKE SURE IT STOPS, WHEN THE GAS DESPENSER STOPS, ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS LATER GAS STARTS TO SPRAY AND/OR LEAK OUT OF THE GAS TANK. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST THE GAS STATION THAT I USED, BUT IT HAS OCCURED …

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FILLING UP WITH GAS ON MY 2005 CHEVY AVALANCHE. WHILE FILLING WITH GAS, WITH THE LOCK ON THE GAS DESPENER, AND WATCHING TO MAKE SURE IT STOPS, WHEN THE GAS DESPENSER STOPS, ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS LATER GAS STARTS TO SPRAY AND/OR LEAK OUT OF THE GAS TANK. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST THE GAS STATION THAT I USED, BUT IT HAS OCCURED AT MUTIPLE GAS STATIONS. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. THE DEALER HAS SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, AND NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10159792

8,421 miles · May 24, 2006
Tires

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE TIRE AND COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION WAS VISIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, AND THE DEALER DETERMINED THE TIRE …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE TIRE AND COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION WAS VISIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, AND THE DEALER DETERMINED THE TIRE BLOWOUT WAS DUE TO POSSIBLE ROAD HAZARD NOT A DEFECT. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE WILDERNESS LE P265/70/R16 SM/S. UPDATED 06/07/2006. *AK * TS

NHTSA ODI #10158155

18,000 miles · Mar 18, 2006
Unknown Or Other

THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM THAT COMES ON THE 2005 CHEVY AVALANCHE CAN BE BYPASSED BY A PIN HOLE IN THE DRIVERS SIDE KEY TUMBLER. SHUTS OFF THE SYSTEM AND INTERIOR ITEMS ARE ACCESSIBLE TO THIEVES. A ALTERNATIVE SECURITY SYSTEM HAS TO BE ADDED TO BE SECURE. CHEVY DOESN'T PROVIDE THIS. IT HAS TO BE AFTERMARKET. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10153082

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2005
Equipment

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GM DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO REPAIR THE VIBRATION AND HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM AIR CONDITIONER. HOWEVER, GM MANUFACTURER WROTE A LETTER TO THE DEALERSHIP, TELLING THEM TO STOP ALL ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE UNTIL THEY COME U…

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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GM DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO REPAIR THE VIBRATION AND HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM AIR CONDITIONER. HOWEVER, GM MANUFACTURER WROTE A LETTER TO THE DEALERSHIP, TELLING THEM TO STOP ALL ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE UNTIL THEY COME UP WITH A SOLUTION FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. HE STATED THAT ONE COULD FEEL A HUMMING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING. THIS OCCURRED ALL THE TIME WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS TURNED ON. IF THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS OFF THEN ONE WOULD NOT HEAR THIS NOISE. *AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10135090

569 miles · Aug 6, 2005
EquipmentService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

ON JUNE 12TH, 2005, I PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVY AVALANCHE FOR MY WIFE FROM BILL HEARD CHEVROLET IN SANFORD, FLORIDA. THE MORNING AFTER TAKING DELIVERY OF UNIT, I NOTICED THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP/BRAKE PROPERLY, THE TIRES WERE RUBBING INTO THE FRONT FENDERS AND THE FRONT END WANDERED AND PULLED TO THE LEF…

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ON JUNE 12TH, 2005, I PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVY AVALANCHE FOR MY WIFE FROM BILL HEARD CHEVROLET IN SANFORD, FLORIDA. THE MORNING AFTER TAKING DELIVERY OF UNIT, I NOTICED THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP/BRAKE PROPERLY, THE TIRES WERE RUBBING INTO THE FRONT FENDERS AND THE FRONT END WANDERED AND PULLED TO THE LEFT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THAT DAY AND SPOKE WITH THE SALESMAN. IT TOOK THE DEALERSHIP ALMOST THREE WEEKS TO GET MY VEHICLE INTO THEIR REPAIR FACILITY. THEY HAD ADDRESSED THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT THEY DID NOTHING TO FIX THE VEHICLE. I THEN RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP A WEEK LATER STATING MY CONCERNS TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. THE SERVICE MANAGER VERIFIED THE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. ON THIS VISIT NOTHING WAS FIXED AGAIN. A WEEK AFTER THIS INCIDENT, I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER CHEVY DEALERSHIP. THIS DEALERSHIP STATED AND VERIFIED THE VEHICLE DOES HAVE PROBLEMS, BUT THERE WAS NO FIX FOR IT. THIS DEALERSHIP ALSO STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THE LAST FIVE MONTHS, AND STATED THE SELLING DEALERSHIP NEVER FIXED THE RECALL. AGAIN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE PROBLEMS, BUT THE RECALL WAS NOW COMPLETED BY THIS DEALERSHIP. I CALLED THE SELLING DEALERSHIP AND SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER, THE SALES MANAGER, THE CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER, THE SALESMAN AS WELL AS OTHERS TO TRY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED OR HAD THE PURCHASE VOIDED TO RECEIVE MY MONEY BACK. NO ONE IN THIS DEALERSHIP WILL HELP ME. I THEN CALLED GENERAL MOTORS (CORPORATE) AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THEY WILL NOT HELP ME. TODAY I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, AND NOW WITH YOUR AGENCY. I AM SEEKING HELP BECAUSE I FEEL THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE FOR MY FAMILY TO BE IN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10131820

2,000 miles · Jun 1, 2005
Power Train

I OWN A 2005 AVALANCHE WITH 2000 MILES ON IT. WHEN TURNING SHARPLY WHILE IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE, GOING FORWARD OR IN REVERSE, THE TRUCK BOGS DOWN AND STOPS. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE OWNERS MANUAL ABOUT THIS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION FOR SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT REALIZE WHAT WILL HAPPEN. IF I WERE TO MAKE A U TURN THE VEHICLE WILL COME…

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I OWN A 2005 AVALANCHE WITH 2000 MILES ON IT. WHEN TURNING SHARPLY WHILE IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE, GOING FORWARD OR IN REVERSE, THE TRUCK BOGS DOWN AND STOPS. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE OWNERS MANUAL ABOUT THIS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION FOR SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT REALIZE WHAT WILL HAPPEN. IF I WERE TO MAKE A U TURN THE VEHICLE WILL COME TO A STOP IF THE WHEELS ARE TURNED TWO SHARPLY. MY DEALER DID NOT EVEN KNOW ABOUT THIS UNTILL I BROUGHT IT TO HIS ATTENTION.THE DEALER WENT OUT ON HIS LOT AND DROVE AN AVALANCHE IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE TO DETERMINE IF I WAS NUTS OR NOT. WELL I AM NOT NUTS AS THIERS DID EXACTLY WHAT I SAID. THE DEALER THEN CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS AND WAS TOLD THIS CONDITION IS NORMAL SO THE U JOINTS AND GEAR BOX WILL NOT BE DAMAGED. IF THEY SAY IT IS NORMAL TO LOCK UP WHY DON'T THEY PUT IT THE OWNERS MANUAL? SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE SERIOUSLY HURT OVER THIS CONDITION AND IT WILL BE MORE THAN U JOINTS OR GEAR BOX.

NHTSA ODI #10123833

Official recalls

1

06V289000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Aug 3, 2006

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.