← New search

2005 Chevrolet Avalanche

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 82.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Avalanche years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

62 reports with mileage · 9 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 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

21 reports
Clear category filter
120,000 miles · Nov 26, 2012
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER READ THAT THE VEHICLE WAS GOING 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10486071

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2010
Electrical System

LAST YEAR 2009, WHILE ENROUTING TO TOWN I SAW MY SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE START CRAWLING UP TO 100 MPH, WHILE I WAS SLOWLY MOVING IN A 25 MILE ZONE. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. SINCE I HAD TO GO TO WORK I DID NOT STOP. SO NOW THE NEEDLE OF THE SPEEDOMETER IS NOW STUCK IN THE EXTREME RIGHT OF THE SPEEDOMETER BEYOND THE 120 MILES PER HOU…

Read full complaint

LAST YEAR 2009, WHILE ENROUTING TO TOWN I SAW MY SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE START CRAWLING UP TO 100 MPH, WHILE I WAS SLOWLY MOVING IN A 25 MILE ZONE. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. SINCE I HAD TO GO TO WORK I DID NOT STOP. SO NOW THE NEEDLE OF THE SPEEDOMETER IS NOW STUCK IN THE EXTREME RIGHT OF THE SPEEDOMETER BEYOND THE 120 MILES PER HOUR LEVEL. I TALKED TO SOME PEOPLE WITH AVALANCHE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WE NEED YOUR HELP. THIS ALSO AFFECTS MY SAFETY CHECK REQUIREMENTS WHEN I GO TO GET A SAFETY CHECK UP ANNUALLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10349010

54,800 miles · Mar 26, 2010
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVY AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS GIVING AN INCORRECT READING OF 130 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER TOLD THAT THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS AND THEREFORE, HE W…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVY AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS GIVING AN INCORRECT READING OF 130 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER TOLD THAT THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS AND THEREFORE, HE WOULD HAVE TO ASSUME ALL REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,800. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,434. UPDATED 05/06/10. *LJ UPDATED 05/10/10*JB

NHTSA ODI #10322318

65,000 miles · Mar 22, 2010
Electrical System

TL*THE 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 NO CHAR…

Read full complaint

TL*THE 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 NO CHARGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103285.

NHTSA ODI #10321376

53,000 miles · Jun 8, 2009
Electrical System

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE IN MY 2005 CHEVY AVALANCHE I NOTICED THAT MY SPEEDOMETER READ 90MPH VS. 40/45MPH. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND PLACED THE VEHICLE IN "PARK" AND THE SPEEDOMETER READ 50MPH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. GM STATES THAT MY VEHICLES VIN DO NOT FALL WITHIN THE RANGE OF THEIR "BULLETIN FOR RECALLS. *T…

Read full complaint

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE IN MY 2005 CHEVY AVALANCHE I NOTICED THAT MY SPEEDOMETER READ 90MPH VS. 40/45MPH. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND PLACED THE VEHICLE IN "PARK" AND THE SPEEDOMETER READ 50MPH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. GM STATES THAT MY VEHICLES VIN DO NOT FALL WITHIN THE RANGE OF THEIR "BULLETIN FOR RECALLS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273153

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2009
Electrical SystemSteering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT IN ENGLISH. WHILE MAKING LEFT TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE UNDER THE STEERING SHAFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING TO WO…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT IN ENGLISH. WHILE MAKING LEFT TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE UNDER THE STEERING SHAFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT AFFECT THE VEHICLE. MILEAGES 85279 UPDATED 04-14-09 *BF UPDATED 04/15/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10262160

Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2009
Electrical System

HI, I AM JUST WONDERING IF THERE IS A RECALL ON 2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE ON 92,000KMS FOR A SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10261578

66,650 miles · Jan 7, 2009
Electrical System

WAS DRIVING AND CAME TO STOP, MY SPEEDOMETER DID NOT ZERO OUT. WHEN I STARTED TO GO IT CONTINUED FROM WHERE IT WAS. I DID NOT REALLY KNOW HOW FAST I WAS GOING. SEVERAL STOPS AND EACH TIME IT DID NOT ZERO. TO GET IT ZEROED I HAD TO SHUT OFF ENGINE AND RESTART SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL IT ZEROED OUT. IT HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES THI…

Read full complaint

WAS DRIVING AND CAME TO STOP, MY SPEEDOMETER DID NOT ZERO OUT. WHEN I STARTED TO GO IT CONTINUED FROM WHERE IT WAS. I DID NOT REALLY KNOW HOW FAST I WAS GOING. SEVERAL STOPS AND EACH TIME IT DID NOT ZERO. TO GET IT ZEROED I HAD TO SHUT OFF ENGINE AND RESTART SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL IT ZEROED OUT. IT HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES THIS BRINGS EXCESSIVE WEAR AND TEAR ON THE STARTER AND BATTERY. IT COULD ALSO BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS YOU REALLY HAVE NO CLUE ON YOUR CORRECT SPEED. VEHICLE: 2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10254102

40,000 miles · Dec 9, 2008
Electrical System

2005 AVALANCHE SPEEDOMETER STARTED READING SLOWER THAN I WAS TRAVELING ONE MONTH LATER IT DOESN'T WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251174

46,500 miles · Nov 3, 2008
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER HAS STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY. IT MAY NOT MOVE AT ALL OR IT MAY TELL ME I AM GOING 120 MPH. I KNOW OF SEVERAL OTHER AVALANCHE OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD OR ARE HAVING THE SAVE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 47,000 MILES. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE IS A RECALL ON OLDER MODELS, BUT NOT ON MY 05.

NHTSA ODI #10247563

Official recalls

3

05V163000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Apr 22, 2005

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

05V055000 · Power Train:manual Transmission:shift Pattern Indicator

Feb 14, 2005

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE VEHICLE MAY MOVE IN AN UNINTENDED DIRECTION RESULTING IN POSSIBLE INJURY TO OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: 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.

05V043000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Feb 8, 2005

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

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.