NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 Chevrolet Avalanche Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 71 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Chevrolet dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2005 Chevrolet Avalanche owner complaints

Owners have filed 71 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche, describing incidents dated March 15, 2005 to August 6, 2021.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 21 complaints
Air Bags 11 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 9 complaints
Power Train 9 complaints
Engine 8 complaints
Service Brakes 5 complaints

Of the 71 complaints on file, 2 report a crash; across all 71 complaints, owners report 4 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11428108 · Filed August 6, 2021
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed that the passenger’s side air bag was faulty and needed to be replaced. The…
ODI #10839019 · Filed February 29, 2016
CLUSTER GAUGE IS NOT READ PROPERLY ALL READING ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE.
ODI #10809980 · Filed December 14, 2015
CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE BECAUSE OF FOUR CORRODED BRAKE LINES. ALL FOUR LINES CORRODED IN THE BRACKET HOLDING THE LINES TO THE DRIVER SIDE FRAME RAIL. I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES THERE WAS INITIAL RESISTANCE AND THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE…

Read all 71 complaints

SEAT BELT ROUTING

NHTSA #05V163000 · Seat Belts — Rear/Other · NHTSA notice

Reported April 22, 2005 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 1,359,824 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 05037 · Owners notified July 21, 2005 · Vehicles built February 24, 2004 – November 2, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 05037.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR ILLUMINATION

NHTSA #05V055000 · Power Train — Manual Transmission — Shift Pattern Indicator · NHTSA notice

Reported February 14, 2005 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 7,194 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 05023 · Owners notified February 22, 2005 · Vehicles built January 1, 2005 – February 28, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 05023.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

HYDRO-BOOST/HYDRAULIC BRAKE/BOSCH

NHTSA #05V043000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA notice

Reported February 8, 2005 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 77,411 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 05006 · Owners notified March 23, 2005 · Vehicles built April 1, 2004 – September 30, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 05006.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2005 Chevrolet Avalanche w/SAB; w/updated ESC

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 3, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

22% rollover risk

Safety Technology

71 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche.

Air Bags

ODI #11428108

Incident: August 6, 2021 · Filed: August 6, 2021

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed that the passenger’s side air bag was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,900.

Electrical System; Seat Belts; Engine

ODI #10839019

Incident: February 13, 2016 · Filed: February 29, 2016

CLUSTER GAUGE IS NOT READ PROPERLY ALL READING ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE.

Service Brakes

ODI #10809980

Incident: December 13, 2015 · Filed: December 14, 2015

CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE BECAUSE OF FOUR CORRODED BRAKE LINES. ALL FOUR LINES CORRODED IN THE BRACKET HOLDING THE LINES TO THE DRIVER SIDE FRAME RAIL. I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES THERE WAS INITIAL RESISTANCE AND THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR. I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AGAIN BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. I HAD TO APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP.

Unknown or Other; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10808951

Incident: December 7, 2015 · Filed: December 8, 2015

THE FUEL LINES RUBBING TOGETHER CAUSING FUEL TO DUMP EVERY WHERE RIGHT NEXT TO THE CAT ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE TRUCK N THIS IS NOT A RECALL. THEN I SAY ITS ATTEPMED MURDER CHARGE AGAISNT CHEVY....

Exterior Lighting; Unknown or Other

ODI #10806367

Incident: November 16, 2015 · Filed: November 23, 2015

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER DOES NOT LIGHT UP. CANNOT TELL WHAT GEAR I AM SHIFTING IN AND OUT OF. THE DIC BUTTONS ON MY STEERING WHEEL DO NOT LIGHT UP, CANNOT TELL IF I HAVE A MALFUNCTION WHEN DRIVING DURING THE DARK. I DID CHECK FOR A RECALL ON THIS AND SAW THAT THERE WAS AN OLDER ONE ISSUED IN 2005 AND THAT IT CLOSED IN 2011. I WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALLS BUT NONE THE LESS I FEEL THAT WITH BOTH COMPONENTS FAILING AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY CAN CAUSE A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WHEN IN OPERATION (DRIVING)

Engine

ODI #10783541

Incident: October 19, 2015 · Filed: October 19, 2015

CYLINDER HEADS CRACKED DUE TO POOR CASTING (KNOWN ISSUE BY GM). THIS LED TO COOLANT IN THE ENGINE CAUSING DAMAGE TO LIFTERS. EXPECTED COST TO FIX IS APPROXIMATELY $1,500 IN PARTS UP TO $4,000 IN LABOR.

Air Bags

ODI #10735600

Incident: August 15, 2014 · Filed: July 21, 2015

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 BAG SENSORS ARE FAILING ON A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 35,000 MILES. I'M NOT SURE IF THE SYSTEM IS FUNCTIONAL WHEN THESE SENSORS FAIL.

Air Bags

ODI #10730739

Incident: June 23, 2015 · Filed: June 27, 2015

SERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGE APPEARS IN THE DIC (DIGITAL INFORMATION CENTER). SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE ON THE CHEVROLET AVALANCHE.

Electrical System

ODI #10694091

Incident: December 19, 2014 · Filed: March 13, 2015

THE SPEEDOMETER STICKS AT A SPEED AND WILL DROP TO THE 6 O'CLOCK POSITION. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE AMONG OWNERS BUT GM NOR THE DEALERSHIPS ARE WILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR FIX IT. THIS IS THE SECOND ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE THAT GM IS NOT WILLING TO FIX OR TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER GM VEHICLE AGAIN. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10694087

Incident: March 11, 2015 · Filed: March 13, 2015

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 APPALLING THAT A MANUFACTURE CAN ASSIST SOME CUSTOMERS BUT NOT ALL. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER GM VEHICLE AGAIN. *TR

Other Chevrolet Avalanche model years

Check your 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Chevrolet Avalanche at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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