2005 Chevrolet Avalanche Problems: 7 Known Issues

2005 Chevrolet Avalanche Problems: 7 Known Issues | Au7o

NHTSA Recalls9 recalls

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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.

Campaign #21V05400005/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles 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." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."

Campaign #21V05300005/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles 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." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." 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.

Campaign #21V05000005/02/2021

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

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.

Campaign #14V82700030/12/2014

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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.

Campaign #21V05100005/02/2021

+ 4 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Chevrolet Avalanche problems?

According to Au7o's analysis of 620+ owner reports, the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche has 7 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Unwanted Low-Speed ABS Activation (Corrosion) - Recall 05V379, 4L60E Transmission 3-4 Clutch Failure / Slipping, Unwanted ABS Activation Increasing Stopping Distance. Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Chevrolet Avalanche reliable?

The 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche has 7 known issues documented across 620+ owner reports. 2 issues are rated critical: Unwanted Low-Speed ABS Activation (Corrosion) - Recall 05V379 and 4L60E Transmission 3-4 Clutch Failure / Slipping. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Chevrolet Avalanche problems?

Repair costs for known Chevrolet Avalanche issues range from $20 to $3,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Unwanted Low-Speed ABS Activation (Corrosion) - Recall 05V379, typically costs $150-$500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 2003-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche Unwanted Low-Speed ABS Activation (Corrosion) - Recall 05V379?

Corrosion of the front wheel-bearing hub can contaminate/affect the ABS tone ring and wheel speed sensor, causing unwanted ABS activation when braking at low speeds (roughly 3-10 mph). This extends low-speed stopping distance and pulses the pedal unexpectedly. GM issued recall 05… Repairs typically run $150-$500. Severity: high.

What is the 2002-2013 Chevrolet Avalanche 4L60E Transmission 3-4 Clutch Failure / Slipping?

Avalanches equipped with the 4L60E automatic commonly lose 3rd and 4th gear due to 3-4 clutch pack burnout, a known factory weak point. The long fluid circuit feeding the 3-4 clutch leaks at the input housing (steel shaft galls the aluminum bore) and at the 2-4 servo, so the clut… Repairs typically run $1,500-$3,500. Severity: high.

What is the 2002-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche Unwanted ABS Activation Increasing Stopping Distance?

First-generation Avalanches (2002-2006) can experience unwanted ABS activation during normal low-speed braking. The antilock brake system activates inappropriately, causing a pulsating brake pedal and increased stopping distances when it should not be engaging. The issue is more… Repairs typically run $100-$1,200. Severity: medium.

What is the 2003-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche Instrument Cluster Gauge / Speedometer Failure (Stepper Motors)?

First-generation (GMT800) Avalanches share the GM truck instrument cluster that suffers stepper-motor failure, causing gauges (speedometer, tach, fuel, temp, oil, voltage) to stick, read inaccurately, flutter, or go dead. The defect was widespread enough that GM agreed to a 2008… Repairs typically run $120-$400. Severity: medium.

What is the 2002-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche Body Cladding Fading, Cracking, and Clip Failure?

The first-generation Avalanche (2002-2006) features distinctive gray plastic body cladding that is prone to fading, cracking, and clip failure. The unpainted plastic panels that encircle the body deteriorate from UV exposure, turning chalky white and developing cracks. The clips… Repairs typically run $20-$1,500. Severity: low.

What is the 2002-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche Erratic Fuel Gauge / Fuel Level Sensor Failure?

The in-tank fuel level sending unit on GMT800 Avalanches wears out, producing erratic readings: the gauge sticks on full or empty, drops suddenly, or reads inaccurately. The cause is wear/contamination of the resistive card the sender wiper rides on, leading to intermittent conta… Repairs typically run $250-$600. Severity: low.

What is the 2002-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche HVAC Blend Door / Mode Actuator Failure?

The plastic HVAC temperature (blend) and air-delivery (mode) door actuators fail commonly on GMT800 Avalanches. Internal plastic gears strip or position sensors wear out, producing a repetitive clicking/ticking behind the dash and loss of temperature or vent control. On dual-zone… Repairs typically run $100-$350. Severity: low.

All 7 Known Issues

2003-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche: Unwanted Low-Speed ABS Activation (Corrosion) - Recall 05V379#

2002-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche: Unwanted ABS Activation Increasing Stopping Distance#

2002-2013 Chevrolet Avalanche: 4L60E Transmission 3-4 Clutch Failure / Slipping#

2003-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche: Instrument Cluster Gauge / Speedometer Failure (Stepper Motors)#

2002-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche: Body Cladding Fading, Cracking, and Clip Failure#

2002-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche: Erratic Fuel Gauge / Fuel Level Sensor Failure#

2002-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche: HVAC Blend Door / Mode Actuator Failure#

Other Chevrolet Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Chevrolet Avalanche problems?

Is the Chevrolet Avalanche reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common Chevrolet Avalanche problems?

What is the 2003-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche Unwanted Low-Speed ABS Activation (Corrosion) - Recall 05V379?

What is the 2002-2013 Chevrolet Avalanche 4L60E Transmission 3-4 Clutch Failure / Slipping?

What is the 2002-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche Unwanted ABS Activation Increasing Stopping Distance?

What is the 2003-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche Instrument Cluster Gauge / Speedometer Failure (Stepper Motors)?

What is the 2002-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche Body Cladding Fading, Cracking, and Clip Failure?

What is the 2002-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche Erratic Fuel Gauge / Fuel Level Sensor Failure?

What is the 2002-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche HVAC Blend Door / Mode Actuator Failure?