What years of the Chevrolet Avalanche should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2007, 2008, and 2011 Avalanche are rated Avoid, with complaint index scores of 100, 88, and 75. Airbags are the top problem area across all three years.

What is the best year for the Chevrolet Avalanche?

The 2012 Avalanche is rated Best, with the lowest complaint index in the lineup at 13 from just 52 complaints.

Are airbags a common problem across all Avalanche years?

Yes. Airbags are the top problem area overall, accounting for 661 of 1,566 total complaints (42%) across all model years covered.

Why is the 2006 Avalanche only rated Good instead of Best despite a complaint index of 0?

NHTSA lists a verdict cap reason for 2006: model years 2005-2009 are capped at Good because complaint records for those years are less complete.

Does the Chevrolet Avalanche have airbag recalls?

Yes. Multiple model years, including 2007, 2008, and 2011, are covered by a recall to replace the front passenger air bag inflator, part of a wider GM truck and SUV campaign.

Chevrolet Avalanche Best and Worst Years (2005–2013)

Avoid the 2007, 2008, and 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche years, which carry complaint index scores of 100, 88, and 75 and are dominated by airbag complaints. The 2012 model year is rated Best with a complaint index of just 13.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2007 Avoid 2008 Avoid 2011 Best 2012

Model years: 9; 2005–2013
NHTSA complaints: 1,566
Recall campaigns: 18
Crashes reported: 40
Fires reported: 20
Top problem area: Airbags

Avalanche Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Chevrolet Avalanche problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Caution	50	200	3	4	4	Electrical System	14.5	—
2006	Good	0	50	5	2	2	Brakes	14	—
2007	Avoid	100	490	12	10	5	Airbags	16	—
2008	Avoid	88	295	8	3	4	Airbags	16	—
2009	Caution	63	96	4	1	5	Airbags	16	—
2010	Good	38	117	0	0	3	Airbags	15.5	—
2011	Avoid	75	155	3	0	5	Airbags	17	—
2012	Best	13	52	2	0	3	Airbags	17	—
2013	Good	25	111	3	0	3	Airbags	17	—

Avalanche years to avoid: what went wrong

2007 Chevrolet Avalanche Index 100 · 490 complaints · 5 recalls

The 2007 Avalanche has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, with 490 total complaints. Airbags account for 56% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 100,000 miles; owners describe airbags failing to deploy in crashes. Structure & Body issues make up 20% of complaints, including frame damage after accidents that some owners say was not properly repaired. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this year, including a passenger airbag inflator replacement campaign covering multiple GM trucks. Electrical and engine complaints round out the picture, with reports of dashboard fires and instrument panel failures.

2007 airbags problems →2007 structure & body problems →2007 engine problems →

2008 Chevrolet Avalanche Index 88 · 295 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2008 Avalanche has a complaint index of 88, the second-highest in the lineup, from 295 total complaints. Airbags drive half of all complaints, with a median failure mileage of 86,545.5 miles; owners report non-deployment during crashes, including one case involving a drunk-driving collision. Structure & Body complaints make up 20% of the total. NHTSA lists 4 recalls, including the same passenger airbag inflator campaign that covers the 2007-2011 range. Owners also report electrical wiring rubbing against brake components and causing fires.

2008 airbags problems →2008 structure & body problems →2008 electrical system problems →

2011 Chevrolet Avalanche Index 75 · 155 complaints · 5 recalls

The 2011 Avalanche carries a complaint index of 75 from 155 complaints. Airbags are the top problem area at 43% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 68,000 miles. Owners describe the transmission suddenly surging forward when slowing to a stop, sometimes causing collisions, and report ABS brake failures that prevented the vehicle from stopping. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this year, including an airbag inflator campaign and an ignition lock housing recall shared with 2011-2012 GM trucks and SUVs.

2011 airbags problems →2011 structure & body problems →2011 engine problems →

Most common Chevy Avalanche problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Airbags661 (42%)
Other390 (25%)
Structure & Body260 (17%)
Electrical System176 (11%)
Engine121 (8%)
Transmission & Powertrain94 (6%)
Brakes93 (6%)
Fuel System55 (4%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires46 (3%)
Steering36 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Chevrolet Avalanche should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2007, 2008, and 2011 Avalanche are rated Avoid, with complaint index scores of 100, 88, and 75. Airbags are the top problem area across all three years.
What is the best year for the Chevrolet Avalanche?: The 2012 Avalanche is rated Best, with the lowest complaint index in the lineup at 13 from just 52 complaints.
Are airbags a common problem across all Avalanche years?: Yes. Airbags are the top problem area overall, accounting for 661 of 1,566 total complaints (42%) across all model years covered.
Why is the 2006 Avalanche only rated Good instead of Best despite a complaint index of 0?: NHTSA lists a verdict cap reason for 2006: model years 2005-2009 are capped at Good because complaint records for those years are less complete.
Does the Chevrolet Avalanche have airbag recalls?: Yes. Multiple model years, including 2007, 2008, and 2011, are covered by a recall to replace the front passenger air bag inflator, part of a wider GM truck and SUV campaign.