2005 Chevrolet Avalanche Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
50/100
#5 most-complained of 9 Avalanche years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche has 200 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 50 out of 100 — #5 highest of 9 Avalanche model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is electrical system (71 complaints, 36% of the total). Complaints report 3 crashes, 4 fires, and 5 injuries.
- Complaints
- 200
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 14.5
- 13 city / 17.5 hwy
Top 2005 Chevy Avalanche problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System71 (36%)
- Transmission & Powertrain26 (13%)
- Fuel System23 (12%)
- Airbags21 (11%)
- Brakes20 (10%)
- Steering16 (8%)
- Other14 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (7%)
- Engine12 (6%)
- Structure & Body7 (4%)
2005 Chevrolet Avalanche recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 06V289000Aug 3, 2006Engine38,439 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 05V163000Apr 22, 2005Seat Belts1,359,824 vehicles
Seat belts:rear/other
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 05V055000Feb 14, 2005Transmission & Powertrain7,194 vehicles
Power train:manual transmission:shift pattern indicator
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.
Risk: 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.
2005 Chevrolet Avalanche fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 13 MPG
- Highway
- 17.5 MPG
- Combined
- 14.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,475
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Avalanche years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche ranks #5 of 9 among Avalanche model years (Complaint Index 50/100, verdict: Caution). It has 200 complaints and 4 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche?
- The most reported problem areas are electrical system (71 complaints), transmission & powertrain (26 complaints), and fuel system (23 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 65,000 miles.
- Does the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche, most recently reported 2006, covering engine, seat belts, transmission & powertrain, and brakes.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche?
- EPA rates the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche at 14.5 MPG combined (13 city / 17.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,475. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.