Chevrolet Avalanche Problems by Year

We compared every Chevrolet Avalanche model year from 2002–2013 using 1,962 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 18 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2002, 2003 and 2004, which drew far more complaints than other Avalanche years at the same age. The best years are 2006, 2012 and 2009.

12model years
1,962complaints
18recalls
2002, 2003worst years
2006, 2012best years

Complaints by model year

2002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220134442041657111377258761111273682
Owner complaints per model year, Chevrolet Avalanche. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
201382−32%2AirbagAverage
201236−69%3AirbagGood
20111271.3×3AirbagAverage
2010111−18%3AirbagAverage
200976−54%5AirbagGood
20082581.2×4AirbagAverage
20073771.4×4AirbagAverage
200611−91%1TransmissionGood
200571−50%3ElectricalGood
20041651.5×5ElectricalCaution
20032041.5×4BrakeCaution
20024444.0×2BrakeAvoid

* Complaints compared with the median Avalanche year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Chevrolet Avalanche problems

Latest Chevrolet Avalanche recalls

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 21V-052 · Feb 5, 2021 · 557,023 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas,…

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 23, 2021.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 21V-050 · Feb 5, 2021 · 2,641,272 vehicles

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…

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 21V-053 · Feb 5, 2021 · 692,526 vehicles

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,…

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 24, 2021.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 21V-054 · Feb 5, 2021 · 1,778,128 vehicles

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…

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 21V-051 · Feb 5, 2021 · 284,645 vehicles

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,…

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021.

All 18 Chevrolet Avalanche recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Chevrolet Avalanche should you avoid?

2002, 2003 and 2004 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Avalanche years at the same age, led by brakes problems in the 2002.

What is the best year for the Chevrolet Avalanche?

2006 has the fewest complaints compared with other Avalanche years at the same age, followed by 2012 and 2009. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Chevrolet Avalanche problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (591), brakes (346) and body & structure (274). Airbag complaints peak in the 2007 model year.

How many recalls has the Chevrolet Avalanche had?

18 recalls across 2002–2013. The model year with the most is 2004. See all Chevrolet Avalanche recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.