The Lemon IndexAll carsChevroletAvalanche2005
200420061st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: electrical
54 owner complaints, first 3 years 14–15 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Ford F-150 862005 Chevrolet Silverado 722005 Ram 1500 79
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
- Rust / frame corrosion13 complaintsmostly at 30,000–122,000 miles (49,000–196,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 206 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 15,000 and 57,000 miles (24,000–92,000 km) (the middle half of the 46 complaints, of all 54 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 07E106000 (wheels), 06V289000 (engine) and 05V163000 (seat belts) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Chevy sent dealers 752 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Intermittent no start, service stability message, anti-lock brake system (abs) light…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 54 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 15K to 57K miles (24K to 92K km) on the car (46 of all 54 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Speedometer will read erratically at times. While at a stop light, speedometer dial will read a value other than zero mph (60mph for example). Then eventually the dial will return to zero. Then it will repeat the above again...
2005 Chevrolet Avalanche owner · NHTSA complaint 10211207
More owner reports
Erratic speedometer, works sometimes, sometimes stays at 0 miles an hour, sometimes reads 30 or so miles an hour at a complete stop.
NHTSA complaint 10243340
Speedometer needle was tacky last week while driving in town around 45-50 mph. I watched the gauge and the problem seemed to have corrected itself.
NHTSA complaint 10227653
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 752 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittent no start, service stability message, anti-lock brake system (abs) light…
- Clunking noise under hood and can be felt in steering wheel
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Wheels · recall issued 2007
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, …
- Engine · recall issued 2006 8.1L engines only
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.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2005
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, ESPECIALL…
Show all 5 recalls
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2005
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 TRA…
- Brakes · recall issued 2005
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 OPERA…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Chevrolet Avalanche recall, all years · All Chevrolet recalls
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★☆☆ · side — · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,000–$4,300 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 5.3L 8-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Avalanche year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-avalanche/?y=2005" title="Chevrolet Avalanche reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="376" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-avalanche/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Chevrolet Avalanche reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 123; 100 is average, lower is better). The Chevrolet Avalanche year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2012.
What are the most common 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (41%), steering (17%) and transmission & drivetrain (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche have?
5 safety recalls (latest: wheels). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche get?
14 to 15 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 15,000 and 57,000 miles (24,000–92,000 km) (the middle half of the 46 complaints, of all 54 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2005 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 9% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche cost in fuel a year?
About $4,000 to $4,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche have?
5.3L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Avalanche year is better than the 2005?
Nearby, the 2007 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about average). Across every year, 2012 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works