Owners have filed 14 complaints
about the 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche with NHTSA between 2010 and 2016.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 12 of 12 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 3
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Avalanche. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 37
7.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 15
9% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2006 compares with every other Chevrolet Avalanche
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Transmission & Drivetrain
428.6%
Median failure at 84,000 miles
Brakes
214.3%
Median failure at 98,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
17.1%
Stability & Traction Control
17.1%
Fuel & Propulsion
17.1%
Median failure at 165,000 miles
Lights
17.1%
Median failure at 24,862 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
17.1%
Body & Structure
17.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 142,000 mi
Airbags
17.1%
Median failure at 51,778 miles
Engine & Cooling
17.1%
Median failure at 75,200 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
19.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
19.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
19.1%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
436.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
218.2%
150,000+ miles
218.2%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Oct 2010peak 4Jan 2016
Recalls on the 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2011074190,310 units in Canada
Heater And Defroster
On certain vehicles, the interface between the electrical terminals of the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) blower relay resistor module and the wiring connector (which powers the module) may be incapable of conducting higher current levels for sustained periods of operation. In addition, moisture and other contaminants (such as road de-icing materials) may enter the fresh air intake plenum and contact the internal circuit of the module or corrode the terminals. These conditions may cause the relay resistor module or wiring connector to overheat, causing various symptoms such as: the HVAC blower may not function on certain or all blower speed settings; a burning-plastic smell or smoke may be present in the vehicle, or; the HVAC blower may run continually with the ignition in the OFF position. These warning signs could, in certain instances, be leading indicators of an impending vehicle fire, which could result in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Owners will be provided with additional warranty coverage for the blower motor resistor module/wiring connector overheating condition. Under this "special warranty coverage", should this condition occur within 10 years or 240,000 km from first vehicle registration, dealers will install a replacement blower motor resistor and resistor module connector.
Recall 20061951,485 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip may fracture, resulting in inadequate retention of the damper. If the damper comes loose, a fuel leak may result. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire. Correction: Dealers will replace the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 142,000 milesTinley Park, ILCrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
I HIT SOMEONE IN THE BACK OF HIS CAR AND DID A LOT OF DAMAGE ON MY TRUCK AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT OPEN. THE REPAIR SHOP ALSO ? WHY. THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK WAS PUSHED BACK APPROX. 6 TO 10 INCHES.
NHTSA complaint #10663839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 165,000 milesJackson, MI
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR AND THAT FUEL WAS NOTICED LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE HOSE WAS RUBBING IN THE FUEL TANK CAUSING A HOLE ON THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
NHTSA complaint #10817533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Irvine, KY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DRIVING 35MPH ON DRY ROAD. 2WD JUMP OUT OF GEAR ACTED LIKE WENT INTO NEUTRAL I HAD NO DRIVE OR ANY OF MY GEARS CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITH NO WARNING. WENT TO PUT IN PARK IT GRIND WITH LOUD NOISE. ONLY WAY TO GET TRUCK TO MOVE WAS TO PUT IN 4WD
NHTSA complaint #10735505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Irvine, KY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DRIVING 35MPH ON DRY ROAD. 2WD JUMP OUT OF GEAR ACTED LIKE WENT INTO NEUTRAL I HAD NO DRIVE OR ANY OF MY GEARS CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITH NO WARNING. WENT TO PUT IN PARK IT GRIND WITH LOUD NOISE. ONLY WAY TO GET TRUCK TO MOVE WAS TO PUT IN 4WD
NHTSA complaint #10735505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Irvine, KY
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
DRIVING 35MPH ON DRY ROAD. 2WD JUMP OUT OF GEAR ACTED LIKE WENT INTO NEUTRAL I HAD NO DRIVE OR ANY OF MY GEARS CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITH NO WARNING. WENT TO PUT IN PARK IT GRIND WITH LOUD NOISE. ONLY WAY TO GET TRUCK TO MOVE WAS TO PUT IN 4WD
NHTSA complaint #10735505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,538 milesFerndale, WA
POWER TRAIN
I MADE A STOP, UP ON TAKING OFF MY TRUCK MADE IT TO SECOND GEAR AND I HEAR A LOUD BROKEN NOISE, TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON SECOND GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10732026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 152,000 milesWaterberry, CT
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND COMING TO A STOP, THE BRAKE LINE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.
NHTSA complaint #10716063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 142,000 milesTinley Park, ILCrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
I HIT SOMEONE IN THE BACK OF HIS CAR AND DID A LOT OF DAMAGE ON MY TRUCK AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT OPEN. THE REPAIR SHOP ALSO ? WHY. THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK WAS PUSHED BACK APPROX. 6 TO 10 INCHES.
NHTSA complaint #10663839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,862 milesHouston, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT PERSONALLY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT CONTROL SWITCH HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,862. UPDATED 12/26/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHAT HE SAW INSIDE THE SWITCH, WAS OLD BURNT CLEAR PLASTIC MELTED DOWN, HALF OF THE SWITCH WAS WORKING AND THE OTHER HALF WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY. UPDATED 12/31/13
NHTSA complaint #10546399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,000 milesDoyles Town, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, SHE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO AVOID CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO A LOWER GEAR IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD COVER THE REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. ..UPDATED 01/30/13 *BF UPDATED 2/5/2013
NHTSA complaint #10488114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,200 milesApple Valley, CA
POWER TRAIN
WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP IT FEELS LIKE I AM BEING BUMPED FROM BEHIND, OR LIKE THE ENGINE JUST DROPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. VERY HARD SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST, 2ND AND 3RD WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN ABOUT 50 MILES CONSECUTIVE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON BUT WILL GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10458076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,200 milesApple Valley, CA
ENGINE
WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP IT FEELS LIKE I AM BEING BUMPED FROM BEHIND, OR LIKE THE ENGINE JUST DROPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. VERY HARD SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST, 2ND AND 3RD WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN ABOUT 50 MILES CONSECUTIVE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON BUT WILL GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10458076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 milesChilton, WI
POWER TRAIN
I WAS DRIVING ALONG AT 60 MPH AND LIGHTLY ACCELERATED AND HEARD A CLUNK. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE ALONG AND SLOWED DOWN TO EXIT OFF THE INTERSTATE. THEN WHEN GOT OFF THE INTERSTATE AND CAME UP TO A GREEN ARROW AND TURNED LEFT. THEN AS SOON AS I ACCELERATED AT 25 MPH, I FELT THE TRANSMISSION GO OUT AND HEARD A HIGH PITCH WHINE AND SOME GRINDING. THEN WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE ANYMORE.
NHTSA complaint #10441992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,778 milesAmherst, OH
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, DASHBOARD SAYS SERVICE AIRBAG, AFTER VEHICLE SAT FOR AN HOUR AFTER HAVING BEEN DRIVEN FOR OVER 250 MILES THAT DAY. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED THE LIGHT BLINKS AS IT'S SUPPOSED TO AND GOES OUT, THEN AFTER A FEW SECONDS COMES BACK ON AND STAYS ON.
NHTSA complaint #10437257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesNEW Orleans, LA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE HE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. HE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE FORWARD ALTHOUGH THE RPMS INCREASED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION CENTER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #10362845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.