2005 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 13%of 129 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500, 13% of the 129 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I bought a 2005 chevy avalanche. 3 year 36,000 mile warranty, at 40,000 miles the transmission disintegrated. $3,000 out of pocket........ I expect a little more than 40,000 miles out of a $35,000 truck. Now I'm getting mail about a speedometer lawsuit, I've always been a chevy guy but if this is what I can expect from GM maybe its time for a change!”
NHTSA complaint #10239841, filed 2008-08, 40,000 miles“While driving on a 1200 mile trip, the message service 4wd appeared and my 2wd yellow indicator light went out. I called onstar and they performed a system diag. Could not pull any codes, so they connected me with GM. The customer service person at GM told me to reset the warning light and if it came on again to take the vehicle to a chevy dealership. The next day the light came on again and I took it to a dealership. They wanted $990.00 to fix the problem. I did not have that kind of money while on my trip. …”
NHTSA complaint #10536406, filed 2013-08, 94,600 miles“Service 4wheel drive message appears. I have had this problem repaired numerous times. No codes are listed in the onboard computer. Technicians cannot identify the failing component. They replace parts until the message goes away. The vehicle shifts into 4 wheel drive without warning. This has happened to me numerous times. This happens during high humidity or rainy conditions. Numerous TSB have been issued. One common cause is wiring harness connector that is prone to fail due to moisture. Chevy has not issued a safety recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10587502, filed 2014-05, 36,000 miles“While cruising on rt 101 at 65 MPH, vehicle automatically downshifted into second gear for no reason. In response, I was forced to decelerate to 35 MPH. Tried explicitly placing vehicle in third instead of d for drive, but, the drive train was unresponsive. Shortly thereafter, a hot transmission message appeared on dash and I pulled over and checked fluids. Fluids looked good. Drove vehicle home in second gear without issue. Upon investigation, I discovered that my avalanche was built with a widely recognized design flaw and undersized transmission. …”
NHTSA complaint #10679380, filed 2015-01, 94,459 miles“Traveling home from work on the interstate at regulated speed (65mph). As I started to accelerate to maintain speed gingo up a hill, the message transmission hot came on the in-dash display and engine began revving as if not in gear. I could not accelerate and had to turn on flashers and merge to safety lane on right. I continued to slow down until I could engage the transmission again at around 30 MPH in 3rd gear. As soon as I started to accelerate past 35-40 MPH, the transmission slipped again and would not engage any gear. …”
NHTSA complaint #10439010, filed 2011-12, 78,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 11001321May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 10250347Feb 2, 2024This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10234619Apr 6, 2023This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 10228863Dec 13, 2022This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and…
- 10227241Nov 18, 2022This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and…
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 3% |
| 2011 | 3 | 11% |
| 2009 | 3 | 15% |
| 2008 | 1 | 3% |
| 2007 | 10 | 9% |
| 2006 | 12 | 31% |
| 2005 | 17 | 13% |
| 2004 | 5 | 3% |
| 2003 | 4 | 2% |
| 2002 | 6 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500
47 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsTires
8 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology