2006 Chevrolet Avalanche Problems
- Complaints
- 11filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 84,000miles, 10 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 4 complaints (36% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and air bags (1). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 84,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 91 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 12 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes2 18%
- Air bags1 9.1%
- Engine1 9.1%
- Exterior lighting1 9.1%
- Fuel system1 9.1%
- Other or unknown1 9.1%
- Body and structure1 9.1%
- Vehicle speed control1 9.1%
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “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, filed 2012-01, 78,000 milesBrakes: “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, filed 2015-05, 152,000 milesAir 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, filed 2011-11, 51,778 milesElectronic stability 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, filed 2015-07Mileage when problems were reported
20% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 51,778 and 142,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalanche · sedan RWD | not rated | 3 / 4 | — | — | 3 · 21.9% risk |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Recalls and investigations
- 05V552000Dec 7, 2005Equipment › Other › LabelsCovers: Chevrolet Avalanche 2006, GMC Sierra 2006, Hummer H3 2006 +23 more
Certain trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were shipped with tire and loading information labels listing an inacccurate vehicle…
Recall details for the 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 91 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10113892Mar 1, 2016Electrical system, Equipment. This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that if OnStar is unable to configure the vehicle after the OnStar 15-08-44-001 upgrade and Onstar receives a 118 error code when…
- 10116914Feb 23, 2016Wheels, Tires. This informational bulletin provides information on the proper mounting paste to apply to tires when mounting and balancing them to prevent conditions like Vibration Shortly After Tires are…
- 10114431Feb 23, 2016Equipment. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have an issue when using Bluetooth voice recognition with an iPhone. Technician should work…
- 10096026Feb 11, 2016Equipment. This preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller rockers to inspect…
- 10112299Jan 27, 2016Equipment. This informational bulletin provides information on Part Restriction and Ordering Process Information for OnStar Vehicle Communication Interface Modules (VCIM) (GMNA Only)
- 10112272Jan 14, 2016Engine. This informational bulletin provides information on close coupled converters and there affect on newly installed engines or engines during there break in period.
- 10115143Nov 30, 2015Engine cooling. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about gasoline powered cars, mid-size trucks, light duty trucks, and heavy duty trucks with premature catalytic…
- 10113810Aug 18, 2015Equipment. This warranty administration bulletin provides dealership personnel with policy and procedure requirements for essential tools that include consumable parts (U.S. Only).
- 10113792Aug 4, 2015Engine cooling. This informational bulletin provides information to technicians regarding intake manifold inspection/replacement after severe internal engine damage.
- 10113788Aug 3, 2015Equipment. This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on courtesy transportation and roadside assistance programs.
Other model years of the Chevrolet Avalanche
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 82 | 55,000 | 2 | — | — | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 36 | 44,000 | 3 | — | — | 39 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 127 | 63,000 | 3 | — | — | 59 · Typical | Falling |
| 2010 | 111 | 65,000 | 3 | — | — | 27 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 76 | 75,500 | 5 | — | — | 66 · More | Falling |
| 2008 | 258 | 74,000 | 4 | — | — | 73 · More | Falling |
| 2007 | 377 | 95,000 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 11 | 84,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 71 | 71,685 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 165 | 55,150 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 204 | 65,543 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 444 | 50,500 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Chevrolet Avalanche model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche have?
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 4 complaints (36% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.
Has the 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche reported?
Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 84,000 miles and the middle half falls between 51,778 and 142,000 miles; 20% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.