Complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche peaked in 2017, with 7 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Truck, gasoline, 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, built in Mexico. Owner complaints on file from Sep 10, 2012 to May 5, 2024.
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21V-054 | Feb 5, 2021 | These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and… | Airbags | 1,778,128 | Part replacement |
| 21V-051 | Feb 5, 2021 | These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and… | Airbags | 284,645 | Part replacement |
| 14V-827 | Dec 30, 2014 | In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the… | Electrical system | 84,192 | Part replacement |
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
36 complaints on file, page 1 of 2.
Rear control arms were rusted out and fell off the frame. Additionally with that happening the rear drive shaft was pulled out from transmission and could cause a vehicle to flip. Upon further investigation body frame was extremely rusted for a truck this age. 85450 mes on it.
NHTSA complaint 11587068The vehicle is displaying error messages Reduced Engine Power, Service Stabilitrak, Service Traction Control. It also has the related service indicator lights for the Stabilitrak, the Traction Control, and the Check Engine Light is on. There is a service bulletin for this issue that only addresses the 2008-2011 model years, my vehicle is a 2012 and thus not included in the current bulletin and should be added to the covered vehicle list. #11-06-04-007B : Diagnosis and Repair - Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated, Reduced Power Message Displayed, DTC P2135 Set - (April 16, 2012)
NHTSA complaint 11483870There is a problem with GM vehicles developing cracked dashboards including my own. The cracks are happening around/above the instrument cluster and more importantly, around the airbag. I am concerned that the defected dashboard would cause some sort of airbag puncture if it were deployed causing serious injury. Should someone get killed or seriously injured before this matter is taken into consideration. I own a 2012 Chevy Avalanche. I have developed the same cracks just as so many other GM vehicle owners.
NHTSA complaint 11458759The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was updated and now displayed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The failure recurred. The vehicle then was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the air bag needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that a senior adviser would reach out him for further assistance however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 171,000
NHTSA complaint 11429670TRAILER BRAKE WARNING IS SHOWING ON DASH. NOTED THERE IS A RECALL BULLETIN #14515B ISSUED RELATING TO THIS ISSUE AND NOT SURE WHY MY SERIAL NUMBER IS NOT FOUND IN THIS RECALL?
NHTSA complaint 11351333SEVERELY CRACKED DASHBOARD. THIS HAPPENED BOTH WHEN STATIONARY AND MOVING. PURCHASED THIS TRUCK JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO. HAD CRACKED DASHBOARD. PREVIOUS OWNER SAID IT HAD BEEN THAT WAY FOR YEARS. FIGURED IT WOULD NOT COST MUCH TO FIX/REPLACE. TOOK IT TO BODY SHOP THIS MORNING. NO WAY THEIR PRICE IS WITHIN MY BUDGET. CRACK CAUSES CONSTANT RATTLING AND IS EXTREMELY ANNOYING. FRIENDS HAVE LOOKED AT THE TRUCK SINCE I BOUGHT IT AND ARE REALLY IMPRESSED WITH ALL THE ADVANTAGES IT HAS TO OFFER. HOWEVER THE LOOK ON THEIR FACES WHEN THEY SEE THE DASHBOARD MAKES ME WISH I HAD NEVER PURCHASED THIS TRUCK. I WOULD LOVE TO SAY I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS TRUCK TO OTHERS WHO ARE PURCHASING A USED VEHICLE BUT THAT WOULD BE A LIE. SOMETIMES IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT CAN CHANGE A PERSONS WHOLE OUTLOOK AND THIS IS A BIGGIE. YOU DROPPED THE ON THIS. NOT ONLY IS IT A COSMETIC DEFECT BUT I CAN SEE A LOT OF SAFETY ISSUES ALSO. WISH I HAD NEVER PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint 11331709I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT ONE OF MY DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS IS BURNED OUT. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO INSPECT THE LIGHTS BECAUSE THEY ONLY COME ON IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT IN PARK. I CALLED DEALER TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS ANY WAY TO HAVE THEM COME ON WITHOUT THE TRANSMISSION IN GEAR. THE DEALER SAID TO SET THE PARKING BRAKE, PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN GEAR, AND GET OUT TO LOOK AT THE LIGHTS (OR HAVE A SECOND PERSON LOOK AT THEM, WHICH IS NOT PRACTICAL FOR ME). THIS SOUNDS LIKE A DANGEROUS PRACTICE. THERE SHOULD BE A BETTER WAY TO DO THIS. MY OLD 2007 AVALANCHE WOULD HAVE THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS ON WHEN IN PARK.
NHTSA complaint 11317492MY 2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 5.3L ENGINE HAS STARTED A OIL CONSUMPTION LOSS. THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED OCT. 30TH 2013 TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. IT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM! WHAT I'VE READ IS THAT WHERE THE CYLINDERS DEACTIVATE TO HELP FUEL ECONOMY AFTER TIME THOSE PISTONS GET DAMAGED FROM NOT HAVING FUEL OR FIRE ON THEM AND ITDAMAGES PISTONS AND CAUSES OIL CONSUMPTION. IN THE PAST FEW DAYS I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE 5 PEOPLE I KNOW WITH THE SAME ISSUE. LOOKING ON LINE THERE APPEARS TO BE CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY ON THIS ISSUE. GM/CHEVROLET KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM BUT REFUSE TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS AND I'M SURE NEVER WILL BE BECAUSE IT HAPPENS WHEN THE ENGINES REACH HIGHER MILEAGE. I HAVE ALL MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS ON MY TRUCK AND HAD NO INTENTION OF TRADING IT, BUT NOW THE MOTOR WILL HAVE TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACE.
NHTSA complaint 11316234MULTILPLE CRACKS IN DASHBOARD, KEPT IN GARAGE
NHTSA complaint 11308583MULTIPLE CRACKS IN DASH (INSTRUMENT PANEL). HAD ONE CRACK WHEN PURCHASED THE AVALANCHE USED. 2ND CRACK APPEARED ONE MONTH AGO. FIRST ONE IS THE FRONT LEFT CORNER OF THE AIRBAG. 2ND ONE IS OVER THE GAUGE CLUSTER.
NHTSA complaint 11282362REAR END STARTED MAKING A CLUNK NOISE DURING THE TIME ONE STEPS ON GAS TO MOVE THE TRUCK. ALSO REAR END NOW MAKES A HOLLING NOISE WHEN MOVING.
NHTSA complaint 11229747SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYING ON. WAS TOLD WE NEED A NEW AIRBAG AND CONNECTOR. AIRBAG HAS NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint 11194619DASHBOARD CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES
NHTSA complaint 11193852MY DASHBOARD HAS BEEN GETTING CRACKS IN IT FOR YEARS AND I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL EFFECT THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT IF I EVER HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS. ALSO I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES BREAKING AND COMING OFF. AS OF THIS MOMENT I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY DON'T STAND BEHIND IT.
NHTSA complaint 11152876DASH HAS CRACKED IN TWO PLACES NEAR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT HOUSING. CHECKING ONLINE FORUMS IDENTIFIES THAT THIS A COMMON ISSUE WITH CHEVROLET DASHES. THIS CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION AS THESE PIECES COULD BECOME PROJECTILES. CHEVROLET SHOULD STEP UP AND FIX THIS ISSUE!!
NHTSA complaint 11131546TAKATA RECALL ; CRACKED DASH
NHTSA complaint 11062775DASHBOARD AROUND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS CRACKED. IN MY OPINION THIS COULD AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE AIRBAG, OR EVEN TEAR IT UPON ACTIVATION.
NHTSA complaint 11047300GM VEHICLES ARE SYSTEMATICALLY MANUFACTURED AND DESIGNED IN A MANNER THAT MAKES THEM PRONE TO CRACK. THESE ARE NOT THE TYPE OF COSMETIC BLEMISHES THAT MAY BE CAUSED BY A CAR LEFT IN THE SUN FOR MANY YEARS. INSTEAD, THESE CRACKS ARE DEEPER, MORE SUBSTANTIAL, OCCUR TO VEHICLES STORED IN ALL MANNERS AND IN ALL ENVIRONMENTS, OCCUR DURING A SHORTER TIME PERIOD, AND OCCUR WITH A RELATIVELY UNIFORM LOCATION AND PRESENTATION. IN SHORT, THE DASHBOARDS ARE DEFECTIVE IN THAT THEY ARE CERTAIN TO EXHIBIT A LARGE, DISCERNIBLE CRACK TO THE DASHBOARD PANEL. THE CRACKING AROUND THE AIRBAG IS PARTICULARLY TROUBLING AS IT COULD INTERFERE WITH THE DEPLOYMENT OF PASSENGER AIRBAG. THE DASH IS MORE LIKELY TO SPLINTER IN UNPLANNED AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DIRECTIONS DURING DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG. AS A RESULT OF THE CRACKED DASHBOARD PROBLEM, THE DASHBOARD PORTION IS MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO SHATTERING, WHICH CREATES THE POTENTIAL FOR BODILY HARM FROM SHRAPNEL DURING IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint 11032068CRACKED DASHBOARD BY THE AIRBAG AND GAUGES
NHTSA complaint 11025241THE DASH IS CRACKING ALL OVER AND NEXT TO THE AIR BAD. I THINK IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS IT WOULD SEND PIECES ALL OVER. THANKS
NHTSA complaint 11021547Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall; the 60 most recent are listed.