Which Chevy Avalanche Years to Avoid and Why? (Explained)
Chevrolet Avalanche started production in 2001 and continued till 2013. The vehicle is a combination of a truck and SUV.
Under the name Chevrolet, there were separate productions of SUVs and trucks. By merging the toughness of Silverado and the comfort of Suburban, the Avalanches were produced. The vehicle became an immense hit.
But there were concerning problems in the models as well. The Chevy Avalanche years to avoid are 2002-2008 and then 2010.
There is no further manufacture of the Avalanches but used models are still being sold. So if someone is interested in owning this aspiring crossover of a vehicle, they must be aware of the nuisances that may come with it.
Chevy Avalanche Years to Avoid (List of Years)
Many problems were persistent throughout the lifespan of Avalanches. Troubles like the deteriorating appearance of body cladding, faulty speedometers and cracked dashboards are some to list.
More severe issues like transmission failure and high oil consumption were also reported throughout the years.
Security malfunctions and recalls for airbag inflators seemed to be two common issues as well. These problems were more prominent in some year models than others.
The worst years to avoid for Avalanches are:
- 2002 Chevy Avalanche
- 2003 Chevy Avalanche
- 2004 Chevy Avalanche
- 2005 Chevy Avalanche
- 2007 Chevy Avalanche
- 2008 Chevy Avalanche
- 2010 Chevy Avalanche
Worst Year of Chevy Avalanche
According to CarComplaints, the worst model year of the Chevy Avalanche line-up is 2007. The model has obtained the notorious label due to having the highest number of complaints among all models.
The issues have high repair costs and occur at lower mileages than other models.
The high oil consumption of the model makes it an expensive vehicle to maintain.
Dashboard cracking is another issue that could upset a user’s experience with the Avalanche. Inconveniences in both frame and the engine system make it a model year that must be avoided.
What Makes These Chevy Avalanche Years Worth Avoiding?
2002 Chevy Avalanche Problems:
In the question of why you should avoid the 2002 model, the foremost issue would be the troubling brake system.
Additionally, the body cladding of the Avalanche was prone to lose its aesthetics. The cladding faded to a chalky look if subjected to heat or UV rays.
Users also reported gear and transmission issues. Furthermore, a complaint of a back bed leaking water from panels was logged in.
2003 Chevy Avalanche Problems:
2003 is another early model of the Avalanche. Brake issues were spotted in this model as well. Users complained about brakes wearing out prematurely. Rusting of the brake line was also reported.
Other than these, a concerning problem with the model lies in its speedometer. Faulty readings have led to undesirable speeding and traffic cases. The model further exhibited interior accessory hassles.
2004 Chevy Avalanche Problems:
The issue of transmission failure puts the 2004 model year on this list. The solution to this issue is extremely expensive and such high repair costs are bound to ruin the experience of the Avalanche for the owner.
There were complaints addressing air conditioning and heater issues as well. Failure of axle bearing is another problem that could frustrate users. Another bothersome issue reported was the vehicle giving a loud noise when going into gear.
2005 Chevy Avalanche Problems:
The 2005 model year has a bad reputation among the Avalanche lineup. Transmission failure was prevalent in this model just as in the 2004 model. Users reported stalling of transmission while driving.
Furthermore, jerking during rides due to transmission issues was uncomfortable for riders. These issues took 2,580 dollars to fix -a huge sum of money required just for maintenance. Bothersome issues regarding interior accessories were also recorded.
If anyone purchases a 2005 Avalanche, they would have a risk of being stranded anywhere as the model is infamous for frequent stalling.
Cladding issues were also found for this model like the first generation Avalanches. This causes a dissatisfying experience with the car’s looks being compromised.
2007 Chevy Avalanche Problems:
The 2007 model year is deemed as the worst by CarComplaints and the major issue of this model is the excess oil consumption. This makes rides with Avalanches more expensive than other SUVs or trucks at the same mileage.
Another issue to note is the failure of motor sensors causing a dysfunctional throttle body. Just keeping the throttle body clean did not seem to help the issue. This is because it is primarily a sensor problem.
Other than these, cracking of the dashboard is a fairly disturbing problem of this model year.
2008 Chevy Avalanche Problems:
The 2008 model inherited all the severely negative issues of the 2007 model. Oil consumption problems and dashboard cracks were prevalent. Another noteworthy predicament of this model was the engine losing power. At 98,714 miles engines are observed to malfunction.
Recalls with a huge number of affected vehicles are also something to be aware of. This includes the explosion of the airbag inflator and heated washer module.
2010 Chevy Avalanche Problems:
In this model, if the upper dashboard is heated enough it is seen to crack. Cracks arising in the dashboard are not limited to just one area. They are spotted around three different places.
Malfunction of motor sensors related to the throttle body is another issue. This causes the vehicle to lose power faster than normal.
The check engine light frequently turning on was another issue of the model. The reason was found to be faulty gas caps.
The problems with Chevy Avalanche 2010 model are persistent until a total replacement is done, which adds to a high amount of repair cost.
Users have also reported problems like door handles breaking off and leaks of bedcover panels. Furthermore, inconveniences like accessory faults make the 2010 model year worth avoiding.
Which Chevy Avalanche Years are Safe to Buy?
Speaking of reliable model years, the closing models of the vehicle were a favourite among users. 2012 and 2013 models were the latest addition to the line-up and are frequently talked about in terms of user satisfaction.
The 2013 model is reliable as all the issues that plagued the other models were fixed in this version. The black diamond edition is one of the historical additions in terms of luxury.
Users liked this model due to its high reliability and exceptional styling.
Some new features also improved the safety of the vehicle. Backup cameras and rear parking sensors are such features.
The trailing equipment of the model is given an upgrade from its predecessors. The trailing power of the vehicle is further strengthened by the StabiliTrak.
According to J.D. Power, the 2013 model received a consumer score of 84/100 and 82/100 in terms of quality & reliability.
2012 is another safe option just like the 2013 Avalanche, as it has very less complaints from users. The number of recalls for these two models is also relatively less.
Conclusion
Even though the Chevrolet Avalanche stopped production after 2013, it is still one of the most ambitious crossovers. The cancellation of production was not necessarily due to poor sales but a poor business plan.
The Avalanches offer a unique experience where strength and luxury come together. The multipurpose vehicle can cater to the needs of different occupational people.
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