Avalanche (2012)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
LC9 - Flex Fuel (GAS/ALC) Aluminium Cylinder, Deactivation FFV
5.3L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LMG - Flex Fuel (Gas/ALC), Cylinder Deactivation Iron
5.3L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
Chevrolet Avalanche Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Chevrolet Avalanche, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche
On a used 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the airbags and driver-assist systems (9), the body and structure (3) and the transmission and drivetrain (3). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 9 owner complaints on the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 3 owner complaints on the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche about the body and structure.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 3 owner complaints on the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 2 owner complaints on the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche about the electrical system.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 2 owner complaints on the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche about the engine, all engines combined.
Recalls (3)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Alternatives in Compact Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2012-2012 Chevrolet Avalanche complaints?
Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012-2012 Chevrolet Avalanche. The systems they name most often are the safety systems, the body and trim and the transmission.
Is the 2012-2012 Chevrolet Avalanche a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012-2012 Chevrolet Avalanche. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012-2012 Chevrolet Avalanche have?
NHTSA has 51 owner complaints on file for the 2012-2012 Chevrolet Avalanche as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2012-2012 Chevrolet Avalanche?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls covering some 2012-2012 Chevrolet Avalanche vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Chevrolet Avalanche?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the safety systems, the body and trim and the transmission, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Avalanche?
The 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 3 stars (21.2% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 51 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-10-12.