2012 CHEVROLET Avalanche Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

25 complaints

There 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.

Mar 29, 2022

SEVERELY 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.

Jun 30, 2020

MULTILPLE CRACKS IN DASHBOARD, KEPT IN GARAGE

Feb 11, 2020

MULTIPLE 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.

Nov 25, 2019

DASHBOARD CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES

Apr 04, 2019

+ 20 more complaints for this component

AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

5 complaints

TAKATA RECALL ; CRACKED DASH

Jan 15, 2018

DASHBOARD AROUND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS CRACKED. IN MY OPINION THIS COULD AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE AIRBAG, OR EVEN TEAR IT UPON ACTIVATION.

Nov 19, 2017

DASH BOARD CRACKS FORMED ON PASSENGER AIRBAG AND DRIVER OVER INSTRUMENT PANEL. POSSIBLE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT PUNCTURE HAZARD AND VIBRATION DISTRACTION WHILE MOVING.

Jun 06, 2017

CENTER OF DASH IS NOT STURDY ENOUGH CAUSED A CRACK FROM CENTER DASH AIR VENT CORNER ON PASSENGER SIDE CORNER TO THE AIR BAG.

Feb 09, 2017

THE DASHBOARD CRACKED OVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THIS IS THE SECOND AVALANCHE THAT I HAVE OWNED THAT CRACKED IN THE SAME LOCATION; PREVIOUS YEAR WAS A 2007.

Oct 02, 2016

AIR BAGS

3 complaints

The 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

Aug 18, 2021

SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYING ON. WAS TOLD WE NEED A NEW AIRBAG AND CONNECTOR. AIRBAG HAS NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED.

Apr 08, 2019

SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I RELEASED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WHILE ON A HILL, TE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 21,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED, DEALER SAYS IT WILL COST ABOUT $1,000 TO REPLACE THE SDM DUE TO A FAILED CURRENT IN THE SDM, THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, THE WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT BUT STILL WELL BELOW THE ALLOTTED MILEAGE. THE DEALER SAYS THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT WORK IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.

Dec 10, 2015

ENGINE

2 complaints

MY 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.

Mar 05, 2020

THE ENGINE FAILS TO START SOME TIMES, THIS HAPPEN 2 TO 3 TIME A MONTH THE ENGINE CRANK OK VOLT ON BATTERY DROPS TO 10.5 VOLTS, INSTALLED NEW BATTERY, NO HELP. AFTER SETTING FOR 15 TO 20 MIN. IT WILL START, NO CHECK ENG. LITE NO CODE SET IN COMPUTER. CHEV DEALER SAID CANNOT HELP UNLESS IT HAPPEN AT THE DEALERSHIP.I CANNOT CHECK FOR SPARK BECAUSE THE SPARK PLUG ARE OUT OF SIGHT, THE FUEL PUMP RUNS OK. I NEED HELP. *TR

Feb 16, 2014

POWER TRAIN

2 complaints

REAR 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.

Jul 06, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STANDING AT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED AND THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS KNOCKED OVER AND SUSTAINED SEVERAL INJURIES INCLUDING A CONCUSSION AND SOFT TISSUE INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HALTED TO A STOP AFTER CRASHING AGAINST A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS DAMAGED HOWEVER, THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

Apr 29, 2013

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

STRUCTURE

2 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CRACK DEVELOPED ON THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

Aug 05, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRECIPITATION WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND SATURATING THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS RETAINING WATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,400. UPDATED 4/24/13 *CN UPDATED 06/3/2013 *JS

Feb 21, 2013

WHEELS

2 complaints

2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ONE OF THE VEHICLE WHEELS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. *SMD MA 09/25 UPDATED 11/22/2017*CN

Jul 15, 2015

I'VE HAD A PROBLEM WITH WHEEL CORROSION. I REPORTED THIS TO GM IN NOVEMBER 2013. THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ON APRIL 24, WHILE TRAVELING OUT OF STATE, MY WHEEL SENSOR WENT OFF INDICATING LOW TIRE PRESSURE. I PULLED INTO A GARAGE. THEY INFORMED ME THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE WHEEL WAS CORRODING AROUND THE VALVE STEM, AND THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE WHEEL. FORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT OCCUR AT HIGH SPEED. *TR

May 05, 2014

SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

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.

May 05, 2024

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

The 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)

Sep 11, 2022

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

TRAILER 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?

Aug 26, 2020

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

I 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.

Mar 11, 2020

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

DASH IS CRACKING ABOVE STEERING WHEEL, FROM WINDSHIELD SIDE EXTENDING TO STEERING WHEEL.

Jun 25, 2017

SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

WHEN NEARING A STOP LIGHT AT EST. 15 MPH I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND IT WAS LIKE STEPPING ON A ROCK. THE PEDAL DID NOT MOVE. I POUNDED ON THE PEDAL AND FINALLY HAD ENOUGH BRAKE TO STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS. AFTERWARDS THE BRAKES WERE GOOD. THIS WAS REPEATED TWICE MORE. I TOOK IT TO A BRAKE SHOP WHERE THEY CHECKED ALL MECHANICAL FUNCTION AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THEY HOOKED UP THE COMPUTER AND FOUND NO CODES. I TOOK IT TO A CHEVROLET DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY CODES. DURING A TEST DRIVE THE MECHANIC UNHOOKED THE VACUUM LINE AND HAD NO VACUUM. HE FOUND THE MOTOR WAS MAKING VACUUM. BACK AT THE SHOP HE SAID IT WAS PROBABLY THE VACUUM BOOSTER. WHEN IT WAS REPLACED THE BRAKES WORKED AS THEY ALWAYS HAD EXCEPT WHEN THEY DIDN'T WORK. NOW THAT THE BOOSTER HAS BEEN REPLACED I DO NOT KNOW IF THE PROBLEM IS FIXED SINCE IT IS A RANDOM PROBLEM. I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TRUST THE BRAKES UNTIL AT LEAST A MONTH GOES BY WITH NO PROBLEMS. THE TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 29000 MILES ON IT.

Mar 23, 2017

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STABILITY TRACK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS RECALL ELATED TO THE FAILURE BUT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Dec 27, 2016

TIRES

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR WRANGLER TIRES, SIZE: P265/70/R17 (NA). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, IT WAS OBSERVED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES HAD BLISTERS AND THE TREAD WAS SEPARATED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE AND TIRES WAS 44,000. UPDATED 10/26/2017*CN

Jun 22, 2015

STEERING,POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS

1 complaint

THE STEERING WHEEL IS DIFFICULT TO TURN OR CONTROL, WENT TO DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER THE DEALERSHIP ALLEGEDLY FIX THE PROBLEM, WE HAD CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING (CONTROLLING THE STEERING WHEEL) AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JUMP OR SKIP GEARS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE TO BUSY TO HELP US. ALL OF THE AFOREMENTIONED DEFECTS CAUSED MY HUSBAND TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AND ULTIMATELY FLEW OFF THE ROAD AND VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER (ROLL OVER). *TR

Jun 18, 2014

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

STEERING

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT A VERY LOUD POP EMITTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

Jun 27, 2013

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE ENGAGING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE SURGED SPORADICALLY WHEN BEING DRIVEN AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, NO FAILURE WAS DISCOVERED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND A CLAIM WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,929.

Sep 10, 2012

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4.6/5.0

57 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2012 CHEVROLET Avalanche have?

The 2012 CHEVROLET Avalanche currently has 52 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2012 CHEVROLET Avalanche?

The most common problems reported for the 2012 CHEVROLET Avalanche are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2012 CHEVROLET Avalanche problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2012 CHEVROLET Avalanche comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.