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Chevrolet Avalanche VIN Check

NHTSA holds 2,484 owner complaints on the Chevrolet Avalanche from 489 production runs; the worst run has 40, the typical one 5.1.

NHTSA complaint records · 2,484 complaints · 489 runs · 2002–2013 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported Avalanche run is 3GNEK13T42G (2002 builds) with 40 complaints, 7.8× the typical run. Air bags problems make up 27% of reports; 2002 is the worst model year at 10.4 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 21 recall campaigns for Avalanche model years 2002–2013.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Chevrolet Avalanche has 489 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 7% of every Avalanche complaint on file.

FIG.01·Chevrolet Avalanche — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
3GNEK13T42G••••••2002404—
3GNEK13T02G••••••2002391—
3GNEK13T12G••••••2002353—
3GNEK13T52G••••••2002332—
3GNEK13T92G••••••2002322—
3GNEK13TX2G••••••2002303—
3GNEK13T22G••••••2002292—
3GNEK13TX3G••••••2003282—
3GNFK12367G••••••200727——
3GNEK13T82G••••••2002254—
3GNEK13T72G••••••2002242—
3GNFK12327G••••••20072411
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 477 Avalanche runs has 24 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 72 Avalanche VINs so far, most often 2008, 2007, 2013 builds; 5 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Chevrolet Avalanche the gap between build years is 6.9×: a 2002 car draws 10.4 complaints per run, a 2009 one 1.5.

FIG.02·Chevrolet Avalanche — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20131.979412
20121.848261
20112.4143593
20102.210950—
20091.587573
20085.7267478
200784555712
20062.348215
20056162273
20046.92573714
20038.63083613
200210.45215045
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2002 at 10.4 complaints per run; lightest is 2009 at 1.5.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 27% of everything Chevrolet Avalanche owners report: Air Bags, 688 of 2,484 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Chevrolet Avalanche — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Air Bags688591
Service Brakes476361
Unknown Or Other36131
Electrical System340314
Structure280103
Hydraulic218171
Power Train12751
Engine9125
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 21 recall campaigns on the Chevrolet Avalanche; the 6 below cover build years 2003 to 2013. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Chevrolet Avalanche — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
21V050000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module2007–2011
21V054000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module2010–2013
21V053000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module2009–2013
21V052000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module2007–2009
10V240000Electrical System2007–2009
05V163000Seat Belts:rear/other2003–2005
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

21V050000 was opened in 2021 on cars built from 2007: 14 years on the road before the recall.

How serious were they

Of the 2,484 reports on the Chevrolet Avalanche, 4.4% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.

FIG.06·Chevrolet Avalanche — complaint severity
OutcomeChevrolet AvalancheAll vehicles
Complaints filed2,4841,115,966
Involved a crash109 (4.4%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire23 (0.9%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported10258,013
Deaths reported42,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Chevrolet Avalanche share of that is 2,484 complaints over 489 runs, 0.22% of everything on record.

Everything on the Chevrolet Avalanche
Recalls46 campaignsFuel economy17 mpg bestReliability4.0/5Common problems2,963 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsUsed prices1,273 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2002–2013

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Chevrolet Avalanche VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 2,484 NHTSA complaints from 489 Avalanche runs and 21 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which Avalanche production run has the most complaints?

3GNEK13T42G, a 2002 build, with 40 complaints, 4 of them after a crash. The typical Avalanche run has 5.1.

Which Avalanche years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2002 is heaviest at 10.4 complaints per run and 2009 lightest at 1.5.

How many Avalanche complaints involve a crash?

4.4% of 2,484 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 23 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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