Short answer
Among Chevrolet Avalanche model years through 2024, 2002 and 2006 have the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (2) and 2004, 2007, 2009 and 2011 have the most (5). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Chevrolet Avalanche: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 12 (2002–2013)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 22
- Fewest recalls
- 2002 and 2006 (2)
- Most recalls
- 2004, 2007, 2009 and 2011 (5)
- Most recalled system
- Air bags (16)
Chevrolet Avalanche Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 3 | Not rated | Air bags, Power train |
| 2012 | 3 | Not rated | Air bags, Electrical system |
| 2011 | 5 | Not rated | Air bags, Suspension, Electrical system |
| 2010 | 3 | Not rated | Air bags |
| 2009 | 5 | Not rated | Air bags, Electrical system, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2008 | 4 | Not rated | Air bags, Electrical system |
| 2007 | 5 | Not rated | Air bags, Electrical system, Wheels |
| 2006 | 2 | Not rated | Engine and engine cooling, Equipment |
| 2005 | 4 | Not rated | Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Seat belts |
| 2004 | 5 | Not rated | Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Seat belts |
| 2003 | 4 | Not rated | Fuel system, gasoline, Seat belts, Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2002 | 2 | Not rated | Service brakes, hydraulic, Structure |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20133 recalls
- 20123 recalls
- 20115 recalls
- 20103 recalls
- 20095 recalls
- 20084 recalls
- 20075 recalls
- 20062 recalls
- 20054 recalls
- 20045 recalls
- 20034 recalls
- 20022 recalls
Chevrolet Avalanche: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Chevrolet Avalanche recalls are air bags (16), electrical system (7), service brakes, hydraulic (5), engine and engine cooling (3) and seat belts (3). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
FAQ: Chevrolet Avalanche Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Chevrolet Avalanche?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2002 and 2006 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 2 each.
Which Chevrolet Avalanche model years have the most recalls?
2004, 2007, 2009 and 2011 have the most, with 5 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "Avalanche", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy