CarComplaints.com Notes: It didn't take long for the cladding to fade, discolor, and in some cases crack. Cladding is the protective plastic piece that runs along the outside of vehicles, and exposure to both heat and UV rays give the Avalanche's cladding a chalky, faded appearance.
Owners have said the problem is especially bad on the panels near the cargo bed. Eventually, GM agreed to a one-time treatment of ArmorDillo, a protective treatment similar to what you find in any auto shop. Unfortunately, that would only help for 6 months (on average).
Eventually, GM offered another coating solution for owners within the 3 year / 36,000 mile original warranty under TSB:04-08-111-001C.
On my way back from North Carolina to upstate NY (680 miles) and, luckily, was within 3 miles from home when I noticed transmission beginning to slip. then Transmission Hot on DIC came on within 1/2 mile from home. Took it to Chevy dealer the following morning and had it checked out. Said they couldn't find anything obvious, although it did slip once between 2nd & 3rd. They told me to drive it until it died. Within 2 weeks, and less than 100 miles, tranny finally gave out - no 3rd or 4th gears. Considering that I have never towed or hauled with this truck, I can't believe that the transmission would fail with less than 70,000 miles.
I BOUGHT THIS AVALANCHE FOR $15.000 AND NOW THE 2ND AND 4TH GEAR WENT OUT. CHEVROLET SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY.ONLY 2007 AND UP HAVE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY.
I'LL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEY. $2.200.oo for repairs was a kick in the a**. 76564 is not that many miles for a 2005.
THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT IN FLORIDA AND WAS USED FOR A WHILE IN IOWA WHILE VISITING FAMILY.THE VEHICLE WAS ALWAYS GARAGE KEPT AND ONLY HAD 20K MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION ACTUALLY EXPLODED INTERNALLY AT LESS THAN 20 MPH GOING THROUGH A SCHOOL ZONE. THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE IT SAYING IT WAS NOT REBUILDABLE.
IT'S NOW 2012 AND IT NOW HAS 50K ON IT AND IS BACK IN FLORIDA, BUT HAS SHIFTING PROBLEMS, THE 4WD DRIVE HAS TO BE LEFT IN THE AUTO MODE OR IT WILL JUMP INTO NEUTRAL, THE 4WD DRIVE SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON, AND THERE IS A VIBRATION THAT APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING.(NEW TIRES WERE INSTALLED TO BE SURE THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM). I TWISTED WRENCHES FOR MANY YEARS FOR A LIVING, BUT WAS NOT TRAINED IN TRANSMISIONS, OTHERWISE I WOULD TAKE IT APART MYSELF TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THIS WAS MY FIRST NEW VEHICLE, IT IS ALSO MY LAST, AND I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVY, NEW OR USED BECAUSE THEY REFUSED TO RECALL THIS VEHICLES PROBLEMS AND I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND IT TO BE A VERY WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM.AND THEY WONDER WHY IMPORTS HAVE KICKED THEIR BUTTS SINCE THE 70'S?
I was very surprised when the transmission went out at about 50,000 miles. I've had other vehicles around 200,000 miles that didn't need the transmission replaced. Interestingly enough, my neighbor has a 2006 Avalanche and he has never had to replace the transmission.
- April S.,
Wasilla, AK, US
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I am so mad with Chevy customer service. They won't help me with my problem. I purchased extended warranty through my bank and they to won't cover the repair. Took care of my truck, did maintenance according to Chevy recommendations and still transmission failed. Damned if you do and damned if you don't. Its all bullshit. Is there anyone out there with same problem with transmission.
I cant believe a car that was less than 5 yrs old would blow a tranny.I never towed with it took any crazy trips, no off roading, I treated that car like my baby!! None the less it was not covered under any warranty because is was over 65K. I took it back to my local Chevy dealership hoping they would help with the problem.. My original quote to replace the transmission was over $3,650. Apparently the service department thought I was a stupid little girl quoting me that much. Thank GOD for knowing people in high places like the Head rep for GM in the south (that service department didnt like that call) Needless to say they treated me like gold after that. No problems since, hopefully this transmission lasts longer!
With only 68000 miles on my vehicle and the 5 year extended warranty just having passed the date, my transfer case gave out and I had to have it replaced. It cost my $2500. I was just looking to replace my car with a new Avalanche and was investigating pricing and trade ins when this happened. I decided not to purchase another Chevrolet given this poor quality issue.
I feel all your pain. I am on my fourth transmission in less than 6 weeks. I had my first transmission go at 72K, the next one at 80K and the third one lasted 3 days. The good news is that I used a factory replacement and the last two haven't cost me a nickel except for the towing charges (still fighting with dealer on that). I have still yet to get my truck back from my last failure. To date the tech working on it can't figure out what the hell is causing them to go so quickly. It will be over two weeks since I last limped it into the garage. I have yet to hear one word from the dealership about this last failure. I refuse to call them now. I just may regret what I say if I did call. Needless to say I am at the end of my rope with this truck. I have thought about dealing it in but I just love this truck. I own three GM products, this 05 is my oldest I have an 07 Solstice and an 08 Impala. You would think that someone at GM would step up to the plate and remedy this situation seeing that I am a loyal customer. No they don't have the money to do this now. It's never simple with GM. I am seriously considering FORD for my next purchase.
GM is making the bushing out of synthetic plastic instead of brass. I'm the original owner, 3 year ownership, 53,000 miles, serviced at every scheduled appointment, regular oil changed...did I mention that she is my baby. The transmission should not go out at 53,000 miles and of course, I'm out of the warranty. I believe the 2007 Chev. Avalanches are covered up to 100,000 for transmission repairs. Not the 2005.....did I mention that she is my baby. I waited for that vehicle and I've had to replace my cluster, transmission...now what. Yes....I'm a woman that loves her Chev. but not when I have to pay out of pocket.
We were visiting our daughter about 1 1/2 hours away when the transmission went on our 05 Avalanche... horrible noise! It was so sudden, no warning. We had to have it towed and it's now taking 5 days to REPLACE the transmission! The truck only has 49,000 miles on it! We've had the truck in and out of the dealer service department so many times for so many things in 3 years, that I can't remember them all in detail any more! We're very upset with Chevrolet right now and maybe we SHOULDN'T be giving them a bail-out package as it would be a waste of our money!
We drive this vehicle very little. Very short easy commute each day.
Long easy drives on the weekends.
Transmission just failed one day as we were at a set of lights.
We are in the process of trying to get the transmission replace with the extended warranty sold by the dealer. Of course they won't replace it with anything decent. Just a second hand one, which I am quite sure doesn't have any kind of warranty. Warranty covers only 5 days of car rental and they want to ship the used transmission after not evaluating the vehicle until 4 days after the transmission went out.
The dealer of course said we could cancel our policy and get a refund and buy another warranty from them. Are they idiots! Why would we give them a second commission?
I am never buying another american vehicle. Chevy is becoming a joke just like FORD.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
On my way back from North Carolina to upstate NY (680 miles) and, luckily, was within 3 miles from home when I noticed transmission beginning to slip. then Transmission Hot on DIC came on within 1/2 mile from home. Took it to Chevy dealer the following morning and had it checked out. Said they couldn't find anything obvious, although it did slip once between 2nd & 3rd. They told me to drive it until it died. Within 2 weeks, and less than 100 miles, tranny finally gave out - no 3rd or 4th gears. Considering that I have never towed or hauled with this truck, I can't believe that the transmission would fail with less than 70,000 miles.
- Craig M., Frankfort, NY, US