2012 Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Complaints

DASHBOARD ON A 2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE LTZ CRACKED IN THE AREA OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. CONCERNED THAT THIS DEFECT MAY CAUSE SHRAPNEL IN THE EVENT OF AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *TR

1/11/2015

MY AVALANCHE IS A 2012 WITH 36500 MILES ON IT. I HEARD A RATTLING NOISE AND FOUND MY DASH IS CRACKED ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

4/15/2016

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

6/18/2014

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.

12/10/2015

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.

4/29/2013

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

6/18/2014

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

2/16/2014

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.

3/5/2020

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.

9/10/2012

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)

9/11/2022

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

2/21/2013

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.

8/5/2015

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

6/27/2013

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

6/18/2014

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

5/5/2014

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

7/15/2015

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

6/22/2015

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.

3/23/2017

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.

3/11/2020

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?

8/26/2020

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)

9/11/2022

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.

5/5/2024