2012 Chevrolet Avalanche: common problems and reliability
One of the better Avalanche years.
The best Chevrolet Avalanche year. All Avalanche years
52 owner complaints, most about air bags. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 Avalanche?The 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche has 52 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and engine.
Safety record for the 2012 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Avalanche years only. How we score it
Is 2012 a good year for the Avalanche?
Across the 13 Avalanche model years we track, complaint volume runs from 2 (2001) to 673 (2002). With 52 complaints, the 2012 Avalanche sits below the model's median of 155.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2012 Avalanche
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 21V054000General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 21V051000General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
electrical system:ignition
Campaign 14V827000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is polarized, with a strong consensus on mechanical durability but significant criticism for build quality and specific recurring issues.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Avalanche. See the full Avalanche owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Avalanche listings typically run $11,199–$19,358 across 2003 to 2013 model years.
Other Avalanche model years
Compare every Avalanche year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Avalanche against its rivals
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