2012 Chevrolet Avalanche: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche: 3 recalls, 36 owner complaints and up to 17 mpg combined.
.jpg){kind=link}
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #14V827000 · 2014 · 84,192 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If stuck in the "start" position, the ignition May suddenly snap back into the "accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags May not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015.
Airbags Vehicle recall #21V054000 · 2021 · 1,778,128 vehicles
What's wrong: " 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,…
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner…
Airbags Vehicle recall #21V051000 · 2021 · 284,645 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Other / unknown (17): the most common themes are noise or vibration (2).
- Airbags (6): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Transmission & drivetrain (3): the most common themes are noise or vibration (2).
- Engine (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche has 36 owner complaints, ranking #11 of 14 Avalanche model years for complaints (well below the 140 average). Complaints peaked in 2017 (7 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 44,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (127 complaints, 3 recalls), 2013 (82 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Gasoline or E85 |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche problems?
Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are other / unknown (17), airbags (6), transmission & drivetrain (3).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche get?
EPA ratings run up to 17 mpg combined (5.3 L, Automatic 6-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.