How Long Do Chevrolet Avalanches Last? (Solved & Explained)

The Chevrolet Avalanche is a four-door, five or six-passenger pickup truck sharing GM’s long-wheelbase chassis used on the Chevrolet Suburban and Cadillac Escalade EXT.

We’ve also looked at common problems with the Chevy Avalanches – and now let’s look at how long they typically last.

Produced between 2001 and 2013, it offers typical long-wheelbase truck chassis–decent towing capacity, powerful performance, and ruggedness.

Find out if reliability is among the Chevrolet Avalanche’s qualities.

Here is the short answer about how long Chevrolet Avalanches last:

With proper maintenance, you can get a new Chevrolet Avalanche to last up to 300,000 miles. That is about 20 years of service if you drive an average of 15,000 miles per year like most Americans.

While it is no longer in production, the Chevrolet Avalanche remains one of the more reliable pickups.

How Many Miles Can You Expect From A Chevrolet Avalanche?

Pickup trucks are famed for being rugged vehicles that can last for a long time. As such, we’re not surprised that the Chevrolet Avalanche is extremely durable.

To know the average lifespan of the Chevrolet Avalanches, we visited several owner forums. From mileage reports found there, the average Avalanche truck can last between 200,000 to 300,000 miles.

You’ll likely need to replace certain components as the truck ages. For example, steering pumps, alternators, radiators, transmissions, etc., will need replacement at the 150,000-200,000 mile mark.

However, if you can give the vehicle proper maintenance at intervals, it should last to 300,000 miles with minimal repairs.

If you’re buying a used model, ensure you get the service history to know if it received proper maintenance.

Inadequate maintenance will always shorten the lifespan of any vehicle; hence, the emphasis on regular maintenance.

Also check out our article which talks about “Where are Chevrolet Avalanches made?”

How Soon Should You Expect Rust On A Chevrolet Avalanche?

Rust is a big problem on many vehicles, from big SUVs to small coupes.

According to owners of the Chevrolet Avalanche, rust often appears within the first ten years of using the vehicle.

This can vary depending on how much rust protection your truck gets and where you live.

Say, you live in a place like New York where roads have huge amounts of salt in winter, you’ll likely get rust on your Chevrolet Avalanche earlier than expected.

This is because road salt is highly corrosive and often exacerbates rusting on vehicles.

Owners also say that coating your Avalanche truck with anti-rust solutions can prevent rusting. Failing to do this leaves your truck exposed to higher chances of rust.

Here are some parts susceptible to rusting on Chevrolet Avalanches:

• Rear wheel well
• Bottom of passenger doors
• Rear bumper area
• Subframes

How Long Do Chevrolet Avalanches Last Compared To Similar Car Models?

Below, we compare the Chevrolet Avalanches to its competitors:

Chevrolet Avalanche vs. Honda Ridgeline

The Chevrolet Avalanche and the Honda Ridgeline are so similar you might think both manufacturers copied each other.

Unsurprisingly, the two models share the same level of durability–you can get 300,000 miles on both trucks. 

Some differences may influence your choice, however. The Chevrolet Avalanche has a clever midgate feature that increases its storage capacity, something the Ridgeline lacks.

But the Ridgeline is more comfortable to drive and consumes less fuel compared to the Avalanche.

Moreover, unlike the Avalanche, the Ridgeline is still in production. Therefore, you’ll likely get more modern features on the Ridgeline than you would on the Avalanche.

Make sure to also read our article on how long Honda Ridgelines last.

Chevrolet Avalanche vs. Dodge Ram 1500

The Dodge Ram 1500 is one of the best trucks on the market. Like the Chevrolet Avalanche, it offers class-competitive towing capacity and considerable off-roading ability.

From our research, a Ram 1500 will last you about the same time as a Chevrolet Avalanche.

Again, the major difference between the two models is that the Ram 1500 is still newer compared to the Chevrolet Avalanche.

Thus, if you want something newer, a Ram 1500 is better for you. However, if you want a cheap pre-owned pickup, the Chevrolet Avalanche is a good option.

Chevrolet Avalanche vs. Toyota Tundra

The Toyota Tundra is another extremely durable model in the pickup truck category. Based on mileage reports, you will get the same number of miles from a Tundra truck and an Avalanche truck.

The Toyota Tundra will go 200,000 to 300,000 miles, same as the Chevrolet Avalanche.

Chevrolet Avalanche vs. Ford F-150

The Ford F-150 has been the highest-selling truck in the United States for over two decades.

While the Chevrolet Avalanche didn’t sell highly like the Ford F-150 during its production run, it is just as durable.

Per reports, the Ford F-150 can last between 250,000 to 300,000 miles, with proper maintenance. Given the same level of maintenance, the Chevrolet Avalanche will last you the same number of miles.

The Ford F-150 is likely to prove more durable in the long run than the Chevrolet Avalanche.

Newer F-150s use aluminum, which does not rust. The Chevrolet Avalanche uses steel, which is particularly susceptible to rusting.

How Reliable Is a Chevrolet Avalanche?

For a fullsize SUV, the Chevrolet Avalanche has decent reliability.

RepairPal gives it an average 3/5 reliability rating, ranking it 8th out 14 fullsize trucks for reliability.

The 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche year, which is also the last model year, has a 3.5/5 reliability from J.D. Power, which is higher than average. 

Please also read our article on how long Chevrolet Colorados last.

The Best And Worst Years For Chevrolet Avalanches

If you are looking to buy an Avalanche, you should know the best and most problematic model years. Below, we discuss the best and worst model years of the Avalanche:

Worst Model Year

CarComplaints designates the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche as the worst model year in the lineup. Here are some common issues plaguing 2005 Chevrolet Avalanches:

a. Transmission Malfunctions: Drivers complained that the transmission on the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche was prone to recurrent malfunctions.

For example, the transmission often stalled and jerked during operation.

In worse situations, the transmission failed, forcing owners to replace it. These transmission issues were expensive to repair–transmission failure alone required $2,580 to fix.

b. Faulty Engine: Per reports, the engine on these models is prone to a number of faults. Among these are excessive oil consumption and frequent stalling.

The stalling problem was particularly severe, with owners being stranded in obscure locations because it.

c. Fading Cladding: Cladding refers to the protective plastic piece that runs along the exterior of a vehicle.

The cladding on the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanches was reportedly prone to premature fading and discoloration.

This gave the cladding a chalky and unwholesome appearance, especially around the panels near the cargo bed.

General Motors did offer to fix it by coating the trucks with ArmoDillo, but this didn’t work.

Eventually, GM settled for a more comprehensive coating procedure, which it issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) for.

Best Model Year

The 2012-2013 Chevrolet Avalanches, which also happen to the last model years, are the best within the lineup.

The two model years have relatively few complaints, an extremely low number of recalls, and a higher-than-average reliability rating.

Also check out our article about how long Ford Raptors last.

What About Recalls For These Models?

The Chevrolet Avalanche has faced 20 recall actions to date.

The 2003-2004 model years have the most recalls at seven apiece. We’ll advise you to avoid model years with many recalls, as they are often problematic.

Below, we have given recall numbers for each of the 13 model years:

• 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche: 5 recalls
• 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche: 7 recalls
• 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche: 7 recalls
• 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche: 6 recalls
• 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche: 3 recalls
• 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche: 3 recalls
• 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche: 2 recalls
• 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche: 2 recalls
• 2010 Chevrolet Avalanche: 1 recall
• 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche: 3 recalls
• 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche: 1 recall
• 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche: 0 recalls

Chevrolet Avalanche Model Year List

The Chevrolet Avalanche was in production between 2002 and 2013, after which it was discontinued. Here are the model years for the Chevrolet Avalanche:

• 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
• 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
• 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
• 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
• 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche
• 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
• 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
• 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche
• 2010 Chevrolet Avalanche
• 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche
• 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche
• 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche

Are  Chevrolet Avalanches Expensive To Maintain?

While it’s more expensive to maintain than a regular car, the Chevrolet Avalanche is comparably less expensive to maintain than the average fullsize truck.

You’ll pay an average of $700 in annual maintenance expenses for your Avalanche truck. This is cheaper than maintenance for the average fullsize truck, which costs about $784 per year. 

How Long Do The Brakes Last?

The brakes on a new Chevrolet Avalanche can last up to 50,000 miles or more, with regular servicing. If you brake frequently, your brakes will wear out faster.

This explains why Avalanche owners who do a lot of city driving often have their brakes wear out faster than those who do more highway driving.

If you live in the city, ensure you service your brakes frequently to extend its lifespan.

How Long Do The Tires Last?

Among Chevrolet Avalanche owners, the consensus is that stock tires should last between 25,000 to 50,000 miles.

However, the longevity of your tires depends on how you use and maintain them. Used aggressively/frequently and maintained infrequently, your tires will wear out faster.

How Long Does The Transmission Last?

According to owner reports, the transmission on Chevrolet Avalanches can last anywhere between 130,000 to 180,000 miles.

How Long Do The Spark Plugs Last?

Chevrolet Avalanches use platinum and iridium spark plugs, which have a long lifespan. GM recommends replacing the spark plugs on an Avalanche truck around 100,000 miles, and we’ll suggest you do the same.

The pattern of use can and will probably influence the lifespan of your Spark Plugs.

If you do a lot of hauling and off-road driving, your spark plugs will wear out faster. This means you’ll probably have to replace them sooner than expected.

What About Insurance Cost?

From estimates, you will spend around $1,422 annually on insurance for your Chevrolet Avalanche. 

Tips To Prolong The Life Of Your Chevrolet Avalanche

Here are tips to help extend the life of your Avalanche truck:

• Maintain the transmission properly by replacing the transmission filter and transmission fluid regularly.
• Fix small problems once you notice them or else they may develop into bigger problems, which might be harder to fix.
• Get your truck serviced by a competent mechanic
• Conduct regular inspections on various components of your truck.

References

CarComplaints.com

repairpal.com

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