CarBrief

NHTSA has 490 owner complaints on file for the 2007 Avalanche, and air bags are the biggest group by far[1][2]. Two 2021 recalls cover the passenger air bag inflator, and the remedy is not yet available[3][4].

490owner complaints[1]
5recalls[5]
14–16MPG combined (EPA)[6]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 490 complaints with NHTSA for this model year[1]. Twelve mention a crash[1], 10 a fire[1] and 20 an injury[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints Crashes Fires Injuries Median miles
Air bags[2] 274 11 0 9 100,000
Structure[7] 93 2 2 8 73,798
Unknown or other[8] 82 2 1 3 85,000
Electrical system[9] 35 1 8 1 87,956
Engine[10] 34 0 4 1 122,500
Power train[11] 23 1 1 0 66,200
Electronic stability control[12] 19 0 0 0 116,000
Seat belts[13] 12 1 0 2 97,000

Air bags. This group has 274 complaints, more than the next two groups combined[2][7][8]. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints we read[2], 5 describe a cracked dashboard near the passenger air bag. Those owners worry the air bag will not work properly in a crash. Three describe side or curtain air bags going off with no crash[2].

Structure. In a sample of 12 complaints[7], 3 describe the coating on an interior door handle peeling and leaving a sharp edge[7]. Another 3 describe a cracked dashboard[7].

Engine. In a sample of 12 complaints[10], 4 describe the truck burning more oil than the owner expected. Some of those owners say it ended in an engine replacement[10].

Electrical system. This group has 8 fires, the most of any group, though it has only 35 complaints[9]. In a sample of 12 complaints[9], 5 describe a dead battery or a truck that would not start, with dealers unable to explain it. Another 5[9] involve the heated washer fluid recall, either the repair or disagreement with its remedy[9].

The power train, stability control and seat belt groups each have fewer than 25 complaints[11][12][13]. We would not call them common problems.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this model year[5]. Newest first[5]:

Fuel economy

EPA lists several versions. All use an 8-cylinder engine and an automatic 4-speed[6][17][18][19][20].

Version City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
5.3L, 2WD, regular[6] 14 / 19 / 16 $4,200
5.3L, 2WD, gasoline or E85[17] 14 / 20 / 16 $4,200
5.3L, 4WD, gasoline or E85[18] 14 / 19 / 16 $4,200
6.0L, 2WD, regular[19] 13 / 18 / 15 $4,450
6.0L, 4WD, regular[20] 13 / 17 / 14 $4,800

The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the truck was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door rear-wheel-drive versions of the 2007 Avalanche 3 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 21.2%[21][22]. We do not have other crash test ratings for this model year.

Engine and size

EPA lists a 5.3L and a 6.0L 8-cylinder engine[6][19]. These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US trucks.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Crew cab, short box, 2WD[23] 218 in 79 in 73 in 130 in 5,437 lb
Crew cab, short box, 4WD[24] 218 in 79 in 74 in 130 in 5,679 lb

How 2007 compares with other years

2002: 598 complaints, 2 recalls20022003: 386 complaints, 4 recalls20032004: 309 complaints, 5 recalls20042005: 200 complaints, 4 recalls20052006: 50 complaints, 2 recalls20062007: 490 complaints, 5 recalls49020072008: 295 complaints, 4 recalls20082009: 96 complaints, 5 recalls20092010: 117 complaints, 3 recalls20102011: 155 complaints, 5 recalls20112012: 52 complaints, 3 recalls20122013: 111 complaints, 3 recalls2013
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Avalanche model year. The 2007 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20025982
20033864
20043095
20052004
2006502
20074905
20082954
2009965
20101173
20111555
2012523
20131113

With 490 complaints, 2007 has more than any other Avalanche year except 2002, which has 598[5]. Every year from 2003 to 2013 has fewer, from 386 in 2003 down to 50 in 2006[5]. The 5 recalls for 2007 tie 2004, 2009 and 2011 for the most[5]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2007 Avalanche?

The 2007 model year has a high complaint count for this model and a large air bag group[1][2][5]. The passenger air bag inflator recalls have no remedy yet, so a buyer cannot assume the truck has been fixed[3][4]. Ask the seller about the recall status and about the dashboard, since cracked dashboards near the passenger air bag came up in the complaints we read[2]. EPA combined ratings run from 14 to 16 mpg across the versions listed[6][17][18][19][20]. This is a fair choice only if you accept those trade-offs and the risk from the recalls.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche?
Air bags have the most NHTSA complaints at 274 of 490[1][2]. In the sample we read, owners describe cracked dashboards near the passenger air bag and side air bags deploying with no crash[2].
Does the 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls[5]. The newest two cover the passenger air bag inflator, and the remedy is not yet available[3][4].
What gas mileage does a 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche get?
EPA combined ratings are 16 mpg for the 5.3L, 15 mpg for the 6.0L 2WD and 14 mpg for the 6.0L 4WD[6][19][20].
Is the 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche a bad year?
It has 490 complaints, the second most of any Avalanche year on file after 2002[5]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
How does the 2007 Avalanche do in rollover tests?
NHTSA rates the 4-door rear-wheel-drive versions 3 stars for rollover, with a 21.2% rollover risk[21][22].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 490 owner complaints on file for the 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche (12 mention a crash, 10 a fire, 20 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 274 complaints name the air bags component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 21V050, filed February 5, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 21V052, filed February 5, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Avalanche model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. EPA rating for Avalanche 1500 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. 93 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 73,798). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 82 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 35 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 8 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 87,956). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 34 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 4 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 122,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 23 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,200). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 19 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 116,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 12 complaints name the seat belts component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 97,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 10V240, filed June 4, 2010: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 08V441, filed August 28, 2008: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 06V307, filed August 11, 2006: Wheels › Rim . NHTSA recall database
  17. EPA rating for Avalanche 1500 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Avalanche 1500 4WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Avalanche 1500 2WD, 6.0L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Avalanche 1500 4WD, 6.0L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR RWD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 21.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR W/SAB RWD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 21.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, AVALANCHE 1500 P/U CREWCAB S/BOX 2WD: length 218 in, width 79 in, height 73 in, wheelbase 130 in, curb weight 5,437 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, AVALANCHE 1500 P/U CREWCAB S/BOX 4WD: length 218 in, width 79 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 130 in, curb weight 5,679 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.