This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. Please communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Chevrolet Avalanche body problems
severe 4 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
3crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 4 body complaints filed for the 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about customers that are unable to override the automatic door locking feature. Technician will update the Body Control Module on 2006 to 2007 model years. On 2010 to 2014 model years technician will need to contact Techline Customer Support for calibrations.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗GM: ON SOME TRUCK MODELS THERE IS SOME FRAME CORROSION. UPDATED ON 5/2/2012.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗UNABLE TO REMOVE PROTECTIVE COATING FROM BODY.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I hit someone in the back of his car and did a lot of damage on my truck and my air bags did not open. The repair shop also ? Why. The front of my truck was pushed back approx. 6 to 10 inches. *tr
Rear brake lines burst while I was in motion. I was going down the highway and had to use the gears to slow down. They were corroded through. Same thing happened in 2016 with my fuel pump line corroded through. Was leaking while I was driving. Did not notice for a few days until there was puddles of gas where I park. Over the past few years my cladding has been falling off from rust through…
Had body trouble with your 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche?
It's a meaningful issue. 4 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 115,447 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Chevrolet/Avalanche.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.