About Chevrolet Avalanche Transmission Problems
The Chevrolet Avalanche is a four-door truck that has its share of problems. The sport utility may have benefits such as the option of two or four-wheel drive, but the transmission that develops problems quickly makes the vehicle a little less appealing.
General Information
The transmission in a Chevy Avalanche features a five-speed, automatic setup with aluminum housing. An overdrive sixth gear also comes as standard equipment with this particular tranny.
Transmission Failure
Many motorists who purchased an Avalanche experienced complete transmission failure before 75,000 miles were even on the car. Some people reported vehicles with less than 35,000 miles on them, experiencing total transmission failure states websites, such as Carcomplaints.com. The transmission on most vehicles exceeds 100,000 miles with proper routine maintenance. Oftentimes, the transmission lasts the entire duration somebody owns a vehicle, but this is not the case with the transmission on the Avalanche.
Housing Problems
Due to the aluminum housing, it tends to deteriorate causing debris in the transmission. The flimsy transmission housing is notorious for cracking and becoming damaged easily.
Loose Components
Parts on the tranny may loosen unexpectedly, which is responsible for the transmission failing completely, in certain cases. The transmission dipstick tube does not connect to the transmission housing tightly.
Other
Drivers reported the transmission slipping in and out for no apparent reason. Holes develop in the fluid pan and through the entire transmission setup resulting in the leakage of tranny fluid. The transfer case houses the tranny fluid and in some instances it has began leaking, which causes many motorists to need to immediately repair it. The flawed mechanism loses gears, making it impossible to shift into certain gears. The origin of this problem stems from the gears not spinning properly and leads to the transmission overheating and burning up the gears.