2012 Chevrolet Avalanche — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche is an SUV powered by a 5.3L 8-cyl regular gasoline engine. It returns around 20 mpg (UK) / 17 mpg (US EPA) combined. Owners often keep a Chevrolet Avalanche workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 20 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 5.3L 8-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic 6-spd |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | 4-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 20 combined / 18 urban / 25 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 17 combined / 15 city / 21 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 325 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,950 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 2 configurations for the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche, all with the 5.3L 8-cyl engine. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 20 | 17 (15/21) | 325 | $3,950 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 17 (15/21) | 325 | $3,950 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche
Running Costs: 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche at 20 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,818 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,950 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 Chevrolet Avalanche Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (2), Electrical system (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Air bags — campaign 21V054000, reported 5 February 2021. Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Air bags — campaign 21V051000, reported 5 February 2021. Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Electrical system — campaign 14V827000, reported 30 December 2014. Risk: 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…
Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche. The most-reported areas are Unspecified (32), Air bags (9), Engine (3). Complaints include 2 reported crashes, 2 reported injuries. That is well below the median of 114 complaints across the 4 Chevrolet Avalanche model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Air bags (2 recall campaigns · 9 owner complaints) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Electrical system (1 recall campaign) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Engine (3 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Transmission & drivetrain (3 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Chevrolet Avalanche compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 20 mpg figure is 7 mpg below that average. Its 325 g/km CO₂ figure is 72 g/km higher than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Chevrolet models in our database average about 29 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche's 20 mpg is 9 mpg below that make average. Its 325 g/km CO₂ figure is 79 g/km higher than the 246 g/km Chevrolet average.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche have?
It's fitted with a 5.3L 8-cyl regular gasoline engine, paired with a automatic 6-spd transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche?
The most efficient configuration returns around 20 mpg (UK) combined, or 17 mpg on the US EPA cycle.
How much does the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,950 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (2), Electrical system (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche?
Among the 52 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Unspecified (32 complaints), Air bags (9 complaints), Engine (3 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Chevrolet Avalanche's fuel economy good for an SUV?
It returns around 20 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.