Chevrolet Avalanche Complaints (2003)

395 consumer complaints on file.

#10415146July 26, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10404000June 1, 2011
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
"SERVICE ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY...DISABLING AIR BAGS! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10402928May 27, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE METAL BRAKE LINES ON MY 03 CHEVY AVALANCHE 1500 Z1 TRUCK ARE CATASTROPHICALLY FAILING. THERE IS NO WARNING PRIOR AS THERE WOULD BE WITH OTHER BRAKE RELATED PROBLEMS. THIS FAILURE LEADS TO AN INABILITY TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE RESULT OF WHICH COULD BE DEADLY. THE DEGRADATION OF THE STEEL LINES IS SO BAD THAT REPLACEMENT OF ALL LINE ARE REQUIRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399977May 11, 2011
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE THE SPARE TIRE. HE STATED THAT IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE TIRE, HE HAD TO USE A BLOW TORCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HOIST WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE 100, 000. UPDATED 06/06/11 *BF UPDATED 12/19/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399250May 5, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS READING INACCURATELY AND HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH GAS WAS ACTUALLY IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,494 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10394246April 4, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I CHANGED THE FRONT BRAKES AND WAS ADJUSTING THEM WHEN THE REAR BRAKE LINE STARTED GUSHING OUT BRAKE FLUID. IHAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND BEFORE I FINISHED HE SAID LET ME GUESS "YOU BLED THE FRONT BRAKES AND BLEW OUT THE BACK LINE NEXT TO THE GAS TANK BE HIND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL." THIS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED HE SAID ALOT OF CHEVY TRUCKS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. HE IS GOING TTO CHANGE THE REAR LINE. HE SAID WHERE THE LINE IS MOUNTED ALLOWS GRIT SALT AND THINGS BUILD UP IN THIS SPOTCAUSING THE BRAKE LINE TO RUST INTO. THIS COULD HAVE GOTTEN US KILLED HAD I NEEDED TO HIT MY BRAKES HARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10384571February 26, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE TEMPERATURE IS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE GAUGE DID A 360 ROTATION AND STUCK IN THE FINAL POSITION. I HAVE SEEN SOME WEB POSTING WHICH SAY PEOPLE HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL AND MY MAKE/YEAR ARE LISTED, BUT I DO NOT SEE THE RECALL LISTED ON YOUR SITE. IS THIS A RECALL ITEM? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10375336January 9, 2011
STEERING
TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS POWER STEERING PUMP STOPS WORKING AT LOW SPED. NO APPARENT PROBLEMS W/ THE PUMP NO LOOSE BELT. NEED TO REV TO 1500 RPM TO GET THE POWER STEERING TO WORK. SEAMS TO WORK OK WHEN IT IS COLD PROBLEM STARTS WHEN VEH.. IS WARMED UP. REPAIR HAS NOT BEEN MADE YET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10375031January 6, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SPEEDOMETER FAILED ON MY SONS 2003 CHEVY AVALANCHE. READ WHERE THIS IS A PREVALENT PROBLEM. WHY IN THE WORLD HAS THIS NOT BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. I AM REPORTING THIS TO CONGRESS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368825November 29, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, STEERING
I HAVE A 2003 AVALANCHE WITH APPROX.113000 MILES. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING IN A MINI SHOPPING CENTER I WENT TO TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ON ME. I COULD NOT MOVE MY STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. I THEN PUT MY TRUCK IN PARK AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND CRANKED IT BACK UP AND MY STEERING WHEEL IMMEDIATELY UNLOCKED. ON THAT FRIDAY WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 264E COMING OF EXIT MY STEERING LOCKED AGAIN. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO VEHICLE BEHIND ME, AND I WAS ABLE TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL. ON BOTH OCCASIONS I WAS DRIVING AT TWO DIFFERENT SPEEDS. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP. IS THERE A RECALL IN THE WORKS? THIS IS SO DANGEROUS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10361580October 21, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY AVALANCHE THAT I BOUGHT NEW. IN OCTOBER 2007 MY MECHANIC REPLACED ALL 4 ROTORS AND PADS ON THE BRAKES. HE SAID THE BRAKES HAD RUSTED OUT FROM THE BACKSIDE. AT THAT TIME I PAID $390, AND THE REST WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY. ON OCTOBER 16, 2010, I WAS DRIVING FROM THE PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT TO MY HOME IN WEST CHESTER, PA. SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING THE AIRPORT, I SUDDENLY LOST ALL BRAKING POWER. THE BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY GONE. WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, NOTHING HAPPENED. I DROVE FOR MORE THAN 20 MILES THIS WAY, TO MY MECHANIC IN WEST CHESTER, ON SEVERAL ROADS WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC AND MANY STOP LIGHTS. I DID THIS BY SHIFTING GEARS AND BY TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND ON. MY MECHANIC HAD TO FABRICATE SOME PARTS TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LINES, SINCE THESE PARTS ARE NO LONGER MADE BY GM. HE COMPLETELY REPLACED BOTH BRAKES. I PAID $394. I HAVE LEARNED ONLINE THAT SOME 110 OWNERS OF CERTAIN GM TRUCKS AND SUVS, INCLUDING THE MODEL I OWN, HAVE REPORTED THEIR VEHICLES TO THE NHTSA FOR BRAKE DEFECTS, AND THAT THERE IS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION THAT BEGAN IN SPRING 2010. I WANT TO ADD MY COMPLAINT TO THOSE OTHERS. I THINK GM DID A SHODDY JOB MANUFACTURING THE BRAKES FOR MY 2003 AVALANCHE. IF THERE IS ANY WAY TO GET COMPENSATION FOR THIS, I AM INTERESTED. BUT AT THE VERY LEAST, I WANT THE NHTSA TO KNOW THAT MY BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED ON A MAJOR URBAN HIGHWAY, AND THAT I BELIEVE POOR MANUFACTURING MATERIALS WERE THE CAUSE. HOPEFULLY THE REPAIRS DONE BY MY MECHANIC WILL PREVENT A RECURRENCE. BUT FOR WHAT I PAID FOR MY AVALANCHE (ABOUT $35K), I DIDN'T EXPECT ROTTEN BRAKES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10359667October 8, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC 1500 AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND UPON ENGAGEMENT. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO SIX DIFFERENT VEHICLES. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINES FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE BRAKE LINE TUBING WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10353413September 1, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
RUSTED BRAKE LINE TO REAR BRAKES FAILED. REDUCED BRAKING ABILITY PREVENTED VEHICLE FROM STOPPING ALLOWING VEHICLE TO PASS INTO AN INTERSECTION. ALL RUSTED BRAKE LINES REAR AND FRONT HAD TO BE REPLACED. OLD PARTS MAY STILL BE AVAILABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10351585August 24, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
RUSTED OUT 2003 CHEVY AVALANCHE BRAKE LINE LEADING TO BRAKE FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10351060August 21, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2003 CHEVY AVALANCHE HAD CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE WHILE BEING DRIVEN. UPON INSPECTION FOUND SEVERELY CORRODED BRAKE LINES DRIVER SIDE ABOVE CHASSIS RAIL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10349079August 12, 2010
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I OWN A 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, MY SPEEDOMETER IS STUCK AT 50 MPH, I CANNOT ACCURATELY GAUGE MY SPEED, I ALSO HAVE A SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT THAT WILL NOT GO OFF. THESE ARE SOME SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10347770August 6, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE Z66 THE SPEEDOMETER STOPS & STARTS WORKING. I FEEL THIS IS OF GREAT CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY AS WELL AS THE OTHERS AROUND ME. I VISITED MY LOCAL DEALER ONLY TO FIND THAT WILL BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL AS LONG AS I HAVE UNDER 70,000 MILES. I HAVE EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE AND AM EXPECTED TO PAY AN ESTIMATED $1000.00 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A NON-WEAR & TEAR ITEM THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY CHEVY DESPITE MILEAGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10344070July 19, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE INSTRUMENTAL CLUSTER GEAR LIGHT INDICATOR FAILED AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO SEE WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE WAS IN. THE MANUFACTURER HAD A VOLUNTARY RECALL WHICH INCLUDED A LIMITED WARRANTY UP TO 70,000 MILES; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS. THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE WARRANTY MILEAGE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 83,600. UPDATED 10/01/2010*LJ UPDATED 10/05/10.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10343163July 14, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
APROACHING A STOP SIGN BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICALE AT ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES I FELT A POP AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKES HAD COMPLETELY FAILED. USING THE PARKINNG BRAKE AND DOWN SHIFTING BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A STOP BEFORE I HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. IT IS AN AUTOMETIC. AT THE END I HAD IT IN 1ST GEAR AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION FOR THE STOP. IT IS A 2003 AVALANCH VIN# [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342900July 13, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO /MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE BRAKE SERVICE LIGHT THEN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED //WHERE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH BRAKE LINES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 32,000. UPDATED *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, HE HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE FOR ANOTHER AVALANCHE. UPDATED 10/26/10*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Chevrolet Avalanche