Chevrolet Avalanche Complaints

2,954 consumer complaints on file.

#10107036January 7, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE PROBLEM. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THEY WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR, LOSING ABOUT 95% OF BRAKING POWER. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER, NEITHER WAS WILLING TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10105796January 5, 2005
PARKING BRAKE
I OWN A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, THAT DID NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO THE PARKING BRAKE NO HOLDING. THIS OCCURRED WITH OUT WARNING SINCE MY LAST INSPECTION. I VISTED THE DEALER AND THEY ASKED FOR MILEAGE AND STATED IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE IS NO WARRNING SYSTEM FOR THIS PROBLEM. AND THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLOW FOUND ON THIS VEHICLE. THIS WILL COST ME CLOSE TO $800 FOR BRAKE SHOES DRUM / ROTOR ASSEMBLY AND BRAKE PADS I BELIEVE THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED . *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10105723January 4, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
2002 CHEV AVALANCHE FAILED NYS INSPECTION ALL BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED I HAVE ONLY 29879 MILES I THINK THIS IS VERY EXCESSIVE THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER TOWED OR PLOWED I USE IT FOR CAMPING AND OTHER VACATIONING REPLACED WERE THE FOLLOWING FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS/ REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS/ REAR E BRAKE SHOES, ALL PARTS WERE REPLACED BECAUSE OF MAJOR RUSTING OF ALL IRON OLD PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. I WAS TOLD BY INSPECTION STATION THIS IS HAPPENING ALOT . *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10105747January 4, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP
PREMATURE WEAR OF EMERGENCY BRAKES ON A 2003 CHEVROLET AVANLANCHE 1500. THE BRAKE IS NOT USED AND THE SERVICE PEOPLE COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY THE BRAKES WORE OUT. MY REGULAR BRAKES JUST AT 28700 MILES JUST NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN THE BACK BUT NOT THE FRONT. THE FRONT BRAKES ARE ALMOST LIKE NEW. EVEN THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT IT DID NOT SEEM RIGHT. GM JUST SAYS NOTHING THEY WILL DO. IT COST ME ABOUT $150 DOLLARS(REQUIRED FOR INSPECTION) TO FIX THOSE EMERGENCY BRAKES AND I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE SYSTEM THAT ALLOWED THE BRAKES TO WEAR OUT. THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY WEAR AS EMERGENCY BRAKES. GM SAID THEY HAD A LOT OF COMPLAINTS BUT THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN IT EITHER. CAN YOU HELP ME AND INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM? BASICALLY I WAS TOLD BY GM THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING IT. SO MAYBE I SHOULDN'T USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AT ALL. SINCE THEY CAN'T PROVE WHAT'S WRONG THEY WON'T HELP ME. SOUNDS LIKE AN EXCUSE NOT TO FIX WHAT'S WRONG. MAYBE IT'S JUST A WAY OF CAUSING THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES TO PAY MORE AT SERVICE/INSPECTION TIME. A SCAM!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10105774January 4, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE WITH HARSH AND SUDEN UNEXPECTED DOWN SHIFTS. DEALER HAS ATTEMPED REPAIR SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT REPAIRING THE PROBLEM. WHEN SLOWING IN TRAFFIC OR FOR A TURN THE TRANSMISSION WILL DOWNSHIFT HARD AND CLUNK AND BANG AS IF SOMETHING IS GOING TO BREAK. THIS IN MY OPINION IS A SAFETY HAZARD ON SLIPPERY ROADS WHILE MAKING A TURN AS IT COULD CAUSE A SPINOUT. LAST CALL FROM DEALER THE SERVICE MANAGER READ TO ME A TSB FROM CHEVROLET SAYING THIS WAS A NORMAL CONDITION AND NOT TO ATTEMPT A REPAIR. NOT ACCEPTABLE. I HAVE BEEN AN AUTO TECH FOR 38 YEARS. I FEEL THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING INTO 1ST GEAR INSTEAD OF 2ND WHEN SPEED DROPS JUST BELOW 20MPH. THIS JUST MAY BE A SHIFT PROGRAM PROBLEM, BUT WHAT DAMAGE IS BEING DONE TO TRANSMISSION OVER LONG TERM? *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10104654December 28, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NEW 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE PURCHASED 08/14/04. ON 09/24/04, VEHICLE STOPPED ON FREEWAY. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP PURCHASED FROM, WINTER CHEVROLET IN PITTSBURGH, CA. KEPT FOR 11 DAYS WITHOUT INFORMATION GIVEN VERBALLY OR IN THE MAIL. CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS. TRUCK AGAIN STOPPED ON FREEWAY ON 12/27/04. RE-STARTED AFTER TURNING OFF AND WAITING A COUPLE MINUTES. TAKING BACK IN TOMORROW. SALES DEPARTMENT WILL NOT RETURN CALL REGARDING TRADE OR RETURN OF DOWN. SIMPLY PATCH UP THE NEW VEHICLE AND SEND ME OUT AGAIN AWAITING NEXT PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10104465December 24, 2004
STRUCTURE:BODY
WATER IS LEAKING INTO THE CAB, THROUGH THE MID GATE. EVENTHOUGH THE SALES PERSON TOLD ME THE COMPARTMENTS WERE ALL WATER TIGHT AND WOULD NOT LEAK. I HAVE COMPLAINED BUT THE SERVICE PERSON TELLS ME THAT WHAT I SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOLD IS THAT THE COMPARTMENTS ARE WATER RESISTANT NOT WATER TIGHT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS!!!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10104193December 21, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
I RELEASED THE TAILGATE TO REMOVE AN EMPTY BOX FROM THE BED OF MY 2002 CHEVY AVALANCHE. I JUMPED UP IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK AND RETRIEVED THE BOX. WHEN I REACHED THE BACK OF THE TRUCK (TAILGATE), THE TAILGATE GAVE WAY LIKE A TRAP DOOR AND I WENT DOWN WITH IT. I HIT BOTH MY KNEE AND HEAD ON THE TAILGATE AS THE TAILGATE HIT THE GROUND. BOTH CABLES (2) BROKE ABOUT 2 INCHES BELOW THE CONNECTOR. I CUT MY KNEE AND HAD A KNOT ON THE SIDE OF MY HEAD. ASPRIN SEEMED HELP, BUT THERE IS STILL PAIN IN THE OUTSIDE KNEE AREA (LEFT). WHEN I GOT TO WORK, I PULLED UP THE RECALL LIST. MUCH TO MY SURPRISE, THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VERY CABLES THAT SEVERED ON MY AVALANCHE. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE JUNE 2004 AND HAVE EVEN HAD MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AT A LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP. I DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE ON THIS PART ALTHOUGH THE DEFECT NOTICE STATES I SHOULD HAVE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10104155December 20, 2004
TIRES:SIDEWALL
2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500 4X4. GOODYEAR AT 17" TIRES. ALL 4 TIRES EVENLY WORN 75% HAD SIDEWALL DETERIORATION WHERE TREAD AND SIDEWALL CONNECT AT 51500 MILES. WIRES WERE ACTUALLY STICKING OUT AND HAD LUMPS WHERE THE WIRE WAS FAILING. DEFINITELY NOT NORMAL WEAR PATTERN. FAILURE WOULD HAVE BEEN BLOW OUT AND OUT OF CONTROL AND WHO KNOWS WHAT. CAUGHT THE FAILURE AND PRESENTED IT TO A GOODYEAR TIRE DEALER AND THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING. STILL POSSESS ALL 4 TIRES IF I COULD ONLY SHOW THEM TO AN ACTUAL GOODYEAR REPRESENTATIVE FOR REVIEW MY MIND WOULD BE AT EASE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10102909December 14, 2004
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE-27.000 MILES. REGULAR TIRE ROTATION AND ALIGNMENT. TIRES STILL WORE IN IRREGULAR PATTERN. ON 12-13-04 NOTICED SPOT ON RIGHT REAR TIRE WHERE A "BUBBLE" HAD BURST AND THE STEEL BELTS WERE COMING THROUGH.(ABOUT 1" IN DIA.). VEHICLE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. TOOK TO LOCAL TIRE RETAILER WHO STATED THAT TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE TAKEN TO CAR DEALER. CALLED CAR DEALER. SENT TO GOODYEAR DEALER. FIRST TECH EXAMINED TIRE AND STATED IT WAS A DEFECTIVE TIRE. MANAGER CAME OUT AND SAID LACK OF MAINTENANCE WAS CAUSE OF PROBLEM. THEN STATED THAT 265/70R17 ATS WAS FOR OFFROAD USE AND NOT INTENDED FOR HIGHWAY USE ONLY. SAID ALL 4 TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH 265/70R17 RT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10102751December 11, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
I AM HEARING A ROARING NOISE COMING FROM MY REAR WHEEL, I TOOK MY Z66 INTO THE SHOP AND HE SAID THE WHEEL BEARINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 50000 MILES ON IT. THE BEARINGS SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED THAT SOON. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10099700December 7, 2004
AIR BAGS, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
AIR BAGS DO NOT WORK. AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON. VEHICLE IS BEING TAKEN TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR INVESTIGATION AND REPAIR.*AK THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING AND THE POWER STEERING MADE A SQUEALING NOISE. THE RUNNING BOARDS FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HEARD A CLUNK IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE 4X4 LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A FLUID LEAK IN THE ENGINE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER 7.5 MONTHS OF HAVING REPAIRS DONE ON HIS VEHICLE THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO CLASSIFY IT UNDER THE LEMON LAW. *TC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10102229December 6, 2004
PARKING BRAKE
I OWN A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, THAT I COULD NOT GET INSPECTED DUE TO THE PARKING BRAKE NOT HOLDING. UPON HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOUND THAT A RETAINING CLIP ASSEMBLY FAILED, CAUSING THE PARKING BRAKE SHOES TO ENGAGE AT SOME POINT IN THE LAST YEAR AND WEAR THE SHOES DOWN, DAMAGE THE DRUM / ROTOR ASSEMBLY, AND CAUSE CHIPPING / CRACKING WITH THE REAR BRAKE PADS DUE TO THE HEAT GENERATED BY THE RETAINING CLIP ASSEMBLY FAILURE. I CONTACTED GM AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND MY DEALER ALSO SAID THE SAME THING, THAT THESE ARE 'WEAR AND TEAR' ITEMS THAT I WAS FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR. THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL IF THE CLIP HAD FAILED OR IF I HAD DRIVEN WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED, WHICH NEVER HAPPENED. I FOUND A PREVIOUS TSB WAS REFERENCED TO THIS ISSUE (020526002A) AND NHTSA# 10000172, WHICH WERE SIMILAR. THE TSB INDICATED REPLACING THE RETAINING CLIP WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE. WHICH TELLS ME THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE RETAINING CLIP ON MY 2002 VEHICLE, WHICH HAS NOW RESULTED IN A COSTLY REPAIR (BRAKE SHOES X2, RETAINING CLIP X2, DRUM / ROTOR ASSEMBLY X2, BRAKE PADS X2 (PRIMARIES) THAT IS OVER $800. I'VE FOUND MANY OTHER AVALANCHE AND SILVERADO OWNERS ALSO HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM, SOME ARE BEING COVERED BY WARRANTY, SOME ARE NOT. I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY GM AND A RECALL ISSUED BEFORE THIS $8 RETAINING CLIP PART WINDS UP COSTING OTHER CUSTOMERS OVER $800.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10102235December 6, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER FAILURE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10100907December 2, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION STARTED MAKING GROWLING AND WHINING NOISE WHILE ATTEMPING TO SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR, THEN STARTED SLIPPING IN 4TH GEAR.SHIFTING WAS ALSO STIFF OR HARSHER THAN WAS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THIS. I TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS DISMISSED AS THEIR COMPUTER DID NOT RECORD ANY TROUBLE CODES. 1 WEEK LATER, AND ONLY 65 MILES TRAVEL DISTANCE, BOTH 2ND AND 4TH GEARS COMPLETELY FAILED, CAUSING A COMPLETE OVERHAUL AND REBUILD OF TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE HAD ONLY 14, 700 MILES ON IT WHEN PROBLEM SURFACED. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME NO KNOWN PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10100834December 1, 2004
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
NUTS RETAINING WIPER ARMS TO SHAFT LOOSENED ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE CAUSING WIPERS TO NOT MOVE. I TIGHTENED THE NUTS AS A TEMPORARY FIX AND WILL REPLACE WITH LOCK NUTS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10100778November 30, 2004
PARKING BRAKE
2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE Z66 HAS FAILED PARKING BRAKE. I DO NOT TOW OR EVEN USE THE BRAKE. HOWEVER IN ATTEMPTING TO PASS TEXAS STATE INSPECTION, MY PARKING BRAKE FAILS. WHEN BRAKE IS SET IN ALL THE WAY, TRUCK PUT IN DRIVE, TRUCK WILL MOVE FORWARD AS IF BRAKE IS NOT SET. CHEVYTALK.ORG HAS OVER 5000 POST OF USERS ON THIS SAME ITEM. CHEVY ASE MECHANIC SAID IT'S A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW IN THE CLIPS THAT CAUSES E-BRAKE TO WEAR EVEN IF NEVER USED. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF I NEED IT, DUE TO A HYDROLIC FAILURE, IT DOESN'T WORK. CONTACTED DEALER AND THEY CLAIM IT IS NOT PART OF WARRANTY. THIS IS CLEARLY A DANGEROUS DESIGN PROBLEM THAT GM IS NOT OWNING UP TO. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10100181November 19, 2004
EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL, STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
THE STEERING GEAR BOX APPEARS TO BE LOOSE, VEHICLES UNDER WARRANTY ARE GETTING REPAIRED BUT THOSE OUT OF WARRANTY ARE NOT. WHEN I HAD THE TAILGATE HINGES REPLACED, THE DEALER EXPLAINED WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY TRUCK BUT COULD NOT REPAIR IT. IT'S A NERVE RACKING VIBRATION WHICH SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF AND FEELS LIKE THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLT IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10100221November 19, 2004
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE INVOLVING 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE OR INJURY. HOWEVER, WHEN BROUGHT IN FOR REPAIR, I WAS GIVEN A REPORT THAT STATES, ACCORDING TO CHEVROLET TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE "PARKING BRAKE IS NOT DESIGNED TO HOLD ON A DOWN SLOPE AND ONLY DESIGNED TO HOLD AT 8% GRADE ON UP SLOPE." THIS RUNS COUNTER TO THE 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE OWNERS MANUAL, SECTION 7-20, ENTITLED "PARKING BRAKE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARK MECHANISM CHECK WHICH INSTRUCTS AS FOLLOWS: "PARK ON A FAIRLY STEEP HILL, WITH THE VEHICLE FACING DOWNHILL" AND PROCEEDS TO GIVE STEPS FOR CHECKING THE PARKING BRAKE FUNCTION THAT CREATE A CLEAR EXPECTATION THAT THE PARKING BRAKE SHOULD FUNCTION "ON A FAIRLY STEEP HILL." SINCE BRINGING MY VEHICLE FOR REQUESTED ADJUSTMENT/REPAIR, I CONTINUE TO FIND THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD WITH THE VEHICLE FACING DOWNHILL ON EVEN A MODEST SLOPE.*AK KNOWING THAT I CANNOT RELY ON THE PARKING BRAKE, FOR NOW I WILL TAKE OTHER STEPS TO ASSURE SAFETY. I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE ... FOR THEIR SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF THEIR FAMILIES. IF AN OWNER, UNAWARE OF THIS DEFECT, HAVING A DRIVEWAY OF ANY MODEST SLOPE, RELIES ON THIS VEHICLE'S PARKING BRAKE ... THEY CLEARLY FACE THE RISK OF UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE ... RISKING DAMAGE TO PROPERTY OR TO HUMAN LIFE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10100118November 17, 2004
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR
1. LOOSE STEERING: INETMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, 2. IT HAS NOT FAILED. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER IT WAS TWISTED. 3. PART WAS STRAIGHTENED OUT, AND A NEW REPLACEMENT PART WAS ORDERED. AS OF THIS WRITING THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THE SAME PART. IT HAS BE OVER 30 DAYS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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