Chevrolet Avalanche Complaints

2,954 consumer complaints on file.

#10575443March 28, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
KEY IGNITION SWITCH IS LOOSE AND CAR WILL SHUT OFF WHILE OPERATING, KEY CAN BE PULLED OUT OF IGNITION WHILE RUNNING. IF VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE OPERATING THEN YOU LOOSE CONTROL OF BRAKES, STEERING, AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. GM IS DENYING THERE IS A PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE IS PROOF THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS AND THE CHEVY AVALANCHE 2003 HAS A PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10575166March 27, 2014
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW COOLANT LEVEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CYLINDER HEADS WERE FRACTURED AND ALLOWING COOLANT TO INADVERTENTLY ENTER THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,000. UPDATED 05/28/14 MA UPDATED 06/4/2014 *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10574744March 25, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED ABOVE THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10574396March 24, 2014
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10574508March 24, 2014
AIR BAGS
I WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHEN A TOYOTA TACOMA PICKUP HIT THE REAR OF THE AVALANCHE, KNOCKING IT INTO AN F250 CREW CAB 4 WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP, THE FRONT END WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND THE REAR WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED CAUSING IT TO BE TOTALED. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10574595March 24, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY, ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE NUMBER 7 COIL PACK WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE NUMBER 7 COIL PACK AND THE NUMBER 7 SPARK PLUG TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. ADDITIONALLY, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE WOULD CAUSE LACERATIONS TO THE CONTACT'S HAND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED AND THERE WERE CONCERNS OF THE AIR BAGS BEING COMPROMISED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10574212March 22, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
LEFT REAR POWER DOOR LOCK STOPPED WORKING AT 38,000 MILES. RIGHT REAR POWER DOOR LOCK STOPPED WORKING AT 42,000 MILES. RIGHT FRONT POWER DOOR LOCK STOPPED WORKING AT 53,000 MILES. DRIVER SIDE POWER DOOR LOCK STOPPED WORKING AT 61,000 MILES. AT THIS TIME IT IS VERY UNSAFE WHEN CHILDREN ARE IN THE BACK SEATS AND THE DOORS LOCK ARE UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. I AM UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE BACK DOORS UNLESS I STOP THE VEHICLE AND CLIMB THROUGH THE TWO FRONT SEATS TO GET TO THE MANUAL LOCKS LOCATED AT THE BACK OF THE DOORS. IF THE VEHICLE IS IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND ANYONE IS NOT AWARE THAT THE POWER LOCKS NO LONGER WORK THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE TRUCK. PREVIOUSLY THE DOORS LOCKED WHEN THE TRUCK STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD AUTOMATICALLY AND NOW IF CHILDREN ARE IN THE TRUCK THEY COULD POSSIBLE FALL OUT OF THE TRUCK IF THE DOORS OPEN WHILE TRUCK IS MOVING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10572811March 17, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
ESPECIALLY WHEN IGNITION KEY SWITCH IS ENGAGED IT WILL STICK AND CAUSE THE STARTING MOTOR TO REMAIN ENGAGED REQUIRING TURNING THE SWITCH BACK TO OFF POSITION THEN TRYING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. BEING CAREFUL NOT TO HOLD THE IGNITION SWITCH KEY IN THE POSITION NECESSARY TO ENGAGE THE STARTER ANY LONGER THAN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO HEAR THE ENGINE FIRE THEN RETURNING THE KEY POSITION TO THE RUN POSITION SEEMS TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10569459March 14, 2014
ENGINE
AFTER I PURCHASE THE CAR BRAND NEW IN 2010 UNDER MY BROTHER IN LAW'S NAME, I HAVE PROBABLY FIX THE CAR 5 TIMES FOR ENGINE POWER REDUCE, STABILITRAK AND ALL EVERY SERVICE LIGHTS AT THE DEALER BUT IT HAD HAPPEN AGAIN ON HIGHWAY AGAIN YESTERDAY, SAW THAT GM RECALL CAR ON FEB 13 FOR FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH FOR LOSING POWER AND ITS HAPPENING TO CHEVY AVALANCHE TOO. ONE WORST CASE WAS IN 2011 DRIVING TO MARYLAND AT 12 MIDNIGHT ON HIGHWAY THE SPEED DROPPED TO 30MPH. TOOK IT TO DEALER NEXT DAY BUT IT SEAMS I LOSS POWER EVERY YEAR AND HAVE TO FIX IT EVERY YEAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10568961March 13, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT INFORMATION CONCERNING GM'S INTENTIONAL WITHHOLDING OF PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH IN CERTAIN GM VEHICLES, I FEEL COMPELLED TO SHARE MY STORY. I DO SEE OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED HERE CONCERNING THE SAME ISSUE. IN OCTOBER 2003, I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. THE VEHICLE HAD 5,500 DEMO MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I DROVE MANY MILES FOR WORK AND FOR TRANSPORTING HOCKEY KIDS TO PRACTICE, GAMES, TOURNAMENTS, ETC. IN DECEMBER 2006 I ALREADY HAD 80,000+ MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND THE SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE (CAUSING ME TO RUN OUT OF GAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT!), OIL GAUGE, BATTERY VOLTMETER, RPMS, WHICH ARE ALL COMPONENTS OF AN ELECTRICAL CLUSTER BEGAN FAILING. I CONTACTED MY GM DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT A 'SILENT RECALL' HAD BEEN ISSUED TO DEALERS STATING THAT IF A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 3 YEARS AND UNDER 70,000 MILES WAS BROUGHT IN, THE DEALER SHOULD FIX THE ITEM AS A WARRANTY REPAIR. SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS 2 MOS OVER THE 3 YR AND OVER THE 70,000 MILES, I WAS DENIED A WARRANTY REPAIR AND QUOTED $700.00 TO FIX THE PART. SINCE THAT DATE, MY SON'S CHEVROLET VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM! AND, IN 2009 A FRIEND'S BRAND NEW DENALI WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM DUE TO COST AND DISAGREEMENT WITH GM. I WROTE THE CORPORATE OFFICE AND GOT NOWHERE. I DON'T SEE HOW A SAFETY ISSUE LIKE THIS CAN BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO HAPPEN NOR HOW GM CAN KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT NOT TELL OWNERS OF THE VEHICLE AND/OR FUTURE POSSIBLE BUYERS OF THE VEHICLE. OH WAIT, YEA GM DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING BECAUSE CONSUMERS MIGHT TAKE THEIR BUSINESS ELSEWHERE! I SIMPLY WANTED TO GM TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THAT WAS OBVIOUSLY KNOWN ABOUT, BUT RATHER, GM SIMPLY KEEPS PUTTING THE SAME BAD COMPONENT IN FUTURE VEHICLES!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10568884March 12, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
GAS WAS DRIPPING OUT OF ONE OF LINES, AFTER SMELLING GASOLINE FOR A MONTH OR SO. TODAY THE TRUCK WILL NOT START AND I'M AFRAID TO JUMP START IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10568878March 12, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD AREA NEAR THE RADIO. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AS BURNING WIRES THAT WERE CONNECTED TO THE RADIO. THE RADIO WAS REPLACED BUT THE DEFECT WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE DEFECT. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE RADIO WAS REPLACED 4 SEPARATE TIMES AND EACH TIME THE BURNING ODOR CONTINUED TO BE PRESENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10568754March 12, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I BELIEVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE GM KEY/IGNITION SWITCH IS MORE COMMON THEN WHAT IS BEING REPORTED. THE AVALANCHE 2003 HAS HAD THE SAME LOOSE IGNITION SWITCH FOR YEARS. OUR KEY SYSTEM HAS TO BE JIGGLED AND FORCED TO THE START POSITION 80 PERCENT OF THE TIME. THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL ALSO MOVE THE OFF POSITION WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING AND THE KEY WILL FALL OUT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10568340March 11, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
WAS HOOKING UP MY TRAILER TO TOW. HAD MY DAUGHTER STEP ON THE BRAKES TO CHECK THE LIGHTS. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND ALARM WENT OFF. FOUND BRAKE FLUID SQUIRTING ONTO THE GROUND. HAD TO HAVE ALL THE BRAKE LINES REPLACED DUE TO RUST BEHIND THE DRIVERS FRONT WHEEL. FOUND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE AND ALL THE CHEVY TRUCKS. ALL IN THE SAME AREA.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10568494March 11, 2014
ENGINE
THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS FASTNERS ARE SNAPPING OFF WHICH IS CAUSING CARBON MONOXIDE TO FILL THE CABIN AREA OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAZARD JEPORDIZES THE HEALTH OF EVERY PERSON DRIVING OR RIDING AS A PASSENGER IN THE V8 POWERED VEHICLES. THIS IS HAPPENING TO NEWER MODELS AS WELL. GM IS WANTING TO CHARGE THE CONSUMER $1,500-$3,000 TO DUE REPAIRS FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10568534March 11, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ABS ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S STATE WAS NOT MENTIONED AS ONE OF THE SALT BELT STATES THAT WERE ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIRS UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10567281March 4, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WAS DRIVING HOME AROUND 9:30 PM. AS I WAS GOING DOWN A HILL I STEPPED ON MY BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. NO BRAKES AT ALL, NO SAFTEY FEATURES KICKED IN, NO WARNING LIGHTS. JUST A CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE. LUCKILY FOR ME IT WAS A SMALL HILL AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP BY GOING INTO LOW GEAR AND USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I TURNS OUT THAT THE BRAKELINES FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE ABS CONTROL BOX WERE ROTTED AND FINALLY GAVE OUT. THIS IS A 2002 TRUCK WITH 62,000 MILES ON IT. I KNOW FROM PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH OLDER CARS THAT IF A BRAKE LINE FAILS, THERE IS A VALVE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO CUT OFF THE OPEN LINE SO THERE IS SOME BRAKES LEFT. I REPEAT, NO SAFTEY FEATURES WORKED, NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO VALVE KICKING IN,NOTHING. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH GM. A QUICK SEARCH ON THE WEB BROUGHT UP THOUSANDS OF HITS ON THIS PROBLEM. JUST 20 MINUTES EARLIER I WAS ON THE NYS THRUWAY DOING 65 MPH. IF I LOST BRAKES AT THAT SPEED AND WITH THE OTHER TRAFFIC, THERE MOST CERTAINLY WOOD HAVE BEEN A CRASH AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10567282March 4, 2014
POWER TRAIN
I WAS DRIVING HOME AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT FELT LIKE NO POWER WAS GETTING TO THE WHEELS. I STEPPED ON THE GAS, THE RPMS WENT UP, BUT THE TRUCK COULDNT GET PAST 30 MPH. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION BURNT OUT. I BABIED THIS TRUCK. THEIR IS NO REASON FOR A CHEVY TRUCK WITH 60000 MILES OF LIGHT ROAD USE SHOULD BLOW A TRANNY. A QUICK SEARCH ON THE WEB SHOWS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TRUCK. 3200 DOLLARS TO FIX A PART THAT SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST LASTED 100000 MILES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10566758March 3, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
RUPTURED REAR BRAKE LINE UNDER DRIVER SIDE DOOR DUE TO EXTREME RUST OF LINES. INSPECTION REVEALS ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF EXTREME RUST, WHICH SHOULD NOT HAPPEN FOR AN 11 YEAR OLD TRUCK. BY THE GRACE OF GOD, I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND NOT DRIVING ON THE ROADS AT ANY SPEED. WHY THE RISK OF USING SUBSTANDARD MATERIALS FOR BRAKE LINES? WHY NOT USE STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE LINES? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10566674March 2, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION WHERE THE LIGHT WAS CHANGING AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I COULDN'T SLOW DOWN. I ENDED UP GOING THROUGH THE RED LIGHT WITH MY SON IN THE CAR; LUCKILY WE DIDN'T GET STRUCK. I HAD TO UTILIZE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND SAW BRAKE FLUID POURING OUT OF A RUSTED BRAKE LINE UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. I HAD A FULL INSPECTION ON 12/23/13 AT HUDSON BUICK PONTIAC GMC IN POUGHKEEPSIE, NY AND ASKED THEM TO SPECIFICALLY CHECK THE BRAKES, WHICH THEY SAID WERE FINE; I GUESS THEY DON'T CHECK THE LINES DURING AN INSPECTION. I HAVE READ THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL GM VEHICLES. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THERE IS SOME SORT OF ACTION TAKEN TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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