Chevrolet Avalanche Complaints

2,954 consumer complaints on file.

#10475228September 12, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY. THE CONTACT ADDED MORE BRAKE FLUID TO THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED LATER THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE AND TIME AFTER THE ADDING THE BRAKE FLUID. THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC TO HAVE THE BRAKE LINE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10474463September 10, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE ENGAGING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE SURGED SPORADICALLY WHEN BEING DRIVEN AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, NO FAILURE WAS DISCOVERED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND A CLAIM WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,929.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10474103September 6, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
HVAC BLOWER DID NOT FUNCTION ON CERTAIN OR ALL BLOWER SPEEDS. THE HVAC BLOWER RAN CONTINUALLY WITH THE IGNITION IN THE OFF POSITION AND THE KEY REMOVED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473948September 5, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS COMPLETE LOSS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF THIS HAPPENING. WHEN IT HAPPENED THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THERE WAS NO SLOWING OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN IT WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP I WAS TOLD THAT A BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH AND 8FT OF BRAKE LINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. FORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS GOING SLOW DUE TO TRAFFIC. HAD I BEEN MOVING FASTER OR ON A HIGHWAY THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS. CONSIDER THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON GM TRUCKS I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING ALL THE BRAKE LINES BEFORE PEOPLE START DIEING. I AM AWARE OF THE NHTSA INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM WITH NUMBER EA11001. THIS IS WHY I MADE IT A POINT TO WRITE. I AM HOPING THAT THIS PROBLEM GETS RESOLVED QUICKLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473183August 31, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE PLATING ON THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IS PEELING TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS CUTTING MY FINGER EACH TIME I OPEN THE DOOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10473143August 31, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS TAKING MY 3 BOYS TO SCHOOL WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST ALL PRESSURE IN THE BRAKES. ONCE AGAIN ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES ON THE TRUCK HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND IS NOW LEAKING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH A RUSTY BRAKE LINE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. THERE IS NO REASON THAT THESE LINES SHOULD BE RUSTING OUT SO PREMATURELY. I HAVE LIVED IN THE SAME AREA MY ENTIRE LIFE AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY OF MY OTHER VEHICLES. I OWNED A 1988 CHEVROLET S-10 BLAZER FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS AND HAPPILY PUT OVER 228,000 MILES ON IT AND NEVER ONCE HAD A BRAKE LINE RUST THROUGH. I AM REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE PART WITH AN IMPROVED TEFLON COATED BRAKE LINE. I DO NOT WANT THE SAME INFERIOR ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT PUT BACK IN PLACE OF THE CURRENT RUSTED LINE. THE LINES HAVE RUSTED OUT BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT MANUFACTURED TO PROPER STANDARDS. THE WORST PART IS NOW WONDERING WHICH BRAKE LINE WILL BE NEXT. ALL GM VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. YOU CAN FIND THOUSANDS OF STORIES JUST LIKE MINE ALL OVER THE INTERNET. YESTERDAY I SPOKE TO A GM EMPLOYEE WHERE I BOUGHT MY TRUCK AND HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS 2002 TAHOE. GM AGREED TO REPLACE EVERY BRAKE LINE ON HIS TRUCK FOR A FLAT FEE OF $250 BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE BRAKE LINES ARE DEFECTIVE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED NOW BECAUSE FOUR LIVES WERE AT STAKE ON 8/29/2012 WHEN I LOST ALL THE BRAKES ON MY TRUCK. I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE SITUATION BUT NO ONE SHOULD DIE OVER AN ISSUE SUCH AS THIS WHICH HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED MANY TIMES ALREADY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10472091August 23, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY
LTZ CHROME DOOR HANDLES BROKE ON BOTH PASSENGER SIDE DOORS DUE TO DEFECT ON THE HANDLES THEMSELVES. GM STATES THAT THESE ARE TRIM AND NOT CONSIDERED MECHANICAL (EVEN THOUGH THEY PERFORM A MECHANICAL FUNCTION) SO THEY AREN'T RECALLING THEM EVEN THOUGH THIS ISSUE IS WIDESPREAD AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IN THE EVENT A VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE PASSENGERS INSIDE ARE UNCONSCIOUS OR UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR THEMSELVES DUE TO INJURY - THIS POSES A PROBLEM IF THE DOOR HANDLES BREAK AS A FIREFIGHTER OR OTHER PERSON FROM THE OUTSIDE TRIES TO OPEN THEM. THEY SERIOUSLY BREAK THAT EASY - TWO IN THE SAME WEEK. THIS IS A LAWSUIT WAITING TO HAPPEN AND GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THEY ARE CHOOSING TO IGNORE IT. RECALL AND REPLACE THESE DOOR HANDLES WITH ONES THAT CAN ACTUALLY OPEN THE DOOR BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10471379August 18, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND AS I WENT TO STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT SOFT AS SOON AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, GOING TO THE VERY NEARLY TO THE FLOOR. (NORMALLY THE PEDAL STAYS SEVERAL INCHES FURTHER ABOVE THE FLOOR.) THE SERVICE BRAKES LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH THE TRUCK'S WARNING CHIMES. I GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK AND SAW LARGE AMOUNTS OF BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING OFF THE UNDERCARRIAGE NEAR THE LEFT SIDE REAR TIRE. ABOUT 1 TO 1.5 HOURS EARLIER, WHEN I WAS PARKING THE TRUCK, THE BRAKES OPERATED NORMALLY. A CHEVROLET DEALER HAD TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THAT BRAKE LINE. APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT THE CHEVROLET DEALER WHO NORMALLY SERVICES THE TRUCK ALERTED TO ME TO EXTENSIVE RUSTING OF ALL OF THE TRUCK'S BRAKE LINES. THEY DID NOT THINK THERE AS IMMEDIATE DANGER OF A BRAKE LINE FAILURE, BUT STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT ALL BRAKE LINES BE REPLACED PRIOR TO THE ONCOMING WINTER WHERE CORROSION MIGHT BECOME ACCELERATED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10470545August 14, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
REAR BRAKE LINE HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED AND CAUSED BRAKE LINE TO RUPTURE. CAUSING NO BRAKES AND HAD TO PUT TRUCK IN DITCH TO STOP VEHICLE. RUSTED LINE WAS ABOVE FRAME RAIL JUST ABOVE LEFT REAR TIRE. FOUND OTHER AREA WHERE LINE WAS RUSTED SEVERELY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10470124August 10, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO PROVIDE ACCURATE SPEED READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,965.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10469493August 7, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP PROPERLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 190,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10468788August 1, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
ON APPROACHING A STOP SIGN THE REAR BRAKES FAILED. THE LINE HAD RUSTED THRU ABOVE THE LEFT REAR SPRING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME A LINE HAS RUSTED THRU. THE FIRST TIME I LOST BOTH BRAKES. I HAD IT REPAIRED BY A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. AS YOU CAN SEE THEY DID NOT REPLACE ALL THE PROBLEM LINES. I HAD IT DONE BY OAKWOOD SERVICE CENTER IN AUBURN, NY. AT LEAST NOW I BELIEVE I AM SAFE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10467876July 26, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
IM GETTING READY FOR A TRIP, FROM TEXAS TO OHIO IN SEPT. PULLING ANOTHER VEHICLE. I DECIDED TO GET THE TRUCK READY BEFORE SUCH A LONG TRIP. IT STARTED FINE, NO SIGNS OF PROBLEMS, I PUSHED ON THE BRAKE BEFORE CHANGING GEARS, AND MY PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I COULD HEAR SQUIRTING AND AIR. I KNEW I HAD A LEAK. I INVESTIGATED THE ISSUE AND FOUND HYDRAULIC FLUID UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT. I FOUND ONE OF THE LINES HAD SPLIT ABOVE THE EHCU UNIT, SPITTING FLUID ALL OVER THE UNDER BODY. THIS LINE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE OTHER LINES HAVE SOME SURFACE RUST BUT NOTHING LIKE THIS LINE. IT IS NO LONGER TUBULAR LOOKING AND LOOKS MORE LIKE A WET STICK WITH A LOT OF MISSING BRANCHES, AND IS MUCH LARGER LOOKING THAN THE OTHERS. ALSO, I FOUND A LEAK ON A LINE THAT RUNS TO THE REAR AXLE, ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRAME THAT WAS SEVERELY RUSTED LIKE THE ONE DESCRIBED ABOVE. IM PRETTY SURE THIS IS THE LINE THAT IS SPLIT, BUT ITS HARD TO TELL, I CANT FIND A DIAGRAM TO HELP TRACE THE LINES. AFTER INVESTIGATING THE ISSUE, I RECHECKED MY DASH LIGHTS TO SEE IF AN ABS OR A BRAKE LIGHT, NONE ARE ON. I HAVE CONTACTED DEALERS AND BRAKE MECHANICS FOR REPAIR, AND HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED AS THERE IS NOT ENOUGH PRESSURE IN THE LINE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED IN OHIO. I WOULD HAVE IMAGINED THAT THEY WOULD BE COATED OR STAINLESS SINCE IT IS A SALT BELT STATE, AND IM NOT SURE WHY ONLY ONE LINE DEGRADED LIKE IT DID.. THIS IS A 2002 AVALANCHE 1500 4WD WITH Z71 OFF ROAD PACKAGE, IT IS EXPECTED TO GET DIRTY AND WET. I BELIEVE BETTER STANDARDS ARE IN ORDER TO IMPROVE SAFETY, AND THAT THERE SHOULD, WITH THIS MANY PEOPLE AFFECTED, DEFINITELY BE A RECALL ON THE LINES. HAD IT DECIDED TO HOLD UP UNTIL MY TRIP, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DISASTROUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10467582July 24, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LINE BLEW WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED DO TO RUST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10466935July 22, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
TURNING THE CORNER WITHOUT ANY NOTICE, THE BRAKE LINE APPARENTLY BROKE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. BRAKE FLUID WENT EVERYWHERE- WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP, BUT GOD FORBID IF I WAS ON A FREEWAY OR WAS PULLING MY BOAT! COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC! UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS, ALL OF THE BRAKELINES SHOWING UNDER THE DRIVERSIDE WHEEL WELL ARE CORRODED BADLY AND WILL NEED REPLACED. I HAVE OWNED ALOT OF CARS/TRUCKS AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A BRAKE LINE. THE COSTS I HAVE BEEN QUOTED ARE UPWARD OF 1500.00 TO REPAIR DUE TO THE POOR DESIGN AND THAT THE PARTS HAVE TO BE ORDERED SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING ON A 2004 VEHICLE WITH THE LOW MILES IT HAS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10465884July 16, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS TRAVELING AT 45 MPH WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLOWED DOWN TO TURN. I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE AND THE PEDAL FELT SOFT THEN WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR. I BEGAN PUMPING THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. I WAS ONLY ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AFTER MANUALLY SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO 1ST GEAR AND PRESSING ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. WHEN I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, THE REAR WHEEL AND UNDERCARRIAGE WERE COVERED IN BRAKE FLUID FROM A CORRODED STEEL BRAKE LINE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES IN THE VEHICLE THAT WERE INSTALLED IN LOCATIONS UNABLE TO BE ROUTINELY CLEANED WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10466221July 16, 2012
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I HAVE A 2005 AVALANCHE THAT I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND I STARTED TO SMELL GAS IN THE CAB OF THE TRUCK. WHEN I ARRIVED AT WORK A CO WORKER CAME OVER AND STATED YOUR TRUCK IS LEAKING FLUID. I GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK AND IT WAS LEAKING GAS ALL OVER THE GROUND. I HAD JUST FILLED UP THE TANK AND IT WAS A LITTLE OVER 1/4 FILLED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION AFTER THE LINES DRIED I NOTICED A HOLE IN THE FUEL LINES. IT LOOKED LIKE IT HAD RUBBED TOGETHER WITH ANOTHER LINE AND CAUSING A HOLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10465537July 13, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ARRIVED AT WORK THIS MORNING AND MY 2005 CHEVY AVALANCHE WAS LEAKING FUEL, UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE FUEL LINES WERE RUBBING TOGETHER AND CAUSED A BREAK IN THE LINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10463526June 29, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
LEAVING THE YANKEE STADIUM PARKING LOT IN THE BRONX . TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY! THE TRAFFIC WAS STOP AND GO . UPON STOPPING I FELT THE PEDAL GO TO THE FLOOR AND SMELLED BRAKE FLUID . I PULLED OVER AND NOTICE THE SPLIT IN THE BRAKE LINE NEAR THE CHASSIE . I THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME. THE TRUCK IS A 2004 CHEVY AVALANCHE WITH 60,213 MILES ON IT. THE BRAKE LINE WAS SPLIT ON THE DRIVER SIDE CHASSIE. IT WAS NOT THE RUBBER LINE GOING TO THE CALIPER BUT THE STAINLESS LINE FEED THE SYSTEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10463572June 29, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
ATTEMPTED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN. THE BRAKES WERE WORKING UNTIL I HAD SLOWED TO ABOUT 5 MPH. THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HAD ALREADY STARTED MOVING FORWARD SO NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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