Chevrolet Avalanche Complaints (2003)

395 consumer complaints on file.

#10208866November 13, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED 100 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DECREASED FROM 100 TO APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MPH. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE SEPTEMBER OF 2007. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208045November 6, 2007
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
AT A REGULAR SERVICE INTERVAL, THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL HAS A BAD SEAL AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS SEEMS PREMATURE SINCE THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 34,000 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS NOT A WARRANTY REPAIR DUE TO TIME ELAPSED SINCE PURCHASED WAS OVER 36 MONTHS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207705November 2, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SINCE PURCHASING THIS TRUCK ON 02/01/2007, THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, ENGINE, AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT HAVE NOT GOTTEN RESOLVED, HOWEVER THEY DO SEEM TO GET WORSE. THE WORST OF THESE PROBLEMS HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON THE NORTHEAST EXTENSION OF THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE LEFT LANE THE ENGINE "SHUT OFF". I WAS DOING APPROX. 60-65 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED DURING THE AM RUSH HOUR. AFTER LOSING ENGINE POWER I SOMEHOW MADE IT SAFELY TO THE RIGHT HAND SHOULDER AND LET THE TRUCK "COAST" TO A STOP. THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING, NOR WERE THE POWER BRAKES. AFTER FINALLY STOPPING, THE TRUCK DID RESTART AND I SLOWLY CONTINUED ON MY WAY TO WORK. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP, AND FOR ALMOST (2) WEEKS THE TRUCK SAT THERE WHILE THEY TRIED TO FIGURE THIS OUT. AFTER GETTING THE TRUCK BACK, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED, AND IT WENT BACK TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN OK, EXCEPT I HAVE LOST DASHBOARD LIGHTS, RADIO LIGHTS, AND ALSO THE CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR LIGHT, THEY CLAIM OTHER PROBLEMS, HOWEVER THESE ISSUES WERE NEVER A PROBLEM BEFORE THEY WORKED ON THE TRUCK. NOW I HAVE AIR-BAG LIGHTS FLASH AT ME WHILE DRIVING, AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, THIS WAS THE FIRST PROBLEM WITH THE TRUCK THAT I REPORTED ON 03/14/2007 TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK FROM. I HAVE ALREADY PAID OVER $1500.00 I REPAIR COSTS, ONLY TO HAVE THEM TELL ME IT WILL COST APPROX. ANOTHER $800.00-$1000.00 TO CORRECT THE AIR-BAG, AND TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THESE SHOULD BE COVERED BY MY WARRANTY, EXCEPT THE DEALERSHIP INSISTS I PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. I HAVE PAID ENOUGH, AND I AM AT MY WIT'S END WITH THIS TRUCK, AND THE DEALERSHIP. I FEEL THAT I CAN NO LONGER "SAFELY" DRIVE MY FAMILY AROUND IN THIS TRUCK, AND I STILL HAVE MANY YEARS OF PAYMENTS LEFT. ( I HAVE NEVER BEEN LATE ON A PAYMENT) PLEASE HELP ME, I FEEL AS THOUGH I HAVE BEEN SOLD A "MONEY PIT". *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10206953October 26, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
FAULTY SPEEDOMETER AND GAS GAUGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205720October 15, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
THE ACCESSORY LIGHTS ON MY STEERING WHEEL THAT OPERATE RADIO VOLUME, SOUCE, ON-STAR, ETC ARE NOT ALL WORKING. I WAS TOLD AT BRADSHAW CHEVROLET THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO REPAIR ALOT OF THESE AND WOULD NOT BE INCLUDED AS RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND YOU CAN'T SEE AT NIGHT WHICH BUTTON TO SELECT. ALSO NOW THE LIGHT FOR MY MILEAGE AND ENGINE OPERATION HAS FADED OUT UNTIL I CAN BARELY READ IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199103August 10, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVY AVALANCHE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH OR GREATER HE WOULD HAVE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD TO STOP, WHICH INCREASED THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A FLAPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER. THE DEALER TOOK THE WINDSHIELD WIPER APART AND GLUED AROUND THE SIDES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,500 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198958August 9, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING. APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES LATER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AND HEARD A LOUD POP COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. HE NOTICED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE CALIPER HANGING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRAKE CALIPER BOLTS FAILED AND MADE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,346 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,350.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197780July 30, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
MY SPEEDOMETER STARTED REPORTING ERRORS IN SPEED AND NOW SHOWS 60 MPH WHEN PARKED AND IMMEDIATELY GOES OFF SCALE WHEN DRIVEN AT ANY SPEED ABOVE 30 MPH. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10195914July 9, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY ALL THE TIME. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10195535July 7, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS PUMP MOTOR WILL NOT SHUT OFF DUE TO A FAILED ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE. ABS FUSE MUST BE REMOVED TO KEEP MOTOR FROM BURNING UP. ABS SYSTEM IS DISABLED. I AM TRYING TO FIND AN AFFORDABLE WAY TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. NEW FACTORY PART IS TO EXPENSIVE. MUST USE VEHICLE WITH FAULTY ABS SYSTEM UNTIL REPAIRED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10193047June 12, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
SPEEDOMETER FAILURE, IT REGISTERS THE WRONG SPEED ALL THE TIME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10192347June 3, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
2003 CHEVY AVALANCHE SPEEDOMETER FAILS. FUEL GAUGE FAILS. NO WAY TO KNOW HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING. DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN VEHICLE. HAVE TO RESET SYSTEM NUMEROUS TIMES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. DEALER QUOTED $700.00 PLUS TO FIX. PROBLEM STARTED SOON AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. TOO MANY FAILURE INSTANCES TO RECALL ACCURATELY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10192289June 2, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT BAD AT 42,000 MILES. AFTER READING SOME OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, HOW DO I KNOW IF MY SPEEDOMETER IS WORKING RIGHT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191501May 22, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
THE CLUSTER WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER WENT OUT, AND WASHINGTON AND OREGON HAD RECALLS ON THIS, BUT NOT CALIFORNIA, AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY IN THOSE STATES AND NOT CALIFORNIA. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10190836May 15, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYS ERRONEOUS SPEEDS. MOST OF THE TIME LESS THAN WHAT THE VEHICLE IS ACTUALLY TRAVELING WHICH CREATES A PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD. THERE IS NO INDICATION TO THE DRIVER OF A PROBLEM. ALL OTHER INDICATIONS ARE NORMAL. IT WAS NOT UNTIL A GPS WITH SPEED INDICATING CAPABILITY WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE THAT THE ERRONEOUS SPEEDOMETER INDICATION WAS KNOWN. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALS THE SPEEDOMETER OPERATES CORRECTLY UNTIL THE DASH/INSTRUMENT PANEL HEATS UP. AT THIS POINT THE INDICATED SPEED CAN GRADUALLY VARY, SOMETIMES DRASTICALLY FROM ACTUAL VEHICLE SPEED UNKNOWING TO THE DRIVER. AFTER REVIEWING THE NHTSA SITE, THIS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AND BECAUSE OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY IMPLICATION OF A SPEEDING VEHICLE, AT THE MINIMUM I RECOMMEND A NOTICE BE SENT TO ALL CURRENT OWNERS OF THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE ADVISING THEM THIS CONDITION MAY BE PRESENT OR OCCUR IN THE FUTURE. THIS VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AWAITING REPAIR PARTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10190529May 11, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JANUARY 2003. IT CURRENTLY HAS 110,000 MILES ON IT, BUT SINCE ABOUT 40,000 MILES THE SPEEDOMETER HAS BEEN ACTING UP. IT IS REAL JERKY WHEN MOVING AND STICKS ON SPEEDS. CURRENTLY, IT IS PARKED AND ON 100. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL WORK CORRECTLY - SOMETIMES IT DOES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10190021May 7, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
I HAVE A 2003 AVALANCHE AND OUT OF THE BLUE ONE DAY THE TACHOMETER STARTED SHOOTING UP TO 6000 RPMS, AND THEN THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED TICKING INSTEAD OF MOVING SMOOTHLY, AND NOW IT STAYS AT 0 ONCE I AM DRIVING FOR 5 - 10 MINUTES.*AK (1) NOT SURE WHAT LEAD TO IT.. IT JUST STARTED HAPPENING OUT OF THE BLUE (2) I CAN NOT TELL HOW FAST I AM GOING (3) NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE I HAVE SPOKEN WITH 3 PEOPLE IN MY OFFICE AND LOOKED AT FORUMS AND MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE BY GM I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER CHEVY IF THIS ISNT RESOLVED AND I AM ONLY 25.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10188416April 20, 2007
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW LOCKED IN THE UP POSITION A YEAR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. ON APRIL 19, 2006, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW LOCKED IN THE DOWN POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER FROM CHEVROLET, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE WINDOWWAS RARELY ROLLED DOWN ,AND CHEVROLET STATED THAT THE LESS THE MOTOR WAS USED THE FASTER IT CAN BECOME WORN. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT EXPLANATIONWAS JUST AN EXCUSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,000. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10186528March 29, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2003 Z71 AVALANCHE WORKS ERRATICALLY OR NOT AT ALL. A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHO I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON SPEEDOMETER (INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS) FOR MY TYPE OF VEHICLE AND THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE CLUSTER AS PART OF "GOODWILL" BY GM BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT BEEN INSTRUCTED TO DO SO. THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE FACT THAT MANY AVALANCHES AND OTHER GM SUVS HAVE IDENTICAL PROBLEMS (USUALLY A BAD STEPPER MOTOR IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER). COST TO REPLACE CLUSTER IS ABOUT $350-$400 INCLUDING LABOR. GIVEN THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE AND HOW WIDESPREAD IT IS, I THINK THE NHTSA ENGINEERS SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND PERHAPS TELL GM THEY NEED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES BEFORE ACCIDENTS OCCUR. I HAVE TO ESTIMATE MY SPEEDS ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 58000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE TALKED WITH MY CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY SAID THIS IS BECOMING VERY COMMON. GM SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL TO GET THIS FIXED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10185771March 21, 2007
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR
NOTICED CLUNKING IN STEERING, GMC DEALER REPLACED INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, UNDER WARRANTY AT APPROX. 20,000. CLUNKING RETURNED AGAIN AT 40,000 MILES, AND AGAIN REPLACED INTRMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT., AT THE COST OF $270. THIS IS A LOT TO SPEND EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS FOR A PROBLEM THAT IS SO WELL KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED IN CHEVY AND GMC PRODUCTS OF THIS TYPE (AVALANCHE, SUBURBANS,TAHOE AND YUKONS) ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT SUPPOSE TO BE A "SAFET ISSUE", IT IS QUITE DISCERNING, AND I BELIEVE GM SHOULD PROVIDE SOME TYPE OF APPOPRIATE ACTION TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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