Chevrolet Avalanche Complaints

2,954 consumer complaints on file.

#10155894April 22, 2006
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
1)WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT TURN OFF, AND ONLY WORK ON 2 SPEEDS. NO VARIABLE. 2) I AM UNABLE TO USE WIPERS. FROM READING I NEED TO TAKE OUT FUSE, AND 3) HAVE THE CIRCUIT BOARD REPLACED. SEEMS TO OCCUR FREQUENTLY ENOUGH TO BE POSTED ON SEVERAL FORUMS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155382April 14, 2006
STRUCTURE:BODY
WATER IS ENTERING THE REAR FLOOR AREA WHEN RAINING. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154353April 1, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY HUSBAND, MY TWO CHILDREN AND I WERE ALL IN OUR 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE K1500, HEADED TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY MORNING, GOING DOWN THE STREET WE LIVE ON. MY HUSBAND, WHO WAS DRIVING, TURNED ON THE CROSS STREET. ALL OF A SUDDEN, EVERY ONE HEARD A BIG CLUNK, LIKE SOME THING HAD DROPPED. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. MY HUSBAND DROVE OUR VEHICLE BACKWARDS ALL THE WAY HOME. IT WAS PARKED FOR A FEW WEEKS, WHILE WE CONTACTED AAA, THE MANUFACTURER, AND LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIPS TO FIND OUT ABOUT REPAIR AND WARRANTIES. WE BELIEVE THIS IS A FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THIS VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 39000 MILES, JUST OVER THE WRITTEN WARRANTY, WHICH IS 36000. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS BUT ADVISED US TO TAKE IT IN TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP TO CONFIRM THE DIAGNOSTICS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BE TESTED BY A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP IN REDDING, CA. THE DEALERSHIP HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY WILL DO TO REPAIR THE CONFIRMED "TRANSMISSION" PROBLEM. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR THAT HAS RESULTED IN OUR LOSS OF USE OF A VEHICLE THAT WAS WITHIN ITS NORMAL EXPECTED USE AND REPRESENTS A SUBSTANTIAL FINANCIAL BURDEN. I HAVE ALSO CONTACT THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION. I WAS PLEASE TO KNOW THAT THE VEHICLE MAY STILL BE WITHIN ITS IMPLIED WARRANTY (FIRST FOUR YEARS) AND THE RIGHT TO REVOKE PURCHASE MAY BE AN OPTION IF THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT NO COST TO US. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER, MAY BE MORE WIDESPREAD, AND FELT I SHOULD REPORT THIS DEFECT OF THE CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2004 K1500, FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION IN CASE OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153942March 28, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2500HD 4X4 WITH A 8.1 LITRE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 51,000 MILES ON IT. THE FIRST PROBLEM I NOTICED WAS THAT THE ENGINE WOULD CRANK, BUT IT WOULD NOT START IMMEDIATELY. THE NEXT PROBLEM I EXPERIENCED WAS THAT THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, I WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE POSTED 55 MPH LIMIT, AND I HAD TO DODGE TRAFFIC WHILE TRYING TO STEER MY "DEAD" VEHICLE ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE DID RESTART AND I WAS ABLE TO RESUME AS BEFORE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT LEAST 4 TIMES. THUS FAR AFTER 3 TRIPS TO THE DEALER, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPEAT, DIAGNOSE, OR REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153848March 27, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING DURING IDLE, THEN STALLED WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH. ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE CHEVYAVALANCHEFANCLUB.COM WEB SITE - I FOUND INFORMATION THAT OTHERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I ASKED MY MECHANIC TO REPLACE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS SINCE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153666March 24, 2006
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS EXTREME WATER INTRUSION INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE, PASSENGER'S SIDE, AND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE SEALS IN THE DOORS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153307March 21, 2006
PARKING BRAKE
EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT EVER USING IT, MAKES A ROARING SOUND WHEN YOU ARE DIVING DOWN THE ROAD. DEALER SAID THIS A PROBLEM WITH ALL THE 2002 CHEVY AVALANCHES AND TRUCKS,DESIGN FLAW, BUT THEY WOULD BE GLAD TO FIX IT FOR A PRICE. SAID COULDN'T BELIEVE I HAVEN'T HAD A PROBLEM BEFORE NOW, GUESS ITS BECAUSE I NEVER USE IT AND IT JUST FINALLY FAILED ON ITS ON. IF THE DEALER KNOWS THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE SHOULDN'T GM BE RESPONSIBLE FIR THIS? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153328March 21, 2006
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT
2003 CHEVORLET AVALANCHE 1500 - DRIVE SHAFT UNIVERSALS FAILED (FRONT GONE, REAR GOING. I HAD DEALER REPLACE BOTH) - I NOTICED THE NOISE AND IMMEDIATELY TOOK VEHICLE IN. HAD I NOT NOTICED OR COULD NOT PINPOINT THE CAUSE I MAY HAVE CONTINUED DRIVING AND IT COULD HAVE FAILED AND FAILING WHILE DRIVING ON THE THRUWAY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A GOOD THING AS THE FRONT END OF THE DRIVESHAFT IMPACTS THE ROAD. MY CONCERN IS THAT WHEN TALKING WITH GM CUSTOMER SERVICE ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION THE FOLKS WITH WHOM I TALKED COULD NOT SAY WHETHER GM HAD A DATA BASE ON THE AVERAGE/MEAN FAILURE TIME ON THE UNIVERSALS. I WANTED TO DETERMINE SHOULD I START CONCERNING MYSELF AS I GET TO 100,000 MILES, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST ME. SO I AM WRITING YOU IF YOU HAVE HAD OTHER UNIVERSAL FAILURES AROUND 50,000 MILES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153082March 18, 2006
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM THAT COMES ON THE 2005 CHEVY AVALANCHE CAN BE BYPASSED BY A PIN HOLE IN THE DRIVERS SIDE KEY TUMBLER. SHUTS OFF THE SYSTEM AND INTERIOR ITEMS ARE ACCESSIBLE TO THIEVES. A ALTERNATIVE SECURITY SYSTEM HAS TO BE ADDED TO BE SECURE. CHEVY DOESN'T PROVIDE THIS. IT HAS TO BE AFTERMARKET. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152445March 10, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
MY VEHICLE (A 2002 CHEVY AVALANCHE) WAS INVOLVED IN A TOTAL LOSS COLLISION ON JANUARY 18, 2006. THE COLLISION WAS A FULL FRONTAL CRASH WHICH CAVED IN THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE AVALANCHE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS THROWN OUT OF HIS SEAT BELT DUE TO THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT. THE DRIVER ENDED UP IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THE AIR BAGS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CRITERIA FOR AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WERE MET. THERE WAS A DECELERATION RATE FROM APPROX. 55 MPH TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS HIT (AS SEEN FROM THE EXAMINATION OF THE VEHICLE UPON ARRIVAL TO THE BODY SHOP). THE COLLISION WAS IN THE MIDDLE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. GENERAL MOTORS DID AN INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER, I WAS NOT PLEASED WITH THEIR CONCLUSION. THEY SAID THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT MALFUNCTION. THEY CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE "ABSORBED" THE IMPACT, WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAGS NOT TO DEPLOY. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND IT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BY SOMEONE OTHER THAN THE MANUFACTURER, WHO, IN MY OPINION, WAS BIASED IN HIS REVIEW OF THE INCIDENT. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10152276March 9, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
THE SPEEDOMETER IN MY 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE QUIT WORKING. PREVIOUSLY, IT HAD TEMPORARILY STUCK OR HESITATED OCCASIONALLY BUT THEN WAS OKAY. NOW IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. THE ODOMETER AND ALL THE OTHER GAUGES/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INDICATORS ARE STILL WORKING. OBVIOUSLY, NOT KNOWING ONES' SPEED CREATES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. IN ORDER TO CORRECT THIS FAILURE THE DEALER STATED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED AND SENT TO THE GM REPAIR/REPLACE FACILITY IN TEXAS. COST; APPROXIMATELY $400.00 DOLLARS AND TAKE 7-10 DAYS. SINCE MY AVALANCHE HAS 42,000 MILES THIS IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY, AND IS TO COSTLY FOR ME TO REPAIR AT THIS TIME. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152065March 7, 2006
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
NO INJURIES, THE PASSENGER SHOULDER SEAT BELT OF THE 2004 AVALANCHE CATCHES AND STAYS TIGHT UNTIL YOU COMPLETELY RELEASE THE SEAT BELT. HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES AND CONTINUES TO DO SO. WANT TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152149March 7, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED EVERY TIME THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED THE BRAKES PULSATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. UPON INSPECTION THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS WERE CORRODED. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE ROTORS HOWEVER; DUE TO THE CORROSION THEY WERE UNABLE TO DO SO, THEREFORE THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED. IN A SEPARATE INCIDENT, WHILE USING THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER FAN, SMOKE CAME FROM THE VENTS. THE FAN WAS TURNED OFF AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE COMPRESSOR, FAN AND RELAY WAS REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151786March 4, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, STEERING
THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. 1]THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT HAS GONE BAD TWICE IN 61,000 MILES, DEALER REFUSES TO FIX. THIS COULD CAUSE THE U-JOINT IN THE STEERING SHAFT TO FRACTURE ON ROUGH ROADS. 2] THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM HAS INTERMITTENT FAILURE PROBLEMS, THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF BRAKES AT SLOWER SPEEDS AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151526March 1, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
BRAKES ON 2002 AVALANCHE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM RAY HUTSON, LACROSSE WI. USING CHEVROLET MAINTENANCE PLAN. 27,821 MILES - PERFORMED 6K MAINTENANCE WHICH INCLUDES; LUBE PARKING BRAKE, ROTATE TIRES, INSPECT BRAKES. OK WITH WORK. 30,533 MILES - PERFORMED DETAIL RECONDITION OF VEHICLE. POOR WORK. 30,583 MILES - REPAIRED TAILGATE, COMPLAINED OF DETAIL WORK. PICKED UP VEHICLE WITH NO NOTICEABLE MILEAGE BUT USED APPROX 6 GALS OF GAS. GUESSING THEY RAN THE ENGINE ALL DAY TO DRY OUT INSIDE OF VEHICLE. 30,916 MILES - COMPLETED TAILGATE REPAIR. OK 34,244 MILES - OIL CHANGE 38,085 MILES - OIL CHANGE AND GOODWRENCH PRE02004 MAINTENANCE CHECK LIST COMPLETED. OK 41,926 MILES - 6K MAINTENANCE SERVICE. FOUND BRAKES AND ROTORS BAD, HAD THEM REPLACED, TOTAL COST WAS $1,321.00. AT TIME OF PICKUP, REQUESTED REASON FOR THIS HAPPENING. WAS IT MY FAULT OR THE GOOD WRENCH PLAN, WHY WERE THE BRAKES NOT FOUND TO BE GOING BAD BEFORE THEY RUINED THE ROTORS? THEY WOULD LET ME KNOW. 2 WEEKS LATER- I CALLED THEM, SAID THEY WOULD CHECK WITH GMC. 4 WEEKS LATER -I CALLED THEM, SAID THEY WOULD CHECK WITH GMC. 3 MONTHS LATER, RECEIVED NOTICE FOR OIL CHANGE. WENT TO RAY HUTSON, ASKED ABOUT BRAKE PROBLEM. WAS TOLD THEY HAD HEARD BACK FROM GMC THE FIRST WEEK, THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT AS PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO LOOK AT. AT THAT TIME, I FELT THAT I WAS NOT A CUSTOMER WORTH A PHONE CALL FROM THEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151478February 28, 2006
SUSPENSION:REAR, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING OVER 20MPH THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. AS THE SPEED INCREASES OR WHILE DRIVING OVER POTHOLES THE NOISE INCREASES. THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE NOISE CAME FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION AND THE DRIVESHAFT. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151156February 24, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE DESIGNED WITHOUT INLINE FUEL FILTER, ONLY A FILTER MADE INTO THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY INSIDE THE TANK. ACCORDING TO GM AND ALL DATA REPAIR MANUALS, THIS FILTER IS A NON-SERVICEABLE ITEM INTENDED TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. AT APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES, VEHICLE MIL INDICATOR CAME ON, DIAGNOSED AS MISFIRE CONDITION. VEHICLE STUTTERED UNDER BOTH IDLE AND ACCELERATION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT SEDIMENT FROM THE FUEL TANK HAD CONTAMINATED THE FUEL INJECTORS AND ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. CLAIM FOR REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY WAS DENIED, EVEN THOUGH NON-SERVICEABLE LIFETIME PART ALLOWED CONTAMINATION INTO THE SYSTEM. VERY POORLY DESIGNED FUEL FILTRATION SYSTEM WITH THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE STALLING UNDER ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151936February 24, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE 2003 AVALANCHE WAS NOT A STANDARD TANK AND THAT THE FUEL LEAKAGE ISSUES WERE NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE GAS TANK HAD A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT THAT CAUSED IT TO BE TOO THIN AROUND ONE OF THE SEALS. THE TANK WAS SO THIN, THAT IT COULD BE PRESSED AS IF IT WAS SOFT RUBBER. THE SOFT AREA HAD BECOME SO WEAK, THAT GAS WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150460February 16, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR BACKING PLATES ARE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE IS LOCATED IN A SALT BELT STATE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN ALERTED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150389February 15, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MULTIPLE FAILURES OF SPEEDOMETER. SOMETIMES STICKS, REPORTS INCORRECT SPEED, OR JUMPS ABOUT. PERIODICALLY WORKS FINE. NO RHYME OR REASON TO PROBLEM. DEALER - MORITZ CHEVROLET FORT WORTH SAYS INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED ($500), THAT THEY HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE FAILURES, AND THAT THE ITEM IS NOT COVERED AS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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