Chevrolet Avalanche Complaints (2003)

395 consumer complaints on file.

#10538264September 1, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
UPDATE TO COMPLAINT 10538262 AFTER REVIEWING OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES I FORGOT TO PUT IN KEY DATA. I HAD A BRAKE LINE FAILURE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE LEFT FRONT AND FORGOT TO LIST THAT IN MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT AND ALSO LINES UP WITH THE CURRENT OPEN ITEM: NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA11001 ALL THE BRAKES LINES NEED TO REPLACED SINCE THEY ARE RUSTY, FALLING APART AND VERY BRITTLE. LUCKY THIS ISSUE TO NOT OCCUR WHEN I USING THE TRUCK EARLIER IN THE DAY WHEN MY DAUGHTER WAS IN THE TRUCK. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE AN UNLOADED TRAILER IN MY YARD, I BEGAN TO BACKUP TO THE TRAILER APPLYING THE BRAKES SINCE I WAS LINED UP TO THE TRAILER, APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP AND THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE MESSAGE FLASHED STATING BRAKE ISSUE AND LOTS OF BELLS GOING OFF. INCIDENT OCCURRED 8/23/13, HAD TRUCK TOWED TO GARAGE SINCE IT TOOK 10X THE DISTANCE TO TRY TO STOP THE TRUCK AND WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. SINCE THE TRUCK IS AT THE GARAGE WAITING ON PARTS I DO NOT HAVE ACTUAL MILEAGE BUT HAS APPROXIMATELY 91K MILES. I DID NOT HAVE ANY OTHER WARNINGS AND HAD NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS INSTALLED IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10533308August 2, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
APPLIED BRAKES, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR - TRUCK COULD NOT STOP - RAN INTO BUSHES ON SIDE OF ROAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10531950July 26, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 50 MPH APPROACHING STOPPED TRAFFIC, WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE DO NOT SLOW DOWN. THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME AND I APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO SLOW TO A STOP. I THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT ALL FOUR OF THE BRAKE LININGS WERE RUSTED THROUGH. I HUNT AND FISH WITH THIS VEHICLE AND GO OFF ROAD A LOT, THIS IS WHY I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN THE FIRST PLACE. TO HAVE A OFF ROAD VEHICLE MANUFACTURED WITH BRAKE LININGS THAT RUST THROUGH IS CRIMINAL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10531880July 25, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
RATTLE FORM THE A/C BELT TENSION-ER WHEN ACCELERATING. HAVE CHANGED MULTIPLE NEW TENSION-ERS AND THERE IS STILL THE RATTLE FROM THE BELT TENSIONER. I HAVE FOUND A TSB ON THE A/C COMPRESSOR THAT LEADS TO THE ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10524322July 11, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10521329June 24, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CERTIFIED CHEVROLET DEALER, WHERE AN INSPECTION REVEALED, THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A BREAK IN ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES, AND ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES WERE SO DETERIORATED AND RUST ENCRUSTED, THAT ALL OF THE LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515081June 4, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
DRIVING WENT TO STOP DIDN'T HAVE ANY BRAKES I REPLACE ALL THE BRAKE LINES AND REPLACE BUMPER LIGHTS COST ABOUT 4, 000.00 THE ABS WENT OUT WHICH IS NOT FIX. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10512352May 16, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
08/31/2011 BRAKE LINE FAILURE. SECOND BRAKE LIE FAILURE OCCURRED 04/15/2012.THIRD BRAKE LINE FAILURE OCCURRED 7/28/2012.FOURTH BRAKE LINE FAILURE OCCURRED 1/27/2013. AT THAT TIME IT WAS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE ALL REMAINING BRAKE LINE SEGMENTS WHICH WERE SHOWING SIGNS OF CORROSION. THE TOTAL FOR THE INCIDENCES MENTIONED WAS $1586.15. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10510179April 30, 2013
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION BEGAN MAKING A LOW WHIRLING NOISE AND NOW SLIPS AND CHUGS. NO TOWING OR 4-WHEELING BEATINGS. I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF THIS VEHICLE. I LOVE MY AVALANCHE BUT NOW THE REAR WHEEL BEARING ARE GOING AS WELL!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10509234April 23, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I WAS GOING UPHILL. THAT WAS PROBABLY WEN FRONT BRAKE LINE BLEW. HAD A LITTLE BRAKE POWER LEFT, TURNED TRUCK AROUND, WENT ONE BLOCK TO MY HOME , PLLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY GOING UPHILL AGAIN WHEN THE REAR BRAKE INE BLEW, STOPED THE TRUCK WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. HAD TO HAVE ALL BREAK LINES REPLACED DUE TO RUST. FORTY YEARS SERVICING AOTOS NEVER HAD ALL OR ANY BREAKLINE RUST OUT. REPLACED FLEXIABLE HOSES ON BRAKE CALIPERS WHEN THE BECAME BRITTLE, BUT NEVER HARD LINES, EVEN ON A 1971 CADDY I HAD FOR 25 YEARS. THIS HAPPENED ONE BLOCK FROM HOME AT THE BEGINNING OF A PLANNED 100 MILE HIGHWAY TRIP, AT 65MPH WE PROBABLY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. SOMEONE WAS WATCHING OVER US, NOT GM, THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE PREMADE BRAKELINES TO FIX A KNOWN PROBLEM! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10508893April 20, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
STARTED DRIVING AND THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STOPPED AND A WARNING LIGHT FINALLY TURNED ON TO "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM". I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO CHECK AND SEE IF THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LOW AND SAW THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED. UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, I WAS ABLE TO SEE BRAKE FLUID LEAKING AT A CONSISTENT RATE. PRIOR FROM THIS HAPPENING, THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ALERTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10508720April 18, 2013
POWER TRAIN
I NOTICED A SPRAY ON THE BACK OF MY AVALANCHE. I CHECKED NUDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A SMALL PUDDLE OF FLUID WHICH APPEARED TO BE TRANSMISSION FLUID. I CHECKED THE FLUID LEVEL AND IT WAS NEAR EMPTY. I ADDED FLUID AND WHEN I USED THE VEHICLE IT RAN OK, BUT WHEN I STOPPED IT LEFT A LARGER PUDDLE UNDER THE VEHICLE. I DROVE MY VEHICLE FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND WHEN I CHECKED AGAIN IT WAS LEAKING STILL. I CRAWLED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND SAW THAT IT WAS LEAKING FROM WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE ENGINE OR AXLE. (NOT SURE WHAT ITS CALLED). I HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT AVALANCHES HAVING BAD TRANSMISSIONS. MOST WERE AROUND THE SAME MILEAGE. I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX MY VEHICLE, AND SINCE I NOTICED IT NOW IT MAY JUST NEED A NEW SEAL, BUT WHERE THE TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING FROM IT IS EXPENSIVE.WHAT HELP CAN I GET, THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE MY FAMILY AND I OWN. ALSO WHEN I START MY AVALANCHE, SOMETIMES THE STARTER WILL STAY ON AND I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY OFF AND RESTART IT. IT APPEARS THE IGNITION OR STARTER IS DEFECTIVE. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED..THANK YOU!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10505375April 2, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, HE APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THEY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO CORROSION, THE BRAKE LINES WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, AS PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZE DEALER WHERE ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED, INCLUDING THE ONE THAT WAS RECENTLY REPLACED BY THE INDEPENDENT MACHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,392.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10505419April 2, 2013
AIR BAGS
FREQUENTLY WHILE IN DRIVE THE SERVICE AIR BAG COMES ON. WHEN THIS LIGHT/INDICATOR COMES ON THIS DEACTIVATES THE ENTIRE AIR BAG SYSTEM WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE/DEFECT. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL BY GM/CHEVROLET TO HAVE THIS FIXED IMMEDIATELY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503759March 20, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, STRUCTURE:BODY
THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A 2-WAY STOP. UPON TURNING RIGHT, MY FOOT WENT FROM THE BRAKE TO THE GAS PEDAL AND GOT HOOKED ON A PIECE OF METAL EXTENDING FROM THE ARM OF THE ACCELERATOR. THIS CAUSED MY FOOT TO BE TRAPPED BELOW THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT ATTACHED TO THE GAS PEDAL. THE VEHICLE SPUN BACK AND FORTH WHILE TRYING TO GET MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR. I HIT A TRUCK COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION FROM WHICH I WAS TURNING PINNING IT TO THE GUARD RAIL. ALTHOUGH BOTH TRUCKS HAD STOPPED, THE TIRES ON MY TRUCK WERE STILL SPINNING BECAUSE MY FOOT WAS STILL HOOKED ON THE ACCELERATOR AND WEDGE BELOW THE BRAKE PEDAL. ONLY AFTER I TURNED THE KEY OFF COULD I PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK. IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF MY TRUCK I HAD TO UNLACE MY SHOE AND PULL MY FOOT OUT, THEN PRY IT OFF THE SIDE OF THE ACCELERATOR, LEAVING A HOLE IN THE SIDE OF MY SHOE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503526March 18, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 45 MPH AND THE BRAKES WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING OR A WARNING LIGHT. IT MADE ME ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. MY PREGNANT WIFE AND I WERE IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. IT SEEMS MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM, IT SHOULD BE FIXED ASAP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10501109March 3, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS READING 60 AND WHEN I LOOK DOWN AGAIN IT WAS READING 120. I STOP AND STARTED AGAIN THEN I REALIZE THAT IT WAS NOT READING NOW. MY FUEL, RPM, OIL PRESSURE GAUGES STOP ALSO. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE CLUSTER. I RESEARCH AND I NOTICE THAT ALL THESE VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I THINK THAT CHEVY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECTIVE ITEM. I BROUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW AND I DIDN'T THINK THAT I WOULD BE HAVING ANY PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. I REPLACED THE PART BUT GUESS WHAT, ITS DOING THE SAME THING AFTER SIX MONTHS. NOW THE DOOR CHIME WILL NOT STOP WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSE AND WHILE IM DRIVING SO I DON'T DRIVE IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10500720February 28, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS ABOUT TO SLOW DOWN TO MAKE A TURN ON TO A SIDE STREET AND MY BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. I HAD TO TAKE BACK ROADS AND PLAN MY STOPS WHILE DRIVING IN LOW GEAR TO SAFELY MAKE IT TO THE SHOP. A BRAKE LINE BURST. I WAS TOLD THAT THE LINES ARE RUSTED AND ROTTED. ALL THE LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT COST ME ABOUT $1800.00. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10494841January 27, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS APPLYING BRAKES AND A FRONT BRAKE LINE BLEW OUT. THE TRUCK HAD A TOUGH TIME STOPPING ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE, I HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY AND THEY REPLACED THE LINE $300. THE REPAIR FACILITY STATED TO ME THAT IT WAS VERY COMMON FOR CHEVY VEHICLE TO HAVE BAD BRAKE LINES. TO REPLACE THE REST OF THE LINES IT WOULD COST ME $ 900 TO $1200. CHEVY SHOULD OF RECALLED THESE VEHICLES FOR BAD BRAKE LINES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10493064January 15, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MY SPEEDO AND FUEL GAUGE EITHER DO NOT WORK OR PEG OUT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE FOR MY Z71 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE AND CHEVROLET IS SAYING THAT THEY PUT A LIMIT ON THE YEAR AND MILEAGE. IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN IT WAS A RECALL I WOULD HAVE TAKEN IN MY VEHICLE TO HAVE IT FIXED FOR FREE. CHEVROLET IS SAYING I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS.... THIS IS NOT RIGHT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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