What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2003 Chevrolet Avalanche

Typical pattern

5.2% of complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2003 vehicle — around the middle of the 228 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 4.7 yr in service. The most-reported system is service brakes (51 complaints), typically at 11.0 yr or about 120,509 miles.

Complaints
229
Median age at failure
4.7 yr
Median mileage
67,000 n=179
Crash / fire / tow
7.4% of reports
Safety recalls
6

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Service brakes
51 reports · 120,509 mi
11.0 yr
3.9%
Electrical system
43 reports · 70,000 mi
4.7 yr
2.3%
Service brakes, hydraulic
27 reports · 47,000 mi
5.2 yr
7.4%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

09E012000 2009-04-07
Exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

06E043000 2006-05-19
Fuel system

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

05V163000 2005-04-22
Seat belts:rear/other

ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE USE OF A CHILD SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GROUP. IN ADDITION TO INSTRUCTIONS ON PROPER INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD RESTRAINT (WITH CHILD SEATS OR BOOSTERS), SPECIAL VERBIAGE FOR RESTRAINING OLDER CHILD IS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ALSO, THE S

A LAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ROUTING THAT IS NOT LOW AND SNUG ON THE HIPS CAN ALLOW THE LAP BELT TO RIDE UP ON AN OCCUPANT'S ABDOMEN INSTEAD OF FITTING LOW AROUND THEIR HIPBONES, AND THEREFORE, CAN EXPOSE THEM TO MORE RISK OF ABDOMINAL AND INTERNAL ORGAN INJURY.

04V129000 2004-03-17
Structure:body:tailgate:hinge and attachments

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE GALVANIZED STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES THAT RETAIN THE TAILGATE IN THE FULL OPEN (HORIZONTAL) POSITION MAY CORRODE, WEAKEN, AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURE. IF BOTH CABLES FRACTURED, THE TAILGATE WOULD SUDDENLY DROP AND STRIKE THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER.

ANYONE SITTING OR STANDING ON THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF THE TAILGATE WHEN BOTH CABLES FRACTURED COULD BE INJURED BY FALLING FROM THE TAILGATE. ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BUMPER REMOVED, THE TAILGATE MAY DROP EVEN LOWER. ADDITIONALLY, IF THERE IS CARGO ON THE TAILGATE THE CARGO MAY FALL OFF IF THE SUPPORT CABLES FRACTURE.

04V045000 2004-02-04
Service brakes, hydraulic

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.

CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.

03V019000 2003-01-27
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VEHICLES, DURING A 30 DEGREE LEFT ANGLE FRONTAL IMPACT OF SUFFICIENT SEVERITY, A TEAR COULD DEVELOP IN THE MID-FRAME CROSS MEMBER AT ITS ATTACHMENT TO THE LEFT FRAME RAIL. IF THE MID-FRAME CROSS MEMBER TEARS DURING FRONTAL IMPACT AND PRODUCES A SHARP EDGE, CONTACT OF THE SHARP EDGE WITH THE FUEL TANK COULD RESULT IN A PUNCTURE OF THE FUEL TANK AND POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKAGE.

FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

In owners’ own words

Service brakes, hydraulic mileage not reported 8 mo in service
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES. THIS FORCED THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. *NLM RETURNED USPS, 2ND ATTEMPT MADE 10/16/07 FAILED . *LJ
Service brakes, hydraulic 40 mi 1.1 yr in service
DURING A PANIC STOP/HARD BRAKE, BRAKING IS INSUFFICIANT. WITH MULTIPLE HARD BRAKES IN A ROW, BRAKING POWER IS REGAINED, THOUGH RETURN TO PREVIOUS STATE OCCURS WHEN VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY 6-12+ HOURS.*AK
Service brakes, hydraulic 43,000 mi 3.0 yr in service crash / fire / tow
DRIVING TO WORK. DRY CONDITIONS. HAD 4-5 CAR LENGTHS BETWEEN ME AND CAR IN FRONT OF ME. CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED. I WAS GOING ABOUT 30-35 MPH. TRUCK WOULD NOT STOP. ABS DID NOT COME ON AND WHEELS DID NOT LOCKUP. I REAR ENDED THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. IT FELT LIKE THERE WAS NO BRAKING POWER AT ALL. BRAKE PEDAL WAS TO THE FLOOR. TRUCK JUST SLOWLY SLOWED DOWN. THERE IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. *NM
Electrical system 18,000 mi 1.5 yr in service
ALL GAUGES, WARNING LIGHTS,RADIO, AND HEAT/AIR CONTROLS START CHANGING ON THEIR OWN ,QUIT WORKING AND DON'T WORK PROPERLY WHILE DRIVING. AT TIMES IT SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING. DEALER HAVE REPLACED ALOT OF WARNING SENSORS, REPLACED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TWICE, FUEL SENDING UNIT,CHECKED ALL THE MAIN GROUND POINTS OF WIRING. DEALER HAS THE OLD PARTS. I'M STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS THEY ARE STILL NOT FIXED. *NM

Other Avalanche model years

20132012201120102009200820072005200420032002

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