2003 Chevrolet Avalanche

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/2011· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  REAR PASSENGER-SIDE BRAKE LINE FAILED, ABOVE THE REAR AXLE ON EXIT RAMP OF MAJOR HIGHWAY. COMPLETELY CORRODED LINE REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. ELECTRONIC RUST PREVENTION SYSTEM (SACRIFICIAL ZINC AT ALL 4 CORNERS) INSTALLED BY DEALERSHIP WHEN TRUCK WAS PURCHASED, YET ALL BRAKE LINES NEED REPLACEMENT. DEALERSHIP (HEINRICH CHEVROLET OF LOCKPORT, NY) QUOTED APPROXIMATELY $1000 JUST IN LABOR TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LINES. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I'LL REPLACE THEM MYSELF. *KB

• 12/28/2007· AIR BAGSCrash

  TRAVELING AT 55 MPH AND REAR-ENDED A TOWED VEHICLE WITHOUT LIGHTS. DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

• 12/28/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2003 AVALANCHE WENT OUT. IT REGISTERS UP TO 120 MPH SITTING STILL. THE TACHOMETER RECENTLY WENT OUT, ALSO. VERY DANGEROUS FOR MY WIFE (WHO DRIVES THE VEHICLE) AND MY CHILDREN. I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? *JB

• 12/27/2007· STRUCTURE

  I PURCHASED A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE LT AND THE BACK GLASS HINGE HAS CAME UNGLUED FROM THE GLASS AND FALLEN ON ONE SIDE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY FOUR GLASS COMPANY'S THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MANY OF 2003 TAHOES AND SURBURBANS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE BACK GLASS AND THAT IT IS A DEFECT. I CALLED THE CHEVROLET COMPANY AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE IT WAS OVER 100,000 MILES BUT ITS THERE PROBLEM THEY ARE THE ONES THAT GLUED THE HINGES TO THE GLASS AND WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY 900.00 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE GLASS ESPECIALLY WHEN I DON'T HAVE IT. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM I KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE MAKE THE CHEVROLET COMPANY FIX THIS PROBLEM. IT HAS CAUSED THE BACK GLASS TO STICK UP OVER THE BACK ABOUT A INCH AND YOU CAN NOT EVEN OPEN IT BECAUSE THE HINGE ON THE GLASS HAS COME COMPLETELY UNGLUED IT FALLS DOWN WHEN YOU OPEN IT AND IS VERY VERY HARD TO CLOSE ONCE YOU OPEN IT. BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO PICK UP ON THE GLASS AND TRY TO CLOSE IT AT THE SAME TIME BELIEVE ME MY FINGERS HAS GOTTEN SMASHED MANY TIMES SO I STOPPED EVEN OPENING IT. BUT BEFORE THIS HAPPENED I REALLY USED IT ALOT TO PUT STUFF IN THE BACK WHEN THE 3RD ROW SEAT WAS BEING USED IF YOU OPENED THE WHOLE DOOR THEN YOUR STUFF FALLS OUT BECAUSE THERE'S NOT MUCH ROOM TO PUT YOUR STUFF BACK THERE. *TR

• 12/26/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGES NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. *JB

• 12/24/2007· STEERING

  2003 AVALANCHE WITH Z71 SUSPENSION OPTION. AFTER LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD VEHICLE STARTED MAKING SEVERE CLUNKING NOISE FROM DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL WHEN MAKING A TURN. TAKEN TO DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER REPLACED A PART AND STATED THAT SOME CLUNKING WAS "NORMAL". NOISE CEASED AFTER REPAIR. CLUNKING RETURNED IN ABOUT ANOTHER YEAR AND IS ONCE AGAIN SEVERE. SOUNDS LIKE THE FRONT WHEEL IS GOING TO FALL OFF. CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF VEHICLE. *TR

• 12/23/2020· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER

  I AM A NEW OWNER OF A 2003 AVALANCHE, I WAS SATISFIED WITH MY PURCHASE BUT MY SOONROOF FALLS UNDER THE APPROPRIATE SERIAL NUMBERS (6,000,000-6,300,000) RECALL STATES THAT IT MAY BE COVERED BY THE COMPANY WEBASTO HOLLANDIA. VEHICLE IS FINE TO DRIVE PLACES BUT SUNROOF MUST BE FIXED FOR COMING WINTER. IT WORRIES ME AS THERE'S A SLIGHT DANGER OF IT CAUSING A ROAD HAZARD IF IT WERE TO FALL OUT.

• 12/23/2009· PARKING BRAKE

  PARKING BRAKE CABLE CORRODED AND FAILED. WENT TO APPLY PARKING BRAKE WHILE PARKED ON A HILL AND THE CABLE BROKE AT THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. THE END OF THE CABLE FELL TO THE GROUND AND CORROSION WAS VERY EVIDENT. *TR

• 12/22/2014· SERVICE BRAKES

  I HAVE A 2003 TRUCK THAT IS REGULARLY SERVICED AT GM DEALERSHIPS AND ANOTHER PROFESSIONAL SHOP. I ALTERNATE SHOPS TO MAKE SURE I AM GETTING THE BEST SERVICE AND MAKING SURE ANY PROBLEMS ARE CAUGHT BEFORE THEY ARE SERIOUS. I WASH MY TRUCK ON A REGULAR BASIS ALWAYS GETTING THE UNDERBODY/CHASSIS WASHED OFF. SO, THE VEHICLE IS TAKEN CARE OF AND KEPT UP.THE INCIDENT ABOVE LUCKILY HAPPENED WHEN I WAS BACKING UP MY TRUCK TO CONNECT TO A TRAILER. THE BRAKE LINES BURST UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE LEAKING OIL ALL OVER WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED LIGHTLY.. GLAD IT DIDN'T HAPPEN FULLY LOADED DRIVING THROUGH A SCHOOL ZONE ON A WEEKDAY. SINCE THERE ARE SEVERAL SCHOOLS AND BUS STOPS NEAR ME. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR PROFESSIONALLY THE LINES KEPT DEVELOPING LEAKS AFFECTING SEVERAL LINES AND DIFFERENT AREAS. NOT ONCE DID EITHER OF THE SHOPS INCLUDING GM DEALERSHIP EVER TELL ME THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY BRAKE LINES. IF YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO CHECK THIS AS A REGULAR MAINTENANCE ISSUE THAN WHY DON'T GM SHOPS DO IT. THERE IS NO EXCUSE WHY THESE LINES ARE FAILING THIS SOON, OTHER THAN INFERIOR MATERIALS BEING USED. IT SEEMS GM USED INFERIOR STEEL MATERIAL IN THE EARLY 2000S AS CAN BE SEEN BY THE CORROSION THAT IS SEEN ON TRUCKS OF THIS ERA. I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MUCH CORROSION ON VEHICLES OF SIMILAR AGE FROM OTHER YEARS. THE SCARY PART IS THESE TRUCKS USUALLY HAVE SEVERAL TONS OF WEIGHT BEHIND THEM, LET ALONE THE TRUCKS OWN WEIGHT OF OVER 3 TONS. EVERYDAY THESE VEHICLES ARE ON OUR HIGHWAYS AND STREETS DRIVING THROUGH RESIDENTIAL AND SCHOOL ZONES. WHEN YOU LOSE BRAKES YOU ARE NOT GOING TO REGAIN CONTROL UNTIL SOMETHING STOPS IT AND THE TONS ON BACK OF IT. *TR

• 12/22/2011· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  THE BRAKE LINES ON MY 2003 CHEVY AVALANCHE HAVE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT LEADING TO A COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE INCIDENT WHILE ON THE ROAD. ALTHOUGH IT'S A 2003 YEAR MODEL, I HAVE LESS THAN 20,000 YES, LESS THAN 20,000 TOTAL MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I WILL NEVER EVER BY A CHEVY AGAIN. I ALSO HAVE A 1998 ACURA WHICH I HAVE DRIVEN FOR THE PAST 11 YEARS AND IT HAS NO SUCH PROBLEMS. NOPE. I WILL NEVER EVER BY A CHEVY AGAIN. *TR

• 12/22/2011· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ROTTING BRAKE LINES IN THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE, NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM LINES. CORROSION SO BAD REQUIRES ALL LINES TO BE REPLACED. DEALER ALSO DAMAGED BRAKE CONTROLLER DURING REPAIR AND CHARGED ME THE REPLACEMENT COST. *TR

• 12/22/2009· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVE-WAY HE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND HE WAS ADVISED THE HE EXPERIENCED AN IDENTICAL FAILURE REFERENCED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V045000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE.

• 12/22/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  2003 AVALANCHE SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATES. *TR

• 12/22/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  SHORTLY AFTER 75, 000 MILES THE SPEEDOMETER IN MY 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE STARTED TO REGISTER INCORRECT READINGS. AT A IDLE IT WOULD REGISTER THAT I WAS GOING 60 MPH. AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH IT WOULD REGISTER THAT I WAS GOING 0 MPH. THERE WAS NO RHYME OR REASON. *TR

• 12/22/2003· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT VEHICLE DROPPING SPEED AND LOSING POWER WHILE BEING DRIVEN. IF VEHICLE IS GOING UPHILL 25 MPH IS THE MAXIMUM SPEED. ON THE LEVEL ROADS 40 MPH IS THE MAXIMUM SPEED. THIS VEHICLE WAS SERVICED 3 TIMES FOR THE SAME DEFECT, BUT PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK

• 12/21/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I HAVE A 2003 TAHOE AND HAVE HAD THE SPEEDOMETER STICK A NUMBER OF TIMES. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR REPAIR SEVERAL TIMES HOWEVER THE SERVICE TECH COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE CONDITION SO THEY TOLD ME NOT TO REPAIR THE ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE COST. GM IS NOW OFFERING A "SPECIAL COVERAGE" THAT EXTENDS THE WARRANTY OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, HOWEVER ONLY IF THE TAHOE HAS LESS THAN 70,000 MILES OR YOU HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE UNDER 7 YEARS WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. I FEEL THAT GM HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND SHOULD ISSUE A FULL RECALL TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

• 12/21/2005· AIR BAGS

  THIS CONCERNING MY 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE WITH 47,987 MILES. THE "SERVICE AIRBAG" STAYS ON AFTER IGNITION ABOUT 20% OF THE TIME. ADDITIONALLY ON TRIPS OF OVER 15 MINUTES IT WILL COME ON DURING DRIVING. ONCE THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON IT STAYS ON UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. CONTACTED THE CHEVROLET ASSISTANCE CENTER AND THEY EXPLAINED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC WORK UP BEFORE THEY WOULD CONSIDER COVERING THE COSTS ON FIXING THE PROBLEM. THEY STATED THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM, DESPITE THE OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES BEING VERY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE SAFETY FEATURES AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED WITHOUT QUESTION. *JB

• 12/20/2018· POWER TRAIN

  THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION, THE CLIP THAT HOLDS THE TRANSMISSION LINE TO THE RADIATOR BREAKS ALLOWING THE LINE TO COME OFF RESULTING IN ALL TRANSMISSION FLUID BEING LOST AND RESULTING IN DESTROYING TRANSMISSION

• 12/20/2007· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTION. THE PROBLEM AFFECTS THE SPEEDOMETER GIVING ERRATIC READINGS. REGARDLESS OF THE SPEED, THE SPEEDOMETER READS 80 -120 MPH. OR DOESN'T REGISTER AT ALL. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK OR COMPLETELY STOPPED THE SPEEDOMETER READS 60 MPH. I HAVE TO TURN THE TRUCK ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL IT GOES DOWN TO 0. *TR

• 12/20/2005· AIR BAGSCrash

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH HE STRUCK A MEDIAN HEAD ON AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THREE PEOPLE SUSTAINED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

• 12/19/2013· SERVICE BRAKES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,353.

• 12/19/2003· AIR BAGS

  AIR BAG DEPLOYED AFTER IGNITION SWITCH WAS TURNED ON. VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND WAS NOT MOVING.*AK

• 12/18/2011· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  SEVERE BRAKE LINE RUST THAT STARTED WHEN VEHICLE WAS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD. 2 SEPARATE DEALERS SAW THE RUST BUT SAID THEY COULD NOT ACT ON THE PROBLEM UNLESS THERE WAS A FAILURE OR THEY WERE LEAKING. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS ATTENTION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY.( ORIGINAL & OEM EXTENDED). *TR

• 12/17/2016· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HILL ON MY WAY HOME WITH MY THREE LILLTE KIDS IN THE TRUCK WHEN IT JUST SHUT OFF N WAS HARD TO STEER THE ABS LIGHT COME ON N THEN A LIGHT WITH A LOCK WITH A KEY THE TRUCK ACTED LIKE IT WANTED TO TURN OVER BUT DID N STILL TO THIS DAY IT WILL NO TURN OVER N START UP N STILL SHOWING THE LIL LOCK WITH A KEY.

• 12/17/2013· SERVICE BRAKES

  I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY WIFE AND GRANDDAUGHTER WHEN ALL THE BRAKES ,I MEAN ALL THE BRAKES WENT, AND A SERVICE BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME.I MANAGED TO DRIFT TO A STOP, OTHERWISE WE WOULD HAVE HURT SOMEONE OR BEEN KILLED. NO WARNING. I HAD TO PAY 1900 FOR THE REPAIR WHICH WE CANNOT AFFORD SINCE I AM ON DISABILITY. IT STILL SCARES US. *TR

• 12/17/2012· SERVICE BRAKES

  BRAKE LINES ARE LEAKING SO I TOOK TRUCK TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED ME THE LINES WERE CORRODED AND IT WOULD COST ME $1200. TO $1500. TO FIX AND IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. LUCKY I NOTICED THE LEAKING BEFORE MY BRAKES FAILED ME. I DON'T KNOW WHY THIS WAS NOT RECALLED AND FIXED AT NO COST BY GM DEALER. PLEASE LET ME KNOW GM'S RESPONSIBILITY HERE. *TR

• 12/16/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  MY SPEEDOMETER AND SEVERAL GAUGES HAVE BEEN ACTING ERRATICALLY FOR MONTHS, AND NOW THE SPEEDOMETER BATTERY GAUGE, AND THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE HAVE STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. IN RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE OF THIS RECALL. I HAVE LIVED IN THE SAME LOCATION SINCE 2001, BUT HAVE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. IF THERE WAS A RECALL AFFECTING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, I WOULD HAVE TAKEN IT IN. WHY DIDN'T CHEVROLET NOTIFY ALL OWNERS? *TR

• 12/16/2013· SERVICE BRAKES

  BRAKES FAILED DUE TO A RUSTED BRAKE PIPE WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. LUCKILY I WAS ON MY STREET AND TRAVELING JUST UNDER 25 MPH. AFTER INSPECTION OF THE UNDER SIDE OF VEHICLE I DISCOVERED NOT ONE BUT, TWO LEAKS. I DO EXPECT SOME ISSUES WITH A VEHICLE MY AGE AND MILEAGE BUT, NOT A TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. I DID CONTACT THE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS JUST TO LEARN THAT THE PARTS HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUE. *TR

• 12/16/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  IN THE MORNINGS I TURN ON THE TRUCK AND IT STALLS,AND THE IDLE BOUNCES UP AND DOWN LIKE IT IS GOING TO TURN OFF. *TR

• 12/16/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  PROBLEMS WITH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. SPEEDOMETER STUCK AT 30. OTHER PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED WITH OIL PRESSURE READING INCORRECTLY. TODAY, THE SPEEDOMETER IS STUCK AT 30 AND IT WON'T MOVE. *TR

• 12/15/2014· SERVICE BRAKES

  WHILE DRIVING IN NORMAL TRAFFIC MY SON BRAKE THE VEHICLE AND THE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR. HE PULLED IT HOME AND INTO OUR DRIVEWAY AND BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING ALL OVER THE DRIVE. TURNS OUT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LINE BURST. *TR

• 12/15/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAINCrash

  ON DECEMBER 12, 2003 VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION, RESULTING IN A CRASH THAT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. CONSUMER STATED, THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN SEVEN TO EIGHT TIMES AT DEALER WITH ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK

• 12/14/2008· EQUIPMENT,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I HAVE REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER 4 TIMES. 2 TIMES IN 2006 AND 2 TIMES IN 2008, BECAUSE THE NEW ONES PUT IN WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CUSTOMER SHOULD IN NO WAY HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THIS WAS ON A 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. *TR

• 12/13/2005· SEAT BELTS

  I PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2003 CAVALIER LS EARLIER THIS YEAR. ON A REGULAR BASIS, THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT SLIPS OUT OF THE LOOP ON THE TOP OF THE SEAT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO HOLD IT, WHILE I AM BUCKLING UP, AND SMACKS ME IN THE NECK. SOMETIMES I DRIVE WITH IT THIS WAY, BUT WAS SINCE TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT I SHOULDN'T BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT IS NOT DOING ITS JOB EFFECTIVELY THAT WAY. THE LATEST TIME BEING TODAY, BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE NUMBER OF FAILURES I HAVE BELOW IS 15, BUT THIS IS JUST AN ESTIMATE. *JB

• 12/12/2018· AIR BAGSCrash

  MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AS I SLID INTO A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS IN NUMBER TO NUMBER TRAFFIC AND I TRIED CHANGING LANES. MY FRONT LEFT BUMPER TAPPED HIS REAR RIGHT BUMPER. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS SCRATCHED.

• 12/12/2011· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT AND WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT ANY BRAKING ACTION. THE PEDAL CAME BACK UP TO NORMAL POSITION AND I PRESSED IT AGAIN HARDER THE SECOND TIME WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY SHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AGAIN BUT LOCKED UP THE WHEELS AND THE VEHICLE GRADUALLY CAME TO A STOP.

• 12/12/2006· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  STARTED TO NOTICE A TWITCH IN THE SPEEDOMETER READING ABOUT A MONTH AGO. PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE TO THE POINT THAT IT READS FASTER AND FASTER AND DOES NOT GO BACK DOWN TO ZERO. NOW IT IS PRESENTLY STUCK PAST 140 MPH. *JB

• 12/11/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY AVALANCHE. IT HAS ABOUT 70,000 MILES ON IT. JUST LAST WEEK THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED GOING HAYWIRE. IT WILL READ ANYWHERE FROM 20 TO 60 MPH WHEN STOPPED. WHEN DRIVING IT WILL READ ANYWHERE FROM 70 TO 110 MPH. IT IS CONSTANTLY CHANGING SO THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW FAST YOU ARE REALLY GOING. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IF YOU DO NOT KNOW HAW FAST YOU ARE GOING. I LOOKED ALL OVER THE INTERNET TO SEE IF IT WAS SOMETHING SIMPLE I COULD FIX. THERE SEEMS TO BE ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS NOT ONLY WITH THE AVALANCHE BUT WITH GM MODELS IN GENERAL FOR THE 2003-2006 YEARS. IF IT IS SUCH A PROBLEM THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. I WILL BE PRINTING THE COMPLAINT FORUMS AND TAKING IT TO THE DEALER TO SEE WHAT THEY WILL DO. *TR

• 12/11/2004· SUSPENSION

  I AM HEARING A ROARING NOISE COMING FROM MY REAR WHEEL, I TOOK MY Z66 INTO THE SHOP AND HE SAID THE WHEEL BEARINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 50000 MILES ON IT. THE BEARINGS SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED THAT SOON. *JB

• 12/10/2014· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  STRAP ON GAS TANK BROKE (RUSTED THROUGH) WHILE DRIVING ON BUMPY ROAD. TANK FELL AND HIT DRIVESHAFT. I WAS SURPRISED IT DIDN'T RUPTURE THE TANK. *TR

• 12/10/2014· SERVICE BRAKES

  BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD VEHICLE STATIONARY AT A STOP SIGN/LIGHT (NO LIGHT ON DASH). UPON INVESTIGATION A BRAKE LINE HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND BRAKE FLUID COVERING UNDERSIDE OF VEHICLE. *TR

• 12/10/2011· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKE LINE EXPLOSIVE FAILURE BEFORE THE FIREWALL. 95% LOSS OF STOPPING POWER. INSPECTION OF LINES INDICATES CORROSION. ALSO HEAVY CORROSION ON FRAME MEMBERS NOTED. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES FOR CORROSION OF THE BRAKE ROTORS. AT 25000 MI. REPLACED ALL ROTORS AND PADS WITH NON CHEVY PARTS. NO MORE ROTOR ISSUES. NOW ALL BRAKE LINES CHANGED DUE TO CORROSION AND BURST LINE HAS CAUSED A MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE. THERE ARE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES HERE AND IT'S TIME FOR NHTSA TO STEP IN. *TR

• 12/10/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  SPEEDOMETER STICKING ON 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500 4WD,NOTHING LEADS UP TO IT JUST DRIVING AND IT STICKS AT A CERTAIN SPEED WONT CORRECT ITSELF,TO CORRECT IT YOU HAVE TO UNHOOK BATTERY CABLES AND THEN IT IS OK FOR A WHILE UNTIL IT STICKS AGAIN,THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER 4 TIMES NOW HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A RECALL TO FIX PROBLEM. THIS CAN NOT BE CAUSED BY BAD DRIVING BY OWNER OR IMPROPER MAINTENANCE,THIS IS SOMETHING ELECTRONIC. *JB

• 12/07/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  AFTER PURCHASING A 2003 IN AUG, ITS NOW AT 80,000 MILES AS NOV 06, AND THE SPEEDOMETER HAS BROKEN. ACCORDING TO CHEV, THE FUSE FOR SPEEDOMETER IS LOCATION IN DASH AND IS PART OF A CLUSTER UNIT SUPPORTING MANY INSTRUMENTATION PARTS. IT COST 550.00 TO REPLACE. I WORKED WITH CHEV FOR A MONTH TRYING TO OBTAIN A CLEAR ANSWER FOR THIS DEFECTIVE SAFETY ITEM. ALL I GOT WAS 75,000 MILE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I EXPLAINED THAT IF ANYTHING, A SPEEDOMETER SHOULD WORK FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR. SIX CALLS LATER AND PLENTY OF "ILL GET BACK WITH YOU", CHEV WOULD NOT STAND UP TO ANY REPAIR OR REVIEW OF THIS FAULTY ITEM AT THEIR EXPENSE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANY OTHER REPORTS ON THIS ITEM HAVE BE FOUND AND IF ANY RECOURSE IS AVAILABLE TO CONSUMERS WITH THIS ISSUE??? THANK YOU. *NM

• 12/07/2004· STEERING,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,EQUIPMENT

  AIR BAGS DO NOT WORK. AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON. VEHICLE IS BEING TAKEN TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR INVESTIGATION AND REPAIR.*AK THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING AND THE POWER STEERING MADE A SQUEALING NOISE. THE RUNNING BOARDS FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HEARD A CLUNK IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE 4X4 LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A FLUID LEAK IN THE ENGINE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER 7.5 MONTHS OF HAVING REPAIRS DONE ON HIS VEHICLE THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO CLASSIFY IT UNDER THE LEMON LAW. *TC

• 12/06/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CHEVROLET STATING "THIS LETTER IS INTENDED TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT YOUR VEHICLE COULD DEVELOP A CONDITION WHERE ONE OR MORE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGE NEEDLES MAY STICK, FLUTTER, OR BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS MAY CAUSE INACCURATE READINGS, INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE FUEL GAUGE" THE LETTER CONTINUES TO STATE THAT "GENERAL MOTORS IS PROVIDING SPECIAL COVERAGE THAT EXTENDS THE WARRANTY" IF "YOUR 2003 CHEVROLET MODEL YEAR CHEVROLET TAHOE WITHIN 7 YEARS OF THE DATE" OR "70,000 MILES". MY CHEVROLET TAHOE HAS BOTH THESE ISSUES. THEY STARTED ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE I RECEIVED THE LETTER. WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND AND WOULD LIKE A RESPONSE FROM GENERAL MOTORS IS WHY MY SAFETY IS NOT AN CONCERN TO THEM BECAUSE I HAVE DRIVEN MORE THAN 70,000 MILES IN MY TAHOE? I TRAVEL THROUGH A LOT OF RURAL AREAS TO WORK AND I FEEL IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO NOT RUN OUT OF GAS. I FEEL IT EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO KNOW HOW FAST I AM GOING. THE SPEEDOMETER REGISTERS THAT I AM GOING 60 OR 70 MILES PER HOUR WHEN I AM SITTING AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN I AM GOING DOWN THE ROAD IT REGISTERS THAT I AM GOING OVER 120 MILES PER HOUR. THIS IS ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I AM GOING. NOT TO MENTION THE POTENTIAL FOR SPEEDING TICKETS. I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT GENERAL MOTORS CARES ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS SAFETY REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY MILES THEY HAVE DRIVEN. THESE GAUGES ARE VERY EXPENSIVE TO HAVE REPLACED AND THEY ARE A SAFETY HAZARD. NOT BEING ABLE TO MONITOR YOUR RATE OF SPEED OR BE AWARE IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH GAS TO GET HOME ARE SAFETY ISSUES TO ME FOR MY HEALTH AS WELL AS MY PEACE OF MIND AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY GENERAL MOTORS DOESN'T FEEL RESPONSIBLE FOR CORRECTING THIS DEFAULT THEY ARE AWARE FOR ALL THEIR TAHOE OWNERS. I HAVE A COMPLAINT WITH THE GENERAL MOTORS ANSWER CALL CENTER BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. *TR

• 12/06/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  2003 CHEVY AVALANCHE FUEL TANK BEGAN EMITTING A GAS SMELL WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MORE THAN HALF FULL. *TS OVER TIME SMALL PUDDLES OF GAS COULD BE SEEN UNDER THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS STOPPED. THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE TANK HAD A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, WHICH CAUSED IT TO BE TOO THIN AROUND ONE OF THE SEALS. THE TANK WAS SO THIN IN THAT AREA, THAT ONE COULD PHYSICALLY PRESS IT DOWN LIKE SOFT RUBBER. THE SOFT AREA HAD BEEN STEADILY WEAKENING THE SEAL UNTIL IT FINALLY FAILED CAUSING GAS TO LEAK OUT OF IT. *JB

• 12/04/2004· TIRES

  FIRESTONE TIRES FR680, 215/70R15. REPLACED THE TIRES ON THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE AT 25,000 MILES DUE TO SEVERE FLAT SPOTTING & STEEL CHORDS SHOWING. THE REAR TIRES ARE PERFECT. CHEVY DEALER AND TIRE STORE BOTH CONFIRMED NO ALIGNMENT ISSUES ARE PRESENT. THE TIRES ARE REALLY DEFFECTIVE. I HAD THE REAR TIRES MOVED TO THE FRONT AND BOUGHT NEW TIRES FOR THE REAR. THE SAME WEARING OCCURRED, SO BOUGHT A NEW SET OF FOUR. THERE HAS NOT BE ANY PROBLEM SINCE.*AK

• 12/02/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE

  I HAVE A 2003 AVALANCHE AND I'VE NOTICE THAT OTHER CHEVY AVALANCHE HAS THE SAME RUST ON THE SAME PLACE IT SEEM THAT THE BACK QUARTER PANEL IS DEFECTIVE AND THE SPEEDOMETER TOO

• 12/02/2004· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION STARTED MAKING GROWLING AND WHINING NOISE WHILE ATTEMPING TO SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR, THEN STARTED SLIPPING IN 4TH GEAR.SHIFTING WAS ALSO STIFF OR HARSHER THAN WAS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THIS. I TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS DISMISSED AS THEIR COMPUTER DID NOT RECORD ANY TROUBLE CODES. 1 WEEK LATER, AND ONLY 65 MILES TRAVEL DISTANCE, BOTH 2ND AND 4TH GEARS COMPLETELY FAILED, CAUSING A COMPLETE OVERHAUL AND REBUILD OF TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE HAD ONLY 14, 700 MILES ON IT WHEN PROBLEM SURFACED. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME NO KNOWN PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE.*AK