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2003 Chevrolet AvalancheProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 204 owner complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche, most often about the service brakes. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
36
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.8× the Avalanche median · #4 of 12 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints20417 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage121kService brakes, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 14, 2016. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche has problems

204 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes512
Electrical system421
Service brakes, hydraulic272
Air bags142
Power train141
Vehicle speed control111
Visibility100
Structure92
Steering80
15 other systems465

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

2003 Chevrolet Avalanche recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Seat belts: rear/other

Recall 05V-163 · Apr 22, 2005 · 1,359,824 vehicles

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Tailgate: hinge and attachments

Recall 04V-129 · Mar 17, 2004 · 3,662,211 vehicles

Risk. ANYONE SITTING OR STANDING ON THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF THE TAILGATE WHEN BOTH CABLES FRACTURED COULD BE INJURED BY FALLING FROM THE TAILGATE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.

Mileage at failure

When do service brakes problems start?

121kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 47 service brakes complaints. 34% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
0under 30k miles16under 100k miles31100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Avalanche year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Avalanche median. How we score

'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2003 Chevrolet Avalanche safety ratings

2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2003 Chevrolet Avalanche frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
  • Rollover: 2 stars (0.0% risk)
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche, and the recalls they led to.

  1. PARKING BRAKE FAILUREDP05009 · closed May 31, 2006
    No recall
  2. TAILGATE CABLE BREAKAGEEA04005 · closed Sep 28, 2004
    Led to recall 04E-067
  3. HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRESEA04012 · closed Feb 28, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-005
  4. Brake line corrosion failurePE10010 · closed Jan 5, 2011
    No recall
In owners' words

What Avalanche owners report

Recent service brakes complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

MY 17 YEAR OLD SON WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELLED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP. THE SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. STOPPING DISTANCE WAS INCREASED DRAMATICALLY, BY AT LEAST DOUBLE. IF THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A CURVE OR CAR IN FRONT OF HIM…
Complaint 10855523 · Apr 14, 2016 · 170,000 miles
BRAKE LINE FAILURE: I HAD A RUPTURED STEEL BREAK LINE FAILURE WHILE APPLYING NORMAL BREAKING PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION OF BREAK LINES, I FOUND ALL BREAK LINES WERE RUSTED AND IN DANGER OF ALSO RUPTURE.
Complaint 10747108 · Aug 7, 2015 · 179,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEAR THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WERE RUSTED AND CORRODED, AND BRAKE FLUID HAD LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT…
Complaint 10723547 · Jun 5, 2015 · 150,000 miles

Own a 2003 Avalanche?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.