NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
144 reports64,000 miles · Apr 10, 2015
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT 8 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT 8 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
NHTSA ODI #10704968
117,957 miles · Mar 10, 2015
Engine
THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS BOLTS ARE SNAPPING OFF WHICH IS CAUSING LEAKING AND NOISES (TICKING SOUNDS NEAR DRIVERS SIDE) WHICH CAN BE SMELLED IN THE CABIN AND HEARD IN THE CABIN OF VEHICLE. I BEEN TOLD BY OTHER MECHANICS THAT THIS IS A SEVERE PROBLEM WITH 5.3 LITER AND 6.0 LITER ENGINES MADE BY GM.. THIS REPAIR WILL BE IN THE THOUSA…
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THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS BOLTS ARE SNAPPING OFF WHICH IS CAUSING LEAKING AND NOISES (TICKING SOUNDS NEAR DRIVERS SIDE) WHICH CAN BE SMELLED IN THE CABIN AND HEARD IN THE CABIN OF VEHICLE. I BEEN TOLD BY OTHER MECHANICS THAT THIS IS A SEVERE PROBLEM WITH 5.3 LITER AND 6.0 LITER ENGINES MADE BY GM.. THIS REPAIR WILL BE IN THE THOUSANDS TO FIX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10693390
95,000 miles · Mar 6, 2015
Electrical SystemService Brakes
UPON START UP OF THE TRUCK, THE ABS LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED AND STARTED CHIMING AT ME. EVERYTIME I START THE TRUCK THIS HAPPENS. I HAD MY BRAKES INSPECTED AND THEY WERE FINE. I CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE ABS. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO A MECHANIC THIS LAST WEEK AND HAD IT LOOKED INTO. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVY AVALANCHE AND THEY…
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UPON START UP OF THE TRUCK, THE ABS LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED AND STARTED CHIMING AT ME. EVERYTIME I START THE TRUCK THIS HAPPENS. I HAD MY BRAKES INSPECTED AND THEY WERE FINE. I CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE ABS. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO A MECHANIC THIS LAST WEEK AND HAD IT LOOKED INTO. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVY AVALANCHE AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS A PART FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT IT IS ON INDEFINITE BACKORDER. WHAT AND HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN? THE ABS SYSTEM IS THROWING FAULT CODES STOPPING IT FROM WORKING PROPERLY BUT THERE IS NOT A PART TO REPLACE IT. PER CHEVY! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10692628
116,000 miles · Feb 27, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE LOW COOLANT AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE LOW COOLANT AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.
NHTSA ODI #10691021
154,211 miles · Feb 3, 2015
Service Brakes
I WAS GETTING IN MY TRUCK TO GO SHOPPING AND AFTER DRIVING FOR A SHORT DISTANCE I NOTICE MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR CAUSING ME TO HEAD INTO TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSING A ACCIDENT. WHEN I GOT THE TRUCK HOME I NOTICE DRIPPING OF BRAKE FLUID ON DRIVER SIDE DOOR. FURTHER CHECKING I DISCOVER MY BRAKE LINES IS RUSTING AND CAUSE A M…
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I WAS GETTING IN MY TRUCK TO GO SHOPPING AND AFTER DRIVING FOR A SHORT DISTANCE I NOTICE MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR CAUSING ME TO HEAD INTO TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSING A ACCIDENT. WHEN I GOT THE TRUCK HOME I NOTICE DRIPPING OF BRAKE FLUID ON DRIVER SIDE DOOR. FURTHER CHECKING I DISCOVER MY BRAKE LINES IS RUSTING AND CAUSE A MAJOR LEAKS UNDERNEATH MY TRUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10681038
82,000 miles · Jan 14, 2015
Service Brakes
AFTER APPLYING PRESSURE TO BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS TO THE FLOOR. ONCE THE TRUCK COASTED TO A STOP, WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FOUND BRAKE FLUID LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK. WE HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED ALL METAL BRAKE LINES THAT LEFT U…
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AFTER APPLYING PRESSURE TO BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS TO THE FLOOR. ONCE THE TRUCK COASTED TO A STOP, WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FOUND BRAKE FLUID LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK. WE HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED ALL METAL BRAKE LINES THAT LEFT US WITH A BILL OF OVER $2,000 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THE ENTIRE TRUCK IS IN BEAUTIFUL CONDITION AND RUST FREE EXCEPT FOR THE FAULTY BRAKE LINES! GM SHOULD RECALL THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10672600
39,245 miles · Dec 19, 2014
Service Brakes
I JUST PICKED UP SOME MULCH FOR AROUND MY HOUSE WITH MY 8 YEAR OLD SON AND I GOT HOME AND I WAS BACKING UP TO UNLOAD THE MULCH AND WHEN I WENT TO HIT THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKES LIGHT CAME ON, LUCKILY I WASN'T DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENED. THE MECHANIC SAID THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED OUT, THA…
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I JUST PICKED UP SOME MULCH FOR AROUND MY HOUSE WITH MY 8 YEAR OLD SON AND I GOT HOME AND I WAS BACKING UP TO UNLOAD THE MULCH AND WHEN I WENT TO HIT THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKES LIGHT CAME ON, LUCKILY I WASN'T DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENED. THE MECHANIC SAID THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED OUT, THAT SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING ON A 5 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH ONLY 39,000 MILES ON IT.. IT ALSO HAPPENED A SECOND TIME NOT LONG AFTER THAT, I CANT REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE ON THAT ONE EITHER. THERE HAS BEEN LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE : HEATING ,BRAKES SENSOR, WHEEL BEARINGS, E BRAKE PROBLEMS,FUEL PUMP ROT, WATER PUMP, RUSTED UNDER CARRIAGE, O2 SENSOR, MULTIPLE BRAKE AND ROTOR REPLACEMENTS [4], NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN AND FRONT END, GAUGE CLUSTER REPLACEMENT, WINDSHIELD FLUID RESERVOIR LEAKS,POWER WINDOW MOTORS, DOME OVERRIDE LIGHT, DEAD BATTERY PROBLEMS, I WENT THRU 4 BATTERIES IN 5 YEARS, IT JUST KEPT GOING DEAD IF I DIDN'T USE THE VEHICLE FOR A COUPLE DAYS. I ONLY HAVE 72,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE NOW AS OF 12/19/2014. LOTS OF PROBLEMS FOR A $ 50,000 TRUCK. ILL NEVER BUY A CHEVY AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10667235
56,000 miles · Nov 25, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY SPEED WOULD NOT GO OVER 35MPH. I DID NOT NOTICE THIS BEFOREHAND BECAUSE THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 35MPH UP UNTIL I NEEDED TO ACCELERATE TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I NOTICED THAT NO MATTER WHAT I DID, OR HOW FAST I WAS GOING, THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT READ ABOVE 35MPH. NEEDLESS TO SAY T…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY SPEED WOULD NOT GO OVER 35MPH. I DID NOT NOTICE THIS BEFOREHAND BECAUSE THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 35MPH UP UNTIL I NEEDED TO ACCELERATE TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I NOTICED THAT NO MATTER WHAT I DID, OR HOW FAST I WAS GOING, THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT READ ABOVE 35MPH. NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT THIS MADE MY TRIP TO THE AIRPORT RATHER STRESSFUL AS I HAD NO IDEA HOW FAST I WAS GOING. I COULD ONLY PACE WITH OTHER CARS AND HOPED THEY WEREN'T GOING TOO FAST. I HAVE READ THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE AVALANCHE WITH NOT JUST THE SPEEDOMETER BUT ALSO THE REST OF THE GAUGES ON THE CLUSTER. IT WOULD BE REALLY NICE IF GM/CHEVROLET WOULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND MAKE A RECALL FOR IT. EVER SINCE THIS INCIDENT, IT'S BEEN RANDOMLY BREAKING. IF I STOP AND RESTART THE VEHICLE, SOMETIMES IT WORKS AS NORMAL. HOWEVER SOMETIMES I'M JUST NOT SURE AND THIS LACK OF TRUST WITH THE GAUGES COULD END UP BEING A SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10660983
112,400 miles · Oct 21, 2014
Service Brakes
APPLIED BRAKES AND BRAKE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR. I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT .GOT OUT OF VEHICLE AND SAW THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND HAD RUPTURED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10649058
85,000 miles · Jul 24, 2014
Service Brakes
ON THE ABOVE LISTED DATE AT APPROXIMATELY 0730 HOURS, I WAS RUNNING ERRANDS AFTER GETTING OFF WORK AND BEFORE RETURNING HOME. I STARTED TO DRIVE DOWN A SLOPED ROAD APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT A FOUR WAY INTERSECTION. THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED RED AS I WAS APPROACHING IT AND I APPLIED THE BRAKES WHILE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH. UPON …
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ON THE ABOVE LISTED DATE AT APPROXIMATELY 0730 HOURS, I WAS RUNNING ERRANDS AFTER GETTING OFF WORK AND BEFORE RETURNING HOME. I STARTED TO DRIVE DOWN A SLOPED ROAD APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT A FOUR WAY INTERSECTION. THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED RED AS I WAS APPROACHING IT AND I APPLIED THE BRAKES WHILE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH. UPON APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR WITH ZERO FUNCTIONING OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE BRAKE LIGHT THEN ILLUMINATED AND A NOTIFICATION CAME ACROSS TO "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM". I DOWN SHIFTED DOWN FROM "D" TO "3-2-1", ALL THE WHILE PUMPING THE BRAKES. IT WASN'T UNTIL I REACHED AROUND 5 MPH THAT IT SEEMED THAT THE BRAKES HAD ANY AFFECT, AND I CAME TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. SINCE I WAS ROUGHLY A MILE FROM MY HOUSE AT THIS POINT I LIMPED MY TRUCK HOME, MOSTLY USING GEARING "2" AND "1". I PARKED THE TRUCK, ENTERED MY HOUSE AND INFORMED MY WIFE AS TO WHAT HAPPENED. THEN I RETURNED TO THE TRUCK TO FIND A PUDDLE OF FLUID UNDER AND AROUND THE DRIVERS DOOR. I CHECKED THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR AND IT WAS COMPLETELY DRAINED AT THIS POINT. THERE IS NO DOUBT IF SOMEONE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN FRONT OF ME OR COMING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AT THE TIME THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED I WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. AT NO TIME PRIOR TO THIS HAVE I HAD ANY INDICATION OF THE BRAKES GOING BAD, IE: BRAKE WARNING LIGHT OR ABS, SOFT BRAKE PEDAL OR FLUID LOSS. IT SEEMS AS IF THIS HAPPENED ALL AT ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A MECHANICS GARAGE LATER ON THAT DAY TO BE REPAIRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10616161