IllustrationI OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN GOING OUT AT 60,000 MILES, AND NOW THE GAS GAUGE AND TACHOMETER OCCASIONALLY FAIL. I HAVE 123,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE. THE LOCAL DEALER, RYAN CHEVROLET, INFORMED ME THAT GM WOULD HAVE FIXED IT PRIOR TO 72,000 MILES. I FOUND THIS OUT AFTER 85,000 MILES. *TR
2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Avalanche years
Owner complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche are substantially higher than the model-year median of 82.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Avalanche years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
240–25K
3825–50K
2950–75K
1875–100K
23100–150K
8150K+
140 reports with mileage · 25 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
165 reportsTHERE WAS A LOOSE SOUNDING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. UPON MY INVESTIGATION I FOUND OUT THAT MANY GM'S ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO BECAUSE OF THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BEING LOSE I COULD NOT TELL THAT THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS BAD TO THE POINT THE HUB HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS COULD HAVE HAD CATASTROPHIC…
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THERE WAS A LOOSE SOUNDING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. UPON MY INVESTIGATION I FOUND OUT THAT MANY GM'S ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO BECAUSE OF THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BEING LOSE I COULD NOT TELL THAT THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS BAD TO THE POINT THE HUB HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS COULD HAVE HAD CATASTROPHIC RESULTS (FATALITY). UPON TALKING TO VARIOUS EMPLOYEES I WAS TOLD THAT GM HAS HAD A DESIGN PROBLEM AND THAT THEY NOW HAVE CHANGED TO A DIFFERENT SHAFT. MY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND EVEN THE REPAIR ORDER STATES "REPLACE UPPER INT SHAFT WITH NEW STYLE REROAD TEST OK" I THINK IN PUBLIC SAFETY THAT THE NTSB SHOULD LOOK INTO HOW MANY OF THESE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM (GM) AND THE AVERAGE MILEAGE OF NOT ONLY MY MODEL VEHICLE BUT ALL GM'S THAT HAVE THIS TYPE OF STEERING. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
MAY 2006 ELECTRONIC SWITCH REPLACED BECAUSE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WAS ENGAGING WITHOUT BEING ACTIVATED. HAD BEEN TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES WITH PROBLEM AND FINALLY HAD THEM ADMIT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. FEB 2008 FRONT WHEEL DRIVE HAD TO BE REPLACED AS IT WAS A POSSIBILITY THAT IT COULD LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. OUT OF WARRANTY SO I HAD T…
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MAY 2006 ELECTRONIC SWITCH REPLACED BECAUSE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WAS ENGAGING WITHOUT BEING ACTIVATED. HAD BEEN TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES WITH PROBLEM AND FINALLY HAD THEM ADMIT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. FEB 2008 FRONT WHEEL DRIVE HAD TO BE REPLACED AS IT WAS A POSSIBILITY THAT IT COULD LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. OUT OF WARRANTY SO I HAD TO PAY $1,300.00 IN REPAIRS. CONTACTED GM EXEC OFFICES AND THEY INVESTIGATED ONLY TO ADVISE THEY COULD DO NOTHING BECAUSE THE CAR WARRANTY 35,000 MILES HAD EXPIRED AND CAR HAD 65,000 MILES ON IT. I THINK THE FRONT END DRIVE WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE SWITCH FAILED AND IT TOOK TIME FOR IT TO FAIL. *TR
TRANSMISSION OR OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICE FAILED ALLOWING MY 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE TO ROLL BACKWARDS INTO A LAKE. *TR
MY HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM DOES NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. IT HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. IT ADJUSTS ITSELF FROM HOT TO COLD, COLD TO HOT. IT ADJUSTS ITSELF FROM LOW TO HIGH, HIGH TO LOW. OCCASIONALLY WHEN I SHUT OF THE TRUCK AND TAKE THE KEY OUT THE HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM WILL REMAIN ON. I CAN'T DRIVE IN COLD WEATHER PARTIC…
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MY HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM DOES NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. IT HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. IT ADJUSTS ITSELF FROM HOT TO COLD, COLD TO HOT. IT ADJUSTS ITSELF FROM LOW TO HIGH, HIGH TO LOW. OCCASIONALLY WHEN I SHUT OF THE TRUCK AND TAKE THE KEY OUT THE HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM WILL REMAIN ON. I CAN'T DRIVE IN COLD WEATHER PARTICULARLY IN THE MORNING OR WHEN ITS RAINING AFRAID THAT MY DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER WONT WORK BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR
MY 2004 CHEVY AVALANCHE'S SPEEDOMETER HAS BEEN STICKING ON 65 FOR A WEEK NOW. TODAY IT COMPLETELY WENT OUT AND STAYS ON 0 MPH NOW. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I AM GOING TO DO NOW OTHER THAN NOT DRIVE IT UNTIL I CAN AFFORD TO REPAIR IT. EVERY BIT OF RESEARCH I HAVE DONE ON THIS MATTER SHOWS THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE…
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MY 2004 CHEVY AVALANCHE'S SPEEDOMETER HAS BEEN STICKING ON 65 FOR A WEEK NOW. TODAY IT COMPLETELY WENT OUT AND STAYS ON 0 MPH NOW. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I AM GOING TO DO NOW OTHER THAN NOT DRIVE IT UNTIL I CAN AFFORD TO REPAIR IT. EVERY BIT OF RESEARCH I HAVE DONE ON THIS MATTER SHOWS THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I BABY MY TRUCK AND TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF IT. IT HAS 66,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE SPEED CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE WAS NOT REGISTERING ANY SPEED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE FROM CHEVROLET, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. CHEVROLET STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE DUE TO THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE SPEED CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE WAS NOT REGISTERING ANY SPEED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE FROM CHEVROLET, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. CHEVROLET STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE DUE TO THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,104 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE THE SPEEDOMETER READ 0 MPH WHEN TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. ONE INSTANCE WHERE THE SPEEDOMETER READ 120 MPH WHEN TRAVELING AT 65 MPH. ALWAYS OCCURS DURING FIRST TRIP IN MORNING AND THEN SEEMS TO RESET WHEN IT HAS BEEN SHUT-DOWN AND A PERIOD OF TIME HAS PASSED. *JB
2004 CHEVY AVALANCHE 5.3 LITER, 4X4, SPEEDOMETER FIRST STARTED WITH INCORRECT MPH, THEN BEGAN TO STICK ON VARIES SPEEDS, AND FINAL IT WENT TO 120 MPH AND STAYED. *TR
SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT SHOW THE CORRECT MPH. *JB
Official recalls
506V289000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Aug 3, 2006
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN 8.1L V8 (RPO L8-VIN G) ENGINE HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP MAY FRACTURE RESULTING IN INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE DAMPER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE DAMPER COMES LOOSE, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463.
05V163000 · Seat Belts:rear/other
Apr 22, 2005
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 SUGGESTED SEAT BELT FIT/ROUTING FOR ADULTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF SEATING POSITION, IS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TEXT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CUT OPEN THE GUIDE LOOP, REMOVE A PORTION OF THE LOOP, AND THEN THE REMAINING TWO SIDES SHOULD BE FOLDED OVER AND SECURED WITH A RETAINER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.
05V043000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Feb 8, 2005
CERTAIN TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH HYDRO-BOOST BRAKE ASSEMBLIES, THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR MAY CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY DURING NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WERE OPEN, FRAGMENTS FROM THE ACCUMULATOR COULD CAUSE INJURY TO PEOPLE IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA. THE PRESENCE OF THIS CRACK OR FRACTURED SURFACE COULD ALLOW THE HYDRAULIC FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE ACCUMULATOR CIRCUIT OF THE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY. THE LOSS OF FLUID WOULD CAUSE INCREASED STEERING AND BRAKING EFFORT AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY FOR FUNCTIONAL OPERATION OF THE TWO-FUNCTION VALVE. IF THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY FAILS THE TEST, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.
04V129000 · Structure:body:tailgate:hinge And Attachments
Mar 17, 2004
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CABLES. INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 20004. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2004, WHEN REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH OCTOBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR VISIT WWW.MYGMLINK.COM, AND ENTER YOUR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
04V045000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Feb 4, 2004
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA04012 · Hydraulic Pump Failres
Opened Apr 30, 2004 · Closed Feb 28, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System
GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist
GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System
GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.