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 reports

Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2006

Seat Belts

NO INJURIES, THE PASSENGER SHOULDER SEAT BELT OF THE 2004 AVALANCHE CATCHES AND STAYS TIGHT UNTIL YOU COMPLETELY RELEASE THE SEAT BELT. HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES AND CONTINUES TO DO SO. WANT TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10152065

60,100 miles · Feb 24, 2006

Fuel System, Gasoline

Read full complaint

2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE DESIGNED WITHOUT INLINE FUEL FILTER, ONLY A FILTER MADE INTO THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY INSIDE THE TANK. ACCORDING TO GM AND ALL DATA REPAIR MANUALS, THIS FILTER IS A NON-SERVICEABLE ITEM INTENDED TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. AT APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES, VEHICLE MIL INDICATOR CAME ON, DIAGNOSED AS MISFIRE CONDITION. VEHICLE STUTTERED UNDER BOTH IDLE AND ACCELERATION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT SEDIMENT FROM THE FUEL TANK HAD CONTAMINATED THE FUEL INJECTORS AND ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. CLAIM FOR REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY WAS DENIED, EVEN THOUGH NON-SERVICEABLE LIFETIME PART ALLOWED CONTAMINATION INTO THE SYSTEM. VERY POORLY DESIGNED FUEL FILTRATION SYSTEM WITH THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE STALLING UNDER ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10151156

39,000 miles · Jan 19, 2006

Electrical System

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE SPEED TO DECREASE TO 30 MPH. THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED TEN TIMES, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SIX OCCASIONS FOR INSPECTION OF THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY TWICE, BUT THE PROBLEM P…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10148098

4,000 miles · Dec 30, 2005

Air Bags

Read full complaint

DT: CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT AIR BAG SYSTEM PROBLEM. SINCE VEHICLE WAS NEWLY PURCHASED THE AIR BAG DASH LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY WENT ON AND OFF. AT ALLAN GREEN CHEVROLET SALES DEALER THEY TRIED TO CORRECT THE DEFECT THREE TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CAMINO REAL CHEVROLET, AND THEY COULD NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM EITHER IN TWO ATTEMPTS. CONTACT DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A THIRD DEALER, OSAMA CHEVROLET, THIS ONE TRIED FOUR TIMES, AND THE AIR BAGS LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON AND OFF. THE ROAD CONDITIONS AT EVERY INCIDENT HAVE BEEN NORMAL. CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE HE HAD NO CONFIDENCE THAT THE AIR BAGS SYSTEM WILL WORK IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT . *AK UPDATED 02/07/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10146585

8,000 miles · Dec 22, 2005

Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN SETTING AT IDLE, THERE'S VIBRATION, ROUGH IDLE, AND SLIGHT ENGINE SURGE. VIBRATION CAN BE FELT IN STEERING WHEEL, BRAKE PEDAL, AND IN SEAT. DEALER RESPONSE: ENGINE NOT MISFIRING AND FUEL MIXTURE IS CORRECT. NO CLUES FOUND. ENGINE IS RUNNING NORMAL AT THIS TIME. CONCERN NOT VERIFIED. NO REPAIR ATTEMPTED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10145897

Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2005

Vehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE SURGES WHEN GOING DOWNHILL AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL. TOOK TO DEALER - RESPONSE: THIS IS A NORMAL CONDITION. NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10145891

9,000 miles · Nov 9, 2005

Fuel System, GasolineStructure

Read full complaint

DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE WOULD TAKE VERY LITTLE FUEL AT A TIME AND SHUT THE PUMP OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER LINE. HOWEVER, PROBLEM RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TAKE FUEL AT ALL , IT LEAKED FUEL ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN . WHEN DRIVING IN EXCESS OF 55 MPH THE HOOD VIBRATED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10142304

Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2005

Engine And Engine Cooling

Read full complaint

CONSUMER 2004 AVALANCHE SOMETIMES WILL NOT START AND STALLS WHILE DRIVING. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *TS THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM BUT FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONSUMER'S WIFE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS, LOSING THE POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING. ON ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS TURNING INTO AN INTERSECTION WITH A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF TIME AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN, NEARLY CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10142173

3,500 miles · Oct 26, 2005

Power TrainSteering

DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT RACK AND PINION STEERING PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE CLANGED WHILE CHANGING GEARS. WHEN PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND DRIVING BETWEEN 60 - 70 MPH HE COULD HEAR A WHINING SOUND. WHEN HE RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE NOISE STOPPED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DRIVESHAFT BUT, TH…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10140841

Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2005

Air Bags

Read full complaint

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH AIR BAGS EVER SINCE LAST YEAR. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED EVERY TIME HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT AND LATER THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HIM THAT THEY PUT SENSOR ON, AND DONE SOMETHING TO THE WIRING, AND EVERY TIME THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON SINCE AUGUST 9, 2004. FROM THE TIME THAT THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE WAS ABOUT THREE WEEKS AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. *AK EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER THEY REPLACED THE AIR BAG MODULE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10136803

Official recalls

06V289000 · 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

EA04012 · 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

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System