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 reports
89,000 miles · Sep 22, 2014
Service Brakes
WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN LOCALLY, THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED WHILE TRYING TO STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO EVENTUALLY STOP THE TRUCK BY APPLYING EXTREME PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I PULLED THE TRUCK OVER SAFELY & NOTICED BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND UNDER THE DRIVER'S DOOR. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INSPE…
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WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN LOCALLY, THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED WHILE TRYING TO STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO EVENTUALLY STOP THE TRUCK BY APPLYING EXTREME PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I PULLED THE TRUCK OVER SAFELY & NOTICED BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND UNDER THE DRIVER'S DOOR. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE BRAKING SYSTEM. ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES UNDER THE DRIVER'S DOOR WERE SEVERELY RUSTED ALONG WITH THE ONE LINE THAT HAD FAILED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10638048
127,000 miles · Sep 21, 2014
Service Brakes
I USE MY AVALANCHE ONLY IN THE SUMMER TO TOW A SMALL TRAILER IN MY COMMUNITY. I USED IT IN THE WINTERS FROM 2004-2008. I WAS BACKING THE TRUCK UP AND APPLIED MY BRAKES AND SMELLED SMOKE AND MY BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON. I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND IT WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. I GOT DOWN UNDER THE TRUCK TO GET A BETTER LOOK AND NOTICED…
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I USE MY AVALANCHE ONLY IN THE SUMMER TO TOW A SMALL TRAILER IN MY COMMUNITY. I USED IT IN THE WINTERS FROM 2004-2008. I WAS BACKING THE TRUCK UP AND APPLIED MY BRAKES AND SMELLED SMOKE AND MY BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON. I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND IT WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. I GOT DOWN UNDER THE TRUCK TO GET A BETTER LOOK AND NOTICED THE BRAKE LINE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING ALL THE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. MY WIFE DROVE THE TRUCK TO THE GROCERY STORE THAT MORNING AND I AM SO THANKFUL THIS HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE FINE ONE MINUTE AND IT ONLY TOOK A SECOND FOR THE FLUID TO COME OUT. IN SECONDS I DID NOT HAVE ANY BRAKES. THIS IS THE FIRST TRUCK I HAVE OWNED AND I AM SHOCKED THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD HAPPEN. BRAKE LINES SHOULD BE MUCH STRONGER THAN WHAT I HAVE ON THE TRUCK. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU CHECK ON A REGULAR BASIS. I DON'T USE THIS TRUCK FOR OFF ROAD, PLOWING, DRIVING IN THE SNOW. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A STRONG VEHICLE THAT COST ME $44,000 IN 2004. I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ON THE ROAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10637803
102,000 miles · Aug 28, 2014
Electrical SystemVisibility
I WAS ISSUED A RECALL A FEW YEARS BACK SPECIFIC TO MY VEHICLE ABOUT A BLOWER MOTOR OPERATION MALFUNCTION. IT STATED THAT SETTINGS ON THE BLOWER MOTOR MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN I TURN ON THE AIR OR HEAT I HAVE SETTINGS FOR 5 BLOWER MOTOR OPTIONS. ALL THE SETTINGS 1-4 WORK JUST FINE, SETTING 5 DOES NOT WORK A…
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I WAS ISSUED A RECALL A FEW YEARS BACK SPECIFIC TO MY VEHICLE ABOUT A BLOWER MOTOR OPERATION MALFUNCTION. IT STATED THAT SETTINGS ON THE BLOWER MOTOR MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN I TURN ON THE AIR OR HEAT I HAVE SETTINGS FOR 5 BLOWER MOTOR OPTIONS. ALL THE SETTINGS 1-4 WORK JUST FINE, SETTING 5 DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. WHEN I SET HVAC TO SETTING 5 NO AIR BLOWS OUT. I HAVE SINCE THEN MISPLACED THAT RECALL NOTICE. IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THIS RECALL CAN YOU PLEASE GET IN CONTACT WITH ME THANK YOU *TR
NHTSA ODI #10629010
Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2014
Electrical System
MY TRUCKS SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER DOES NOT WORK AND WONT WORK. ITS STAYS AT 0 MPH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10628496
199,000 miles · Aug 26, 2014
Service BrakesCrash
DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON I 95 SOUTH ON THE WAY TO VACATION, BRAKES FAILED WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN. I REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. HAD TRUCK IN SHOP FOR WEEK AND FOUND SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH LINES AND 2 LEAKS. I HEARD THAT THERE IS A KNOWN METAL DEFECT WITH 2001-2004 BRAKE LINES. I CAN'T FIND ANY RECALL INFORMATION. *T…
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DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON I 95 SOUTH ON THE WAY TO VACATION, BRAKES FAILED WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN. I REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. HAD TRUCK IN SHOP FOR WEEK AND FOUND SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH LINES AND 2 LEAKS. I HEARD THAT THERE IS A KNOWN METAL DEFECT WITH 2001-2004 BRAKE LINES. I CAN'T FIND ANY RECALL INFORMATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10628325
143,219 miles · Jul 30, 2014
Service Brakes
WHILE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKES TO STOP AT THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE BRAKE PEDAL IMMEDIATELY WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR WITH THE ALARM THEN COMING ON IN THE VEHICLE TO SERVICE BRAKES. THERE WAS NO RESISTANCE OR STOPPING POWER TO THE BRAKES. USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED B…
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WHILE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKES TO STOP AT THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE BRAKE PEDAL IMMEDIATELY WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR WITH THE ALARM THEN COMING ON IN THE VEHICLE TO SERVICE BRAKES. THERE WAS NO RESISTANCE OR STOPPING POWER TO THE BRAKES. USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BEFORE IT WENT ACROSS THE STREET INTO THE DITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS BACKED UP INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND A PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID WAS FOUND UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AREA OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE METAL HIGH PRESSURE BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED AND RUPTURED LEAKING BRAKE FLUID CAUSING THE FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10617647
70,000 miles · Jul 28, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER AND RPM GAUGES DID NOT DISPLAY THE CORRECT INFORMATION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,0…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER AND RPM GAUGES DID NOT DISPLAY THE CORRECT INFORMATION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 12/01/14*LJ UPDATED 5/7/2015 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10616894
135,000 miles · Jul 23, 2014
Service Brakes
REAR BRAKE LIKES BLEW OUT DUE TO CORROSION. BRAKE LINES CORRODE AT EACH POINT THAT THEY ARE FASTENED TO THE VEHICLE. NO OTHER MAJOR CORROSION ON THE VEHICLE. FRONT BRAKE LINES ALSO CORRODED BUT NOT YET TO THE POINT OF FAILURE. STOPPING THE TRUCK WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10615585
171,914 miles · Jul 1, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
STARTED SMELLING A STRONG ODOR OF GAS AFTER FILLING UP. I CHECKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND SAW GAS THAT SEEM TO BE COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK AND DRIPPING OFF THE BOTTOM OF THE GAS TANK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10607413
245,783 miles · May 13, 2014
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULB AND FUSES BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 245,783.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
1
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
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.
2004 Chevrolet Avalanche Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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