IllustrationGAS GAUGE NOT WORKING ALWAYS SHOWING EMTY SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING CORRECTLY SENSOR LIGHT KEEPS COMMING ON AND OFF. *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 reportsSECOND CHEVY 04 THAT TRANSMISSION WENT IN MY FIRST WAS A TAHOE NOW MY AVALANCHE! ALL THIS MONEY INTO VEHICLES AND THEY DON'T LAST 50,000 MILES OR WITH MY TRUCK 75,000 WHAT IS WRONG WITH CHEVY TRANSMISSIONS? WE TRADED TAHOE IN FOR A SUBARU AND MY NEXT TRUCK WILL NOT BE A CHEVY EVEN THOUGH I HAVE ALOT OF MONEY ON MY GM CREDIT CARD…
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SECOND CHEVY 04 THAT TRANSMISSION WENT IN MY FIRST WAS A TAHOE NOW MY AVALANCHE! ALL THIS MONEY INTO VEHICLES AND THEY DON'T LAST 50,000 MILES OR WITH MY TRUCK 75,000 WHAT IS WRONG WITH CHEVY TRANSMISSIONS? WE TRADED TAHOE IN FOR A SUBARU AND MY NEXT TRUCK WILL NOT BE A CHEVY EVEN THOUGH I HAVE ALOT OF MONEY ON MY GM CREDIT CARD TOWARDS A NEW VEHICLE! *TR
DRIVING NORTH ON 95 AT 70 MPH ..NOTICED TACH WAS A 6000 RPM'S.AND SPEED WAS 0 MPH ...PULLED OVER SHUT DOWN TRUCK...RESTARTED ..SAME RESULTS...TRUCKED SEEMED 2 RUN FINE...SO PROCEEDED HOME ...WITH NO SPEEDOMETER...AND A TACH STUCK AT 6000...GOOGLED TROUBLE SHOOTING...AVALANCHE...AND HERE I AM ...RECALL SITE ...I LOVE THIS TRUCK..…
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DRIVING NORTH ON 95 AT 70 MPH ..NOTICED TACH WAS A 6000 RPM'S.AND SPEED WAS 0 MPH ...PULLED OVER SHUT DOWN TRUCK...RESTARTED ..SAME RESULTS...TRUCKED SEEMED 2 RUN FINE...SO PROCEEDED HOME ...WITH NO SPEEDOMETER...AND A TACH STUCK AT 6000...GOOGLED TROUBLE SHOOTING...AVALANCHE...AND HERE I AM ...RECALL SITE ...I LOVE THIS TRUCK...CAN U FIX IT 4 ME.....[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING AT ALL READS OVER 120 MPH EVEN WHEN TURNED OFF. ALL WINDOWS GET STUCK WHEN TRYING TO CLOSE THEM. *TR
VEHICLE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 73,500 MILES. VEHICLE JUST STOPPED IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROX 45 MILES PER HOUR. SUBSEQUENT REBUILD BY MECHANIC REVEALED THAT GM HAD INSTALLED INCORRECT VALVE BODY GASKETS IN THE TRANSMISSION, LIKELY CONTRIBUTING TO THE PREMATURE FAILURE. *TR
REAR ENDED A SUV AT 40 MPH WITHOUT BREAKING AND THE AIR BAGSA DID NOT DEPLOY. *TT
REAR METAL BRAKE LINE BURST WHILE MANEUVERING IN PARKING LOT, LOSING REAR SERVICE BRAKES. BRAKE FLUID WAS GUSHING FROM BURST LINE ONTO GROUND. A QUICK EXAMINATION REVEALED BURST BRAKE LINE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. VEHICLE PASSED STATE INSPECTION AND 27 POINT SAFETY INSPECTION PERFORMED BY GM DEALER THIS PAST JULY. DURING TH…
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REAR METAL BRAKE LINE BURST WHILE MANEUVERING IN PARKING LOT, LOSING REAR SERVICE BRAKES. BRAKE FLUID WAS GUSHING FROM BURST LINE ONTO GROUND. A QUICK EXAMINATION REVEALED BURST BRAKE LINE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. VEHICLE PASSED STATE INSPECTION AND 27 POINT SAFETY INSPECTION PERFORMED BY GM DEALER THIS PAST JULY. DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST, I TOWED MY SON'S DISABLED VEHICLE BACK FROM CENTRAL PA.(140 MILES). WITH THE TOW DOLLY AND HIS CAR - I WAS PULLING CLOSE TO 4000 POUNDS. CAN YOU IMAGINE IF THIS LINE BURST ON INTERSTATE 80 AT 55 MPH? WHEN DOES THIS HORROR END? THIS VEHICLE HAS PREVIOUSLY ENCOUNTERED SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO METAL BRAKE LINES RUSTING TO THE POINT OF SUDDEN FAILURE. SEE NHTSA ODI NUMBER: 10268917. ADDITIONAL DETAIL AND PICTURES REGARDING RUSTING BRAKE LINES ON MY VEHICLES CAN BE SEEN AT: HTTP://SITES.GOOGLE.COM/SITE/GMBADBRAKES/. *TR
FIRST THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING, THEN THE TACHOMETER STOPPED WORKING AND THE LATEST IS THE FUEL GAUGE. *TR
MY 2004 MODEL AT 70 MPH THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL ACT LIKE A BASKETBALL AFTER HITTING A HOLE, I CROSS THE LANE INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC, OR THE LEFT LANE ON AN INTERSTATE ETC. THERE IS NO CONTROL UNTIL I SLOW DOWN. THE DEALER SHIP HERE SAYS THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF IT BEFORE. SO I ASK - WHAT DID THEY DO TO MY 2000 MODEL WHEN IT DID…
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MY 2004 MODEL AT 70 MPH THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL ACT LIKE A BASKETBALL AFTER HITTING A HOLE, I CROSS THE LANE INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC, OR THE LEFT LANE ON AN INTERSTATE ETC. THERE IS NO CONTROL UNTIL I SLOW DOWN. THE DEALER SHIP HERE SAYS THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF IT BEFORE. SO I ASK - WHAT DID THEY DO TO MY 2000 MODEL WHEN IT DID THE SAME THING 4 YEARS AGO ? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS PROVIDING INACCURATE READINGS. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR CONSTANTLY AND THE READINGS WOULD FLUCTUATE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE ACCURATE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS PROVIDING INACCURATE READINGS. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR CONSTANTLY AND THE READINGS WOULD FLUCTUATE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE ACCURATE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
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.