Known Recalls

Model year record

2003 Chevrolet Avalanche

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 238 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V163000

Seat belts: rear/other

Component
Seat belts: rear/other
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,359,824
Reported to NHTSA
2005-04-22
Owners notified
2005-07-21

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V129000

Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments

Component
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
3,662,211
Reported to NHTSA
2004-03-17
Owners notified
2004-09-18

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V045000

Service brakes, hydraulic

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
68,875
Reported to NHTSA
2004-02-04
Owners notified
2004-06-18

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V019000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
5,734
Reported to NHTSA
2003-01-27
Owners notified
2003-02-20

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VEHICLES, DURING A 30 DEGREE LEFT ANGLE FRONTAL IMPACT OF SUFFICIENT SEVERITY, A TEAR COULD DEVELOP IN THE MID-FRAME CROSS MEMBER AT ITS ATTACHMENT TO THE LEFT FRAME RAIL. IF THE MID-FRAME CROSS MEMBER TEARS DURING FRONTAL IMPACT AND PRODUCES A SHARP EDGE, CONTACT OF THE SHARP EDGE WITH THE FUEL TANK COULD RESULT IN A PUNCTURE OF THE FUEL TANK AND POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKAGE.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL TANK SHIELD. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 20, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes51120,509 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel2067,000 mi
Electrical system1884,430 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1661,000 mi
Air bags1181,416 mi
Vehicle speed control1144,560 mi
Power train: automatic transmission59,000 mi
Suspension59,343 mi
Engine and engine cooling49,000 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)415,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip425,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor447,000 mi
Equipment315,000 mi
Exterior lighting370,000 mi
Steering3113,000 mi
Tires31,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery243,000 mi
Engine2119,400 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights215,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline2105,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2—
Parking brake2—
Power train262,000 mi
Seats2—
Steering: gear box: shaft sector220,000 mi
Structure250 mi
Structure: body222,000 mi
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments28,389 mi
Structure: frame and members2100 mi
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire260,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt241,069 mi
Unknown or other214,500 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls268,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior26,000 mi
Air bags: frontal160,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module145,500 mi
Air bags: side/window1—
Electrical system: horn1—
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module16,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring125,150 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)1110,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline12,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor158,980 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner15,955 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch158,233 mi
Fuel/propulsion system184,900 mi
Interior lighting1—
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Power train: driveline: differential unit134,295 mi
Power train: driveline: universal joint155,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other128,586 mi
Service brakes, electric131,175 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp128,770 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings132,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1115,000 mi
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)144,000 mi
Steering: linkages: drag: power assist system15,955 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: pinion shaft1—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields125,000 mi
Suspension: front1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing148,000 mi
Visibility1886,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1140,000 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer192,980 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer190,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring144,000 mi

The 2002 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.