Model year record

2004 Chevrolet Avalanche

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 202 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 06V289000

Engine and engine cooling

Component: Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 38,439
Reported to NHTSA: 2006-08-03
Owners notified: 2006-08-31

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THE DAMPER COMES LOOSE, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

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 05V043000

Service brakes, hydraulic

Component: Service brakes, hydraulic
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 77,411
Reported to NHTSA: 2005-02-08
Owners notified: 2005-03-23

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

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.

Owner complaints

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

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	31	48,500 mi
Electrical system	29	56,300 mi
Service brakes	25	91,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	10	69,124 mi
Air bags	7	34,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	6	30,000 mi
Power train	5	75,000 mi
Steering	5	29,981 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	4	9,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	4	40,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	3	1,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	3	2,210 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	3	145,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	3	41,675 mi
Steering: column	3	61,700 mi
Suspension	3	1,000 mi
Unknown or other	3	92,207 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer	3	19,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	2	4,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	2	—
Exterior lighting: headlights	2	160 mi
Structure: body: tailgate	2	13,985 mi
Suspension: front	2	—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system	2	69,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls	2	50,000 mi
Wheels	2	92,207 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	1	42,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	1	80,000 mi
Engine	1	136,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	1	23,965 mi
Exterior lighting: fog lights	1	160 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights	1	160 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery	1	60,100 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	1	9,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system	1	91,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	1	23,965 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch	1	700 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter	1	119,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly	1	65,000 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft	1	3,500 mi
Seat belts: front	1	—
Seat belts: rear/other	1	800 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor	1	17,825 mi
Service brakes, air: supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	125,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: fluid	1	41,675 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	1	28,767 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	38,916 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder	1	71,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly	1	34,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion	1	3,500 mi
Structure	1	—
Structure: body	1	91,000 mi
Structure: body: hood	1	1,518 mi
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments	1	9,000 mi
Structure: frame and members	1	500 mi
Suspension: front: hub	1	110,745 mi
Suspension: rear	1	—
Tires: tread/belt	1	3,600 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	1	—
Visibility	1	—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring	1	38,420 mi
Wheels: rim	1	17,825 mi

The 2003 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2005 model has 2 times as many 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.