Chevrolet / Avalanche 1500 / 2003
2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 problems
Owners have filed 213 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 39.9% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of service brakes at 13.1%.
Complaints213
Crashes9
Fires3
Injuries4
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 39.9% · 85
Service brakes 13.1% · 28
Service brakes, hydraulic 12.2% · 26
Air bags 5.6% · 12
Vehicle speed control 5.2% · 11
Steering 4.2% · 9
Structure 3.8% · 8
Unknown or other 3.3% · 7
Severity
Of those complaints, 9 describe a crash, 3 describe a fire and 4 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 5 model years of the Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 in this data, 2003 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 9 in the last three years against 13 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 90,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Just driving my truck to work and the speedometer just quit working now when driving you never know how fast you are going it might stop at 50mph and the next time you drive it will start from there I have not yet had this serviced as I feel this is a major safety issue, and apparently it is a well known problem with chevy's but they will not stand behind it. I have even gotten a speeding ticket over this . Electrical system · reported at 66,000 miles
The rpm gauge and speedometer is constantly malfunctioning on my 2003 avalanche. So that I don't know how many rpms I'm turning or how fast I'm going. We had the same problem at work with all of our 2003 and 2004 cheverolet pick-ups. They were all fixed by the cheverolet dealership where they were purchased because they were all purchased there, but since I am an individual I can't get any service! Electrical system
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. While driving approximately 55 mph, the contact noticed the entire instrument panel and gauges failed to operate. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated the instrument panel cluster would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000... Updated 08-07-12 Electrical system · reported at 200,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…