2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 204
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 4
- Top problem
- Service brakes
Campaigns on file for 2003
Opened by NHTSA
39% of complaints
Complaints per year
2003: 204 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 444 |
| 2003 | 204 |
| 2004 | 165 |
| 2005 | 71 |
| 2006 | 11 |
| 2007 | 377 |
| 2008 | 258 |
| 2009 | 76 |
| 2010 | 111 |
| 2011 | 127 |
| 2012 | 36 |
| 2013 | 82 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Service brakes
39% · 79 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and electric.
Show complaint excerpts
My son was driving home from ice fishing , on a hilly and curvy road when the brakes failed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2015-01-17
Driving went to stop didn't have any brakes I replace all the brake lines and replace bumper lights cost about 4, 000.00 the ABS went out which is not fix.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-06-04
Electrical system
21% · 43 reportsMost commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and 12v/24v/48v battery.
Air bags
7% · 14 reportsMost commonly citing side/window and sensor/control module.
Power train
7% · 14 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and transfer case (4-wheel drive).
Show complaint excerpts
On December 12, 2003 vehicle stalled in the middle of an intersection, resulting in a crash that could have been fatal. Consumer stated, this vehicle had been seven to eight times at dealer with engine and transmission problems.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-12-15
Also filed under Engine and engine cooling
Vehicle speed control
5% · 11 reportsSafety timeline
6 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2003Complaint volume 204 complaints filed for this model year.
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2003-02-20Fuel system, gasoline03V019000 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…
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…
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2004-02-19Engineering analysisClosed 2004-09-28 Tailgate cable breakage
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2004-04-30Engineering analysisClosed 2005-02-28 Hydraulic pump failres
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2004-06-18Service brakes, hydraulic04V045000 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…
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…
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2004-09-18Structure04V129000 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…
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…
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2005-07-21Seat belts05V163000 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…
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…
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2005-12-20Defect petitionClosed 2006-05-31 Parking brake failure
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2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E043000 Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n G3727, with date codes X52911 through X60801 sequentially or X600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing…
Remedy: Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on October 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (Option 1).
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2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
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2010-03-30Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-01-05 Brake line corrosion failure
Buy-smart checklist
2003 Chevrolet Avalanche — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Service brakes: 79 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 43 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 14 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 03V019000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 04V045000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 04V129000 · Structure
- Recall 05V163000 · Seat belts
- Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche?
- The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 39% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche have?
- 6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.