2003 Chevrolet Avalanche electrical problems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA complaint #10837117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

IT STARTED WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT, BUT NOBODY WILL OWN UP TO FIXING IT, AS WE MOVED FROM PA TO FL. THEN THE BRAKE LINES WENT, ALL OF THEM, NOW WITH THE AIRBAG ISSUE THE PCM IS SENDING ALL KINDS OF STUPID CODES LIKE THE AIRBAG ISSUE IS AFFECTING THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE TRUCK.

NHTSA complaint #10679203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE A 2003 AVALANCHE AND I'VE NOTICE THAT OTHER CHEVY AVALANCHE HAS THE SAME RUST ON THE SAME PLACE IT SEEM THAT THE BACK QUARTER PANEL IS DEFECTIVE AND THE SPEEDOMETER TOO

NHTSA complaint #10661665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH THE TRUCK JUST SHUT DOWN. EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL IT. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT. IT WAS FINE BUT DID IT AGAIN WHEN I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. IT CONTINUED TO DO IT BUT THEN JUST STOPPED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON ALL THE TIME WHEN I ACCELERATE UP A HILL. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ARE DIM. EVERYTHING ON THE MIRROR COMES AND GOES. IT WILL GO MONTHS WITHOUT WORKING AND THEN COMES BACK ON. THE SUSPENSION IS TERRIBLE. FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO SHAKE THE WHEELS COMPLETELY OFF THE TRUCK WHEN I HIT EVEN A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD. I'VE ALMOST LOST CONTROL SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO IT SHAKING SO HARD. LATCH ON THE TAILGATE BROKE OFF AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ROTOR ON BACK COMPLETELY BROKE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10629240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

MY SPEEDO AND FUEL GAUGE EITHER DO NOT WORK OR PEG OUT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE FOR MY Z71 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE AND CHEVROLET IS SAYING THAT THEY PUT A LIMIT ON THE YEAR AND MILEAGE. IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN IT WAS A RECALL I WOULD HAVE TAKEN IN MY VEHICLE TO HAVE IT FIXED FOR FREE. CHEVROLET IS SAYING I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS.... THIS IS NOT RIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #10493064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS READING INACCURATELY AND HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH GAS WAS ACTUALLY IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,494 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10399250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE INSTRUMENTAL CLUSTER GEAR LIGHT INDICATOR FAILED AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO SEE WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE WAS IN. THE MANUFACTURER HAD A VOLUNTARY RECALL WHICH INCLUDED A LIMITED WARRANTY UP TO 70,000 MILES; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS. THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE WARRANTY MILEAGE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 83,600. UPDATED 10/01/2010*LJ UPDATED 10/05/10.

NHTSA complaint #10344070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

THE SPEEDOMETER QUITS WORKING WHILE DRIVING OR STOPS WORKING ALL TOGETHER.

NHTSA complaint #10336320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH; HOWEVER, THE SPEEDOMETER READING WAS 100 MPH. THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS. THE ODOMETER CONTINUED TO INCREASE THE MILEAGE TRAVELED BY ONE MILE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT A SERVICE LETTER WAS MAILED TO HIM PRIOR TO THE FAILURE REGARDING THE ODOMETER AND A REPAIR WAS ALSO PERFORMED; THEREFORE, THEY VEHICLE COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL FREE REMEDIES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 11/16/10.

NHTSA complaint #10326431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY SPEEDOMETER IN MY 2003 AVALANCHE RANDOMLY STARTED GOING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN WORKING AND NOT WORKING. NOW IT ISN'T WORKING AT ALL. I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACED, WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS I HAVE READ ABOUT, THIS IS SOMETHING CHEVY SHOULD FIX AT NO COST.

NHTSA complaint #10285688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

HAD TO REPLACE CLUSTER TWO TIMES FOR THE GAUGES. NOW I AM IN FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A MONTH FOR THE 4X4....CHEVY HAS HAD MY VEHICLE MORE THEN I HAVE......

NHTSA complaint #10261408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

I HAVE REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER 4 TIMES. 2 TIMES IN 2006 AND 2 TIMES IN 2008, BECAUSE THE NEW ONES PUT IN WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CUSTOMER SHOULD IN NO WAY HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THIS WAS ON A 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE.

NHTSA complaint #10251739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

SPEEDOMOTER WILL NOT WORK, THEN STICK AND THEN NOT WORK.

NHTSA complaint #10247559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE STARTED GOING HAYWIRE. SOME DAYS IT WORKS AND SOME IT DOESN'T. WHEN IT ISN'T WORKING IT WILL SAY I AM DOING ANY WHERE FROM 30 TO 120 WHEN I AM NOT MOVING. THIS IS A GENUINE SAFETY HAZARD AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL DONE ASAP. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND TO SEE IF THE VEHICLE QUALIFIES. I HAVE READ MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10246037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

SPEED ODOMETER HAS NOT WORKED FOR 3 OUT OF THE 6 YEARS I HAD THE TRUCK, 2003 CHEVY AVALANCHE.

NHTSA complaint #10242419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

MY SPEEDOMETER, OIL GAUGE,GAS GAUGE HAS STOPPED WORKING IN THE DASH APPROXIMATELY 9 MOTHS AGO AND WE HAVE CONTACTED OUR LOCAL GM RETAILER AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A CLUSTER THAT WAS THE PROBLEM BY MY PERSONAL MECHANIC AND THAT IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. I DO NOT THINK THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I HAVE SEVERAL FRIEND THAT HAVE A CHEVROLET WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I PAID ALOT OF MONEY FOR THIS VEHICLE AND I THINK THAT GM SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM THAT WE DID NOT KNOW WE WERE PURCHASING IN THE FIRST PLACE.

NHTSA complaint #10232274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING CORRECTLY ON MY 2003 CHEVY AVALANCHE. RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM SAYING THEY WOULD REPLACE THE CLUSTER ON VEHICLES UNDER 75,000 MILES. MY VEHICLE HAD 90,000. THIS ISSUE IS BEING EXPERIENCED BY A LARGE AMOUNT OF OWNERS AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA complaint #10227444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SPEEDOMETER FAILURE- READ ANYWHERE FROM 20 -80 MPH WHILE AT REST THEN WOULD MOVE BACK DOWN TO 0 AFTER STARTING THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES (DROPPING 5-10 MPH PER START) NOW IT IS PEGGED AT OVER 120 MPH AND WILL NOT MOVE.

NHTSA complaint #10225784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

GENERAL MOTORS MAILED ME A NOTICE ADVISING THAT MY VEHICLE (2003 AVALANCHE WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN OCT 2003) "COULD DEVELOP A CONDITION WHERE ONE OR MORE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGE NEEDLES MAY STICK, FLUTTER, OR BECOME INOPERATIVE." IT WAS ADDITIONALLY NOTED THAT "THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INACCURATE READINGS, INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER AND THE FUEL GAUGE." REMEDY OF REPLACEMENT WAS OFFERED FOR VEHICLES WITHIN 7 YEARS OF ORIGINAL DATE PLACED IN SERVICE OR 70,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. MY VEHICLE EXHIBITS THIS PROBLEM IN SPEEDOMETER. MY VEHICLE HAS OVER 80,000 MILES AND IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE REPAIR OFFER. THE CONDITION IN MINE IS EXHIBITED WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW 45-50 DEGREES (TYPICALLY IN WINTER), AND BEGAN LAST WINTER. I ASSOCIATED IT WITH THE WEATHER AND DIDN'T THINK TOO MUCH ABOUT IT. HOWEVER, NOW THAT I KNOW IT IS A DEFECT, I BELIEVE GM SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT IN ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. I BELIEVE IT CAN BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE - NO SPEEDOMETER - NO FUEL GAUGE READING, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARE WORKING PROPERLY SOMETIMES AND AT OTHERS NOT AT ALL OR INACCURATELY.

NHTSA complaint #10214952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

IT JUST BEGAN ABOUT A MONTH AGO. THE SPEEDOMETER WAS REGISTERING THE WRONG SPEED AND NOW IT DOES NOT MOVE AT ALL. HUGE SAFETY ISSUE! I AM AN MP AND HOW CAN I EXPECT OTHERS TO FOLLOW THE LAWS WHEN I CAN NOT EVEN TELL HOW FAST I AM GOING?

NHTSA complaint #10213844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

SPEEDOMETER BROKEN. CAN READ ANYWHERE BETWEEN 40 AND 120 MPH WHEN STOPPED. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT SPEED I AM GOING. THIS SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS AND SOMETHING THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD FIX.

NHTSA complaint #10209837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

FAILURE OF MY SPEEDOMETER TO WORK PROPERLY ON MY 2003 CHEVY AVALANCHE.

NHTSA complaint #10208760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

THE ACCESSORY LIGHTS ON MY STEERING WHEEL THAT OPERATE RADIO VOLUME, SOUCE, ON-STAR, ETC ARE NOT ALL WORKING. I WAS TOLD AT BRADSHAW CHEVROLET THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO REPAIR ALOT OF THESE AND WOULD NOT BE INCLUDED AS RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND YOU CAN'T SEE AT NIGHT WHICH BUTTON TO SELECT. ALSO NOW THE LIGHT FOR MY MILEAGE AND ENGINE OPERATION HAS FADED OUT UNTIL I CAN BARELY READ IT.

NHTSA complaint #10205720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

MY SPEEDOMETER STARTED REPORTING ERRORS IN SPEED AND NOW SHOWS 60 MPH WHEN PARKED AND IMMEDIATELY GOES OFF SCALE WHEN DRIVEN AT ANY SPEED ABOVE 30 MPH.

NHTSA complaint #10197780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY ALL THE TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10195914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT BAD AT 42,000 MILES. AFTER READING SOME OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, HOW DO I KNOW IF MY SPEEDOMETER IS WORKING RIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #10192289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2003 Z71 AVALANCHE WORKS ERRATICALLY OR NOT AT ALL. A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHO I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON SPEEDOMETER (INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS) FOR MY TYPE OF VEHICLE AND THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE CLUSTER AS PART OF "GOODWILL" BY GM BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT BEEN INSTRUCTED TO DO SO. THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE FACT THAT MANY AVALANCHES AND OTHER GM SUVS HAVE IDENTICAL PROBLEMS (USUALLY A BAD STEPPER MOTOR IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER). COST TO REPLACE CLUSTER IS ABOUT $350-$400 INCLUDING LABOR. GIVEN THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE AND HOW WIDESPREAD IT IS, I THINK THE NHTSA ENGINEERS SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND PERHAPS TELL GM THEY NEED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES BEFORE ACCIDENTS OCCUR. I HAVE TO ESTIMATE MY SPEEDS ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 58000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE TALKED WITH MY CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY SAID THIS IS BECOMING VERY COMMON. GM SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL TO GET THIS FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #10186528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

SPEEDOMETER STARTED READING INACCURATE SPEEDS. LATELY IT READS 55 MPH WHEN AT A STOP AND PEGS OUT AT AROUND 60 MPH. REPLACEMENT RANGES FROM $220 FOR "DO IT YOURSELF" KIT WITH OLD PART NEEDING TO BE RETURNED FOR CORE CHARGE TO $650 AND UP FROM THE DEALER. STILL HAVEN'T FIXED PROBLEM. PART IS STILL IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10178762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2003 Z71 AVALANCHE WORKS ERRATICALLY OR NOT AT ALL. A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHO I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON SPEEDOMETER (INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS) FOR MY TYPE OF VEHICLE AND THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE CLUSTER AS PART OF "GOODWILL" BY GM BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT BEEN INSTRUCTED TO DO SO. THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE FACT THAT MANY AVALANCHES AND OTHER GM SUVS HAVE IDENTICAL PROBLEMS (USUALLY A BAD STEPPER MOTOR IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER). COST TO REPLACE CLUSTER IS ABOUT $350-$400 INCLUDING LABOR. GIVEN THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE AND HOW WIDESPREAD IT IS, I THINK THE NHTSA ENGINEERS SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND PERHAPS TELL GM THEY NEED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES BEFORE ACCIDENTS OCCUR. I HAVE TO ESTIMATE MY SPEEDS ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 58000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE READ REPORTS WHERE SPEEDOMETER FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED WITHIN 10,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10178421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

SPEEDOMETER STICKING ON 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500 4WD,NOTHING LEADS UP TO IT JUST DRIVING AND IT STICKS AT A CERTAIN SPEED WONT CORRECT ITSELF,TO CORRECT IT YOU HAVE TO UNHOOK BATTERY CABLES AND THEN IT IS OK FOR A WHILE UNTIL IT STICKS AGAIN,THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER 4 TIMES NOW HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A RECALL TO FIX PROBLEM. THIS CAN NOT BE CAUSED BY BAD DRIVING BY OWNER OR IMPROPER MAINTENANCE,THIS IS SOMETHING ELECTRONIC.

NHTSA complaint #10175698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.