29 of the
2,473 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Avalanche
are about the lighting —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2002.
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and oil warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the speedometer, the 4-wheel drive function, parking brake, and headlights failed to operate as needed. The instrument panel light failed to illuminate, the gear shifter did not display the selected gear, the sub-frame was corroded, and the wheel hub bearing assembly was fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.
NHTSA complaint #11451861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT ONE OF MY DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS IS BURNED OUT. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO INSPECT THE LIGHTS BECAUSE THEY ONLY COME ON IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT IN PARK. I CALLED DEALER TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS ANY WAY TO HAVE THEM COME ON WITHOUT THE TRANSMISSION IN GEAR. THE DEALER SAID TO SET THE PARKING BRAKE, PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN GEAR, AND GET OUT TO LOOK AT THE LIGHTS (OR HAVE A SECOND PERSON LOOK AT THEM, WHICH IS NOT PRACTICAL FOR ME). THIS SOUNDS LIKE A DANGEROUS PRACTICE. THERE SHOULD BE A BETTER WAY TO DO THIS. MY OLD 2007 AVALANCHE WOULD HAVE THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS ON WHEN IN PARK.
NHTSA complaint #11317492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
3RD BRAKE LIGHT HOLDING WATER (CONDENSATION) INSIDE. REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY 5 TIMES. VEHICLE NOT GARAGED (SITS OUTDOORS ALL THE TIME) STILL LEAKS, NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANY LONGER. FIRST REPAIR 18 SEPT 2014, SECOND REPAIR 25 NOV 2014, THIRD REPLACEMENT MAY 15, 2015, FOURTH REPLACEMENT JULY 15 2015, FIFTH DEC 3 2015
NHTSA complaint #11297885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRYING TO GET INSPECTION WAS TOLD SEALED THIRD BRAKE LIGHT HAS WATER IN LIGHT CAUSING FAILURE OF LIGHT TO FUNCTION AS REQUIRED BY LAW. HOW DOES A SEALED LED LIGHT GET WATER IN IT. COST WILL EXCEED WELL OVER $700.00. FOR A PART THAT WILL FAIL AGAIN AFTER SEEING OTHER COMPLAINTS. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE! I HAVE VA STATE POLICE REJECTION STICKER ABOUT 3RD LIGHT FAILURE
NHTSA complaint #11098083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER DOES NOT LIGHT UP. CANNOT TELL WHAT GEAR I AM SHIFTING IN AND OUT OF. THE DIC BUTTONS ON MY STEERING WHEEL DO NOT LIGHT UP, CANNOT TELL IF I HAVE A MALFUNCTION WHEN DRIVING DURING THE DARK. I DID CHECK FOR A RECALL ON THIS AND SAW THAT THERE WAS AN OLDER ONE ISSUED IN 2005 AND THAT IT CLOSED IN 2011. I WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALLS BUT NONE THE LESS I FEEL THAT WITH BOTH COMPONENTS FAILING AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY CAN CAUSE A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WHEN IN OPERATION (DRIVING)
NHTSA complaint #10806367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULB AND FUSES BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 245,783.
NHTSA complaint #10588037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
COMMUTING TO WORK APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES AWAY FROM HOME, TRAVELING IN THE DARK AT 7 AM, I FLIPPED MY HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON AND SUDDENLY ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTION WENT OUT OF THE AUTOMOBILE (NO HEADLIGHTS OR ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTATION). THIS LASTED FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 TO 2 SECONDS AND SUDDENLY AND ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS WAS RESTORED. THINGS AFTER THAT SEEMED OK, BUT ABOUT 6 MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE ENGINE "SERVICE STABILIZER CONTROL LIGHT APPEARS" . I TRAVELED ANOTHER 11 MILES TO PLAINVILLE, AND WHEN I ARRIVED THE "STABILIZER CONTROL LIGHT WENT OUT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC THEM TO EVALUATE IT. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS AND TWO DIAGNOSTIC TESTS ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTION REFLECT NORMAL. THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE ISOLATED OR DUPLICATED. I CONTACT GENERAL MOTORS YESTERDAY, TO REPORT THE SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT AND HOW CRITICAL THIS IS AND I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED AT THAT SPEED DRIVING IN THE DARK. I ALSO ASKED THEM IF THEY HAVE HAD SIMILAR REPORTINGS OF THIS OCCURRENCE AND RECEIVED A MIXED RESPONSE. THERE RESPONSE WAS BUREAUCRATIC, TAKE IT TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. I SAID NO. I AM NOT PAYING ANOTHER $150.00 TELL ME WE CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM. I KEPT STRESSING THERE IS A PROBLEM "VEHICLES SUDDENLY DO NOT JUST DROPPED OFF ALL ELECTRICAL POWER AND FUNCTION AND MAGICALLY JUST COME BACK ON". THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR ANY VEHICLE TO HAPPEN. I ALSO INFORMED THEM AS A COURTESY I WOULD SPEAK TO THEM (GENERAL MOTORS) FIRST BEFORE I CONTACT THIS AGENCY. I ALSO TRIED TO EMPHASIZE TO THEM, PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE A DIRECT LINE OF COMMUNICATION TO THE CORPORATION TO REPORT SAFETY AND LIFE THREATENING ISSUES DIRECTLY. THE NATURE OF THE RESPONSE IS BASICALLY WE DON'T DO ANYTHING UNLESS WE RECEIVE INFORMATION FROM GM SERVICE DEPARTMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10565072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT PERSONALLY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT CONTROL SWITCH HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,862. UPDATED 12/26/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHAT HE SAW INSIDE THE SWITCH, WAS OLD BURNT CLEAR PLASTIC MELTED DOWN, HALF OF THE SWITCH WAS WORKING AND THE OTHER HALF WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY. UPDATED 12/31/13
NHTSA complaint #10546399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS COULD NOT BE ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 03/15/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE EMERGENCY AND HAZARD LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH CONNECTOR WAS THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 03/20/13
NHTSA complaint #10490180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IPCW INPROCARWEAR.COM FROM CALIFORNIA-USA. I PURCHASED TAIL LIGHTS FOR MY TRUCK FROM THIS WEBSITE, THE LIGHTS STARTED ON FIRE AND ALMOST BURNED MY TRUCK DOWN. I PURCHASED A SECOND SET THINKING THE FIRST WHERE FAULTY AND THE SECOND SET ALSO FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY AND HAVE ELECTRICAL ARC MARKS INSIDE. I AM NOT THE ONLY COMPLAINT WITH THIS BRAND OF LIGHTS ON THE INTERNET. I NOTICED SMOKE AND BURNING SMELL WHEN I GOT HOME THANK GOD I WASN'T RUNNING TO A GROCERY STORE AND LEFT KIDS IN THE TRUCK WHEN THE FIRST SET OF TAIL LIGHTS I PURCHASED STARTED ON FIRE. HOW CAN THIS PRODUCT BE ALLOWED WHEN THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET.
NHTSA complaint #10409970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 2003 AVALANCHE WITH APPROX.113000 MILES. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING IN A MINI SHOPPING CENTER I WENT TO TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ON ME. I COULD NOT MOVE MY STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. I THEN PUT MY TRUCK IN PARK AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND CRANKED IT BACK UP AND MY STEERING WHEEL IMMEDIATELY UNLOCKED. ON THAT FRIDAY WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 264E COMING OF EXIT MY STEERING LOCKED AGAIN. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO VEHICLE BEHIND ME, AND I WAS ABLE TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL. ON BOTH OCCASIONS I WAS DRIVING AT TWO DIFFERENT SPEEDS. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP. IS THERE A RECALL IN THE WORKS? THIS IS SO DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #10368825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBLE FELL OFF MY VEHICLE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED- THE HOUSING BOLTS HAD BROKEN OFF - I WAS INFORMED THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. 1 YEAR AND 3 MONTHS LATER I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH IT HAD BEEN REPLACED ALREADY AT MY EXPENSE SINCE IT WAS OVER A YEAR I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT AGAIN. HOW CAN THE SAME THING HAPPEN? THIS IS DANGEROUS AS THE LAMP AND HOUSING FELL OUT AND WERE DANGLING ON MY VEHICLE WITH A SMALL WIRE AS I DROVE, UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM UNTIL I HAD STOPPED.
NHTSA complaint #10184494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBLE FELL OFF MY VEHICLE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED- THE HOUSING BOLTS HAD BROKEN OFF - I WAS INFORMED THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. 1 YEAR AND 3 MONTHS LATER I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH IT HAD BEEN REPLACED ALREADY AT MY EXPENSE SINCE IT WAS OVER A YEAR I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT AGAIN. HOW CAN THE SAME THING HAPPEN? THIS IS DANGEROUS AS THE LAMP AND HOUSING FELL OUT AND WERE DANGLING ON MY VEHICLE WITH A SMALL WIRE AS I DROVE, UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM UNTIL I HAD STOPPED.
NHTSA complaint #10184494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PICK A PROBLEM. PIN FROM TRANSMISSION GEARS WERE TOO SHORT FROM THE MANUFACTURER, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. THIS REPAIR WAS DONE AT 8000 MILES. 4 QUARTS. LOW ON OIL WITHIN MONTH OF CHANGING. NO LEAKS AND NO EXPLANATION FROM THE DEALER AS TO WHERE THE OIL WENT. A/C FUNCTIONED IMPROPERLY AFTER TRUCK SURGED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. STILL NO EXPLANATION. REMOTE ENTRY WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO. INTERIOR LIGHTS PULSE WHEN TRUCK IDILING. HEATER MOTOR FUNCTIONS ACCORDING TO SPEED OF VEHICLE, SLOW WHEN BRAKING AND SPEEDS UP WHEN ACCELERATING. DRIVERS POWER WINDOW STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND STARTED WORKING THE EVENING BEFORE TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. POPPING NOISE FROM EXHAUST JUST AFTER STARTING AND SHUTTING OFF. FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHILE RUNNING I CONTINUOUSLY HEAR COOLING FLUIDS FLOWING. SOMETIMES THE HORN DOES NOT FUNCTION WHILE THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. BRAKING HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM DAY ONE. ALWAYS FEELS AS THERE ISN'T ENOUGH BRAKE PRESSURE TO STOP IN A NORMAL DISTANCE. ALONG WITH THE REMOTE ENTRY NOT WORKING THE PERSONAL PRESETS FOR DRIVER 1 MOST OF THE TIME DO NOT OPERATE WITH THE REMOTE ENTRY. I HAVE TO SELECT DRIVER 1 FROM THE INTERIOR TO ENGAGE SETTINGS. BED PLASTICS ARE FADING. BUTTONS FOR RADIO ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND RADIO ARE FLAKING.
NHTSA complaint #10148793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FOG LAMP CONDENSATION --- I DID NOT NOTICE THAT MY 2002 AVALANCHE WAS SUBJECT TO WATER BUILD UP IN THE FOG LAMPS UNTIL IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I DRILLED A 1/8" HOLE WITH A HIGH SPEED BIT IN THE LOWEST PART OF THE PLASTIC LENSE. NOW, ALTHOUGH CONDENSATION STILL ACCUMULATES ON THE LENSE IT WILL EVENTUALLY RUN DOWN THE LENSE AND OUT THE BOTTOM HOLE. I WAS ALWAYS AFRAID TO TURN THEM ON WITH THE BULBS BEING SUBMERGED IN WATER.
NHTSA complaint #10125995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I'M HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY TURN SIGNALS AS HAS BEEN LISTED IN THE RECALL OF 305,729 SUV LISTING THE 2003-2004 GMC ENVOY, OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA & ISUZU ASCENDER. BUT MINE IS NOT LISTED. I HAVE A 2003 AVALANCHE. I FEEL SOMEONE MIGHT WANT TO CHECK THE FULL SIZE SUV'S AND TRUCKS.
NHTSA complaint #10120824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT SEAT BACK MOVED ON ITS OWN. THE DRIVER TRIED TO MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT WITH SEAT, BUT IT FAILED TO ADJUST PROPERLY. THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS, AND THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED DRIVER THAT THE SEAT WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. *AK THE LEFT FRONT SEAT BACK COVER BOLTS WERE LOOSE AT THE FRAME. *SC THE FOG LIGHTS CONTAINED CONDENSATION.
NHTSA complaint #10115185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
"ELECTRICAL POWER SURGE" IS WHAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLED IT. BLOWS HEAD AND FOG LIGHTS ON A REGULAR BASIC. I HAVE REPLACED THEM 6 TIMES IN 2 YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #10107531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.