Model year record

2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 recalls & problems

The 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 has 2 safety recalls and 182 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (85 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints182filed by owners

Crashes · fires5 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

WheelsDec 17, 2007

Hub

Recall 07E106000130,000 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
Risk: WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

Fuel system, gasolineMay 19, 2006

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 06E04300088,303 vehicles

Problem: 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 MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: 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).

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Avalanche 1500 2WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

Avalanche 1500 2WD FFV

14mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

Avalanche 1500 4WD FFV

14mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

Avalanche 1500 AWD FFV

14mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

Avalanche 1500 4WD

13mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel

Avalanche 1500 AWD

13mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel	85	0	1	0	85,000 mi
Service brakes	28	1	0	0	126,311 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	26	2	1	0	83,000 mi
Air bags	12	1	0	0	78,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	11	1	0	0	101,300 mi
SteeringLinkages	9	1	0	1	60,000 mi
StructureBody; Frame and members	8	2	1	2	109,097 mi
Unknown or other	7	0	0	0	112,500 mi
SuspensionFront › Wheel bearing	4	1	0	1	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer › Switch/wiring; Windshield wiper/washer	4	0	0	0	54,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission	4	0	0	0	108,282 mi
Tires	3	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Structure › Frame and members
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was on a lift at an independent mechanic, the independent mechanic found rust on the subframe. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was a private sale. The contact had purchased the vehicle two months prior to finding the rust. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to replace the muffler. The contact was informed that the subframe was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.
Jul 26, 2025 · 91,000 miles
Electrical system
SERVICE LIGHT DOSE NOT COME ON WHEN MY TRUCK WON'T NOT STARTED UP UNTIL I GOT IT TOWED
May 13, 2018
Electrical system
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE AND THE CLUSTER IS OUT I DO NOT KNOW WHAT MODEL THIS IS OTHER THAN A Z66 SO I CANNOT SEE ON HOW TO PROGRAM MY PHONE AT TO THE ONSTAR OR ANY OF THAT I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE SATELLITE RADIO THERE IS NO AUXILIARY PLUG IN HEATED SEATS IT'S ONLY THE BACK OF THE SEAT THAT WORKS I'M NOT SURE IF THAT'S ALL THAT IS HEATED AND IT SAYS THAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE COME WITH A KEY FOB I DID NOT RECEIVE MY CAR COMPLETELY DIES I HAVE TO TURN IT COMPLETELY OFF TURN THE KEY AROUND AND STARTED AGAIN THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN LOOKS LIKE IT HAS BEEN REPLACED I DID NOT RECEIVE THE KEY FOB I CANNOT LOCK THE DOORS BECAUSE THE KEYS DON'T WORK IN THE DOOR BUT THEY DO AN IGNITION SOMETIMES I HAVE…
Jan 5, 2021
Electrical system
I AM A NEW OWNER OF A 2003 AVALANCHE, I WAS SATISFIED WITH MY PURCHASE BUT MY SOONROOF FALLS UNDER THE APPROPRIATE SERIAL NUMBERS (6,000,000-6,300,000) RECALL STATES THAT IT MAY BE COVERED BY THE COMPANY WEBASTO HOLLANDIA. VEHICLE IS FINE TO DRIVE PLACES BUT SUNROOF MUST BE FIXED FOR COMING WINTER. IT WORRIES ME AS THERE'S A SLIGHT DANGER OF IT CAUSING A ROAD HAZARD IF IT WERE TO FALL OUT.
Dec 12, 2020 · 150,000 miles
Service brakes
BRAKES WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING, TWO DIFFERENT TIMES. ON A HIGHWAY STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT.
Jul 6, 2016 · 90,000 miles
Steering
I CAN HEAR A CLUNKING OR RATTLING NOISE IN MY STEERING WHEEL. I CAN ALSO FEEL IT IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING.
Mar 8, 2019 · 121,000 miles
Power train
THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION, THE CLIP THAT HOLDS THE TRANSMISSION LINE TO THE RADIATOR BREAKS ALLOWING THE LINE TO COME OFF RESULTING IN ALL TRANSMISSION FLUID BEING LOST AND RESULTING IN DESTROYING TRANSMISSION
Oct 1, 2018 · 22,500 miles
Air bagsCrash
MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AS I SLID INTO A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS IN NUMBER TO NUMBER TRAFFIC AND I TRIED CHANGING LANES. MY FRONT LEFT BUMPER TAPPED HIS REAR RIGHT BUMPER. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS SCRATCHED.
Jan 7, 2016 · 180,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Brake line corrosion failureClosed
On January 11, 2011, ODI opened EA11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 General Motors (GM) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the United States that NHTSA has viewed as salt states for investigations of corrosion related issues:Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin.The subject vehicles represent the first five MY's of GM's GMT800 platform production, of which approximately 2,038,504 vehicles were sold in salt states (the subject vehicles).The GMT800 platform includes the following vehicles:1999-2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and…
EA11001 · opened Jan 5, 2011 · closed Apr 8, 2015