2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 Body & structure Problems
Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Aug 26, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 182 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2
What this page shows
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming body or structure
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
Body & structure
Filed Aug 26, 2025
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.
NHTSA ID
11683105
Incident
Jul 26, 2025
Mileage
91,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 15, 2018
CLADDING ON MY 2003 HAS TURNED GREY AND UGLY. THERE IS NOTHING USED THAT WILL RENEW IT BACK TO ORIGINAL LOOK. WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM????
NHTSA ID
11129693
Incident
Jun 21, 2005
Body & structure
Filed Nov 16, 2016
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED ABOVE THE SPEEDOMETER. I HAVE 56000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I OWNED A 2008 MODEL AND HAD SAME ISSUE. I THOUGHT THIS WAS ADDRESSED AND FIXED ON NEWER MODELS. I'M TOLD IT'LL COST ME $1500 TO FIX. IF THEY AREN'T GOING TO MAKE THIS GOOD I'M SWITCHING OVER TO TOYOTAS. THIS VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR DAYS WHEN I WENT TO USE IT NOTICED THE CRACK. VERY DISSAPPOINTED!
NHTSA ID
10926521
Incident
Nov 16, 2016
Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 11, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported
I WAS DRIVING WEST ON PETERS RD IN MIDDLEFIELD WHEN I HIT A PATCH OF BLACK ICE PUTTING THE TRUCK INTO A SKID WHICH PUT ME IN THE DITCH I HIT A MAILBOX AND A CULVERT (DRAIN PIPE) HEAD ON TEARING UP THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE AVALANCHE IT HIT RIGHT ON THE SENSORS BUT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. *TR
NHTSA ID
10693585
Incident
Jan 5, 2015
Mileage
172,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesDriver assistance
Filed Mar 20, 2013
Crash reported
THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A 2-WAY STOP. UPON TURNING RIGHT, MY FOOT WENT FROM THE BRAKE TO THE GAS PEDAL AND GOT HOOKED ON A PIECE OF METAL EXTENDING FROM THE ARM OF THE ACCELERATOR. THIS CAUSED MY FOOT TO BE TRAPPED BELOW THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT ATTACHED TO THE GAS PEDAL. THE VEHICLE SPUN BACK AND FORTH WHILE TRYING TO GET MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR. I HIT A TRUCK COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION FROM WHICH I WAS TURNING PINNING IT TO THE GUARD RAIL. ALTHOUGH BOTH TRUCKS HAD STOPPED, THE TIRES ON MY TRUCK WERE STILL SPINNING BECAUSE MY FOOT WAS STILL HOOKED ON THE ACCELERATOR AND WEDGE BELOW THE BRAKE PEDAL. ONLY AFTER I TURNED THE KEY OFF COULD I PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK. IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF MY TRUCK I HAD TO UNLACE MY SHOE AND PULL MY FOOT OUT, THEN PRY IT OFF THE SIDE OF THE ACCELERATOR, LEAVING A HOLE IN THE SIDE OF MY SHOE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10503759
Incident
Sep 26, 2012
Mileage
114,916 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 2, 2010
Fire reported1 injury reported
SPEEDOMETERGAUGE STOOP WORKING ALONG WITH THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE TAILGATE CAUSED A ONE [XXX] TO RUPTURE THE TENDANTS IN HIS LEFT KNEE DUE TO THE MALFUNCTIONING OF THE CABLE STRAPS THAT HOLD THE TAILGATE. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”
NHTSA ID
10323554
Incident
Dec 12, 2009
Mileage
109,097 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 27, 2008
THE PLASTIC CLADDING ON MY 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE TURNED FROM ITS ORIGINAL BLACK TO A CHALKY COLOR WITH STREAKING. THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY, ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE TRUCK WAS EXPOSED TO NORMAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN ALABAMA AND TENNESSEE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10243599
Incident
Oct 1, 2005
Mileage
36,000 mi
Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 1, 2006
PURCHASED A USED 2003 CHEVY AVALANCHE AT A DEALERSHIP IN FEB 2006 UPON SERVICING THE VEHICLE TWO MONTHS LATER WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR HAD EXTENSIVE UNDER CARRIAGE RUST. THIS CAR ORIGINATED IN MICHIGAN BUT I AM WONDERING IF IT WAS A KATRINA VEHICLE DURING AUCTION? RECENTLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH U-JOINTS WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED. GM MECHANIC SAYS THE RUST IS EXTENSIVE AND CAUSED THIS PROBLEM IT WILL NEED A LUBE KIT TO RE-LUBE ALL THE MECHANICS UNDER THE TRUCK. NONE OF THIS UNDER CARRIAGE BODY RUST WAS DISCLOSED TO US UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN FACT THE DEALER TOLD US HE ONLY GETS THE BEST USED VEHICLES. THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING COLUMN WHICH MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL - THE MECHANIC AT THE GM DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM. *NM
NHTSA ID
10158780
Incident
May 1, 2006
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own