RoadVitals

2008 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
37
Latest Oct 3, 2020
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Airbags1639.0%
  • Electrical717.1%
  • Interior & seats49.8%
  • Visibility37.3%
  • Engine24.9%
  • Brakes24.9%
  • Body & structure24.9%
  • Driver assistance24.9%
  • Exterior lighting12.4%
  • Powertrain (other)12.4%
  • Tires & wheels12.4%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

16
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

AIRBAG RECALL THAT HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED

NHTSA ID 11362587 · filed Oct 3, 2020

THE DASH IS CRACKED IN THREE SPOTS, OVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, VENT AREA AND AT THE CORNER OF THE AIR BAG.

NHTSA ID 11118797 · filed Aug 9, 2018
All 16 reports naming airbags

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVING 60MPH AND LOST ALL LIGHTS POWER MOTOR EVERYTHING THE VEHICLE CAME BACK ON AND REPEATED THIS OVER AND OVER TILL IT WAS PARKED GM'S SAID MY TRUCK WASN'T COVERED SO I ASKED FOR THE RECALLED PART NUMBER AND WAS RUSHED OFF THE PHONE

NHTSA ID 11207583 · filed May 14, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED AND DECREASED, THE HEADLIGHTS FLASHED INTERMITTENLY, AND THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WITH DIFFERENT WARNING SENSORS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE IN MAY OF 2017 WHEN IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AMPLIFIER FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 39,000.

NHTSA ID 11021484 · filed Sep 5, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DOOR LOCKS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT WORK WITH REMOTE OR WITH VEHICLE IN DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10593168 · filed May 21, 2014

IT IS WELL KNOWN THAT CHEVROLET/GM HAS A MAJOR QUALITY PROBLEM WITH POWERDOOR LOCKS THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MANY YEARS. ONE ONLY NEED TO GOOGLE CHEVY DOOR LOCKS TO GET AN IDEA OF THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM. (SEE HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F206D4B AS AN EXAMPLE). AS A FREQUENT TRANSPORTER OF SMALL CHILDREN IT IS HARD FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE NHTSA DOES NOT CONSIDER THIS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. DOORS LOCK OR UNLOCK WITHOUT WARNING LEAVING SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK OF THESE VEHICLES EITHER EXPOSED TO RISKS OF INADVERTENT OPENING DOORS OR BEING LOCKED INTO VEHICLES AT THE TIME OF POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS WHERE THERE IS NO EASY OR SAFE WAY TO OPEN THE DOORS FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THESE VEHICLES ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO INCREASED RISKS FROM RANGING FROM CAR THEFT TO HIJACKERS TO SIMPLE BURGLARY AS YOU NEVER KNOW WHETHER A DOOR IS LOCKED OR NOT UNLESS YOU GO AROUND AND TRY EACH ONE FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. GENERAL MOTORS HAS CONSISTENTLY REFUSED TO ADDRESS THIS OR IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCT AND WILL NOT DO SO UNTIL THE NHTSA TAKES A PUBLIC STAND ON THE CONTINUED SAFETY RISKS THAT THESE DEFECTIVE DOORLOCKS PRESENT TO ALL WHO RIDE IN THESE VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10503139 · filed Mar 15, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE WINDSHIELD DEFROST SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE/INEFFECTIVE ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I HAVE ACQUAINTANCES THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN ADMITTED TO BY GM. THEIR STATEMENTS, THAT THE SYSTEM IS NORMAL BECAUSE THE OTHER VEHICLES WE CHECKED WERE THE SAME WAY, SAYS IT ALL. WE HAVE BEEN PLACING A BOOK OVER THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE DEFROST EXIT TO HELP CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD. THE AVALANCHE IS A VEHICLE FRAUGHT WITH BLIND SPOTS, SO BEING ABLE TO CLEAR THE RIGHT HALF OF THE WINSHIELD IS MOST IMPORTANT. THE INSTRUCTION I HAVE RECEIVED THROUGH GM, IS THAT, IF I HAVE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, THEY HAVE A DEPARTMENT TO HANDLE IT. I FEEL I HAVE BEEN MORE THAT PATIENT REGARDING THIS MATTER. I HAVE NOT ASKED FOR ANTHING MORE THAN WHAT I SHOULD EXPECT FROM A $50K, OR A $5K VEHICLE, SAFETY! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 10451944 · filed Mar 16, 2012

2008 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE PROBLEM IS THE HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM(RECALL10153) WAS RECALL AND FIX ONE TIME NOW IT'S BEEN RECALL AGAIN AND GM JUST WANTS TO DISABLE THE FEATURE AND GIVE THE CUSTOMERS 100 DOLLARS.THE INITIAL RECALL ((08048) WAS DONE ON NOV 4 2008 AND THE MILEAGE WAS 6,544. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL DEPRECIATE THE VEHICLE VALUE, AND GM IS NOT ASSUMING THE RESPONSIBILITY TO REDESIGN THE PART AND FIXING IT THE PROBLEM THE PROPER WAY. *TR

NHTSA ID 10341560 · filed Jul 6, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES OVER A SPAN OF THREE YEARS WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND THE PROGRAM SENSOR KIT NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE LS VALVE COVER, NUMBER ONE PLUG, CYLINDER HEAD, PISTON RINGS, AND A DEFLECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST WAS PERFORMED OVER A SIX MONTH PERIOD. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WAS FLUSHED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA ID 10870737 · filed May 25, 2016

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. IT THE 5.3L WITH ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. GM KNOWNS THERE IS A PROBLEM AND THE ONLY FIX IS TO REPLACE THE RINGS AND PISTONS OR REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE, 5,000.00 - 8,000.00. SINCE IT'S IT'S A DESIGN FLAW, I FEEL THEY SHOULD FIX IT AT NO COST. IT CONSUMES OVER QUART AND A HALF PER 1000 MILES, BOTH HIGHWAY AND CITY AND AT TIMES 2 QUARTS WITH PULLING HEAVY LOADS. I HAVE DONE A OIL CONSUMPTION TEST WITH THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE ADMITTED IT GOES THROUGH A LOT OF OIL. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED, AND THE DEALER WHO SOLD IT TO ME NEVER MENTIONED THIS TRUCK COULD HAVE THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID 10864069 · filed May 9, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVING 60MPH AND LOST ALL LIGHTS POWER MOTOR EVERYTHING THE VEHICLE CAME BACK ON AND REPEATED THIS OVER AND OVER TILL IT WAS PARKED GM'S SAID MY TRUCK WASN'T COVERED SO I ASKED FOR THE RECALLED PART NUMBER AND WAS RUSHED OFF THE PHONE

NHTSA ID 11207583 · filed May 14, 2019

TAKATA RECALL CRITICAL SAFETY CONCERN. AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND IT NEEDED SERVICE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION, BREAK SENSOR

NHTSA ID 11076698 · filed Mar 7, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

GALVANIC CORROSION BETWEEN DISSIMILAR METAL (ALUMINUM AND STEEL) COMPONENTS IN THE MANUFACTURER'S INSTALLED BED COVER SYSTEM IS CAUSING THE LATCHING MECHANISMS FOR THE BED COVER TO DISINTEGRATE AND CEASE TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED. THE BED COVER PANELS CAN NO LONGER BE RELIABLY LATCHED AND ARE SUBJECT TO BREAKING FREE FROM THE VEHICLE DURING TRANSIT. A BED COVER PANEL THAT DEPARTS THE VEHICLE DUE TO LATCH FAILURE WOULD BE A SUBSTANTIAL ROADWAY HAZARD. THERE IS NO WAY ISOLATE THE DISSIMILAR METALS TO STOP THE CORROSION. *TR

NHTSA ID 10669626 · filed Jan 2, 2015

DOOR LOCKS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT WORK WITH REMOTE OR WITH VEHICLE IN DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10593168 · filed May 21, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TAKATA RECALL CRITICAL SAFETY CONCERN. AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND IT NEEDED SERVICE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION, BREAK SENSOR

NHTSA ID 11076698 · filed Mar 7, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES OVER A SPAN OF THREE YEARS WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND THE PROGRAM SENSOR KIT NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE LS VALVE COVER, NUMBER ONE PLUG, CYLINDER HEAD, PISTON RINGS, AND A DEFLECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST WAS PERFORMED OVER A SIX MONTH PERIOD. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WAS FLUSHED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA ID 10870737 · filed May 25, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVING 60MPH AND LOST ALL LIGHTS POWER MOTOR EVERYTHING THE VEHICLE CAME BACK ON AND REPEATED THIS OVER AND OVER TILL IT WAS PARKED GM'S SAID MY TRUCK WASN'T COVERED SO I ASKED FOR THE RECALLED PART NUMBER AND WAS RUSHED OFF THE PHONE

NHTSA ID 11207583 · filed May 14, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

1-TAKATA RECALL 2- REAR DIFFERENTIAL- I HAD TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AT 153,000 MILES. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THE SAME PROBLEM REPORTED ON DIFFERENT ONLINE FORUMS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. IT COST ME OVER $3,000. IT HAD MANY BROKEN PARTS INSIDE OF IT. IT COULD HAVE LOCKED UP THE REAR WHEELS AND CAUSED A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION. THANK YOU

NHTSA ID 11085007 · filed Apr 13, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

MY NEW TRUCK IS A 2008 I GOT IT ON AUG-31-08. FOR THE FIRST 2 WEEKS IT WAS OK THEN IT START LOSING TIRE PRESSURE ON ALL 4 TIRES I GOT 1300 MILES ON IT. DEALER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG THAT THAT'S HOW TIRES BREATH. I HAD IT CHECK BY GOODYEAR THAT'S WHAT'S ON THE TRUCK AND SAID THE MEGA WHEELS ARE BAD. THE TIRES ARE LOSING 4 TO 5 POUNDS EVERY 2 TO 3 DAYS. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT I DO NOT WANT TO GET HARD OR MY FAMILY. PS HELP! *TR

NHTSA ID 10245858 · filed Oct 18, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .