RoadVitals

2004 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
10
Latest Nov 26, 2015
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and fuel system categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 362 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes777.8%
  • Electrical111.1%
  • Fuel system111.1%

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

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: 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).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 10
Brakes
Filed Nov 26, 2015

BRAKE LINE FAILURE. I WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE ABS ACTIVATED AND I WAS NOT SLOWING. THERE WAS NO CROSS TRAFFIC SO I LUCKILY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT. THE BRAKE LINE FAILED DUE TO RUST. BRAKING ABILITY WITH ONLY THE REAR BRAKES ACTIVE WAS VIRTUALLY NONEXISTENT AND THERE WAS NO WARNINGS ON THE DISPLAY. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE PREVIOUS INVESTIGATION INTO GM BRAKE LINES WAS DISMISSED.

NHTSA ID
10807079
Incident
Nov 21, 2015
Mileage
68,000 mi
Filed Sep 24, 2015

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH THE A/C ON SUDDENLY THE DRIVERS SIDE STARTS BLOWING HOT AIR WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE IS STILL BLOWING COLD AIR. IF I PUT THE AVALANCHE INTO NEUTRAL TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND RE START THE ENGINE IT WILL SUDDENLY START BLOWING COLD AIR AGAIN - IT IS HAPPENING QUITE A BIT MORE FREQUENTLY AND I HAVE READ ON SOME AVALANCHE FORUMS OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE AS WELL. WHEN ITS 100+ DEGREES OUTSIDE THE AIR NEEDS TO WORK THE HEATER I CAN DO WITHOUT DURING THIS TIME.

NHTSA ID
10776042
Incident
May 5, 2014
Mileage
240,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 23, 2010

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) BRAKE FAILURE CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2500 VIN [XXX] , MODEL YEAR 2004 DUE TO CORROSION AS DESCRIBED BY GROSSMAN CHEVROLET SERVICE MANAGER BRENT TURCHI ( ROTTED AND LEAKING BRAKE LINE ) - OWNER [XXX] BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR - MR. TURCHI ADVISED THAT BRAKE LINE FROM MASTER CYLINDER TO ABS MODULE ROTTED AND LEAKING - EVENT HAPPENED AT UNDER 50,000 MILES SINCE LINE IS BUNDLED WITH ALL OTHER FRONT LINES IT WAS NECESSARY TO REPLACE 2 LINES FROM MASTER TO BAS, LINE FROM FRONT ABS TO LEFT FRONT AND FROM ABS TO RIGHT FRONT , BLEED AND REPLACE FLUID $608.28 CHARGE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10331849
Incident
Aug 26, 2009
Mileage
49,999 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 8, 2010
Crash reported

I FILED A COMPLAINT LAST WEEK, AND READ WHAT WAS WRITTEN TODAY. THE INFO THAT WAS PUT IN YOUR SYSTEM IS INCORRECT, THE ODI NUMBER IS 10305220 THE VECHICE DOES NOT STOP SHORT, IT TAKES ALOT LONGER TO STOP, AS THE BRAKES FAIL DURING ANTI LOCK FAILURES ALSO, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DO TO NOT STOPPING PROPERLY.

NHTSA ID
10307397
Incident
Jan 25, 2010
Mileage
15,800 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 4, 2010
Crash reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES GOES OFF WHEN THE SURFACE IS DRY. VEHICLE IS STOPPING SHORT BEFORE IT SHOULD STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND STATED THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES BUT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALLS AND CONTACT HAS TO PAY FOR THE EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,800. UPDATED 03/04/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. UPDATED 06/14/10.*JB

NHTSA ID
10305220
Incident
Jan 20, 2010
Mileage
15,800 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 21, 2010

WHEN COMING TO A STOP ON CLEAN DRY PAVEMENT, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES BEGIN PULSATING, TRIPLING YOUR STOPPING DISTANCE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10301707
Incident
Jan 17, 2010
Mileage
15,800 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 9, 2009

ANTILOCK BRAKES ARE ENGAGING DURING STOPS ON DRY ROADS. CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10286883
Incident
Oct 1, 2009
Mileage
61,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 3, 2008

POOR BREAKING AT 8500 MILES. DEALER TURNED FRONT ROTORS. POOR BREAKING AGAIN AT 9500 MILES, DEALER REPLACED REAR PADS AND ROTORS. BREAKING ALMOST CAUSED SERIOUS ACCIDENT, AS STOPPING DISTANCE WAS ABOUT 3 TIMES NORMAL. GM WOULD NOT COVER 2ND REPAIR. FRONT PADS WERE STILL GOOD, AND TRUCK DRIVEN GENTLY ABOUT 200 MILES PER MONTH. I BELIEVE INFERIOR STEEL USED IN MANUFACTURE, AND ALL SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10229742
Incident
Apr 23, 2008
Mileage
8,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

03-06-01-023I

ENGINE

This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.

03-06-01-023H

ENGINE

This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.

PIT3271P

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.

General Communication

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.

24-NA-141

POWER TRAIN

GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Avalanche 2500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2013000—
2007302—
2006300—
2005610—
2004Viewing101046.4
2003911—
2002601349.5

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.