RoadVitals

2003 Chevrolet Avalanche Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical 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.
44
Latest Feb 19, 2016
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.
22%
of 204 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.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 44 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 electrical

The 25 most recent of 44, in the owner's own words

ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Feb 19, 2016

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 ID
10837117
Incident
Jul 12, 2010
Mileage
70,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 27, 2015

IT STARTED WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT, BUT NOBODY WILL OWN UP TO FIXING IT, AS WE MOVED FROM PA TO FL. THEN THE BRAKE LINES WENT, ALL OF THEM, NOW WITH THE AIRBAG ISSUE THE PCM IS SENDING ALL KINDS OF STUPID CODES LIKE THE AIRBAG ISSUE IS AFFECTING THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10679203
Incident
Oct 15, 2014
Mileage
119,400 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Dec 2, 2014

I HAVE A 2003 AVALANCHE AND I'VE NOTICE THAT OTHER CHEVY AVALANCHE HAS THE SAME RUST ON THE SAME PLACE IT SEEM THAT THE BACK QUARTER PANEL IS DEFECTIVE AND THE SPEEDOMETER TOO

NHTSA ID
10661665
Incident
Feb 2, 2008
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical+1 more
Filed Aug 28, 2014

ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH THE TRUCK JUST SHUT DOWN. EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL IT. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT. IT WAS FINE BUT DID IT AGAIN WHEN I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. IT CONTINUED TO DO IT BUT THEN JUST STOPPED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON ALL THE TIME WHEN I ACCELERATE UP A HILL. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ARE DIM. EVERYTHING ON THE MIRROR COMES AND GOES. IT WILL GO MONTHS WITHOUT WORKING AND THEN COMES BACK ON. THE SUSPENSION IS TERRIBLE. FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO SHAKE THE WHEELS COMPLETELY OFF THE TRUCK WHEN I HIT EVEN A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD. I'VE ALMOST LOST CONTROL SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO IT SHAKING SO HARD. LATCH ON THE TAILGATE BROKE OFF AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ROTOR ON BACK COMPLETELY BROKE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10629240
Incident
Aug 7, 2012
Mileage
110,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jan 15, 2013

MY SPEEDO AND FUEL GAUGE EITHER DO NOT WORK OR PEG OUT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE FOR MY Z71 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE AND CHEVROLET IS SAYING THAT THEY PUT A LIMIT ON THE YEAR AND MILEAGE. IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN IT WAS A RECALL I WOULD HAVE TAKEN IN MY VEHICLE TO HAVE IT FIXED FOR FREE. CHEVROLET IS SAYING I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS.... THIS IS NOT RIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10493064
Incident
Jan 1, 2013
Mileage
84,900 mi
Electrical
Filed May 5, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS READING INACCURATELY AND HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH GAS WAS ACTUALLY IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,494 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10399250
Incident
May 5, 2010
Mileage
120,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 19, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE INSTRUMENTAL CLUSTER GEAR LIGHT INDICATOR FAILED AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO SEE WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE WAS IN. THE MANUFACTURER HAD A VOLUNTARY RECALL WHICH INCLUDED A LIMITED WARRANTY UP TO 70,000 MILES; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS. THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE WARRANTY MILEAGE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 83,600. UPDATED 10/01/2010*LJ UPDATED 10/05/10.*JB

NHTSA ID
10344070
Incident
Jun 14, 2010
Mileage
83,600 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 14, 2010

THE SPEEDOMETER QUITS WORKING WHILE DRIVING OR STOPS WORKING ALL TOGETHER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10336320
Incident
Dec 2, 2009
Mileage
125,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 19, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH; HOWEVER, THE SPEEDOMETER READING WAS 100 MPH. THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS. THE ODOMETER CONTINUED TO INCREASE THE MILEAGE TRAVELED BY ONE MILE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT A SERVICE LETTER WAS MAILED TO HIM PRIOR TO THE FAILURE REGARDING THE ODOMETER AND A REPAIR WAS ALSO PERFORMED; THEREFORE, THEY VEHICLE COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL FREE REMEDIES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 11/16/10. *LJ

NHTSA ID
10326431
Incident
Nov 25, 2007
Mileage
45,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 29, 2009

MY SPEEDOMETER IN MY 2003 AVALANCHE RANDOMLY STARTED GOING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN WORKING AND NOT WORKING. NOW IT ISN'T WORKING AT ALL. I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACED, WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS I HAVE READ ABOUT, THIS IS SOMETHING CHEVY SHOULD FIX AT NO COST. *TR

NHTSA ID
10285688
Incident
Jan 6, 2009
Mileage
92,000 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Mar 15, 2009

I HAVE A 2003 AVALANCHE, I ONLY HAVE HAD THE TRUCK ABOUT A YEAR. I TRUCK HAVE A SHORTAGE IN THE WINDOWS I HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE WINDOWS FIX, AFTER THEY WHERE FIX ABOUT TWO DAYS LATER THEY TELLS ME I HAVE A SHORTAGE IN SOMETHING THAT'S CAUSING MY PASSAGE WINDOWS AND SEATS TO STOP WORKING. MY WINDOWS STOP WORKING ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER I GOT THE TRUCK, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE WINDOWS WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS I HAVE TALKED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I AM SCARED THAT ITS GOING TO START A FIRE, IT KEEP SHORTEN OUT MY FUELS IN MY FUEL BOX UNDER THE HOOD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10261896
Incident
Feb 26, 2007
Mileage
886,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 10, 2009

HAD TO REPLACE CLUSTER TWO TIMES FOR THE GAUGES. NOW I AM IN FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A MONTH FOR THE 4X4....CHEVY HAS HAD MY VEHICLE MORE THEN I HAVE...... *TR

NHTSA ID
10261408
Incident
Sep 15, 2008
Electrical
Filed Dec 14, 2008

I HAVE REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER 4 TIMES. 2 TIMES IN 2006 AND 2 TIMES IN 2008, BECAUSE THE NEW ONES PUT IN WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CUSTOMER SHOULD IN NO WAY HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THIS WAS ON A 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10251739
Incident
Jun 12, 2006
Electrical
Filed Nov 3, 2008

SPEEDOMOTER WILL NOT WORK, THEN STICK AND THEN NOT WORK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10247559
Incident
Oct 11, 2008
Mileage
70,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 19, 2008

MY SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE STARTED GOING HAYWIRE. SOME DAYS IT WORKS AND SOME IT DOESN'T. WHEN IT ISN'T WORKING IT WILL SAY I AM DOING ANY WHERE FROM 30 TO 120 WHEN I AM NOT MOVING. THIS IS A GENUINE SAFETY HAZARD AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL DONE ASAP. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND TO SEE IF THE VEHICLE QUALIFIES. I HAVE READ MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10246037
Incident
Jun 22, 2008
Mileage
65,543 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 16, 2008

SPEED ODOMETER HAS NOT WORKED FOR 3 OUT OF THE 6 YEARS I HAD THE TRUCK, 2003 CHEVY AVALANCHE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10242419
Incident
Feb 1, 2005
Mileage
60,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 25, 2008

MY SPEEDOMETER, OIL GAUGE,GAS GAUGE HAS STOPPED WORKING IN THE DASH APPROXIMATELY 9 MOTHS AGO AND WE HAVE CONTACTED OUR LOCAL GM RETAILER AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A CLUSTER THAT WAS THE PROBLEM BY MY PERSONAL MECHANIC AND THAT IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. I DO NOT THINK THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I HAVE SEVERAL FRIEND THAT HAVE A CHEVROLET WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I PAID ALOT OF MONEY FOR THIS VEHICLE AND I THINK THAT GM SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM THAT WE DID NOT KNOW WE WERE PURCHASING IN THE FIRST PLACE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10232274
Incident
May 1, 2007
Mileage
69,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 12, 2008

SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING CORRECTLY ON MY 2003 CHEVY AVALANCHE. RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM SAYING THEY WOULD REPLACE THE CLUSTER ON VEHICLES UNDER 75,000 MILES. MY VEHICLE HAD 90,000. THIS ISSUE IS BEING EXPERIENCED BY A LARGE AMOUNT OF OWNERS AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10227444
Incident
May 12, 2007
Mileage
90,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 26, 2008

SPEEDOMETER FAILURE- READ ANYWHERE FROM 20 -80 MPH WHILE AT REST THEN WOULD MOVE BACK DOWN TO 0 AFTER STARTING THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES (DROPPING 5-10 MPH PER START) NOW IT IS PEGGED AT OVER 120 MPH AND WILL NOT MOVE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10225784
Incident
Dec 1, 2007
Mileage
98,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 15, 2008

GENERAL MOTORS MAILED ME A NOTICE ADVISING THAT MY VEHICLE (2003 AVALANCHE WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN OCT 2003) "COULD DEVELOP A CONDITION WHERE ONE OR MORE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGE NEEDLES MAY STICK, FLUTTER, OR BECOME INOPERATIVE." IT WAS ADDITIONALLY NOTED THAT "THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INACCURATE READINGS, INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER AND THE FUEL GAUGE." REMEDY OF REPLACEMENT WAS OFFERED FOR VEHICLES WITHIN 7 YEARS OF ORIGINAL DATE PLACED IN SERVICE OR 70,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. MY VEHICLE EXHIBITS THIS PROBLEM IN SPEEDOMETER. MY VEHICLE HAS OVER 80,000 MILES AND IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE REPAIR OFFER. THE CONDITION IN MINE IS EXHIBITED WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW 45-50 DEGREES (TYPICALLY IN WINTER), AND BEGAN LAST WINTER. I ASSOCIATED IT WITH THE WEATHER AND DIDN'T THINK TOO MUCH ABOUT IT. HOWEVER, NOW THAT I KNOW IT IS A DEFECT, I BELIEVE GM SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT IN ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. I BELIEVE IT CAN BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE - NO SPEEDOMETER - NO FUEL GAUGE READING, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARE WORKING PROPERLY SOMETIMES AND AT OTHERS NOT AT ALL OR INACCURATELY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10214952
Incident
Dec 1, 2007
Mileage
67,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 6, 2008

IT JUST BEGAN ABOUT A MONTH AGO. THE SPEEDOMETER WAS REGISTERING THE WRONG SPEED AND NOW IT DOES NOT MOVE AT ALL. HUGE SAFETY ISSUE! I AM AN MP AND HOW CAN I EXPECT OTHERS TO FOLLOW THE LAWS WHEN I CAN NOT EVEN TELL HOW FAST I AM GOING? *TR

NHTSA ID
10213844
Incident
Dec 6, 2006
Electrical
Filed Nov 25, 2007

SPEEDOMETER BROKEN. CAN READ ANYWHERE BETWEEN 40 AND 120 MPH WHEN STOPPED. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT SPEED I AM GOING. THIS SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS AND SOMETHING THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD FIX. *TR

NHTSA ID
10209837
Incident
Nov 20, 2007
Mileage
57,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 13, 2007

FAILURE OF MY SPEEDOMETER TO WORK PROPERLY ON MY 2003 CHEVY AVALANCHE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10208760
Incident
Nov 1, 2007
Mileage
109,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 15, 2007

THE ACCESSORY LIGHTS ON MY STEERING WHEEL THAT OPERATE RADIO VOLUME, SOUCE, ON-STAR, ETC ARE NOT ALL WORKING. I WAS TOLD AT BRADSHAW CHEVROLET THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO REPAIR ALOT OF THESE AND WOULD NOT BE INCLUDED AS RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND YOU CAN'T SEE AT NIGHT WHICH BUTTON TO SELECT. ALSO NOW THE LIGHT FOR MY MILEAGE AND ENGINE OPERATION HAS FADED OUT UNTIL I CAN BARELY READ IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10205720
Incident
Sep 8, 2007
Mileage
108,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 30, 2007

MY SPEEDOMETER STARTED REPORTING ERRORS IN SPEED AND NOW SHOWS 60 MPH WHEN PARKED AND IMMEDIATELY GOES OFF SCALE WHEN DRIVEN AT ANY SPEED ABOVE 30 MPH. *JB

NHTSA ID
10197780
Incident
Jul 4, 2007
Mileage
88,000 mi

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

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .