RoadVitals

2004 Chevrolet Avalanche Fuel system Problems

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

Data refreshed

Fuel system 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.
11
Latest Dec 8, 2015
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.
7%
of 165 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.
0
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 fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 11 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 fuel system

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Fuel system
Filed Dec 8, 2015

MODULE KIT,F/TNK F/PMP,LVL S/FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY IS LEAKING FUEL, BECASE OF POOR GRADE PLASTIC AND METAL CONSTRUCTION, THIS ALSO HAPPENED ON MY 2002 TRAILBLAZER BUT WAS COVERED BY A RECALL,NO SUCH RECALL COVERS MY 2004 AVALACHE EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM, COST TO FIX 870.89 ESTIMATE, TO REMOVE GAS TANK AND REPLACE FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY, CANT SEND PICS HAVE DROP GAS TANK AND THAT COST IS 250.00, VEHILE STARS SLOWLY THEN WHEN PARKED EMPTIES FUEL LINES ON TOP OF TANK THEN ON TO GROUND VERY DANGEROUS, SERVICE MANAGER BIG JIM 319 261 0999 , SAYS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, HE KNEW WHAT IT WAS BEFORE INSPECTING ON HOUSTE, IF 2002 IS COVERED WHY IS 2004 NOT COVERED? WANT MY 1000.00 BACK FROM GM

NHTSA ID
10809055
Incident
Dec 8, 2015
Mileage
145,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 1, 2014

STARTED SMELLING A STRONG ODOR OF GAS AFTER FILLING UP. I CHECKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND SAW GAS THAT SEEM TO BE COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK AND DRIPPING OFF THE BOTTOM OF THE GAS TANK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10607413
Incident
Jul 1, 2014
Mileage
171,914 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 18, 2013

I STARTED TO NOTICE A STRONG GAS SMELL WHENEVER I FULLY FILLED THE GAS TANK. THE ODOR WOULD DISAPPEAR AFTER THE NEEDLE MOVED OFF THE FULL MARK. LATER INVESTIGATION SHOWED GAS DROPLETS COMING DOWN FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WHEN IT WAS FULL OR NEAR FULL. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION BY GM DEALERSHIP REVEALED RUSTED OUT FUEL MODULE (PUMP/SENDER UNIT) LOCKING RING AND RUST HOLE IN TOP OF FUEL MODULE. EXAMINATION REQUIRED GAS TANK TO BE REMOVED. LABOR AND FUEL MODULE REPLACEMENT COST = $1000.00. OF MORE IMPORTANCE, THE ABOVE ALLOWED BOTH FUEL AND GAS FUMES TO EXIT THE GAS TANK, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR VEHICLES PARKED IN AN ENCLOSED AREA. *TR

NHTSA ID
10520347
Incident
Sep 1, 2012
Mileage
48,000 mi
BrakesFuel system
Filed Oct 24, 2012

REAR HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES ROTTED AND LEAKED FLUID CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKING. LAST YEAR I HAD TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST AND ROT. THE MECHANIC PERFORMING CURRENT REPAIRS STATS THAT THE FRONT HYDRAULIC LINES ARE RUSTING AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED SOON. THE FRONT CALIPERS HAVE ROTTED OUT BLEEDER VALVES. THE FRONT CALIPERS WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AS A RESULT WHEN THE FRONT HYDRAULIC LINES ARE REPLACED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS DIAGNOSED TO AN EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS SYSTEM LEAK. THE LEAK WAS TRACED TO A DAMAGED PLASTIC FITTING CONNECTED TO THE FUEL PUMP AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL PUMP METAL WAS ROTTED CAUSING THE JOINT TO EXPAND DAMAGING THE FITTING AND CAUSING THE LEAK. I DO NOT TRAILER A BOAT AND THE TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN IMMERSED IN SALT WATER. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER 40 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS AMOUNT OF UNDERCARRIAGE RUST AND METAL DAMAGE ON ANY VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED WITH MANY MORE MILES AND YEARS OF SERVICE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10482113
Incident
Oct 24, 2012
Mileage
52,500 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jan 21, 2012

GAS GAUGE NOT WORKING ALWAYS SHOWING EMTY SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING CORRECTLY SENSOR LIGHT KEEPS COMMING ON AND OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID
10444736
Incident
Sep 22, 2011
Mileage
75 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 2, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS PROVIDING INACCURATE READINGS. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR CONSTANTLY AND THE READINGS WOULD FLUCTUATE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE ACCURATE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID
10398630
Incident
Jan 1, 2009
Mileage
80,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jul 7, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT DISPLAYING THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE SERVICE LIGHTS WHICH TELL HIM IF THE VEHICLE WAS A 2 WHEEL DRIVE, 4 WHEEL DRIVE OR ALL WHEEL DRIVE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ID
10341881
Incident
Nov 2, 2009
Mileage
91,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 24, 2006

2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE DESIGNED WITHOUT INLINE FUEL FILTER, ONLY A FILTER MADE INTO THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY INSIDE THE TANK. ACCORDING TO GM AND ALL DATA REPAIR MANUALS, THIS FILTER IS A NON-SERVICEABLE ITEM INTENDED TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. AT APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES, VEHICLE MIL INDICATOR CAME ON, DIAGNOSED AS MISFIRE CONDITION. VEHICLE STUTTERED UNDER BOTH IDLE AND ACCELERATION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT SEDIMENT FROM THE FUEL TANK HAD CONTAMINATED THE FUEL INJECTORS AND ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. CLAIM FOR REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY WAS DENIED, EVEN THOUGH NON-SERVICEABLE LIFETIME PART ALLOWED CONTAMINATION INTO THE SYSTEM. VERY POORLY DESIGNED FUEL FILTRATION SYSTEM WITH THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE STALLING UNDER ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10151156
Incident
Feb 18, 2006
Mileage
60,100 mi
Body & structureFuel system
Filed Nov 9, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE WOULD TAKE VERY LITTLE FUEL AT A TIME AND SHUT THE PUMP OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER LINE. HOWEVER, PROBLEM RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TAKE FUEL AT ALL , IT LEAKED FUEL ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN . WHEN DRIVING IN EXCESS OF 55 MPH THE HOOD VIBRATED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
10142304
Incident
Jan 20, 2005
Mileage
9,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jun 7, 2005

DT: VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED 1 YEAR AGO AND CONTINUES TO STALL. IT STALLS AT HIGH SPEEDS. HAS TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER, HE SAYS IT IS A FUEL PUMP ISSUE, THEY HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. CHEVROLET SAYS THIS EFFECTS VEHICLES ABOVE 5000 FEET. AND ON HOT DAYS. CONSUMER LIVES AT 6000 FEET AND VEHICLE DOES STALL AT HIGH SPEEDS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10124423
Incident
Jun 1, 2004
Mileage
1,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 2, 2004

OUR 2004 CHEVROLET 3/4 TON AVALANCHE STALLS ON THE ROAD WHEN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 90 DEGREES AND ABOVE 3000 FEET AMBIENT ALTITUDE. ALMOST CAUSED TWO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10089032
Incident
Jul 3, 2004
Mileage
2,210 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

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .