2008 Chevrolet Avalanche Problems

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Both air bags deployed for no reason driver and passenger

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated upon purchasing the vehicle at the used car dealer, he noticed that the dashboard of the vehicle was cracked and the crack was extending towards the front passenger's side air bag location. There was no warning light illuminated. The used dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that it was a known failure; however the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had become significantly worse. The contact contacted an unknown Chevrolet dealer to inquire the cost of a dashboard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

I HAVE REPLACED TWO DASHBOARDS. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK BRAND NEW. THE DASHBOARDS CRACKED IN THE SAME EXACT SPOT ON THE CORNER OF THE AIRBAG. NEED A THIRD DASHBOARD

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and independently turned off. After restarting the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.

Both air bags deployed for no reason driver and passenger

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and independently turned off. After restarting the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.

I HAVE A 2008 CHEVY AVALANCHE LTZ WITH THE 5.3L V8 ENGINE WITH ADAPTIVE FUEL MANAGMENT. IT WAS PURCHASED USED WITH 120K MILES. IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE ENGINE WAS CONSUMING OIL, 1-2 QUARTS PER 3000 MILES. RECENTLY THE ENGINE STARTED PRODUCING WHITE/BLUE SMOKE ON START UP AND OIL CONSUMPTION INCREASED TO 2-3 QUARTS IN 1500 MILES. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A MECHANICS SHOP AND I AM TOLD THAT FOR STARTERS I WILL NEED NEW VALVE COVERS THAT ARE REDESIGNED FROM THE ORIGINAL ONES AND THAT EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION IS COMMON ON THIS ENGINE. I HAVE READ OF OTHER OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD TO HAVE PISTONS/RINGS, VALVE COVERS REPLACED, AND A BAFFLE PLACED INTO THE OIL PAN TO MITIGATE THE OIL CONSUMPTION. THIS SEEMS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON OCCURRENCE THAT ISN'T A TYPICAL MAINTENANCE ISSUES SINCE THESE PARTS WEREN'T OEM WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MADE. IT SEEMS UNACCEPTABLE TO HAVE TO HAVE OEM MODIFICATIONS COMPLETED OUT OF MY POCKET FOR SOMETHING THAT SEEMS TO BE IDENTIFIED AS AN ISSUE WITH SPECIFIC PARTS MADE TO MITIGATE THE ISSUE. I AM VERY CONCERNED WHAT THIS ACCEPTABLE OIL CONSUMPTION WILL MEAN FOR THE LONGEVITY OF MY ENGINE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE OIL GAUGE FLUCTUATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BY REPLENISHING THE OIL. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL VALVE CONTROL MANIFOLD FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE CAMSHAFT AND LIFTERS COULD NOT RECEIVE PROPER LUBRICATION FROM THE OIL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE OIL VALVE CONTROL MANIFOLD, EIGHT LIFTERS, HEADS, WATER PUMP, CAMSHAFT, AND TIMING COVER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,436. UPDATED 10/30/14*LJ UPDATED 4/27/2015 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE AS WELL AS THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK WHEN ENGAGING WITH THE KEY FOB. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 8/28/14*CN UPDATED 09/10/2014 *JS

HAVING INTERMITTENT START PROBLEMS THAT SEEM TO BE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THE TRUCK WILL NOT START OR TURN OVER WHILE DASH WARNINGS INDICATE "PARKING ASST OFF" AND "TRACTION STABILITY OFF". INITIALLY IT WAS JUST THESE ISSUES ALONG WITH THE NON START BUT NOW 4 WEEKS AND $588.04 LATER INCLUDES THE POWER LOCKS GOING UP AND DOWN BY THEMSELVES AND AC BLOWING HOT AIR. FORTUNATELY THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN I TRIED TO START IT. THE CHEVY DEALER SAID AT FIRST THEY THOUGHT IT HAD BEEN STRUCK BY LIGHTNING THEN CLAIMED IT WAS THE ONSTAR MODULE WHICH THEY WANTED TO REPLACE AT $699. I ADVISED THEM I DON'T USE ONSTAR SO THEY SAID THEY COULD DISCONNECT IT FROM THE REST OF THE VEHICLE AND THAT WORKED FROR A FEW WEEKS. THE TRUCK DROVE BEAUTIFULLY BUT NOW IS BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT TO REPLACE THE ONSTAR MODULE AGAIN WHICH CLEARLY ISN'T THE PROBLEM. I LOVE THE TRUCK BUT CAN'T AFFORD SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS EVERY FEW WEEKS ON THIS. I NEED A REAL SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM AND I KNOW THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BECAUSE I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND IT TO BE A GM ISSUE THAT IS AFFECTING MANY, MANY OTHERS BESIDE MYSELF AND AS FAR BACK AS THE 2006 MODELS. IF IT GOES BACK THAT FAR AND WITH SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE THERE HAS TO BE A SOLUTION. PLEASE SOMEBODY HELP ME FIND IT!!!!

WHILE IN OPERATION AT 55 MPH THE ENGIN POWER WAS REDUCED AFTER THREE SERVICE APPOINTMENTS REPAIR ATTEMPTS. REDUCED POWER MODE IS A CONDITION INSERTED BY THE ENGINE CONTROLS MODULE AS A RESULT OF THE FLY BY WIRE CONNECTION. THE RESULT WAS A QUICK SPEED REDUCTION TO 20 MPH AS MAX SPEED. DOT REQUIRES 45 MPH, UNSAFE!

THROWING P0430 AND P0420 CODES ON NEW OEM Y-PIPE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ASSEMBLY. DROVE FOR 101 -140 MILES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON.

I'VE HAD MY TRUCK FOR 4 YEARS NOW AND ITS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES DUE TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I'VE GOTTEN THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT 5 TIMES AND ITS STILL GIVING ME PROBLEMS. 6/2014- PRESENT DAY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL DOWN THE STREET. THE CONTACT STOPPED AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT COULD NOT BE SERVICED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN TO VERA CADILLAC (300 S UNIVERSITY DR, PEMBROKE PINES, FL 33025, (954) 998-1684) WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,693.

LOST COMPLETE POWER OF CAR. COULD NOT STEER, OR BRAKE. HAPPENED IN SNOW. SINCE THAT TIME IT HAS HAPPENED 5 OTHER TIMES. 3 IN THE LAST WEEK WITH THE SNOW AND RAIN. THERE IS A GREAT POTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF LIFE. HAVE RESEARCHED THIS FOR MONTHS AND THERE ARE MANY AVALANCHE OWNER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

THE SWAY BAR FRAME MOUNT BRACKETS RUSTED THROUGH AND THE SWAY BAR BROKE LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN MAYBE 10 MILES AN HOUR ON A CITY STREET.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND TOWING AN ULTRA LIGHT RV TRAILER AT 65 MPH, THE REAR SUSPENSION SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE SEALS, REAR BEARINGS AND GEARS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED IN LESS THAN 100 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

MY 2008 AVALANCHE LTZ WAS PARKED ON THE STREET DURING A SNOW STORM, AFTER I STARTED IT I TURNED THE WIPER SWITCH TO DELAY TO CLEAR THE SMALL AMOUNT OF SNOW ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE WIPERS MOVED FORM PARK TO APPROXIMATELY 1/3 OF FULL TRAVEL AND STOPPED. I CLEARED THE WINDSHIELD WITH A BRUSH AND DROVE HOME (1 MILE) WITH SOME DIFFICULTY. I STARTED TO TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM, AND CAME TO WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A SOLUTION, MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS BAD. REPLACED SWITCH, SILL NO WIPER MOVEMENT. CHECKED THE PLUG AT THE MOTOR FOR POWER (AGAIN), POWER AT THE PLUGS HOT TERMINAL WAS 11.8V, TURNED SWITCH TO ON (SLOW SPEED) AND NO POWER TO ANY OTHER PIN, NOW I AM STUMPED. GUESS I HAVE TO CALL THE DEALER.

I HAVE HAD 5 AVALANCHES 3 07S 2 08S ALL HAVE DASH CRACKING ISSUES THE BREAKING DASHES CRACK CAUSE GLARE IN DRIVERS EYES NOISES THAT CAN TAKE FOCUS OFF THE ROAD EVERY ONE I'VE OWNED IT'S HAPPENED GM USED A PROPROLYENE DASH THAT GETS BRITTLE WHEN INTRODUCED TO HEAT. THIS IS KNOWN BY GM AS A DEFECT BUT U GUYS HAVE NOT ENFORCED THEM TO FIX IT'S A EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE FIX LABOR IS HIGH AND I'M 5 FOR 5 ON CRACKING DASHES. 3 HAVE CRACKED SO BAD THAT WHEN THE SUN HIT THEM THEY THROW GLARE TOWARD MY EYES. IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED THIS IS CRAPPY. JUST LIKE GM AND THE CRAPPY CADILLAC SRX HEADLIGHTS THEY KNOW IT'S A DEFECT THEN FIX IT

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the traction control warning light illuminated, and the vehicle became very unstable and difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the traction control system was faulty and needed to be replacement. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 125,000. The dealership was contacted to inspect the vehicle for issues related to traction control but was denied. The contact also bought the necessary parts in an effort to save money but was denied again by the dealership. The contact is still looking for anyone who will help repair the vehicle.

MY SPARE TIRE IS COMPLETELY STUCK UNDER MY TRUCK. I HAVE TO REPLACE MY EMISSIONS CONTROL VALVE BUT CAN'T BECAUSE THE TIRE WON'T COME OUT.

WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK,AND STOPPING AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN THE TRUCK SLIPS OUT OF GEAR AND YOU HAVE TO PUT IN PARK AND THEN PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE BEFORE IT WILL MOVE. IT IS SCARY WHEN THIS HAPPENS BECAUSE YOU ARE SCARED SOMEONE BEHIND YOU WON'T BE PAYING ATTENTION AND REAR END US

I'VE HAD MY TRUCK FOR 4 YEARS NOW AND ITS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES DUE TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I'VE GOTTEN THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT 5 TIMES AND ITS STILL GIVING ME PROBLEMS. 6/2014- PRESENT DAY.

LOST COMPLETE POWER OF CAR. COULD NOT STEER, OR BRAKE. HAPPENED IN SNOW. SINCE THAT TIME IT HAS HAPPENED 5 OTHER TIMES. 3 IN THE LAST WEEK WITH THE SNOW AND RAIN. THERE IS A GREAT POTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF LIFE. HAVE RESEARCHED THIS FOR MONTHS AND THERE ARE MANY AVALANCHE OWNER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH MOISTURE. FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED IN SNOW. TRAVELING AROUND 55 MPH WHEN I HIT A PATCH OF SNOW ON THE ROAD AND THE TRUCK STALLED. AT THAT TIME, I ALSO LOST STEERING ABILITY AND BRAKING ABILITY. TRUCK WOULD NOT START. TOWED TO MECHANIC. REAL ISSUE NEVER FOUND. BASICALLY DRIED OUT AND STARTED AGAIN (2) DAYS. SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED DURING RAIN. WENT THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE AT 40 MPH AND HAD THE SAME ISSUE. TOWED AGAIN AND STARTED RIGHT UP THE NEXT DAY. THIRD INCIDENT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT, APRIL 25, 2013 WHILE DRIVING HOME IN A DRIVING RAIN STORM. DID NOT HIT ANY WATER JUST STALLED ON IT'S OWN. AGAIN, STALLED AND WOULD NOT START. TOWED FOR A THIRD TIME. TALKED TO CHEVROLET THIS MORNING THEY SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE ISSUE BUT I HAVE CHECKED ONLINE ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT FORUMS AND IT SEEM TO BE A PROBLEM FOR MANY FOLKS. *TR

COMMUTING TO WORK APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES AWAY FROM HOME, TRAVELING IN THE DARK AT 7 AM, I FLIPPED MY HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON AND SUDDENLY ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTION WENT OUT OF THE AUTOMOBILE (NO HEADLIGHTS OR ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTATION). THIS LASTED FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 TO 2 SECONDS AND SUDDENLY AND ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS WAS RESTORED. THINGS AFTER THAT SEEMED OK, BUT ABOUT 6 MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE ENGINE "SERVICE STABILIZER CONTROL LIGHT APPEARS" . I TRAVELED ANOTHER 11 MILES TO PLAINVILLE, AND WHEN I ARRIVED THE "STABILIZER CONTROL LIGHT WENT OUT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC THEM TO EVALUATE IT. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS AND TWO DIAGNOSTIC TESTS ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTION REFLECT NORMAL. THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE ISOLATED OR DUPLICATED. I CONTACT GENERAL MOTORS YESTERDAY, TO REPORT THE SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT AND HOW CRITICAL THIS IS AND I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED AT THAT SPEED DRIVING IN THE DARK. I ALSO ASKED THEM IF THEY HAVE HAD SIMILAR REPORTINGS OF THIS OCCURRENCE AND RECEIVED A MIXED RESPONSE. THERE RESPONSE WAS BUREAUCRATIC, TAKE IT TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. I SAID NO. I AM NOT PAYING ANOTHER $150.00 TELL ME WE CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM. I KEPT STRESSING THERE IS A PROBLEM "VEHICLES SUDDENLY DO NOT JUST DROPPED OFF ALL ELECTRICAL POWER AND FUNCTION AND MAGICALLY JUST COME BACK ON". THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR ANY VEHICLE TO HAPPEN. I ALSO INFORMED THEM AS A COURTESY I WOULD SPEAK TO THEM (GENERAL MOTORS) FIRST BEFORE I CONTACT THIS AGENCY. I ALSO TRIED TO EMPHASIZE TO THEM, PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE A DIRECT LINE OF COMMUNICATION TO THE CORPORATION TO REPORT SAFETY AND LIFE THREATENING ISSUES DIRECTLY. THE NATURE OF THE RESPONSE IS BASICALLY WE DON'T DO ANYTHING UNLESS WE RECEIVE INFORMATION FROM GM SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. *TR