2004 Chevrolet Avalanche: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 165 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (30% of complaints); the 2005 and 2006 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 165 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet avalanche. While driving approximately 7 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard. The ABS warning indicator illuminated. The emergency brake was engaged and the vehicle failed to stop. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake lines were rusted and the vehicle had multiple brake leaks. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet avalanche. The contact stated that the brake system failed when the brake pedal was depressed and the brake system failed to engage. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power booster and the ABS system were severely corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 136,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2015
“The brake line burst as I was shifting into drive could not stop vehicle, shifted it into park and was able to stop before hitting someone. Why are these lines not made of stainless steel? Better yet why is this agency not doing anything about this? They jump all over a key switch that may cause a problem but do nothing for something as important as be able to safely stop our vehicles.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet avalanche. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator flashed and remained illuminated. The dealer stated that the driver side air bag module needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 167,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2015
“While driving or in park the tachometer sticks as does the speedometer. This has lasted from minutes to days. The vehicle appears to run properly, however, I am very leery of my safety and the safety of my children when they are in control of the vehicle.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2015
“While driving all my cluster gauges froze...I was parked and it still said I was going 40mph...how is this not a recall? No clue how fast I was going,nor how much fuel I had...we should be reimbursed something. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2015
“4x4 transmission began locking and slipping. Developed a distinctive "clunking" sound when shifting between gears. Now most noticeable between second and third. Additional grinding sound occurs when driving. Noticeable at all speeds. *dt”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet avalanche. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, an elk jumped in front of the vehicle and the contact attempted to avoid a crash. As a result, the contact crashed into a dirt mountain. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact and the front passenger sustained head trauma and upper body injuries. The contact and the front passenger required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet avalanche. The contact stated while driving 25 mph attempting to engage the brakes, the vehicle failed to stop and the pedal pressed to the floor. The contact had to engage the emergency brakes in order for the vehicle to stop. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the brake line needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000. The VIN number was unavailable.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2014
“Vehicle started experiencing a gradual coolant loss, found out vehicle has a manufactured faulty cylinder head(s) from castech. Will cost $$$$ to repair. Gm will not address the problem except with gm #06-06-01-019b information on gradual coolant loss over time with no evidence of leak found, (june 12, 2007). *tr”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
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).
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE GALVANIZED STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES THAT RETAIN THE TAILGATE IN THE FULL OPEN (HORIZONTAL) POSITION MAY CORRODE, WEAKEN, AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURE. IF BOTH CABLES FRACTURED, THE TAILGATE WOULD SUDDENLY DROP AND STRIKE THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CABLES. INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 20004. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2004, WHEN REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH OCTOBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR VISIT WWW.MYGMLINK.COM, AND ENTER YOUR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
CERTAIN TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH HYDRO-BOOST BRAKE ASSEMBLIES, THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR MAY CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY DURING NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY FOR FUNCTIONAL OPERATION OF THE TWO-FUNCTION VALVE. IF THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY FAILS THE TEST, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.
Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN 8.1L V8 (RPO L8-VIN G) ENGINE HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP MAY FRACTURE RESULTING IN INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE DAMPER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463.
ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE USE OF A CHILD SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GROUP. IN ADDITION TO INSTRUCTIONS ON PROPER INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD RESTRAINT (WITH CHILD SEATS OR BOOSTERS), SPECIAL VERBIAGE FOR RESTRAINING OLDER CHILD IS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ALSO, THE SUGGESTED SEAT BELT FIT/ROUTING FOR ADULTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF SEATING POSITION, IS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TEXT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CUT OPEN THE GUIDE LOOP, REMOVE A PORTION OF THE LOOP, AND THEN THE REMAINING TWO SIDES SHOULD BE FOLDED OVER AND SECURED WITH A RETAINER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.
How other years compare
Check your exact Avalanche by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche reliable?
NHTSA has 165 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche. The most complained-about area is electrical system (30% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,100 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.