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Model Year Problem Record

Chevrolet Avalanche 2003 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

204Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
4Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
10Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
13Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Brakes81 complaints

81 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V045000.

Electrical System43 complaints

43 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure9 complaints

9 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V129000.

Lighting8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System5 complaints

5 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V019000.

Equipment4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts1 complaints

1 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 05V163000.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

03V019000Reported January 27, 2003 - 5,734 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on January 27, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 5,734 vehicles across all affected models.

04V045000Reported February 4, 2004 - 68,875 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on February 4, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 68,875 vehicles across all affected models.

04V129000Reported March 17, 2004 - 3,662,211 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Structure. Recall covering the vehicle structure system, reported to NHTSA on March 17, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 3,662,211 vehicles across all affected models.

05V163000Reported April 22, 2005 - 1,359,824 vehicles potentially affected

Seat Belts. Recall covering the seat belts system, reported to NHTSA on April 22, 2005. The campaign covers an estimated 1,359,824 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP05009Opened December 20, 2005 - Closed May 31, 2006

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP05009Opened December 20, 2005 - Closed May 31, 2006

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP05009Opened December 20, 2005 - Closed May 31, 2006

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA04005Opened February 19, 2004 - Closed September 28, 2004

TAILGATE CABLE BREAKAGE. Resulted in recall campaign 04E067000.

EA04005Opened February 19, 2004 - Closed September 28, 2004

TAILGATE CABLE BREAKAGE. Resulted in recall campaign 04E067000.

EA04005Opened February 19, 2004 - Closed September 28, 2004

TAILGATE CABLE BREAKAGE. Resulted in recall campaign 04E067000.

EA04012Opened April 30, 2004 - Closed February 28, 2005

HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES. Resulted in recall campaign 05V005000.

EA04012Opened April 30, 2004 - Closed February 28, 2005

HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES. Resulted in recall campaign 05V005000.

PE10010Opened March 30, 2010 - Closed January 5, 2011

Brake line corrosion failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE10010Opened March 30, 2010 - Closed January 5, 2011

Brake line corrosion failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

200313
200419
200532
200618
200717
200811
20095
20108
201110
201213
201321
201425
201510
20162
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.