general problems of the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche - part 1

I am a new owner of a 2003 Avalanche, I was satisfied with my purchase but my soonroof falls under the appropriate serial numbers (6,000,000-6,300,000) recall states that it may be covered by the company webasto hollandia. Vehicle is fine to drive places but sunroof must be fixed for coming winter. It worries me as there's a slight danger of it causing a road hazard if it were to fall out.

Service light dose not come on when my truck won't not started up until I got it towed.

Instrument panel has stopped working. None of the gauges work. Start vehicle no gauges move. Drive and no gauges move, including speedometer.

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.

I was driving approximately 15 to 20 mph down a hill that was curvy and all of a sudden my truck completely shuts off as I was driving down the hill and almost went into a ditch because the truck just shut off while in drive and luckily I was quick enough to put it in neutral so I could steer it away from the ditch and I turned the ignition over and luckily it turned on while in neutral otherwise I would of crashed into the ditch. Then it shut off again about 30 seconds after and luckily I was able to put it in neutral again so I could steer and coast down the hill because it wouldn't start up the second time when it all shut off. I was stranded at the bottom of the hill near a light so I tried to start it again and it would keep trying to turn over but wouldn't start again. I was stranded in the middle of the road and had to call aaa to tow my Avalanche to my house. This could of killed me if I wasn't quick enough to figure out to put it in neutral to be able to steer. There should be a recall on whatever made this happen and I still don't know what is wrong with it because it happened late last night and I was looking for recalls and it doesn't show anything on this.

My speedometer and several gauges have been acting erratically for months, and now the speedometer battery gauge, and the oil pressure gauge have stopped working completely. In researching the problem, I have found out that there was a recall to fix this problem several years ago. I never received notice of this recall. I have lived in the same location since 2001, but have never been notified of the recall. If there was a recall affecting the instrument panel, I would have taken it in. Why didn't Chevrolet notify all owners?.

Rattle form the a/c belt tension-er when accelerating. Have changed multiple new tension-ers and there is still the rattle from the belt tessioner. I have found a TSB on the a/c compressor that leads to the issue.

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.

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. The contact stated that the speedometer failed to provide accurate speed readings. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and the vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 108,965.

During trip from nc->TX->FL->TX I was stopped for speeding (75 in 60 on I-10 in la) -- I do * knowingly speed. I began watching my speed to try to understand why this happened. The problem repeated several times on this trip, and I was able to record a number of photos of the precise problem. After driving for more than a couple of hours (probably why I never noticed this before), the speedometer will begin a very slow drift downward. Since I had been on 70mph roads for quite some time, I apparently adjusted my speed control up to maintain what I thought was 70. Then, when I reached iberville parish in la, I noticed the speed limit was now 60; but when I looked down, the speedometer was close enough to 60 that I didn't realize anything was wrong until a trooper flagged me down. In no position to argue, I was puzzled -- until I reached TX when I noticed the speedometer dropping ever so slowly. I had no real idea of my speed, so I just stayed with traffic. A few days later, on the TX->FL leg, the problem resumed after a few hours. This time, I got the idea to start the gps on my blackberry phone. Surprise! my real speed was definitely faster than indicated. So I began taking pictures of the speedometer and phone. I have a series of photos proving the failure. What is also interesting is that stopping and turning off the engine for a moment, the speedometer started working again for a while. ############### over a year ago, I had a one-time issue with the speedometer. It indicated much faster than I was going -- maybe 50 while stopped. When restarting the engine, I noticed the needle "stepping" backwards for less than a second. Out of curiosity, I stopped and started the engine about 8 times -- each time the needle stepped backwards a few mph, until it eventually fully retracted back to 0 and worked fine until this long trip.

I was driving my truck and the speedometer was reading 60 and when I look down again it was reading 120. I stop and started again then I realize that it was not reading now. My fuel, rpm, oil pressure gauges stop also. I had a mechanic look at it and they said it was the cluster. I research and I notice that all these vehicle is having the same problems. I think that chevy should be responsible for this defective item. I brought this truck new and I did'nt think that I would be having any problems like this. I replaced the part but guess what, its doing the same thing after six months. Now the door chime will not stop when the door is close and while im driving so I dont drive it.

Speedometer quit working.

Speedometer failed on my sons 2003 chevy Avalanche. Read where this is a prevalent problem. Why in the world has this not been the subject of a recall. I am reporting this to congress.

The temperature is not functioning. The gauge did a 360 rotation and stuck in the final position. I have seen some web posting which say people have received a recall and my make/year are listed, but I do not see the recall listed on your site. Is this a recall item?.

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.

Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6) my 2003 chevy Avalanche z-66 has just now developed speedometer problems and I am sorry it is a safety issue and concern but general motors has brushed it off as no case closed. My speedometer started acting weird,it only works for short distance driving then either shows last speed obtained or zero. My example for gm is this: no other gm vehicle I purchase ever had this problem and even though you may not think of it as a safety issue perhaps you might rethink this thought by getting into a vehicle where the speedometer sporadically works then stops working all together while you are driving. Perhaps gm can tell me how they would/could tell the speed they are going when this happens 0 reading so that I can tell the law enforcement personnel who pulled me over for speeding or driving under the limit that I tried to judge my speed but my gm speedometer stopped working and gm said it wasn't a safety issue. It's a defect and gm has a limit of 70,000-80,000 miles or 7 years which ever occurs first. . . This is a cop out. I even wrote and addressed an email to [xxx]to no avail. I would like to copy and paste my letter so that you will see that I am seeking a free repair/ replacement including free labor for a new ipc. It is a defect they admit and it is a safety issue and concern that affects many vehicles besides mine no matter how many miles the vehicle has on it. God. . This is an american car company, have they not learned anything about loyalty?.

Speedometer on 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche not working, stuck at 120mph. I consider this a safety issue. Other cluster gauges -- tachometer and fuel gauge -- have also failed. Complete cluster needs to be replaced. Gm will not correct problem because it is out of warranty. There was a TSB issued by gm to repair the cluster. However, the TSB only requires gm to repair vehicles (at their expense) with less than 70k miles. My vehicle has over 110 miles. Is this problem any less of a safety issue for me than it is for those with less than 70k miles? gm is charging $500 to repair the most important instrument in the car. Speedometer failure is clearly a safety issue that should be corrected. The vehicle?s mileage should not be a determining factor as to whether gm or the owner have to pay for the repair. A speedometer should last for the expected life of the vehicle, not just 70k miles.

Www-odi. Nhtsa. Dot. Gov.

I have 79,000 miles on my 03 Avalanche and about a month ago the speedometer started failing at around 78,000 miles. Researched this problem online and found there was a fix for this defect up to 70,000 miles or 7 years. Was told I would have to pay for it myself! why!! this is a safety defect that shouldn't have a mileage or year stipulation on it!! if you read all the complaints, this happens over the 70,000 or 7 years stipulation with many other owners!!! I've owned many trucks and never had a speedo or cluster problem!! this should be recalled with no mileage or year restraints on it!! very dissatisfied customers out there about this!! this is a safety issue defect that the consumer shouldn't have to pay for!!.

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.

While driving my 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche z66 the speedometer stops & starts working. I feel this is of great concern for my safety as well as the others around me. I visited my local dealer only to find that will be covered under a recall as long as I have under 70,000 miles. I have exceeded the mileage and am expected to pay an estimated $1000. 00 to repair the problem. This is a non-wear & tear item that should be covered by chevy despite mileage.

The speedometer on my 2003 Avalanche sticks at random points and then indicates an incorrect speed which is very unsafe. For example it will stick at 45 mph and then increase from there as the vehicle sped is increased. Or it may slip to some other indicated speed from one moment to the next. Very unsafe. I checked the internet and this problem is being talked about by many, many consumers. I believe that you should issue a recall to require gm (Chevrolet) to fix this problem. Thank you.

2003 Avalanche speedometer fluctuates.

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. . . . . .

At approximately 91k miles the speedometer began to intermittently fail, then at approx. 96k miles, the tachometer began having the same issues. I've noticed on multiple bulletins where hundreds to thousands of people are having this same issue and we're all curious to know why gm has not been instructed to issue a recall. Gm has stated (via customer service reps) that knowing your speed is not a safety concern. I pose the question then, why do we have speed limits? of course your speed is a very important safety concern or it wouldn't be regulated. They need to replace these defective products they've put on the road & reimburse those that have already paid to have the repairs completed. Putting a mileage limit on this issue is absurd considering that most people experiencing this issue either got the letter from gm after the 70k mile mark or don't experience the defect until afterwards. Since when does safety have a mileage limit?.

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.

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.

Just driving my truck to work and the speedometer just quit working now when driving you never know how fast you are going it might stop at 50mph and the next time you drive it will start from there I have not yet had this serviced as I feel this is a major safety issue, and apparently it is a well known problem with chevy's but they will not stand behind it. I have even gotten a speeding ticket over this .

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.

Since purchasing this truck on 02/01/2007, there have been multiple problems with the transmission, engine, and electrical system that have not gotten resolved, however they do seem to get worse. The worst of these problems has occurred while driving on the northeast extension of the pennsylvania turnpike. While attempting to pass another vehicle in the left lane the engine "shut off". I was doing approx. 60-65 mph when this occurred during the am rush hour. After losing engine power I somehow made it safely to the right hand shoulder and let the truck "coast" to a stop. The power steering was not working, nor were the power brakes. After finally stopping, the truck did restart and I slowly continued on my way to work. The truck was taken to a dealership, and for almost (2) weeks the truck sat there while they tried to figure this out. After getting the truck back, the same problem occurred, and it went back to the same dealership. Since then it has been ok, except I have lost dashboard lights, radio lights, and also the cruise control indicator light, they claim other problems, however these issues were never a problem before they worked on the truck. Now I have air-bag lights flash at me while driving, and the transmission is slipping, this was the first problem with the truck that I reported on 03/14/2007 to the dealership that I purchased this truck from. I have already paid over $1500. 00 I repair costs, only to have them tell me it will cost approx. Another $800. 00-$1000. 00 to correct the air-bag, and transmission issues. These should be covered by my warranty, except the dealership insists I pay for the repairs. I have paid enough, and I am at my wit's end with this truck, and the dealership. I feel that I can no longer "safely" drive my family around in this truck, and I still have many years of payments left. ( I have never been late on a payment) please help me, I feel as though I have been sold a "money pit".

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.

2003 chevy Avalanche - 48k miles. While driving, the speedometer "ticks" somewhat like a watch and does not measure accurate speed. The speedometer will slowly reduce to zero, even though the vehicle is still moving.

2003 Chevrolet Avalanche; my speedometer suddenly quit working. The readings are crazy, showing that I am going over 100 mph when I am only going about 50 mph. At one stop sign, the speedometer insisted I was going 120 mph! this situation is dangerous.

After purchasing a 2003 in Aug, its now at 80,000 miles as Nov 06, and the speedometer has broken. According to chev, the fuse for speedometer is location in dash and is part of a cluster unit supporting many instrumentation parts. It cost 550. 00 to replace. I worked with chev for a month trying to obtain a clear answer for this defective safety item. All I got was 75,000 mile warranty has expired. I explained that if anything, a speedometer should work for the life of the car. Six calls later and plenty of "ill get back with you", chev would not stand up to any repair or review of this faulty item at their expense. I would like to know if any other reports on this item have be found and if any recourse is available to consumers with this issue??? thank you.

Speedometer reads erratically. Yesterday "0" was 30 mph. Each time I start the vehicle "0" is something different.