Three problems related to brake antilock wheel speed sensor have been reported for the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I own a 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche. The abs activates almost at every stop, even on dry pavement. In researching this problem I have found that there are many complaints on-line for the same problem. I also found that there is a recall for this problem for earlier model years but not for 2004. It iseems apearent that the 2004 model year should be included. I have already paid a great deal of money to have the brakes, wheel bearings and speed sensors replaced. And the problem persists. I have to exercise extreme caution every time I stop for fear of rear ending the vehicle in front of me. Any help you can provide will certainly be appreciated by myself and all those affected.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. The contact stated that the tailgate straps were rusty and beginning to fail. In addition, the abs speed sensor was slow at stopping the vehicle. The abs would pulse and the vehicle would take longer to stop. The steering wheel was loose and vibrated when driving over a bump. The shaft bushing is also failing in the steering wheel column. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls for the failures; therefore, the contact would be responsible for the repairs. The failure mileage was 86,000. Updated 3/5/09 updated 03/10/09.
When I slow down at low rates of speed, occasionally the brakes began to pulsate as if in the abs mode. I was told that it was because of the corrosion on the abs speed sensors, located within the wheel bearing assembly, formed by road salt. This problem just appeared without warning or provocation. When operating the vehicle and low speeds, stopping distances are lengthen by 10 to 30 percent. There has been a recall on this type of vehicle for several years in other states. For some inexplicable reason, it does not pertain to wisconsin. Even after all of these years, the part to repair my truck remains on backorder. The dealer/manufacturer can only provide them if I purchased the whole bearing assembly which is quadruple the price of the part that I need. Of course, I feel that this is unfair and while I wait for the appropriate part to repair my truck, I am putting my safety, as well as others, in jeopardy (this is sad to say but I am not using prudent decision-making skills). I believe that it is fair to say that if there were not others in the area having this exact same problem, the part would not be on backorder throughout the dealerships in wisconsin. I believe that this matter should be look into and addressed and refunds given to those who have paid the enormous price of this repair simply because it is a known defect and because this defect is a safety hazards.