Model year
2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 204 complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 0 recalls and 191 complaints under AVALANCHE 1500 and AVALANCHE 2500. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are SERVICE BRAKES (51), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL (20), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (18). NHTSA lists 4 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 13–14 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $4,800–$5,150, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2002 444 complaints
- 2003 204 complaints
- 2004 165 complaints
- 2005 71 complaints
- 2006 11 complaints
- 2007 377 complaints
- 2008 258 complaints
- 2009 76 complaints
- 2010 111 complaints
- 2011 127 complaints
- 2012 36 complaints
- 2013 82 complaints
Recalls
05V163000 · Apr 22, 2005
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
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…
04V129000 · Mar 17, 2004
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
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…
04V045000 · Feb 4, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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…
03V019000 · Jan 27, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VEHICLES, DURING A 30 DEGREE LEFT ANGLE FRONTAL IMPACT OF SUFFICIENT SEVERITY, A TEAR COULD DEVELOP IN THE MID-FRAME CROSS MEMBER AT ITS ATTACHMENT TO THE LEFT FRAME RAIL. IF THE MID-FRAME CROSS MEMBER TEARS DURING FRONTAL…
Complaints
204 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 10, fire flag on 2, injury field 7, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| AVALANCHE 1500 | 0 | 182 |
| AVALANCHE 2500 | 0 | 9 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA04005 | TAILGATE CABLE BREAKAGE · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH; STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE; STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | Feb 19, 2004 | Sep 28, 2004 |
| EA04012 | HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST; STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | Apr 30, 2004 | Feb 28, 2005 |
| DP05009 | PARKING BRAKE FAILURE · PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL; PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL; PARKING BRAKE | Dec 20, 2005 | May 31, 2006 |
| PE10010 | Brake line corrosion failure · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | Mar 30, 2010 | Jan 5, 2011 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalanche 1500 2WD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 12 | 17 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
| Avalanche 1500 4WD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 12 | 16 | 13 | — | — | $5,150 |
| Avalanche 1500 AWD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 12 | 16 | 13 | — | — | $5,150 |
| Avalanche 1500 2WD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 13 | 17 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
| Avalanche 1500 4WD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 13 | 17 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
| Avalanche 1500 AWD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 13 | 17 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.