2004 Chevrolet AVALANCHE: complaints, problems and recalls

THE HEADLAMPS, PARKING LAMPS, FOG LAMPS, AND DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS HAVE CONDENSATION FORM ON THE INSIDE OF THE LENSES DURING COLD WEATHER AFTER THE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN TURNED ON. THIS REDUCES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE LIGHTS AND CAN LEAD TO UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE DEALER REFUSES TO REPLACE THE LAMPS UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH NJ DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES SAYS THEY WILL FAIL THE VEHICLE WHEN I TAKE IT FOR THE STATE MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION. *LA

Owner-reported narrative. 160 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052921 at NHTSA ↗

REAR SEAT (MIDDLE SEAT) BELT RESTRAINT- FAILED TO RETRACT. DEALER REPLACE RESTRAINT. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056266 at NHTSA ↗

A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF TIRE SIDEWALL FLEX AND UNDER SPRUNG SUSPENSION HAS CAUSED BACK KICK OUT ON CORNERS WITH BUMPS OR EXPANSION JOINTS.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10056959 at NHTSA ↗

DURING ACCELERATION (TAKING FOOT OFF ACCLERATOR STOPS NOISE) A GRINDING NOISE APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM REAR AXLE OR TRANSMISSION. NOISE IS INTERMITTENT, OCCURS APPROXIMATELY 4-5 TIMES PER WEEK. HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY UNIQUE CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE OCCURRENCE. NOISE WILL GENERALLY ONLY OCCUR FOR A SINGLE ACCELERATION AND AFTER IT GOES AWAY, IT IS UNKNOWN WHEN IT WILL RETURN.

Owner-reported narrative. 900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10058453 at NHTSA ↗

WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE HESITATED INTERMITTENTLY. *AK THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ALTERNATOR, RADIO SYSTEM (CD WOULD OVER HEAT). *SC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067070 at NHTSA ↗

AT 500 MILES, MY NEW AVALANCHE REQUIRED THE CROSSMEMBER TO BE CHANGED DUE TO CLUNKS IN THE COLUMN AND FLOORBOARD DURING TURNS, AT SLOW OR FAST SPEEDS. AGAIN AT 9527 MILES IT REQUIRED CHANGING AGAIN FOR THE SAME REASONS. I HAD A 2002 AVALANCHE THAT GM HAD TO BUY BACK FROM ME DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM BUT WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10078854 at NHTSA ↗

OUR 2004 CHEVROLET 3/4 TON AVALANCHE STALLS ON THE ROAD WHEN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 90 DEGREES AND ABOVE 3000 FEET AMBIENT ALTITUDE. ALMOST CAUSED TWO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 2,210 miles reported. Look up ODI 10089032 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL A CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVEN TIMES, AND DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.*AK 8NM

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10094306 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2004-02-04 (February 4, 2004)

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.

Consequence: CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.

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.

Reported: 2004-03-17 (March 17, 2004)

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.

Consequence: ANYONE SITTING OR STANDING ON THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF THE TAILGATE WHEN BOTH CABLES FRACTURED COULD BE INJURED BY FALLING FROM THE TAILGATE. ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BUMPER REMOVED, THE TAILGATE MAY DROP EVEN LOWER. ADDITIONALLY, IF THERE IS CARGO ON THE TAILGATE THE CARGO MAY FALL OFF IF THE SUPPORT CABLES FRACTURE.

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.

Reported: 2005-02-08 (February 8, 2005)

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.

Consequence: IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WERE OPEN, FRAGMENTS FROM THE ACCUMULATOR COULD CAUSE INJURY TO PEOPLE IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA. THE PRESENCE OF THIS CRACK OR FRACTURED SURFACE COULD ALLOW THE HYDRAULIC FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE ACCUMULATOR CIRCUIT OF THE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY. THE LOSS OF FLUID WOULD CAUSE INCREASED STEERING AND BRAKING EFFORT AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

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.

Reported: 2005-04-22 (April 22, 2005)

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.

Consequence: A LAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ROUTING THAT IS NOT LOW AND SNUG ON THE HIPS CAN ALLOW THE LAP BELT TO RIDE UP ON AN OCCUPANT'S ABDOMEN INSTEAD OF FITTING LOW AROUND THEIR HIPBONES, AND THEREFORE, CAN EXPOSE THEM TO MORE RISK OF ABDOMINAL AND INTERNAL ORGAN INJURY.

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.

Reported: 2006-08-03 (August 3, 2006)

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.

Consequence: IF THE DAMPER COMES LOOSE, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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.