2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 84about this part
- Share
- 46%of 182 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 84 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500, 46% of the 182 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11384649, filed 2020-12, 150,000 miles“I believe the same problem with the GM key/ignition switch is more common then what is being reported. The avalanche 2003 has had the same loose ignition switch for years. Our key system has to be jiggled and forced to the start position 80 percent of the time. The ignition switch will also move the off position while the vehicle is moving and the key will fall out.”
NHTSA complaint #10568754, filed 2014-03, 93,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10628481, filed 2014-08, 200,000 miles“2003 chevy avalanche where speedometer just quit and is now pegged at 120 MPH when parked. This is a safety issue because really have no idea of what speed I am going. Based on many other GM owners I know that have had this problem, GM needs to put a recall on the instrument cluster. Two people I know have had it quoted as a $600 fix. This is insane.”
NHTSA complaint #10182258, filed 2007-02, 102,900 miles“The speedometer does not work right. There was a recall on this from Chevrolet, however, it was only for vehicles with less than 70000 miles. We had taken our vehicle in to get fixed and our warrant would not cover this. This is a safety issue. You do not know how fast you are going as the speedometer is over 120 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10220982, filed 2008-03, 71,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 11006621Aug 26, 2024Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which…
- 11006274Aug 13, 2024This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the speedometer needle appears to be inaccurate. Dealer should advise the…
- 11002312Jun 6, 2024This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414…
- 10252735Mar 28, 2024This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement fasteners with conductive finish.
- 10244214Sep 21, 2023This informational bulletin provides information for the IPC odometer programming method quick reference guide.
- 10237671May 19, 2023This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its…
- 10225615Oct 19, 2022This service bulletin provides information on Module Harvesting.
- 10213796May 12, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the speedometer needle appears to be inaccurate. Dealer should advise the…
- 10198890May 25, 2021This service bulletin provides diagnostic tips/steps on testing for possible EVAP leaks in the system to correct a customer concern of an MIL Illuminated with DTCs P0442 and/or…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 | 7% |
| 2011 | 4 | 14% |
| 2010 | 1 | 17% |
| 2009 | 2 | 10% |
| 2008 | 7 | 19% |
| 2007 | 11 | 10% |
| 2006 | 4 | 10% |
| 2005 | 47 | 36% |
| 2004 | 53 | 37% |
| 2003 | 84 | 46% |
| 2002 | 11 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500
53 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsTires
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology