2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 5%of 182 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500, 5% of the 182 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving west on peters rd in middlefield when I hit a patch of black ice putting the truck into a skid which put me in the ditch I hit a mailbox and a culvert (drain pipe) head on tearing up the whole front end of the avalanche it hit right on the sensors but the air bags never deployed.”
NHTSA complaint #10693585, filed 2015-03, 172,000 miles“Turning at low speeds power steering pump stops working at low sped. No apparent problems w/ the pump no loose belt. Need to rev to 1500 RPM to get the power steering to work. Seams to work ok when it is cold problem starts when veh.. Is warmed up. Repair has not been made yet.”
NHTSA complaint #10375336, filed 2011-01, 70,000 miles“2003 avalanche with z71 suspension option. After less than one year old vehicle started making severe clunking noise from driver's side front wheel when making a turn. Taken to dealer under warranty. Dealer replaced a part and stated that some clunking was normal . Noise ceased after repair. Clunking returned in about another year and is once again severe. Sounds like the front wheel is going to fall off. Concerned about the safety of vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10212660, filed 2007-12, 10,000 miles“I bought this vehicle and the cluster is out I do not know what model this is other than a z66 so I cannot see on how to program my phone at to the onstar or any of that I don't know if I have satellite radio there is no auxiliary plug in heated seats it's only the back of the seat that works I'm not sure if that's all that is heated and it says that it's supposed to be come with a key fob I did not receive my car completely dies I have to turn it completely off turn the key around and started again the whole steering column looks like it has been replaced I did not receive the key fob I…”
NHTSA complaint #11386897, filed 2021-01“I have a 2003 chevy avalanche it has a clunking noise in the front . The dealer has replaced the intermediate steering shaft at approx. 25000 miles . Now at 56000 miles it is clunking again. The dealer says that chevy doesn't sell the part any more and that they only can get it under certain conditions and just making noise isn't one of them they also claim there is no danger but I can't believe if there is something loose in the steering that it won't be dangerous. When you can't even get it repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #10162165, filed 2006-07Related service bulletins
- 10113436Feb 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps needed to diagnose and repair the vehicles that may have unwanted or phantom phone…
Steering: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500
84 complaintsBrakes
53 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 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