2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 4%of 182 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 109,097miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500, 4% of the 182 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 109,097 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, 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“The vehicle was stopped at a 2-way stop. Upon turning right, my foot went from the brake to the gas pedal and got hooked on a piece of metal extending from the arm of the accelerator. This caused my foot to be trapped below the brake pedal but attached to the gas pedal. The vehicle spun back and forth while trying to get my foot off the accelerator. I hit a truck coming from the opposite direction from which I was turning pinning it to the guard rail. …”
NHTSA complaint #10503759, filed 2013-03, 114,916 miles“The plastic cladding on my 2003 Chevrolet avalanche turned from its original black to a chalky color with streaking. This was not covered under the warranty, according to the dealership. The truck was exposed to normal environmental conditions in alabama and tennessee.”
NHTSA complaint #10243599, filed 2008-09, 36,000 miles“Dashboard is cracked above the speedometer. I have 56000 miles on the vehicle. I owned a 2008 model and had same issue. I thought this was addressed and fixed on newer models. I'm told it'll cost me $1500 to fix. If they aren't going to make this good I'm switching over to toyotas. This vehicle was parked for days when I went to use it noticed the crack. Very dissappointed!”
NHTSA complaint #10926521, filed 2016-11“The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was on a lift at an independent mechanic, the independent mechanic found rust on the subframe. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was a private sale. The contact had purchased the vehicle two months prior to finding the rust. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to replace the muffler. The contact was informed that the subframe was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11683105, filed 2025-08, 91,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10237648May 9, 2023This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10213818May 31, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint…
- 10211764Apr 13, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10197294May 12, 2021This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint…
- 10154601Dec 17, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10151839Nov 14, 2018This Preliminary Information communicates an issues with the headliner sagging and how to reattach the velcro using Hardman Double Bubble Epoxy part number 04001.
- 10129889Feb 13, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a lean to the left or right. Technician will need to measure fender…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 8 | 28% |
| 2012 | 1 | 6% |
| 2011 | 4 | 14% |
| 2010 | 1 | 17% |
| 2009 | 3 | 15% |
| 2008 | 2 | 5% |
| 2007 | 18 | 16% |
| 2006 | 5 | 13% |
| 2005 | 3 | 2% |
| 2004 | 7 | 5% |
| 2003 | 8 | 4% |
| 2002 | 11 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500
84 complaintsBrakes
53 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsSteering
9 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 30, 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