2003 Chevrolet Avalanche Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 3%of 204 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 9,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche, 3% of the 204 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,000 miles. 1 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 have a 2003 chevy Avalanche z71 with 59000 miles. I noticed my vehicle being very sluggish the day before. When I left for work, I could barely get up to 50 MPH, in order for me to stay at 50 MPH I would have to reach 3000 RPM. After I turned down a side road, I could only get up to 20 MPH at 3000 RPM. I pulled over and called for help. I took it to a chevy dealership. They found the intake gasket was bad which caused the converters to fail and clog up the y pipe. It's hard to believe this happened with only 59000 miles. I take great care of my Avalanche. …”
NHTSA complaint #10178986, filed 2007-01, 58,980 miles“On december 12, 2003 vehicle stalled in the middle of an intersection, resulting in a crash that could have been fatal. Consumer stated, this vehicle had been seven to eight times at dealer with engine and transmission problems. Dealer could not duplicate or correct the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10050525, filed 2003-12, 9,000 miles“Engine uses 1 qt per 2k miles of engine oil, according to dealer this is acceptable, but if not noticed or checked it could lead to engine failure. I would have not bought the truck if it said engine burns oil .”
NHTSA complaint #10107532, filed 2005-01, 2,000 miles“Driving at speeds of 60 the truck will just shut down. The truck engine light comes on and it reads reduce engine power. I have no gas, no brake, very little steering. Chevy dealer says it's the truck going into limp mode. Is limp mode a real thing? I googled it..but couldn't find anything on it. I tried to look up recalls on 2003 chevy avalanches but couldn't find any of those either. There have got to be more people out there experiencing this problem. Help!!!! I have 2 small children and don't want them hurt in the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10430911, filed 2011-10“Shortly after refueling the vehicle the consumer smelled a fuel odor. He stopped the vehicle and as he pulled the hood release he saw flames shooting up onto the windshield. A police officer nearby attempted to put the fire out using a fire extinguisher. A second police officer arrived and emptied his fire extinguisher before the fire was put out. The engine compartment was completely burned out. The vehicle was totaled. The cause of the fire is unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #10048703, filed 2003-11Related service bulletins
- 10115143Nov 30, 2015This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about gasoline powered cars, mid-size trucks, light duty trucks, and heavy duty trucks with…
- 10112116Jul 17, 2014This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible…
- 10036464May 1, 2011Buick/cadillac/chevrolet/gmc/hummer/pontiac/saab: oil consumption and/or exhaust smoke-possible pcv baffle or lifter concern. Upon inspection, obvious oil will be found in the…
- 10037933Jan 1, 2011Gm: the service engine soon light is on, there is also a misfire or engine noise. There are multiple possible causes.
- 10024344Feb 1, 2008Possible engine oil leak due to pcv freeze-up, equipped with the 4.8, 5.3, 6.0, and 6.2 v-8 engines.
- 10021021Feb 22, 2007Service vme. Supplement to 00-02-35-003l. Update on new I-shaft.
- 10014870May 11, 20051999 - 2005 gen ii cold engine misfire at idle with possible p0171 and/or p0174.
- 10017409May 1, 2005Oil leak under extreme cold temperatures (-34 degrees c) (-30 degrees f) or colder).
- 10015008Mar 1, 2005Revised diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p1172 and dtc p2636.
- 10015005Mar 1, 2005Revised inspection/maintenance (I/m) evaporative emission (evap) system set procedure.
Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
81 complaintsElectrical system
42 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsTires
7 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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