2004 Chevrolet Avalanche Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 42about this part
- Share
- 25%of 165 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 74,974miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 42 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche, 25% of the 165 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,974 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My son was going to the store and when he applied the brake the pedal went to the floor and he had no brakes. After he parked the truck he noticed a puddle of fluid under the drivers side in front of the rear wheel. When I returned home I filled the brake reservoir I had my wife push the brake peddle and I found the leak in the rusty brake line.”
NHTSA complaint #10532237, filed 2013-07, 170,170 miles“The brake line burst as I was shifting into drive could not stop vehicle, shifted it into park and was able to stop before hitting someone. Why are these lines not made of stainless steel? Better yet why is this agency not doing anything about this? They jump all over a key switch that may cause a problem but do nothing for something as important as be able to safely stop our vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #10731835, filed 2015-07, 189,000 miles“Driving in heavy traffic on I 95 south on the way to vacation, brakes failed when I attempted to slow down. I rear ended another vehicle. Had truck in shop for week and found several problems with lines and 2 leaks. I heard that there is a known metal defect with 2001-2004 brake lines. I can't find any recall information.”
NHTSA complaint #10628325, filed 2014-08, 199,000 miles“Started my Chevrolet, started backing up down an incline of my driveway, service brakes indicator illuminated. Brake pedal sank to the floor. No brakes. Opened hood and the front left wheel brake line (cheap steel) was shooting brake fluid everywhere and all over the engine. It's going to a Chevrolet dealership tomorrow for repairs.”
NHTSA complaint #10503229, filed 2013-03, 76,912 miles“My husband, 3 year old, any myself were driving back from a doctor appointment when we had to make a sudden stop because of a driver 2 cars ahead of us that quickly applied brakes to make a quick right hand turn. The driver in front of us in turn had to apply his breaks on and when my husband applied the brakes on our 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche there were no brakes!! Our 3 year old was asleep in the backseat!! …”
NHTSA complaint #10716593, filed 2015-05, 91,000 milesRelated recalls
- 05V043000Feb 8, 2005Certain trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans equipped with bosch hydro-boost brake assemblies, the hydraulic brake booster pressure accumulator may crack…Covers: Chevrolet Avalanche 2004–2005, Silverado 2004–2005, GMC Savana 2004–2005 +7 more
- 04V045000Feb 4, 2004Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135…Covers: Chevrolet Avalanche 2003–2004, Silverado 2003–2004, GMC Yukon 2003–2004 +10 more
Related service bulletins
- 10054261Sep 1, 2014Chevrolet/gmc/cadillac: anytime hydraulic brake pipes assembly need replacing, pre-formed and pre-flared brake pipes are available, except rear axle crossover pipe. Model…
- 10112546Nov 6, 2012This 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…
- 10018591Sep 1, 2009Brake pedal assembly replacement bracket service kit. *tt updated 3/26/10.
- 10022470Jun 1, 2007Abs light on, dtc's c0265, c0201, u1041 set and/or loss of communication with brake module. (reground ebcm ground).
- 10021133Mar 13, 2007Service brake booster message.
- 10014986Feb 1, 2006Service stability message on, diagnostic trouble code (dtc) c0131, c0196, c0290 and/or c0292 set.
- 10017092Oct 24, 2005Service brake booster message.
- 10016554Sep 21, 2005Hoot or squeak type noise on rapid brake apply.
- 10011125Oct 1, 2004Low brake pedal, red brake light on, brake system warning message on. *tt updated
- 10011201Aug 1, 2004Revised brake pads replacement-rear.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 3% |
| 2011 | 4 | 3% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 6 | 2% |
| 2006 | 2 | 18% |
| 2005 | 5 | 7% |
| 2004 | 42 | 25% |
| 2003 | 81 | 40% |
| 2002 | 200 | 45% |
Other parts of the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
60 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
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