2004 Chevrolet Avalanche recalls and problems

The 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche has 5 safety recalls and 165 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Chevrolet dealer.

Recalls
5
Complaints
165
Crashes / fires
6 / 1
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2004 Chevrolet Avalanche recalls

Recall 06V-289: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Aug 3, 2006 · 38,439 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: On certain trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 (Rpo l8-VIN g) engine have a condition in which the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip may fracture resulting in inadequate retention of the damper.

Risk: If the damper comes loose, a fuel leak may result. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip free of charge. The recall began on august 31, 2006. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc trucks at 1-866-996-9463.

Recall 05V-163: Seat Belts

Reported Apr 22, 2005 · 1,359,824 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: On certain crew cab pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the 2nd row center occupant seat belt routing may make it difficult to position the lap portion of the safety belt low around the hips of occupants, especially smaller occupants, seated in this position. Appropriate use of a child seat or booster seat, as recommended for small children, does improve the fit condition for this user group. In addition to instructions on proper infant and young child restraint (With child seats or boosters), special verbiage for restraining older child is included in the owner's manual. Also, the suggested seat belt fit/routing for adults, irrespective of seating position, is described in the owner's manual text.

Risk: A lap portion of the seat belt routing that is not low and snug on the hips can allow the lap belt to ride up on an occupant's abdomen instead of fitting low around their hipbones, and therefore, can expose them to more risk of abdominal and internal organ injury.

Fix: Dealers will cut open the guide loop, remove a portion of the loop, and then the remaining two sides should be folded over and secured with a retainer free of charge. The recall began on july 21, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or hummer at 1-800-732-5493.

Recall 05V-043: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Feb 8, 2005 · 77,411 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: Certain trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans equipped with bosch hydro-boost brake assemblies, the hydraulic brake booster pressure accumulator may crack and separate from the hydro-boost assembly during normal operating conditions.

Risk: If a separation occurred and the hood of the vehicle were open, fragments from the accumulator could cause injury to people in the immediate area. The presence of this crack or fractured surface could allow the hydraulic fluid to leak from the accumulator circuit of the booster assembly. The loss of fluid would cause increased steering and braking effort and a crash may occur without prior warning.

Fix: Dealers will test the hydro-boost assembly for functional operation of the two-function valve. If the hydro-boost assembly fails the test, dealers will replace the assembly free of charge. The recall began on march 23, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc trucks at 1-866-996-9463 and hummer at 1-800-732-5493.

Recall 04V-129: Structure

Reported Mar 17, 2004 · 3,662,211 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the galvanized steel tailgate support cables that retain the tailgate in the full open (Horizontal) position may corrode, weaken, and eventually fracture. If both cables fractured, the tailgate would suddenly drop and strike the top surface of the rear bumper.

Risk: Anyone sitting or standing on the horizontal surface of the tailgate when both cables fractured could be injured by falling from the tailgate. On vehicles that have had the bumper removed, the tailgate may drop even lower. Additionally, if there is cargo on the tailgate the cargo may fall off if the support cables fracture.

Fix: Dealers will replace the cables. Interim owner notification began on april 7, 20004. The recall began on september 24, 2004, when replacement parts were available, and will continue through october 29, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or visit www.mygmlink.com, and enter your vehicle identification number.

Recall 04V-045: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Feb 4, 2004 · 68,875 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, ?passenger car brake systems.? Some of these vehicles were produced with an out-of-specification brake hydro-boost housing relief valve bore.

Risk: Consequently, the valve o-ring seal may fracture. Steering efforts may be slightly increased while braking or parking. Under certain driving conditions, a fractured seal may require a slight increase in the applied brake pedal effort to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seat fracture.

Fix: Dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began on june 18, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339; chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; gmc at 1-866-996-9463; or hummer at 1-866-486-6376.

2004 Chevrolet Avalanche problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Electrical System61
Service Brakes25
Service Brakes, Hydraulic17
Power Train14
Steering10
Fuel System, Gasoline9
Visibility9
Air Bags9
Suspension7
Structure7
Engine and Engine Cooling6
Vehicle Speed Control5

Most reported parts

  • Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel — 31
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 6
  • Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump — 3
  • Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer — 3
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 3
  • Steering › Column — 3
  • Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 2
  • Structure › Body › Tailgate — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 56,300 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · at 178,000 miles · reported Nov 23, 2021
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear brakes needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who replaced the parking brakes and the brake fluid; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the brake pedal would hesitate to respond when depressed, causing a 100-feet in stopping distance…
Steering · at 92,207 miles · reported Apr 9, 2016
4"takata recall" the contact owns a 2004 chevy avalanche with a set of capitol precision trac ll tires on it. While pulling off in the vehicle and driving around 35 MPH you could feel the back end shaking and wobbling like the lug nuts were loose. The vehicle was pulled off the road to investigate the shaking issue where was found that the tires tread was separating making humps and waves in the tread. This happened on the highway at 92,207 miles on vehicle and 7, 319 miles on 265/70r17 capitol precision trac ll tires. The vehicle was parked for a few days until getting tires to replace the…
Unknown or Other · at 130,000 miles · reported Feb 29, 2016
My vehicle has a kelsey hayes ABS module that has already failed twice. First at about 75.000 miles and now at 130.000 miles, always while driving. The module was recalled in 2002 and the manufacturer was given a chance to redesign it, but it is still a bad part. The blogs are full of owners constantly complaining about this. I had to take GM to the mat to replace the first one since the truck was manufactured after the first recall. This time around I didn't have the time or patience to do so an went ahead an replaced it out of my own pocket. Ia m also stuck with this part as it is not…
Service Brakes · at 67,869 miles · reported Nov 9, 2015
My son had borrowed the truck and was returning it with his 4 and 5 year old sons in the vehicle. He was in a traffic circle and had to brake to avoid an accident. Immediately afterwards the brake failure warning came on and the truck had no brakes. Fortunately he was only going about 25 MPH and was able to park it on the shoulder and no one was injured. I was able to get it to a local dealer for repair to the tune of $1,952. They diagnosed the problem as a rusted brake line that ruptured and damaged the left caliper. We got no prior warning of the brake failure. In 2012 I also had a sudden…
Service Brakes · at 125,000 miles · reported Sep 18, 2015
The contact owns a 2004 chevrolet avalanche. While driving approximately 7 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard. The ABS warning indicator illuminated. The emergency brake was engaged and the vehicle failed to stop. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake lines were rusted and the vehicle had multiple brake leaks. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.

Other Chevrolet Avalanche years

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Frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche: 06V-289 (engine and engine cooling), 05V-163 (seat belts), 05V-043 (service brakes, hydraulic), 04V-129 (structure), 04V-045 (service brakes, hydraulic). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (61 reports), followed by service brakes (25). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 56,300 miles.

Are Chevrolet recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Chevrolet dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.