10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 65,733 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
I can hear a clunking or rattling noise in my steering wheel. I can also feel it in the steering wheel while driving.
- Gonzales, LA, USA
The other day I started noticing that when I turn right (or left in reverse) at a low rate of speed the vehicle makes a clunking noise and my steering is affected. I started looking online for a remedy to this problem and found that several people had the same problem and did not know where to report it. I don't feel it is fair that as the consumer that I am responsible for a design flaw by GM. I also don't feel its fair to have to spend up $400 when its all said and done each time that it will have to be repaired.
- Oklahoma City, OK, USA
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.
- Warren, OH, USA
Since we bought this truck in 2004 it sounds as if the steering wheel is loose. It makes a noise like its loose. The steering wheel feels sturdy it's just under the steering wheel it sounds loose.
- Pennington Gap, VA, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. The contact stated that when driving various speeds, a knocking noise was heard from under the hood. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they advised the contact that the steering shaft needed to be replaced.the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that she needed to take the vehicle to a dealer for further assistance. The failure mileage was 50,000....updated 11/09/12 updated 11/14/12
- Brandon, MS, USA
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.
- Hawthorne, NJ, USA
I have a 2003 Avalanche with approx.113000 miles. Recently while driving in a MINIshopping center I went to turn into a parking spot and my steering wheel locked on me. I could not move my steering wheel at all. I then put my truck in park and turned the ignition off and cranked it back up and my steering wheel immediately unlocked. On that Friday while driving on interstate 264E coming of exit my steering locked again. Fortunately there was no vehicle behind me, and I was able to shut the vehicle off and turn it back on to unlock the steering wheel. On both occasions I was driving at two different speeds. My vehicle is currently in the shop. Is there a recall in the works? this is so dangerous.
- Virginia Beach, VA, USA
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.
- Chula Vist, CA, USA
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. I've work as a mechanic for several years and did N.Y.state inspections and had to fail cars with bad steering parts but maybe the safety of the public isn't important anymore just the profit of the companies. Thank you for your time.
- Horseheads, NY, USA
Purchased a used 2003 Chevy Avalanche at a dealership in Feb 2006 upon servicing the vehicle two months later was told that the car had extensive under carriage rust. This car originated in Michigan but I am wondering if it was a katrina vehicle during auction? recently had problems with U-joints which had to be replaced. GM mechanic says the rust is extensive and caused this problem it will need a lube kit to re-lube all the mechanics under the truck. None of this under carriage body rust was disclosed to us upon purchasing the vehicle in fact the dealer told us he only gets the best used vehicles. There is also a problem with the steering column which makes a clunking noise when turning the wheel - the mechanic at the GM dealership says this is a know problem.
- Santa Barbara, CA, USA
- Wichita Falls, TX, USA