The Lemon IndexAll carsChevroletAvalanche2003
200220041st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: electrical
99 owner complaints, first 3 years 13–14 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 Ford F-150 622003 Chevrolet Silverado 942003 Ram 1500 109
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
- Rust / frame corrosion79 complaintsmostly at 77,000–140,000 miles (123,000–225,000 km)
- Engine stalling12 complaintsmostly at 25,000–89,000 miles (40,000–144,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 395 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 15,000 and 48,000 miles (24,000–77,000 km) (the middle half of the 65 complaints, of all 99 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09E012000 (lights), 07E106000 (wheels) and 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? It has 7 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Chevy sent dealers 739 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Whine noise from rear axle”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 99 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 15K to 48K miles (24K to 77K km) on the car (65 of all 99 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
2003 chevy Avalanche z66 speedometer failure, seems like a very common problem and should be addressed by the manufacturer with recall.
2003 Chevrolet Avalanche owner · NHTSA complaint 10170213
More owner reports
Speedometer reads erratically. Yesterday "0" was 30 mph. Each time I start the vehicle "0" is something different.
NHTSA complaint 10171402
Speedometer and fuel gauges not functioning correctly.
NHTSA complaint 10176952
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 739 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Whine noise from rear axle
- Transmission has a harsh 1-2 shift, slipping 1-2 shift followed by a harsh engagement
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 7
- Lights · recall issued 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Wheels · recall issued 2007
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, …
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2…
Show all 7 recalls
- Seat belts · recall issued 2005
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, ESPECIALL…
- Body structure · recall issued 2004
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.
- Brakes · recall issued 2004
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…
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2003
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VEHICLES, DURING A 30 DEGREE LEFT ANGLE FRONTAL IMPACT OF SUFFICIENT SEVERITY, A TEAR COULD DEVELOP IN THE MID-FRAME CROSS MEMBER AT ITS ATTACHMENT TO THE LEFT FRAME R…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Chevrolet Avalanche recall, all years · All Chevrolet recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedBrake line corrosion failure2011–2015
- ClosedBrake line corrosion failure2010–2011
- ClosedParking brake failure2005–2006
- ClosedTailgate cable breakage2004
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★☆☆ · side — · rollover ★★☆☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,300–$4,600 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 5.3L 8-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Avalanche year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-avalanche/?y=2003" title="Chevrolet Avalanche reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="376" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-avalanche/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 Chevrolet Avalanche reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 130; 100 is average, lower is better). The Chevrolet Avalanche year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2012.
What are the most common 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (24%), brakes (12%) and transmission & drivetrain (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche have?
7 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche get?
13 to 14 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 15,000 and 48,000 miles (24,000–77,000 km) (the middle half of the 65 complaints, of all 99 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2003 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche cost in fuel a year?
About $4,300 to $4,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche have?
5.3L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Avalanche year is better than the 2003?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2012 drew the fewest (about half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works