CarBrief

The 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche has 386 owner complaints and 4 recalls on file with NHTSA[1][2]. Brakes and the electrical system are the two groups owners name most often[3][4].

386owner complaints[1]
4recalls[2]
13–14MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

Owners have sent NHTSA 386 complaints about this truck[1]. Of those, 15 mention a crash, 5 a fire and 9 injuries[1]. None report a death[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Here are the groups named most often.

Component group Complaints Crashes Fires Injuries Median mileage at failure
Brakes[3] 133 7 1 0 105,000
Electrical system[4] 126 0 2 0 79,532
Air bags[6] 26 3 0 3 78,000
Speed control[7] 22 2 0 0 71,000

Smaller groups are the power train with 18 complaints[8], steering with 17[9], structure with 17[10] and visibility with 14[11]. The structure group lists 4 injuries[10].

Brakes. In a sample of 12 brake complaints we read, 7 describe a pedal that sinks to the floor or braking that feels weak[3]. Several describe early wear, rust or noise that ended in rotor or pad work[3]. The 133 complaints put brakes at the top of the list, and 7 of them mention a crash[3].

Electrical system. In a sample of 12 texts, 4 describe a faulty speedometer or gauge cluster[4]. Another 4 describe battery damage, a burning smell or smoke from a blower motor[4]. Two fires are tied to this group[4].

Air bags. In a sample of 12 texts, 8 describe an air bag warning light that stays on or comes and goes[6]. Three describe air bags that did not open in a crash[6].

Speed control. In a sample of 12 texts, 10 describe a speedometer that reads wrong, sticks or jumps[7].

A small sample cannot tell you how common any of this is. It only shows what owners describe.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 4 recalls for this model year[2]. Here they are, newest first.

Our data does not show whether work was done on any one truck.

Fuel economy

EPA lists a 5.3L 8-cylinder engine with a 4-speed automatic for every version[5][16][17][18][19][20].

Version and fuel City Highway Combined Annual fuel cost
2WD, regular[5] 12 17 14 $4,800
4WD, regular[16] 12 16 13 $5,150
AWD, regular[17] 12 16 13 $5,150
2WD, gasoline or E85[18] 13 17 14 $4,800
4WD, gasoline or E85[19] 13 17 14 $4,800
AWD, gasoline or E85[20] 13 17 14 $4,800

The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the truck was new[5].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2003 Avalanche 2 stars for rollover[21]. We have no other star ratings for this model year.

Engine and size

The EPA entries list a 5.3L 8-cylinder engine[5]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
1500 2WD[22] 222 in 79 in 73 in 130 in 5,437 lb
1500 4WD[23] 222 in 79 in 74 in 130 in 5,679 lb
2500 2WD[24] 222 in 79 in 73 in 130 in 6,356 lb
2500 4WD[25] 222 in 79 in 74 in 130 in 6,643 lb

How 2003 compares with other years

2002: 598 complaints, 2 recalls20022003: 386 complaints, 4 recalls38620032004: 309 complaints, 5 recalls20042005: 200 complaints, 4 recalls20052006: 50 complaints, 2 recalls20062007: 490 complaints, 5 recalls20072008: 295 complaints, 4 recalls20082009: 96 complaints, 5 recalls20092010: 117 complaints, 3 recalls20102011: 155 complaints, 5 recalls20112012: 52 complaints, 3 recalls20122013: 111 complaints, 3 recalls2013
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Avalanche model year. The 2003 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20025982
20033864
20043095
20052004
2006502
20074905
20082954
2009965
20101173
20111555
2012523
20131113

With 386 complaints[2], 2003 has the third highest count of the 12 Avalanche model years we list[2]. Only 2002 (598 complaints) and 2007 (490) have more[2]. Its 4 recalls match 2005 and 2008[2]. The years 2004, 2007, 2009 and 2011 each have 5[2].

The lowest complaint counts are 50 for 2006 and 52 for 2012[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many trucks were sold, so they show where reports pile up and not how likely a truck is to fail.

Should you buy a used 2003 Avalanche?

The file for this year is large, with 386 complaints and 4 recalls[1][2]. Owners in our samples describe a sinking brake pedal and a speedometer that reads wrong[3][7]. Test the brakes and the speedometer on any truck you look at, and ask what recall work was done, since our data cannot tell you. Fuel use is high at 13 to 14 combined MPG, and the rollover rating is 2 stars[5][16][21]. If those fit your needs and the truck checks out, the facts here do not rule it out.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche?
Brakes have the most complaints at 133, then the electrical system at 126[3][4]. In small samples we read, owners describe a sinking brake pedal and a wrong speedometer[3][7].
Does the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche have recalls?
Yes, 4: rear center seat belt routing (05V163), tailgate cables (04V129), a brake booster valve (04V045) and a fuel tank shield (03V019)[12][13][14][15].
What is the gas mileage of a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche?
EPA lists 14 combined MPG for 2WD and 13 for 4WD or AWD on regular gas[5][16][17]. On gasoline or E85 all three drives are listed at 14 combined[18][19][20].
Is the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche a good year?
It has the third highest complaint count of the 12 years we list, at 386[2]. The counts are not adjusted for sales, so they are not a failure rate[2].
What is the rollover rating of the 2003 Avalanche?
NHTSA gives it 2 stars for rollover[21].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 386 owner complaints on file for the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche (15 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 9 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Avalanche model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 133 complaints name the brakes component group (7 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 105,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 126 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,532). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. EPA rating for Avalanche 1500 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 26 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 22 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 18 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 28,397). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 17 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 17 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 26,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 14 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 05V163, filed April 22, 2005: Seat Belts › Rear / Other. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 04V129, filed March 17, 2004: Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge And Attachments. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 04V045, filed February 4, 2004: Service Brakes, Hydraulic. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 03V019, filed January 27, 2003: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly. NHTSA recall database
  16. EPA rating for Avalanche 1500 4WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 16 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Avalanche 1500 AWD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 16 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Avalanche 1500 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Avalanche 1500 4WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Avalanche 1500 AWD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: rollover 2 stars. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, AVALANCHE 1500 P/U CREWCAB S/BOX 2WD: length 222 in, width 79 in, height 73 in, wheelbase 130 in, curb weight 5,437 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, AVALANCHE 1500 P/U CREWCAB S/BOX 4WD: length 222 in, width 79 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 130 in, curb weight 5,679 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, AVALANCHE 2500 P/UCREWCAB S/BOX 2WD: length 222 in, width 79 in, height 73 in, wheelbase 130 in, curb weight 6,356 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, AVALANCHE 2500 P/UCREWCAB S/BOX 4WD: length 222 in, width 79 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 130 in, curb weight 6,643 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.