What are the common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche?

The biggest groups are the electrical system and the brakes. Steering and air bags follow.

Does the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche have recalls?

Yes. The recall count is in the by-year fact, and the Recalls section lists each one.

What is the gas mileage of the 2004 Avalanche?

See the fuel economy section on this page.

Is the 2004 Avalanche reliable?

Owner reports point to electrical and brake trouble. The by-year section shows how it compares with other years.

2004 Chevrolet Avalanche Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints does the 2004 Avalanche have?

NHTSA has 309 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 309 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche^[1]. The electrical system leads the list with 113 complaints^[2].

309owner complaints^[1]

5recalls^[3]

14–15MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners raise most, biggest first.

Electrical System. 113 complaints^[2]. Owners describe a speedometer that stops working, sudden power loss on the road, and trouble with the alternator and the climate controls.
Brakes. 81 complaints^[5]. In the stories we read, owners describe a pedal that sinks to the floor, brakes that grab on their own, and dealers who could not find the cause.
Air Bags. 21 complaints^[6]. Owners describe a warning light that keeps coming back after repeated shop visits, and a few say the bags did not go off in a crash.
Steering. 20 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a popping or knocking sound in the front end when turning, which came back after several repairs.
Power Train. 19 complaints^[8].
Structure. 14 complaints^[9].
Visibility. 13 complaints^[10].
Engine. 13 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2004 Avalanche is necessarily included.

Engine And Engine Cooling (06V289), August 2006. About 38,439 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Seat Belts › Rear/Other (05V163), April 2005. About 1,359,824 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic (05V043), February 2005. About 77,411 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, steering problems, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge And Attachments (04V129), March 2004. About 3,662,211 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury.^[15]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic (04V045), February 2004. About 68,875 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: steering problems, reduced braking.^[16]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Avalanche 1500 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[4]	14 / 18 / 15	$4,450
Avalanche 1500 4WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[17]	13 / 17 / 14	$4,800
Avalanche 1500 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Rear-Wheel Drive^[18]	13 / 17 / 14	$4,800
Avalanche 1500 4WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[19]	13 / 17 / 14	$4,800
Avalanche 1500 AWD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[20]	13 / 17 / 14	$4,800

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR None^[21].

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
AVALANCHE 1500 P/U CREWCAB S/BOX 2WD^[22]	222 in	79 in	73 in	130 in	5,437 lb
AVALANCHE 1500 P/U CREWCAB S/BOX 4WD^[23]	222 in	79 in	74 in	130 in	5,679 lb
AVALANCHE 2500 P/UCREWCAB S/BOX 2WD^[24]	222 in	79 in	73 in	130 in	6,356 lb
AVALANCHE 2500 P/UCREWCAB S/BOX 4WD^[25]	222 in	79 in	74 in	130 in	6,643 lb

How 2004 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Avalanche model year. The 2004 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2002	598	2
2003	386	4
2004	309	5
2005	200	4
2006	50	2
2007	490	5
2008	295	4
2009	96	5
2010	117	3
2011	155	5
2012	52	3
2013	111	3

NHTSA's counts for the Avalanche show 309 complaints and 5 recalls for 2004^[3]. Among the 12 model years listed, 8 have fewer complaints than 2004 and 3 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2006 (50) and the most are for 2002 (598)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2004 Avalanche?

The 2004 Avalanche has a long complaint record, with 309 reports on file^[1]. Electrical and brake issues make up the biggest groups^[2]^[5]. Air bag reports are a smaller group but carry 7 crash mentions^[6]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales^[1]. Check the recall list and the repair history before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche?: The biggest groups are the electrical system and the brakes^[2]^[5]. Steering and air bags follow^[7]^[6].
Does the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche have recalls?: Yes. The recall count is in the by-year fact^[3], and the Recalls section lists each one.
How many complaints does the 2004 Avalanche have?: NHTSA has 309 owner complaints on file^[1].
What is the gas mileage of the 2004 Avalanche?: See the fuel economy section on this page.
Is the 2004 Avalanche reliable?: Owner reports point to electrical and brake trouble^[2]^[5]. The by-year section shows how it compares with other years.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Chevrolet Avalanche

2002 598 complaints, 2 recalls
2003 386 complaints, 4 recalls
2004 this page
2005 200 complaints, 4 recalls
2007 490 complaints, 5 recalls
2008 295 complaints, 4 recalls
2013 111 complaints, 3 recalls

Compare all model years of the Chevrolet Avalanche

Other Chevrolet models from 2004

2004 Chevrolet Cavalier 330 complaints, 1 recall
2004 Chevrolet Malibu 1,697 complaints, 7 recalls
2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1,420 complaints, 8 recalls
2004 Chevrolet Tahoe 467 complaints, 2 recalls
2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer 1,342 complaints, 2 recalls
2004 Chevrolet Venture 124 complaints, 3 recalls

All Chevrolet models

Similar cars from 2004: suvs

2004 Isuzu Rodeo 39 complaints, 2 recalls
2004 Mazda Tribute 157 complaints, 5 recalls
2004 Mercury Mountaineer 210 complaints, 0 recalls
2004 Nissan Xterra 84 complaints, 2 recalls
2004 Toyota 4Runner 678 complaints, 2 recalls
2004 Toyota Sequoia 380 complaints, 6 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 309 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche (13 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 15 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
113 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Avalanche model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Avalanche 1500 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
81 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,000). NHTSA vehicle records
21 complaints name the air bags component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 12 injuries, median mileage at failure 61,840). NHTSA vehicle records
20 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 61,500). NHTSA vehicle records
19 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,141). NHTSA vehicle records
14 complaints name the structure component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
13 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,500). NHTSA vehicle records
13 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 06V289, filed August 3, 2006: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
Recall 05V163, filed April 22, 2005: Seat Belts › Rear / Other. NHTSA recall database
Recall 05V043, filed February 8, 2005: Service Brakes, Hydraulic. NHTSA recall database
Recall 04V129, filed March 17, 2004: Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge And Attachments. NHTSA recall database
Recall 04V045, filed February 4, 2004: Service Brakes, Hydraulic. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Avalanche 1500 4WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
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
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
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
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
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
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
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
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.

2004 Chevrolet Avalanche: problems, recalls and fuel economy