VehicleVerdict

2004 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 175 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.1 times the median Avalanche 1500 year — the 2004 model ranks #3 of 12 Avalanche 1500 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 55 reports (31% of the total).

175

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Avalanche 1500 years?

Avalanche 1500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted213 complaints2002: 185 complaints2003: 213 complaints2004: 175 complaints2005: 153 complaints2006: 63 complaints2007: 142 complaints2008: 49 complaints2009: 27 complaints2010: 7 complaints2011: 43 complaints2012: 20 complaints2013: 38 complaints
Avalanche 1500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Avalanche 1500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System5531%
Brakes3922%
Airbags127%
Steering116%
Tires & Wheels85%
Speed Control74%
Body & Structure74%
Engine63%
Other63%
Visibility & Wipers53%
Fuel System53%
Transmission53%
Seat Belts42%
Latches & Locks21%
Suspension11%
Lighting11%
Seats11%

Does the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E106000Tires & WheelsDecember 17, 2007 · 130,000 units

Defect

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, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.

Consequence

WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

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, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON MY VEHICLE IS DISPLAYING THE INCORRECT INFORMATION FOR FUEL LEVEL AND OIL LEVEL. THIS IS OCCURRING AT STARTUP AND CONTINUES WHILE I DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM. NOTHING HAS YET BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BUT FEEL THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD ASSUME…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 20, 2008

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 28, 2017 · crash

“I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY AVALANCHE WHICH I BOUGHT NEW THAT WAS INVOLVED IN A T-BONE COLLISION AT APPROX. 35 MPH ACROSS THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE . THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE SHOULDER HARNESS LATCH EVEN THOUGH I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON. I FEEL THIS MAY BE A SAFETY CONCERN SO I AM MAKING YOU…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 10, 2009 · crash

“THERE IS POPPING AND TWISTING MOTIONS IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF MY 04 AVALANCHE, IT CAME FROM THE FACTORY LIKE THAT AS I WAS TOLD. MY STEERING WHEEL EVENTUALLY TWISTED ALL THE WAY AROUND WITHOUT TURNING THE TIRES ONE DAY... THANK GOD NO ACCIDENT. VERY SERIOUS ISSUE WAS TOLD ALL AVALANCHES IN THIS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 11, 2007

“I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON HIGHWAY 144 GOING ABOUT 30 MILES ON OCTOBER 5TH AROUND 1130 AM. WHEN MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WITH AXLE INSIDE IT STILL CAME OFF AND ROLLED AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BOTTOMED OUT AFTERWARDS. I WAS INFORMED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT IT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · October 5, 2016 · crash

2004 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 — common questions

Is the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 175 complaints put the 2004 model at #3 of 12 Avalanche 1500 years. It is one of the Avalanche 1500 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 Avalanche 1500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (55 complaints), brakes (39 complaints), airbags (12 complaints).

Does the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Avalanche 1500 years to avoid are 2003, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007. The cleanest record among Avalanche 1500 years belongs to 2010.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.