VehicleVerdict

2003 Chevrolet Avalanche brakes problems

The 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche has 81 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 34% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

81

Brakes complaints

34%

Share of year

4

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Avalanche brakes complaints by model year224 complaints2000: 1 complaints2002: 224 complaints2003: 81 complaints2004: 44 complaints2005: 5 complaints2006: 2 complaints2007: 6 complaints2008: 2 complaints2009: 1 complaints2010: 1 complaints2011: 4 complaints2012: 1 complaints2013: 1 complaints
Avalanche brakes complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

04V045000BrakesFebruary 4, 2004 · 68,875 units

Defect

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 WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.

Consequence

CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.

Remedy

DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.

What owners report

MY SON WAS DRIVING HOME FROM ICE FISHING , ON A HILLY AND CURVY ROAD WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED. HE HAD NO BRAKES AT ALL , HE AVOID A FEW TREE BEFORE SMASHING INTO A SMALLER TREE JUST MISSING WERE HIS FRIEND WAS SEATED.THE TRUCK HAS BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND WAS IN GREAT CONDITION. I HAD THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 14, 2015 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche have?

NHTSA has 81 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche brakes — 34% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche brakes?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the brakes: 04V045000.

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.