VehicleVerdict

2004 Chevrolet Avalanche brakes problems

The 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche has 44 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 22% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

44

Brakes complaints

22%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

2

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

05V043000BrakesFebruary 8, 2005 · 77,411 units

Defect

CERTAIN TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH HYDRO-BOOST BRAKE ASSEMBLIES, THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR MAY CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY DURING NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS.

Consequence

IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WERE OPEN, FRAGMENTS FROM THE ACCUMULATOR COULD CAUSE INJURY TO PEOPLE IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA. THE PRESENCE OF THIS CRACK OR FRACTURED SURFACE COULD ALLOW THE HYDRAULIC FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE ACCUMULATOR CIRCUIT OF THE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY. THE LOSS OF FLUID WOULD CAUSE INCREASED STEERING AND BRAKING EFFORT AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL TEST THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY FOR FUNCTIONAL OPERATION OF THE TWO-FUNCTION VALVE. IF THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY FAILS THE TEST, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

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

DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON I 95 SOUTH ON THE WAY TO VACATION, BRAKES FAILED WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN. I REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. HAD TRUCK IN SHOP FOR WEEK AND FOUND SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH LINES AND 2 LEAKS. I HEARD THAT THERE IS A KNOWN METAL DEFECT WITH 2001-2004 BRAKE LINES. I CAN'T FIND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 16, 2014 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche have?

NHTSA has 44 complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche brakes — 22% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche brakes?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the brakes: 04V045000, 05V043000.

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.