Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Upon start up of the truck, the ABS light stayed illuminated and started chiming at me. Everytime I start the truck this happens. I had my brakes inspected and they were fine. I currently do not have ABS. I took the truck to a mechanic this last week and had it looked into. It is a known problem with the Chevy Avalanche and they informed me that there is a part for this problem but it is on indefinite backorder. What and how does that happen? The ABS system is throwing fault codes stopping it from working properly but there is not a part to replace it. Per Chevy!
Vehicle looses power and brakes go out then dies,doesn't matter speed. If slowing down and press the brakes, the locks, lights, and security goes crazy. This is dangerous as it is in intersections and caution for collision. The vehicle has to be off for a time frame and restarts fine and can go. Happened when coming from ramp and in middle of road with semi truck coming down by us.
The vehicle's ABS and brake lights are on. I took the vehicle in for repair and a state inspection. The part to repair the ABS and brake light are on national back order with no definite availability date. The truck is not usable because of the failed state inspection.
Was driving my 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 down the road, when I noticed that my speedometer was acting funny. Was moving erratically in upward increments of one mile per hour, while sticking and jumping on each increment. Then, it just flat quit! Not knowing the mechanics of my vehicles speedometer (ie; speedo cable, electronic, or what have you), went online to search this out. Found out that there are many, many of this incident happening with consumers. Seems that GM refuses to recall this, even though it seems to be a very common problem?? Have read that this can cost upwards of $600 to repair? Just bought this truck/Avalanche (used) from a dealer in portland, oregon. Can I get any help with getting this repaired? From my understanding of what I have read (online), there are several "step motors". …
In May 2012 I bought a used 2004 Chevy Avalanche 1500. About two months later, I noticed issues with my speedometer. I first noticed it on a small trip where I was traveling about an hour or so, then all of a sudden, the speedometer dropped to zero. I pulled over for a minute to see what might be wrong, and it seemed that after the truck was shut off for a bit (need to cool down??), it started working OK again. This has happened several times since then, not usually on short runs, but more when the truck has been running for a while. Another issue with the speedometer was when I was hauling a small utility trailer, and going up a hill, it did it again. Someone told me to check out recalls and I found this site where I see that many, many others are experiencing the same, or very similar issues. …
I have a 2004 Avalanche and it has been working great for the last 4 years. Recently within the last 6 months my speedometer had been twitching and sticking on a certain number. After a few weeks of that. It finally got stuck on 15 MPH. I called GM and they stated that they know it is a problem, and they have allowed for a special circumstance replacement for 7 years or 70,000 miles. I am over the miles, but believe that if GM has identified a problem they should cover the repair especially when it is a safety concern. On top of that, I never received a letter informing of such special circumstance.
My speedometer and tachometer on my 2004 Avalanche is very erratic, to say the least. On several occasions, the speedometer indicated higher or lower speeds than what I was actually going. The first time I noticed it was on a rainy day when the speedometer indicated 65mph, but afer later comparing the tach to the speedometer, I estimate I was actually going about 80mph. Some times it indicates 0 MPH and some times it gets buried over 120mph. This is a significant safety factor and should be recalled and fixed by the manufacturer before someone gets killed or seriously injured.
The speedometer had stopped working on my 04 Avalanche. Not realizing this and traveling at night with no traffic I had gotten pulled over for speeding. Once I had stopped and noticed the gage was stuck at 60mph I showed it to the officer and he let me go. I realize there is a recall out for this if the vehicle has less than 70K miles but I am over that because of the amount of driving I do for my job. This could be a serious problem and should be covered for a longer period of time, or all clusters should be changed because they will fail at one point.
RPM gauge, speedometer, and tilting sideview mirrors (while in reverse) doesn't work all the time. The speedometer doesn't read accurately and sometimes the needle doesn't even register a speed. One evening the speedometer was registering 35 MPH and I was doing at least 55 MPH. That same evening I came to a four-way stop and at acceleration the speedometer didn't work at all the remainder of the trip home. The RPM gauge was the first thing I noticed wrong with my truck and then the sideview mirrors. Sometimes while backing my mirrors won't tilt down.
2004 Chevy Avalanche..speedometer registering 55mph...running approx. 75mph to 80mph...or more....when decelerating...moves downward in clicking motion..accelerates in clicking motion...there is constant clicking/ticking noise behind panel..called GM...will not acknowledge issue...insulting as I am GM stockholder...had considered this year's trade to Hummer...now considering foreign...no wonder they are in trouble...claim have to replace entire instrument panel at excess of $400 ! This is a safety issue in the truest sense of the word !
Electrical complaints in other Avalanche 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500, 37% of the model year's 144 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (38 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.