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 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the instrument panel failed. In addition, the driver side headlight failed. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the instrument panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
It started with the airbag light, but nobody will own up to fixing it, as we moved from pa to fl. Then the brake lines went, all of them, now with the airbag issue the PCM is sending all kinds of stupid codes like the airbag issue is affecting the whole electrical system in the truck.
General motors mailed me a notice advising that my vehicle (2003 Avalanche which I purchased new in oct 2003) "could develop a condition where one or more of the instrument panel gauge needles May stick, flutter, or become inoperative." it was additionally noted that "this condition May cause inaccurate readings, including speedometer and the fuel gauge." remedy of replacement was offered for vehicles within 7 years of original date placed in service or 70,000 miles, whichever occurs first. My vehicle exhibits this problem in speedometer. My vehicle has over 80,000 miles and is not included in the repair offer. The condition in mine is exhibited when temperatures are below 45-50 degrees (typically in winter), and began last winter. I associated it with the weather and didn't think too much about it. …
Speedometer on my 2003 z71 Avalanche works erratically or not at all. A significant safety issue I went to the dealership from who I bought my vehicle. Dealership said there was no recall on speedometer (instrument clusters) for my type of vehicle and that they could not replace the cluster as part of "goodwill" by GM because they have not been instructed to do so. They were not aware of the fact that many avalanches and other GM suvs have identical problems (usually a bad stepper motor in the instrument cluster). Cost to replace cluster is about $350-$400 including labor. Given the nature of the failure and how widespread it is, I think the NHTSA engineers should investigate this problem and perhaps tell GM they need to recall these vehicles before accidents occur. I have to estimate my speeds on a vehicle with only 58000 miles on it. …
Speedometer on my 2003 z71 Avalanche works erratically or not at all. A significant safety issue I went to the dealership from who I bought my vehicle. Dealership said there was no recall on speedometer (instrument clusters) for my type of vehicle and that they could not replace the cluster as part of "goodwill" by GM because they have not been instructed to do so. They were not aware of the fact that many avalanches and other GM suvs have identical problems (usually a bad stepper motor in the instrument cluster). Cost to replace cluster is about $350-$400 including labor. Given the nature of the failure and how widespread it is, I think the NHTSA engineers should investigate this problem and perhaps tell GM they need to recall these vehicles before accidents occur. I have to estimate my speeds on a vehicle with only 58000 miles on it. …
One day while driving at 55mph the truck just shut down. Everything electrical completely shut off. Luckily I was able to control it. I turned the vehicle off and restarted it. It was fine but did it again when I stopped at a stop sign. It continued to do it but then just stopped. Check engine light goes off and on all the time when I accelerate up a hill. The lights on the dashboard are dim. Everything on the mirror comes and goes. It will go months without working and then comes back on. The suspension is terrible. Feels like it's going to shake the wheels completely off the truck when I hit even a small bump in the road. I've almost lost control several times due to it shaking so hard. Latch on the tailgate broke off and needs to be replaced. Rotor on back completely broke and had to be replaced.
Windsheld wipers will not respond to switch. I've been told by GM service managers that GM got a batch of bad motors. I've tried the [phone] number and was told tough out of warrenty. My steering column has a clicking vibreating noise and feel when turning. I'm told again by the service mgrs. That a number of GM products have the same problem but it is not a safety issue."it's a lubercation problum causing the noise and again tough. The wiper motor costs $325.00 and the steering column another $300.00. My car is 2 years old with 93000 mi. The spark plugs are suppost to last 100,000. Why is every thing else falling apart? I was told they would send me a loyal customer discount for a new GM no way. I'll buy a Toyota tundra next time if I can't get some restitution from GM.
Dt: when trying to start the vehicle would not start. The consumer inspected underneath the hood and discovered that the positive side of the battery melted. There were no previous problems with the battery. The consumer consulted the dealer, and the vehicle was out of warranty, and no recalls were involved. The consumer had the vehicle towed to repair service shop, and they replaced the old battery with a new one. The technician noted that he had never seen anything like this. A friend searched the internet and discovered a class action lawsuit pending against ac delco batteries. This was the original battery that came on the vehicle. It was an ac delco factory battery. No problems since the replacement.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact was driving approximately 60 MPH; however, the speedometer reading was 100 MPH. The speedometer and odometer displayed inaccurate readings. The odometer continued to increase the mileage traveled by one mile. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer advised the contact that a service letter was mailed to him prior to the failure regarding the odometer and a repair was also performed; therefore, they vehicle could not provide any additional free remedies. The vehicle had not been repaired when the complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 45,000. The current mileage was 98,000. Updated 11/16/10.
My speedometer, oil gauge,gas gauge has stopped working in the dash approximately 9 moths ago and we have contacted our local GM retailer and they said that there is not a recall on a manufacturer defect. I was told that it was a cluster that was the problem by my personal mechanic and that it is very expensive to fix. I do not think that I should have to fix this problem since it is a manufacturer defect. I have several friend that have a Chevrolet with the same problem. I paid alot of money for this vehicle and I think that GM should fix the problem that we did not know we were purchasing in the first place.
Electrical complaints in other Avalanche years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche, 21% of the model year's 204 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche, though it has 4 recalls for other components. 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 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.