CarComplaints.com Notes: It didn't take long for the cladding to fade, discolor, and in some cases crack. Cladding is the protective plastic piece that runs along the outside of vehicles, and exposure to both heat and UV rays give the Avalanche's cladding a chalky, faded appearance.
Owners have said the problem is especially bad on the panels near the cargo bed. Eventually, GM agreed to a one-time treatment of ArmorDillo, a protective treatment similar to what you find in any auto shop. Unfortunately, that would only help for 6 months (on average).
Eventually, GM offered another coating solution for owners within the 3 year / 36,000 mile original warranty under TSB:04-08-111-001C.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
53,134 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Speedometer gives false readings and sticks. Other gauges (oil pres, temp) redline and are inaccurate. Gets worst with time. 41K miles on a 2005 Avalanche (Chevy).
Last year 2009, while enrouting to town I saw my speedometer needle start crawling up to 100 mph, while I was slowly moving in a 25 mile zone. I could not believe it. Since I had to go to work I did not stop. So now the needle of the speedometer is now stuck in the extreme right of the speedometer beyond the 120 miles per hour level. I talked to some people with Avalanche and they told me that they have had the same problem. We need your help. This also affects my safety check requirements when I go to get a safety check up annually.
Speedometer not working properly. Usually stuck anywhere from 65 - over 120 mph, whether parked or moving at a lower speed. The first time it happened it had reset itself and didn't happen again for a while. Now constantly incorrect. Also, some other lights are out on instrument panel and steering wheel. Too expensive to fix.
Speedometer has gone "wild". for example at 35 mph it will read anywhere from 60 to 140 mph and when engine is turned off may only drop to 30 mph. Happening as a daily event for the past week on my 2005 Avalanche which has 47000 miles on odometer. Checking with dealer service manager tomorrow but understand from many other owners that GM coverage for this problem only covers the 2002 to 2004 model years even though my Avalanche has the same cluster and step motor that controls the speedometer which I am finding is being reported by owners in large numbers as defective. GM needs to address this issue with their loyal Chevrolet owners if they wish to maintain their return business.
Speedometer acts erratically, will often stay at zero, sometimes will start at 30 and progress @ 30 mph above the right speed. After contacting dealership was told I would have to buy a new speedometer. This is a well documented problem and should be considered a recall.
2005 Chevrolet Avalanche has a wiring problem with the speedometer, temp gauge reading, and other console readings. Chevrolet has recalled 2003 & 2004 trucks for the same problem. They will not include 2005-2008 eventhough, they know the same problem exists. This is going to cost $350 or more to fix.
2005 Chevy Avalanche with 48,975 miles. At approx 47,000 tachometer stopped working. Tonight while driving the speedometer suddenly went to 60-80 mph while I was only doing 40-45 mph. When I turned the ignition off the needle only dropped to the 30 mph level. While driving speedometer is sporadic as to speed but no completely inaccurate at any speed.
The speedometer in the electronic dash locked up while driving in a snowstorm. This left it difficult to determine my speed resulting in an unsafe condition.
Instrument panel problems. GM extended the warranty on 2003-2004 trucks for instrument panel issues, I have a 2005 which has issues similar to the previous models. The speedo gets stuck and gives false speeds and the hour meter on the truck re-set it self to 0.
I am posting this to help others and get this information on the internet. I own a 2005 Avalanche 1500 2/wd with 22000 miles. At about 19000 miles, while driving at night I heard a click the lights in the instrument panel went out. Dealer replaced the instrument panel, with in 3 days another click and the lights went out. Dealer replaced instrument panel and the next time I drive at night "click" and the lights went out. Now my dealer has had my truck in his shop for 7 days and I don't know when I will get it back. For a vehicle to blow 4 instrument panels, which cost $600 a piece plus installation, makes me wonder if this might be a common problem and a recall should made so GM would be responsible for repairs. I will also send this to the nhsta.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Denham Springs, LA, USA