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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
46,053 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.

2008 Chevrolet Avalanche electrical problems

electrical problem

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2008 Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

May 142019

Avalanche

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My dash is cracked right by the airbag and right over the cluster which I feel is a defect in the material that was used to make the dash and is a safety hazard. If the airbag deploys ' could bust and pieces could fly injury someone or puncture the airbag I feel that GM should resolve this problem I should not have to pay for a new dish thank you hope to hear back soon. Furthermore there is an electrical problem with my vehicle the truck will lock by itself with the keys in the ignition or laying on the consul is happened several times on me again thank you

- Chesterland, OH, USA

problem #25

May 142019

Avalanche

  • miles
Oh my 08 Avalanche my dashboard is cracked right by the airbag and right above the plaster in front of the steering wheel. My vehicle also automatically lock by itself with the keys in the ignition or not in the ignition

- Chesterland, OH, USA

problem #24

Mar 202019

Avalanche

  • 125,000 miles
The dashboard has cracked around the instrument cluster and the air bag. Causing safety hazards. It is obviously a flawed design GM refuses to own up to. The vehicle also has some electrical issue that causes the trucks to come to a stop on the interstate.

- Harvey, LA, USA

problem #23

Feb 152020

Avalanche

  • 202,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My wife drove the truck to walmart to get a couple of items with her were my son in law and daughter. Once arriving there(approx. 3 mi) they noticed some smoke coming from under the hood. My son in law opened the hood to discover a fire, he then ran into walmart where an employee grabbed a fire extinguisher and put out the fire. After they got home I checked it out and the wiring harness that goes to the mass air flow sensor was completely melted. It was still in all th he factory tie downs and wasn't touching anything that could have chafed it or pinched the wires. The truck was on city street then in parking lot

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

problem #22

May 102019

Avalanche

  • 120,000 miles
Driving 60mph and lost all lights power motor everything the vehicle came back on and repeated this over and over till it was parked GM's said my truck wasn't covered so I asked for the recalled part number and was rushed off the phone

- Wellsboro, PA, USA

problem #21

Mar 022017

Avalanche

  • 157,000 miles
I have a 2008 Chevy Avalanche ltz, I have a problem with the dash light coming on with service air bag, wiring by the emergency brake pedal a problem. It happens when it running, stationary, when I start the truck. I took the truck to the dealership and they replaced the air bag and the air bag sensor. The light came back on and comes on intermittently. No fix as of yet. This happens all the time from March to present day still ongoing!!!!

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #20

Sep 022017

Avalanche

  • 39,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. While driving 60 mph, the rpms increased and decreased, the headlights flashed intermittenly, and that the entire instrument cluster with different warning sensors illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was driven home. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer was not contacted or made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same failure in may of 2017 when it was diagnosed that the amplifier failed and was replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

problem #19

Nov 112015

Avalanche

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle lost all power without warning. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing, but there was no failure code. The contact was notified that a possible issue could be the amount of keys on the keychain. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V381000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issues. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Maimi, OK, USA

problem #18

Oct 032016

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • miles
2008 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle power door locks and tailgate power lock actuator mechanism failure. The consumer stated the power door locks and tailgate power lock, would no lock or unlock.

- Celina, TN, USA

problem #17

Feb 052015

Avalanche

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that the gauge for the alternator assembly fluctuated sporadically. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the alternator assembly was failing to charge which may indicate the part was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was to be taken to an authorized dealer for further inspection and diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #16

Dec 052012

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • 23,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Door locks on driver door worked off and on with either armrest switch or key fob. Problem now affects all four doors.

- Keller, TX, USA

problem #15

Jun 112014

Avalanche

  • 80,000 miles
The wire harness under dashboard was rubbing against the emergency brake mechanism and shorted out catching fire. I was lucky to have been stopped and able to put the fire out within seconds resulting in very minimal damage but had I been on the highway the result would have been very different. However it did short out other electronics inside the vehicle such as the rearview mirror putting me out hundreds if not thousands of dollars to repair.

- Williamstown, NJ, USA

problem #14

Jul 092011

Avalanche 8-cyl

  • miles
The vehicle doors will unlock and lock several times while I'm driving, it will also cause the dashboard, clock-radio and onstar system to flicker off and on. Then it will start to throw error messages on the dashboard about stabilitrak and theft deterrent systems disabled.

- Norman, OK, USA

problem #13

Apr 182012

Avalanche

  • 60,000 miles
2008 Chevy Avalanche. Over a two year period had all 4 door lock solenoids replaced due to failure. When I thought I had doors the doors locked they were not. Cost me about $150 for the first lock--when I raised [xxx] the Chevy service manager accommodated the cost of the other three over a period of time--I pointed out when I searched the web is was a major issue, with not just the Avalanche but also the Tahoe, surburban and Silverado. When I ask if the new solenoid was an improved unit the manager said he did not know but the part # did not change---sound familiar??--crazy!!!! as of one month ago I no longer own the Avalanche. When I told the service manage there should be a recall, he said they only recall for safety issues---I told him that it looked like a safety issue to me--the owner thinks the doors are locked but one may not be. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Bulverde, TX, USA

problem #12

Mar 222012

Avalanche 8-cyl

  • 41,000 miles
Left rear power door lock stopped working at 38,000 miles. Right rear power door lock stopped working at 42,000 miles. Right front power door lock stopped working at 53,000 miles. Driver side power door lock stopped working at 61,000 miles. At this time it is very unsafe when children are in the back seats and the doors lock are unable to unlock the doors. I am unable to unlock the back doors unless I stop the vehicle and climb through the two front seats to get to the manual locks located at the back of the doors. If the vehicle is in a serious accident and anyone is not aware that the power locks no longer work they may not be able to get out of the truck. Previously the doors locked when the truck started to move forward automatically and now if children are in the truck they could possible fall out of the truck if the doors open while truck is moving.

- Turnersville, NJ, USA

problem #11

Feb 182014

Avalanche 8-cyl

  • 58,214 miles
Commuting to work approximately 3 miles away from home, traveling in the dark at 7 am, I flipped my high beam headlights on and suddenly all electrical function went out of the automobile (no headlights or electrical instrumentation). This lasted for approximately 1 to 2 seconds and suddenly and all electrical functions was restored. Things after that seemed ok, but about 6 miles down the road the engine "service stabilizer control light appears". I traveled another 11 miles to plainville, and when I arrived the "stabilizer control light went out. I took the vehicle to a mechanic them to evaluate it. After several hours and two diagnostic tests all electrical function reflect normal. The problem could not be isolated or duplicated. I contact General Motors yesterday, to report the serious safety defect and how critical this is and I could have been injured or killed at that speed driving in the dark. I also asked them if they have had similar reportings of this occurrence and received a mixed response. There response was bureaucratic, take it to a Chevrolet dealership. I said no. I am not paying another $150 tell me we cannot find a problem. I kept stressing there is a problem "vehicles suddenly do not just dropped off all electrical power and function and magically just come back on". this is not normal for any vehicle to happen. I also informed them as a courtesy I would speak to them (General Motors) first before I contact this Agency. I also tried to emphasize to them, people should have a direct line of communication to the corporation to report safety and life threatening issues directly. The nature of the response is basically we don't do anything unless we receive information from GM service departments.

- Damar, KS, USA

problem #10

Aug 282013

Avalanche

  • 80,100 miles
I have a 2008 Chevy Avalanche, the truck has been having a lot of electrical problems. For the past month the truck will flicker when I drive but it is un constant. At first I though it was a battery issue so I took it to autozone and they checked the battery and said the battery is fine its a electrical problem in the truck. I did some research and all the reviews and that the Avalanche did have a recall on there electrical isuess. So I called a local Chevy dealer and told them about the problem and how it might have a recall on the electrical system and they said no. So I was driving yesterday on the highway and my truck started to flicker and them turn off completely and locked up on me. I could of been in a wreak but thankfully the highway was not busy and I stop on the highyway. I then tried to turn the truck on and showed no life at all in the truck. I kept trying till finnay it turned on. So I could of died because of the electrical problem with Chevy. I would like yaw to look into this because this could be a big lawsuite and all I want is my truck to work fine, thank you.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #9

May 012013

Avalanche

  • 42,000 miles
Right front door power lock does not work. Cannot lock or unlock with remote or with inside control. Can only unlock/lock door by button on door. This is a safety concern.

- Wesson, MS, USA

problem #8

Mar 152010

Avalanche

  • 30,000 miles
It is well known that Chevrolet/GM has a major quality problem with powerdoor locks that has been going on for many years. One only need to google Chevy door locks to get an idea of the magnitude of the problem. (see townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.F206D4B as an example). As a frequent transporter of small children it is hard for me to understand why the NHTSA does not consider this a major safety issue. Doors lock or unlock without warning leaving small children in the back of these vehicles either exposed to risks of inadvertent opening doors or being locked into vehicles at the time of potential accidents where there is no easy or safe way to open the doors from inside or outside of the vehicle. These vehicles are also subject to increased risks from ranging from car theft to hijackers to simple burglary as you never know whether a door is locked or not unless you go around and try each one from the outside of the vehicle. General Motors has consistently refused to address this or improve the quality of the product and will not do so until the NHTSA takes a public stand on the continued safety risks that these defective doorlocks present to all who ride in these vehicles.

- Brooklet , GA, USA

problem #7

Jan 082013

Avalanche

  • miles
It is well known that Chevrolet/GM has a major quality problem with powerdoor locks that has been going on for many years. One only need to google Chevy door locks to get an idea of the magnitude of the problem. (see townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.F206D4B as an example). As a frequent transporter of small children it is hard for me to understand why the NHTSA does not consider this a major safety issue. Doors lock or unlock without warning leaving small children in the back of these vehicles either exposed to risks of inadvertent opening doors or being locked into vehicles at the time of potential accidents where there is no easy or safe way to open the doors from inside or outside of the vehicle. These vehicles are also subject to increased risks from ranging from car theft to hijackers to simple burglary as you never know whether a door is locked or not unless you go around and try each one from the outside of the vehicle. General Motors has consistently refused to address this or improve the quality of the product and will not do so until the NHTSA takes a public stand on the continued safety risks that these defective doorlocks present to all who ride in these vehicles.

- Brooklet, GA, USA

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