Avalanche problems: share your findings

[BgBlkAvalanche]

I have learned a lot about others having unique and common problems /issues with thier AV's on this forum, and saw a few more at Edmunds.

Let's start a string here to share your findings, and provide insight to others:

Mine so far:

1) Ocassional smoke on start up & uses a lot of oil. Dealer replaced PCV, but still doing it. They are monitoring my oil use now.

2) Radio/clock display flickers at low dimmer setting. Don't bother getting it fixed, they all do it.

3) Rear window plastic frame cracked on pass. side (just read about this one, and found mine the same)

4) The PRNDL cable needed adjustment for correct detent.

 

Some I read about:

1) Rubber seals coming loose on hard panel covers.

2) Drain pans for bed being knocked off when hit

3) Tailgate lock failing

 

Anyone have other items to share, or had similar problems that would help out fellow AV owners?

[pacodiablo]

sounds like these are just minor problems that GM will have to work out with the avalanche, pretty much every all new design has a few problems

[bshef]

;) I am totally happy with my Avalanche. Can't say I can contribute anything to a   "Problems" list!

 :notice: Have noticed the condensation under the non skid mat occassionally (not a big deal).

:notice: Also, I posted a while back about my oil reading on the dipstick was not at the "last" dot (is the last dot the "Full" dot?), it was 2 dots shy of this "last" dot. I never really got an answer if this indicated that I was low or by "how much". I am just now at 2700 miles and getting ready for my 1st oil change.

 

 :love: I love my truck and can't wait for more mods to become available.

[CJ Martin]

No problems here in the three weeks sice I took delivery. Sweet ride...

 

 

-CJ  

[ryr8828]

The only things I have noticed is that it takes a pretty good shove for the tailgate to latch on both sides, and the body is 3/4 inch lower on the driver's side at the wheelwells. Not sure if it being lower IS even a problem. First tank of gas I put in-15.5mpg, no highway driving to speak of. Best ride (vehicle) I have ever had so far. That includes Suburban, Expedition, Ford Supercrew, Chevy cab and a half, and Chevy reg. cab.

[Greg]

Just a few items:

 

- Rain coming up under the hood soaking the hood insulation and streaking the fan shroud, engine cover, air box, etc.  Maybe a bug deflecter will help fill this gap.

 

- The rubber gasket at the bottom rear of the pickup bed was loose.  Pushed it back on and am keeping an eye on it.  

 

- Got the flickering radio display and will "stay tuned" for an eventual permanent fix.  

[Carovette]

Have all of 500 miles on mine, only item we have had after shaking it down was the tire pressure was well below the 30 psi recommended pressure, tires were in the 24-26 PSI range.

 

We are waiting for the run of accessories, wish Chevrolet would get them out.  

 

Noticed a SEMA article featuring the Avalanche SS at the upcoming show.  This is a 1500 with the 6.0 Engine (standard on the Cadillac unit) :sneek:  , solid paint on the lower plastic surround, (wondered if they borrowed the metal lower panels from Cadillac or just painted the gray plastic?)

 

We would like to see Stillen or one of the other after market companies trick one out, it will just be a matter of time.

 

This is one smooth riding unit, extra quite, kudos to Chevy on a first year release that appears to be well made.    

[ChevyAGoGo]

Does chevy have a location to check on factory problems? I seem to remember I had checked one a long time ago when I was trying to correct my impala ss.

[RyanbabZ71]

http://www.nhtsa.com

 

http://www.alldata.com

[FULLSIZEchevy]

The only thing I noticed, and this was from Avy's I've seen at the dealership , was that quite a bit of them had condensation on the driverside fog/driving lights. It was pretty weird how so many of them had it. ANybody else experience this?

[EDZ Z71]

I don`t have the Avy, but I have condensation in the fog light on my 2000 Z71. Must be common problem.

[ChevyAGoGo]

No Av yet, but I do get water in my SuperCrew's lights when I wash the truck.

[Avalanche99]

I've got a couple of complaints about mine.  One has nothing to do with the Avalanche (well, sort of) - when the dealer installed the roof rack, they didn't tape off all the cracks and crevices and they got tons of metal shavings (from drilling the holes in the roof) into everything.  And guess what?  They didn't clean it up!  First rain we got and they started showing up everywhere - as little slivers of RUST!  This was a dealer trade, and the first dealer installed the rack.  MY dealer did everything they could to clean up the rusty slivers, but I still find an occasional one.  

My other issue is rattles and squeaks.  There is a squeak in my door that the dealer hasn't been able to fix yet, and I hear a couple of new rattles back near the rear window at the roof.  I only have 1300 miles on this Av.  

Has anybody else encountered the metal shavings??

 

John

[ryr8828]

Twice in the last week my Av has slammed into 2nd gear. When taking off slow it hesitated and then BAM. Felt like it shook the whole rear end out from under it. Anyone know what the problem is. I'll take it to the dealer next week, but I can't duplicate the problem. Hope I have better luck with this dealer's mechanics than I have with others.2500 miles on Av.

[ScottS]

Hey Avalanche99

 

I found rust spots on the rear bumper from where my alarm installer had left some shavings behind.  I have removed them, quite easily, with a product called Super Iron Out.  Picked it up at the grocery store, mixed 60 ml. of powder into 1 liter of water, used a paper towel to put the product on the wet bumper, and within a few min. the rust just washed away.  I have only used it on the plastic, (I did it yesterday actually,) and haven't seen any unwanted side effects.

 

FWIW

 

Scott