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.
Nice truck with a lot of gentle miles, however poor GM engineering and quality. Really quite sad. This truck has never been off road, towed, or plowed with. Many similar problems to other Avy owners.
This drive train noise has been around since I bought the truck new. Multiple Chevy dealers and mechanics could not figure out. I did receive many charges for possible fixes. Now it is loud. There were grindings in last differential fluid change.
Trans had to be done around 130K.
Lifters and cam at 125K. Libertyville Chevy told me the noise was the starter motor hitting the flywheel and that it was an annoying noise that would cause no damage. Yea, right! Mechanic must not have had a stethoscope.
Engine light is on again, same part every year, right before emissions test usually.
My sunroof does not leak, it is clear caulked shut after that mechanism failed in the open position. I heard to many horror stories to have that fixed.
Used to have recurring problems in the first years of ownership with the 4 wheel drive sticking in 4w low on its own. Repaired at Chevy 3 times. Nice!
THE Tailgate latch! Replaced multiple times. Best solution. Do cut the fiberglass for ease of installation. It does not hurt the vehicle, especially if you have to fix this every winter. Also, ditch the worthless plastic clips. They don't clip on my truck, you must thread the rods in from the sides of the tailgate. Great solution. Drill the rods at the clip locations and cotter pin. 2 winters with no issues.
Hey, my oil pressure gauge is buried too!
Drivers window switch no longer works. It was around 300 to fix that. I rigged a poker to operate.
I do not have some of the other repetitive problems of other owners.
The above is not normal wear n' tear. It is to bad, I would have bought another Avalanche. No other vehicle this versatile. GM gets cudos for the design. I'll have to get a Toyota.
The cheap "made in China" lifters make nice paper weights.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Suo
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Nice truck with a lot of gentle miles, however poor GM engineering and quality. Really quite sad. This truck has never been off road, towed, or plowed with. Many similar problems to other Avy owners. This drive train noise has been around since I bought the truck new. Multiple Chevy dealers and mechanics could not figure out. I did receive many charges for possible fixes. Now it is loud. There were grindings in last differential fluid change. Trans had to be done around 130K. Lifters and cam at 125K. Libertyville Chevy told me the noise was the starter motor hitting the flywheel and that it was an annoying noise that would cause no damage. Yea, right! Mechanic must not have had a stethoscope. Engine light is on again, same part every year, right before emissions test usually. My sunroof does not leak, it is clear caulked shut after that mechanism failed in the open position. I heard to many horror stories to have that fixed. Used to have recurring problems in the first years of ownership with the 4 wheel drive sticking in 4w low on its own. Repaired at Chevy 3 times. Nice! THE Tailgate latch! Replaced multiple times. Best solution. Do cut the fiberglass for ease of installation. It does not hurt the vehicle, especially if you have to fix this every winter. Also, ditch the worthless plastic clips. They don't clip on my truck, you must thread the rods in from the sides of the tailgate. Great solution. Drill the rods at the clip locations and cotter pin. 2 winters with no issues. Hey, my oil pressure gauge is buried too! Drivers window switch no longer works. It was around 300 to fix that. I rigged a poker to operate. I do not have some of the other repetitive problems of other owners. The above is not normal wear n' tear. It is to bad, I would have bought another Avalanche. No other vehicle this versatile. GM gets cudos for the design. I'll have to get a Toyota. The cheap "made in China" lifters make nice paper weights. Sincerely, Jeffrey Suo
- Jeff S., Grayslake, IL, US