2003 Chevrolet Avalanche

On certain vehicles, the interface between the electrical terminals of the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) blower relay resistor module and the wiring connector (which powers the module) may be incapable of conducting higher current levels for sustained periods of operation.  In addition, moisture and other contaminants (such as road de-icing materials) may enter the fresh air intake plenum and contact the internal circuit of the module or corrode the terminals.  These conditions may cause the relay resistor module or wiring connector to overheat, causing various symptoms such as: the HVAC blower may not function on certain or all blower speed settings; a burning-plastic smell or smoke may be present in the vehicle, or; the HVAC blower may run continually with the ignition in the OFF position.  These warning signs could, in certain instances, be leading indicators of an impending vehicle fire, which could result in property damage and/or personal injury.  Correction: Owners will be provided with additional warranty coverage for the blower motor resistor module/wiring connector overheating condition.  Under this "special warranty coverage", should this condition occur within 10 years or 240,000 km from first vehicle registration, dealers will install a replacement blower motor resistor and resistor module connector.

On certain vehicles, the 2nd row centre occupant seat belt routing may make it difficult to position the lap portion of the safety belt low around the hips of occupants.  A lap portion of the seat belt routing that is not low and snug on the hips can allow unfavourable occupant kinetics in the event of a crash.  Moreover, the higher routing allows the lap belt to ride up on an occupant's abdomen instead of fitting low around their hipbones, and therefore, can expose them to more risk of abdominal and internal organ injury.  Correction: Dealers will modify the guide loop.

On certain vehicles, the galvanized-braided-steel tailgate support cables used to support the tailgate in the full open (horizontal) position can corrode over time and fracture when loads are applied to them.  Tailgate support cable corrosion may not be visible because of the plastic sheathing covering the cable.  If one cable fractured, the remaining cable may retain the tailgate in a horizontal position.  If the remaining cable was weakened by corrosion, it could fracture within moments of the first cable fracture.  If both cables fractured, the tailgate would suddenly drop approximately 10 degrees and strike the top surface of the rear bumper.  If anyone is sitting or standing on the horizontal surface of the tailgate when both cables fracture, they could fall and be injured.  On vehicles without a rear bumper, the tailgate may drop to a lower position.  Correction:  Dealers will replace the existing galvanized support cables with stainless steel support cables.

On certain vehicles, the relief valve o-ring seal within the brake hydro-boost module could fail.  If this happens during braking applications, the driver may be able to hear an engine compartment noise similar to the sound that occurs when the steering wheel is turned to a full stop position.  The driver could also experience a slight increase in steering efforts while braking and parking.  Under certain driving conditions, a slight increase in the applied brake pedal effort may be required to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seal failure.  Correction:  Dealers will inspect the hydro-boost module, and replace it, if necessary.

On certain vehicles, the following statements were omitted from the SIR caution label: "Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front" for the vehicles without an air bag switch or "Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front unless air bag is off" for vehicles with an air bag switch and "Sit far back as possible from the air bag".   The statements are printed in the Owner's Manual. Correction: None required as instructions are in the owners manual and this is well known by the public.