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New Owner..a Little Concerned

B

beefy

Full Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2003
Messages
68
Location
Columbus, Ohio
I just bought a new 03 1500 4x4. I've Owned Dodge Rams for 8 years with no problems whatsoever.

Can anyone give me any pros/cons between the Av and the Ram? I wanted a smaller vehicle that had a little more functionality...Avalanche seemed to have everything and its ride is awsome! I am concerned about all the issues with leaks and noises.

Also, I seem to have a rattle coming from the in dash CD player. It goes away when I am loading or unloading a CD. Has anyone had this problem? I am scared to take it back to the dealer with 600 miles fearing that they will tear apart the dash and create more sqeeks.

Great site...love all the mods.

 
Welcome to the club and congrats on your new arrival.

I know you have probably read alot of posts filled with many problems. Fear not!! These forums provide a "vent" for those who have problems and are looking for answers. The collective knowledge here is awesome. There are many, many more owners here that have had no problems whatsoever. ?

I have owned vehicles in ?the past that I couldn't wait to get rid of, but my Av isn't one of them. I find it to be the best vehicle I have ever owned and I love it. It does everything I need it to do. I hope you have fun with yours. ? :B:
 
beefy said:
I just bought a new 03 1500 4x4. I've Owned Dodge Rams for 8 years with no problems whatsoever.

Can anyone give me any pros/cons between the Av and the Ram? I wanted a smaller vehicle that had a little more functionality...Avalanche seemed to have everything and its ride is awsome! I am concerned about all the issues with leaks and noises.

Also, I seem to have a rattle coming from the in dash CD player. It goes away when I am loading or unloading a CD. Has anyone had this problem? I am scared to take it back to the dealer with 600 miles fearing that they will tear apart the dash and create more sqeeks.

Great site...love all the mods.
Click to expand...

Congrats on your new AV and welcome to the club.
I also have a new AV and I just hit 2000 miles yesterday. The only problem I have had to take it to the dealer was also a CD player related issue. First it was squeaking everytime the "mouth" spit out the CD, then it progressed to only playing certain CD's, then to not playing ANY CD whatsover and all you get is an "Err" message. I took it to the dealer and at 800 miles, they replaced the CD--how they did it is hilarious! I literally watched them take out the CD player from a white AV, then installed it into mine. I don't know if they installed mine into that one. I know I got a new one because the plastic film is still covering the display. Perfect now. The dealer did such a great job it looked like they were never near the dash. I was also concerned about screwdriver tips gouging the panel and dash and stuff.

As far as reading about problems in posts--this has been discussed thoroughly in the past. In summary, these problems are few and most are easily correctible. If you have 3 or 4 members discussing a problem at length and write 52 posts just to vent or find a solution, well that is not really a representative cross section. If you have a problem my suggestion is write a post--I bet within 1 hour or less, one of the administrators or members will have a solution plotted for you complete with links and pics.

As far as comparing Ram versus AV, I can't help you because I am a die hard GM man and have never owned a Chrysler. But we have members who can compare them from personal experience. Also, in the resources section, look up comparison of specs and "what you get for the dollar" side by side review of both.

Get your CD fixed, then buy a new CD and go out cruisin in your AV with the volume turned all the way to the right!
 
Hi, Congratulations on your new AV.
On the topic of problems I think it is important to remember that these items are often date sensitive where issues have been resolved by now, and as others pointed out, you do not hear from the people who do not have a problem.
I have a fairly early version of a 2002. Ordered it as soon as they were taking orders. I had a problem with oil consumption, but that was resolved mostly with the help of this site.
I have had far fewer problems with the vechile than with any other new unit I owned.
Enjoy, things should be fine
 
beefy said:
I just bought a new 03 1500 4x4. I've Owned Dodge Rams for 8 years with no problems whatsoever.

Can anyone give me any pros/cons between the Av and the Ram? I wanted a smaller vehicle that had a little more functionality...Avalanche seemed to have everything and its ride is awsome! I am concerned about all the issues with leaks and noises.

Also, I seem to have a rattle coming from the in dash CD player. It goes away when I am loading or unloading a CD. Has anyone had this problem? I am scared to take it back to the dealer with 600 miles fearing that they will tear apart the dash and create more sqeeks.

Great site...love all the mods.
Click to expand...

What you're looking for is here:
'03 Problems?

Mine has been trouble free so far!! :love: :B:

SJP
 
welcome...and i also hit 2000 miles yesterday...love my 02...havent had any problem's...let the mod's begin ..... ;D ;D

p.s. where ya from beefy...
 
beefy said:
I just bought a new 03 1500 4x4. I've Owned Dodge Rams for 8 years with no problems whatsoever.

Can anyone give me any pros/cons between the Av and the Ram? I wanted a smaller vehicle that had a little more functionality...Avalanche seemed to have everything and its ride is awsome! I am concerned about all the issues with leaks and noises.

Also, I seem to have a rattle coming from the in dash CD player. It goes away when I am loading or unloading a CD. Has anyone had this problem? I am scared to take it back to the dealer with 600 miles fearing that they will tear apart the dash and create more sqeeks.

Great site...love all the mods.
Click to expand...

As noted above by many that the "quantity' of complains you see if because people who have an issue have a place to complain. When you consider there are 135K plus Avalanches on the road - there really aren't that many problems (not to minimize the impact for those who are having problems).

You'll also find that the Avalanche, although sharing a lot of parts with the Suburban did have a lot of first model year quirks. The issues of leaks, oil burning, and cracked window trim have all put dissapeared on the 03 models.

As far as the CD rattling during play - TAKE IT BACK! There is no ripping the dash apart on the well designed Avalanche to get to the CD player. Heck, you could do it in about 10 minutes and you don't need a single tool. Sounds like if you're hearing a rattle during "play" that the platter that spins the CD is out of balance - you'll need a new unit and if you don't replace it - it could start damaging your CD's.

Just a thought...
 
Beefy, don't let the fact that some owners have some problems, most of them have been resolved via dlr or threads in this web site. Ask your dlr about the CD rattle before he takes the dash apart and tell him of your concerns. My 02 66 has had no real problems and I have a good dlr. The main thing is to enjoy your new toy as much as you can. Welcome to this gang of crazys and GL ;D ;D ;D
 
Welcome to the club! I have had my AV since they came out and I past 23,000 miles this week and I have had no problems with it since I drove it off the lot. As a matter of fact the AV is probally the most trouble free vechile I have ever owned :B:

Again welcome to the club :cool:
 
You always here about the bad things first and they will most likely replace your CD player.The dealer gets paid by labor.If you read into some of the problems the owner finds that they were doing something wrong as we all have done.The good thing is no matter what the problem you have some really skilled members out there to help you.A few months from now or sooner you will be asking why you did not get the AV sooner.
 
Welcome to the club beefy.

Have no fear, I have a very very early 02 with 9000 miles on it and nearly trouble free. No leaks at all.

Only problems to date,

Cracked rear window trim
Short in A/C Relay
Flakey fog light switch

Very happy and love this truck. I passed over a Dodge for it.

 
beefy, see the usa in your chevrolet!!!

26,000 on mine, and almost no problems, only pcv valve, and a fog light bulb.

hey we will be watching for your posts, as you get to know your av

i'll be saying, wheres the beef!!

just kidding, and glad to have you in av family!!..g/c
 
Beefy, congrats on your new AV. I also traded my Ram in for my '02 AV. Best thing I ever did.

My AV has had leaks in the cargo area, but, this site gave me the tips I needed to take care of the problem. I since have had no leaks and I have never experienced any abnormal noises.

You did not have any problems with your Ram, I did, and lots of them. I only owned my '01 Ram for only 10 months. I had to get rid of it, too much hassle.

So, as you can see with any vehicle, by any manufacturer, it is just the luck of the draw.

Get your CD player looked at by your Dealer before it gets too bad. Then enjoy your new ride!!! ?(y)
 
beefy said:
I am scared to take it back to the dealer with 600 miles fearing that they will tear apart the dash and create more sqeeks.
Click to expand...

Hey Beefy, congrats on the AV. I don't think you would be all that concerned if you knew how easy it is to remove the stereo. You just have to pull off the bezel that surrounds the stereo and instrument cluster ( no screws or tools needed just pull it off by hand) then push down on the clips on either side of the stereo and it slides right out.
 
Beefy,

This ain't your mothers chevrolet. When you see how simple and painless the CD swap really is, you'll wish that you had taken care of it sooner. The days of the dealer screwing more up that he fixes are over.

Welcome and good luck with your new ride.
 
Beefy,

I would not be concerned at all with the dealer messing something up. It is their job to make you completely happy, and get rid of any rattles or squeaks.

I would drive it around for at least another week to see if there are any other little things you would like the dealer to correct - then take it in with your list.

I've had a perfect Av so far (knock on wood) Never gone back to the dealer yet :love:
 
Beefy, congratulations on your purchase. You'll not only love the AV, but this site as well. Sometimes, it seems like there's too much information on here, if there is such a thing. It's a great source of information, and the community is full of wonderful people.

As everyone has said, there are complaints, but you don't hear the compliments. I have had a leak in mine, and it still does, just not as bad. I'm still working on it. But, I have put over 18,000 miles on it all by myself, and it will be a cold day in he!! before I part with it. I love this thing, and I'm sure you will too.

Forget the concerns. Most have no problems at all. So, sit down, buckle up, and enjoy the ride :cool:
 
I wouldn't worry too much, I've got darn near 5K on my 03 ( that's since dec. 14!) and I haven't had a single problem, and I'm picky, I traded in a 96 Integra, it had 104K on it without ever doing more than a timing belt and a couple of brake light bulbs(well, I also changed the oil every 6K), the Integra definitely gave me a high standard of expectations. So far I haven't been disappointed.
 
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