NHTSA Complaint #10105774 — 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE

2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE WITH HARSH AND SUDEN UNEXPECTED DOWN SHIFTS. DEALER HAS ATTEMPED REPAIR SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT REPAIRING THE PROBLEM. WHEN SLOWING IN TRAFFIC OR FOR A TURN THE TRANSMISSION WILL DOWNSHIFT HARD AND CLUNK AND BANG AS IF SOMETHING IS GOING TO BREAK. THIS IN MY OPINION IS A SAFETY HAZARD ON SLIPPERY ROADS WHILE MAKING A TURN AS IT COULD CAUSE A SPINOUT. LAST CALL FROM DEALER THE SERVICE MANAGER READ TO ME A TSB FROM CHEVROLET SAYING THIS WAS A NORMAL CONDITION AND NOT TO ATTEMPT A REPAIR. NOT ACCEPTABLE. I HAVE BEEN AN AUTO TECH FOR 38 YEARS. I FEEL THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING INTO 1ST GEAR INSTEAD OF 2ND WHEN SPEED DROPS JUST BELOW 20MPH. THIS JUST MAY BE A SHIFT PROGRAM PROBLEM, BUT WHAT DAMAGE IS BEING DONE TO TRANSMISSION OVER LONG TERM? *AK