was there a problem with instument panels

I have not heard of any specific issues affecting large numbers of these vehicles. It is entirely possible that either your gauge, dash cluster, or fuel sending unit is bad, but you will need to run some tests in order to determine which part is the cause.

I have the same problem with my '04 avalanche. the gas gauge never reads all the way full, and then after about 150 miles it starts reading EMPTY. It will go back up for a while, then back down again. I have had the instrument cluster replaced for free in what wasn't technically a recall, and that fixed a problem with the speedometer, but not the gas gauge. I have not been willing to spend the $$ to get this fixed and just keep track of the mileage since filling it up.