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2002 Chevrolet Avalanche Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 444 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche, most often about the brakes (45% of complaints, typically around 71,500 miles). It is the most complained-about Avalanche model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche problems
Brakes
199 complaints · 45%Half of these problems showed up before 71,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, conventional, antilock.
I own a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche, that I could not get inspected due to the parking brake not holding. Upon having the vehicle serviced found that a retaining clip assembly failed, causing the parking brake shoes to engage at some point in the last year and wear the shoes down, damage the drum / rotor assembly, and…
When braking at any speed there would be intermittent extended stopping distance. The brake pedal went to the floor. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
Body and structure
67 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 41,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Brakes on 2002 Avalanche and customer service from ray hutson, lacrosse wi. Using Chevrolet maintenance plan. 27,821 miles - performed 6k maintenance which includes; lube parking brake, rotate tires, inspect brakes. Ok with work. 30,533 miles - performed detail recondition of vehicle. Poor work. 30,583 miles -…
Water leak discovered again for the fifth time. Dealer has replaced carpet and pad on previous repairs and new seals were installed. Was dry for about 6 months. Carpet under back seat is soaking wet again. I am extremely tired of this malfunction in design, causing such issues. The bed stays mostly dry, and honestly I…
Engine
38 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 39,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500 began experienceing intermittent engine stalling while driiving at approximately 38,000 miles. Condition was sporadic but continued getting more and more frequent until vehicle would not restart on june 24, 2005 with 55,000 miles on the odometer. Condition stored no codes on the PCM and…
On several occasions, the 8.1l engine died at both low and high speeds (65 MPH) resulting in lost of power brakes and steering. Could not shift transmission into neutral. Diagnosed by dealership shop found that the crank position sensor was failing. Multiple electrical diagnoses over course of failures did not show…
Wheels and tires
37 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 37,000 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt, temporary/emergency spare tire, sidewall, rim.
Tire separation. Nothing but trouble with the goodyear at's tires that came as standard on my Avalanche. I had 6 flats in a 4 week period and finally had to replace all tires at 36,000 miles due to belt separation.
While washing the tires, the consumer's hand was cut due to wires sticking from the sides. Upon closer inspection the consumer found that all four tires had parts of the steel belt sticking from the side. The steel belts were at the junction were the sidewall and the tread meet on the tire. The dealer was willing to…
Transmission
25 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 61,000 miles. Parts named most often: driveline, automatic transmission, axle assembly, transfer case (4-wheel drive).
Rear brake dust shields rusted through at 62,438 miles allowing dirt, stone, and other materials into brake system. Dust shields replaced.
I was driving home and all of a sudden it felt like no power was getting to the wheels. I stepped on the gas, the rpms went up, but the truck couldnt get past 30 MPH. My mechanic said that the transmission burnt out. I babied this truck. Their is no reason for a chevy truck with 60000 miles of light road use should…
Air bags
22 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 65,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
: the contact stated while driving around a curve the vehicle slid off the road and through gravel into a metal telephone pole and a tree. Upon impact, both frontal airbags and the side curtain airbags failed to deploy. The contact sustained neck and shoulder injuries along with bruises and pain. The passenger…
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. On march 27, 2007, the contact crashed into an embankment head on at 45 MPH. The vehicle flipped up and landed on its side in a ditch. There was over $18,000 worth of damage. The vehicle was destroyed and the contact was injured. The side and front air bags failed to deploy…
Visibility and wipers
22 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 41,500 miles. Parts named most often: glass, side/rear, rearview mirrors/devices, power window devices and controls, defroster/defogger/hvac system.
Ventilation system leaked water into the passenger's compartment. As a result, water blew out the electrical system for the radio speakers.
My complaint is on my 2002 chevy Avalanche. The drivers side external mirror has been slowly leaking the fluid that is inside of it and now the mirror is so discolored by the problem that it is unusable. The replacement mirror is about 320.00. The chevy dealership will not replace it as a defect but want me to pay for…
Suspension
19 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 19,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
When turning to the left or right, a severe popping noise is heard from the undercarriage and can easily be felt in one's feet. Have been into the dealer on numerous occasions for repair to no avail. Dealer wants me to "live with it" for a while and see if it gets worse. Unacceptable.
Front end shakes after going over pavement joint or small bump in road surface. Very noticeable at speeds of 50 to 55. Steering wheel then start doing same, applying brakes make it stop. Passengers in vehicle made comment of condition. Dealer stated it's a truck, that's how they ride.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Chevrolet Avalanche recalls
Brakes: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Risk: This can cause increased stopping distances during low-speed brake applications, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers are to remove the wheel speed sensor and thoroughly clean the wheel speed sensor mounting surface on the bearing, apply rust inhibitor to the cleaned surface, grease the mounting surface, reinstall the wheel speed sensor, and check the peak-to-peak output voltage to ensure the wheel speed signal is within specifications. The recall began september 22, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Full defect summary
Certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles may experience unwanted antilock brake system (ABS) activation. This condition is more likely to occur in environmentally corrosive areas. This recall will be launched in the "salt belt" states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maryland, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia only.
Body and structure: hinge and attachments
Risk: Anyone sitting or standing on the horizontal surface of the tailgate when both cables fractured could be injured by falling from the tailgate. On vehicles that have had the bumper removed, the tailgate may drop even lower. Additionally, if there is cargo on the tailgate the cargo may fall off if the support cables fracture.
Fix: Dealers will replace the cables. Interim owner notification began on april 7, 20004. The recall began on september 24, 2004, when replacement parts were available, and will continue through october 29, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or visit www.mygmlink.com, and enter your vehicle identification number.
Full defect summary
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the galvanized steel tailgate support cables that retain the tailgate in the full open (horizontal) position may corrode, weaken, and eventually fracture. If both cables fractured, the tailgate would suddenly drop and strike the top surface of the rear bumper.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Brake line corrosion failure
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) received defect petition dp10-003 on march 2, 2010, requesting the investigation of model year (my) 2003 chevrolet silverado 2500hd 4WD pickup trucks for corrosion failures of the vehicle brake lines.dp10-003 was granted and on march 30, 2010, preliminary evaluation pe10-010 was opened on more than six million model year 1999 through 2003 light trucks and sport utility vehicles manufactured and sold by general motors corporation (gm).on july 2, 2010, odi received gm's response to an information request, which included gm's assessment of the frequency and safety consequences of the alleged defect. Gm stated that:(1) the brake system of the subject veh
Crank position sensor failure - stall
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe06-016) on may 4, 2006 based on eleven vehicle owner questionnaires (voqs) and early warning (ewr) data alleging sudden engine shutdown while driving as a result of crank position sensor failures in my 2001-2002 general motors c/k platform vehicles equipped with 8.1l engines.in response to an information request letter sent by odi, general motors (gm) provided owner complaint information, field reports and warranty claim data based on a population of 108,338 vehicles. The data was categorized by engine stalls while driving, engine stalls with an unknown driving condition, no start conditions and claims where it was
Parking brake failure
Summary
Odi's review of complaint data received since the close of ea04-011 revealed no indication that the investigation should be re-opened.more details can be found in the federal register notice enclosed in the dp05-009 public file.odi reserves the right to reopen the investigation in the future should conditions warrant.
Unwanted low-speed ABS activation
Summary
In a letter dated august 29, 2005, gm notified odi that it was recalling certain model year 1999 through 2002 c/k pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles to correct a problem with anti-lock brake system (ABS) wheel speed sensor corrosion that may result in unwanted ABS activation and extended stopping distances during low-speed braking (recall 05v-379).gm's recall covers approximately 804,000 vehicles currently registered in the following 14 salt-belt states:connecticut, illinois, indiana, massachusetts, maine, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, and west virginia.the recall procedure will involve removing the sensor, cleaning the mounti
Hydraulic pump failres
Summary
Gm is conducting a recall on all subject vehicles build between may 1999 and october 14, 1999.significant changes were incorporated into production in early october 1999, and vehicles built after that date have lower warranty failure rates.the complaint and warranty data appear to support the effectiveness of these changes. Gm made additional changes in november 1999, february 2000, may 2001, and february 2004.odi will continue to monitor this problem and will take further action, if warranted, in the future.for further technical details see the attached engineering analysis report.
Tailgate cable breakage
Summary
General motors filed a defect notice 04v-129 on march 17, 2004, which outlines a program to replace the tailgate cables installed in affected model year 2000-2004 vehicles.refer to odi's closing report for ea04-005 for additional information.odi is aware of reports of tailgate cable breakage occurring in model year 1999 and earlier vehicles.these vehicles were equipped with similar tailgate cables as addressed by 04v-129, but are not being addressed by campaign o4v-129.odi is initiating a separate investigation to address these vehicles.the complaint-injury-fatality statistics summarized above pertain to model year 2000-2004 vehicles. The complaint-injury statistics for model year 1999 and e
Throttle sticking closed
Summary
This investigation involves the general motors corporation (gm)throttle body (tb) utilized in model year (my) 1999-2002 silverado, sierra, tahoe, suburban, avalanche and yukon (subject vehicle(s)) with 4.8l, 5.3l, and 6.0l engines. The tb valve may intermittently stick in a closed position.in such a situation, an operator may apply additional accelerator pedal force to increase engine speed.the application of additional accelerator pedal force, to open a stuck throttle valve, may open the throttle valve more than intended and, in turn, accelerate the engine and vehicle more than intended and reasonably expected by the driver.on august 1, 2002, the office of defects investigation (odi), of th
Questions about the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (199 complaints, typically around 71,500 miles); body and structure (67 complaints, typically around 41,000 miles); engine (38 complaints, typically around 39,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 29, 2005 (brakes). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Chevrolet Avalanche?
- It is the most complained-about Avalanche model year since 2000, with 444 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.