2002 Chevrolet Avalanche Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Avalanche years
- Far more complaints than other years 1st of 15 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 444 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. That is the most of any Avalanche model year in the database (15 years). The most reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (115 complaints, 26%), typically at around 46,000 miles. Complaints mention 38 crashes, 31 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 7 defect investigations involving it.
- 444owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 7NHTSA investigations
- 38complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems | 115 | 26% | 46,000 | “anti lock” (12%) | $1,600 |
| Structure problems | 67 | 15% | 40,963 | “tailgate cables” (16%) | — |
| Service Brakes problems | 54 | 12% | 110,000 | “brake line” (48%) | $1,850 |
| Parking Brake | 37 | 8% | 30,719 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 35 | 8% | 34,569 | — | — |
| Tires | 34 | 8% | 36,818 | — | — |
| Power Train | 25 | 6% | 61,219 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 22 | 5% | 65,450 | — | — |
| Visibility | 22 | 5% | 41,500 | — | — |
| Suspension | 19 | 4% | 19,225 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 17 | 4% | 42,500 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 14 | 3% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 14 | 3% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 8 | 2% | 22,500 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 8 | 2% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 | 2% | 44,107 | — | — |
| Equipment | 6 | 1% | 75,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 5 | 1% | 66,988 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 4 | 1% | 142,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 4 | 1% | 46,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 3 | 1% | 90,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 3 | 1% | 44,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 1% | 35,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 0% | 92,162 | — | — |
| Child Seat | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 0% | 67,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2002 Chevrolet Avalanche recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Problem: 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.
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.
Structure:body:tailgate:hinge and attachments
Problem: 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.
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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Brake line corrosion failure (PE10010) — opened Mar 30, 2010, closed Jan 5, 2011.
- Crank position sensor failure - stall (PE06016) — opened May 4, 2006, closed Sep 14, 2006.
- Parking brake failure (DP05009) — opened Dec 20, 2005, closed May 31, 2006.
- Unwanted low-speed abs activation (PE05020) — opened Apr 28, 2005, closed Sep 13, 2005, led to recall 05V379000.
- Hydraulic pump failres (EA04012) — opened Apr 30, 2004, closed Feb 28, 2005, led to recall 05V005000.
- Tailgate cable breakage (EA04005) — opened Feb 19, 2004, closed Sep 28, 2004, led to recall 04E067000.
- Throttle sticking closed (EA02015) — opened Aug 1, 2002, closed Jan 12, 2004.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated while attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal was firm, and vehicle kept accelerating unintendedly. Several warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was…
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and oil warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the speedometer, the 4-wheel drive function, parking brake, and headlights failed to operate as needed. The instrument panel light…
Brake lines are made out of defective materials gm knows they have a problem the lines rust out prematurely . The first one blew out i was backing in a parking space pedal went to the floor. The second one blew at a traffic light pushed on the brake went thru the red light dodged traffic .the third…
When traveling at low speeds, >5mph, the abs activates and vehicle continues on to the point of entering traffic. This occurs frequently and without warning, at stop signs and even just pulling out of private driveway into traffic. My local mechanic ran a diagnostic test and indicated that a front…
While driving at 65 mph the engine cut out. Could be the crankshaft position sensor. The truck is a 2500 with an 8.1l engine. Similar issues that the 2001 was recalled for. Same engine and cps as the 2001 but not included in the original recall. This has happened several times at various speeds.
Other Chevrolet Avalanche years
← 2001 Avalanche · 2003 Avalanche →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Avalanche | 82 | 2 |
| 2012 Avalanche | 36 | 3 |
| 2011 Avalanche | 127 | 3 |
| 2010 Avalanche | 111 | 3 |
| 2009 Avalanche | 76 | 5 |
| 2008 Avalanche | 258 | 4 |
| 2007 Avalanche | 377 | 4 |
| 2006 Avalanche | 11 | 1 |
| 2005 Avalanche | 71 | 3 |
| 2004 Avalanche | 165 | 5 |
| 2003 Avalanche | 204 | 4 |
| 2002 | 444 | 2 |
| 2001 Avalanche | 2 | 0 |
| 2000 Avalanche | 2 | 0 |
| 1999 Avalanche | 0 | 0 |
See all Chevrolet Avalanche problems by year, every Chevrolet model, or the Chevrolet VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche?
Owners most often report service brakes, hydraulic, structure, service brakes problems. The top one, service brakes, hydraulic, accounts for 115 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Avalanche model years, the 2002 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.