2002 Chevrolet AVALANCHE 1500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
154 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
97,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 132 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 45 of 154 complaints (29.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 99 | 64.3% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 7.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 5.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 5.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 4.5% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 3.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 45 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 26 |
| Parking Brake | 15 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Air Bags | 8 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 5 |
Service Brakes: 45; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 26; Parking Brake: 15; Electrical System: 9; Air Bags: 8; Steering: 6; Exterior Lighting: 5; Service Brakes, Electric: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 16 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 34 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 37 |
| 150,000 and above | 27 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 16; 75,000 to 99,999: 34; 100,000 to 149,999: 37; 150,000 and above: 27
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (37). 22 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 21 |
| 2010 | 20 |
| 2011 | 18 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 16 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2006: 8; 2007: 8; 2008: 7; 2009: 21; 2010: 20; 2011: 18; 2012: 7; 2013: 6; 2014: 16; 2015: 6; 2016: 10; 2017: 10; 2018: 5; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 3; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2025: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 99 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10158347 · 2006-05-26 (May 26, 2006)
THE PARKING BRAKE ON MY 2002 AVALANCHE HAS CORRODED. THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP WANTS $500.00 TO FIX IT. GM HAS CHANGED THE PARTS, WHICH REQUIRES A COMPLETE CHANGE OF THE ENTIRE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS IS A DEFECT THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10158347 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10160945 · 2006-06-28 (June 28, 2006)
THE "CARGO LAMP ON" INDICATOR IN THE MESSAGE AREA OF THE DRIVER INSTRUMENT PANEL IS DISPLAYED WHEN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ARE ACTIVATED; BOTH OVERHEAD LIGHTS IN THE FRONT OVERHEAD CONSOLE, THE THREE GARAGE DOOR/GATE BUTTONS(HOME LINK), BOTH VISOR MIRROR LIGHTS, AND BOTH FRONT DOOR COURTESY LIGHTS(THE ONES THAT COME ON WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED). ALL OF THESE ALSO NO LONGER TURN ON THE APPROPRIATE LIGHTS WHEN THEY ARE TRIGGERED. IN ADDITION, THE SUN ROOF/MOON ROOF OPEN/CLOSE BUTTON NO LONGER WORKS EITHER, ON THE 06/25/06 IT TRIGGERED THE "CARGO L…
Owner-reported narrative. 89,926 miles reported. Look up ODI 10160945 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10220498 · 2008-03-09 (March 9, 2008)
I HAVE A CHEVROLET 2002 AVALANCHE. THERE WAS A LOT OF CLICKING AND CLACKING IN MY STEERING. I HAD THE FRONT END CHECKED AND REALIGNED SEVERAL TIMES. FINALLY A CHEVY SERVICE MANAGER IDENTIFIED A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVROLET. THERE IS A LINKAGE IN THE STEERING THAT IS CATEGORIZED AS A SHAFT #19153614 THAT WAS NOT CORRECTLY DESIGNED WHEN MANUFACTURED. ACCORDING TO THE CHEVY SERVICE MANAGER CHEVY HAD TO REDESIGN THE SHAFT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE PART WAS NOT DESIGNED PROPERLY ORIGINALLY I REQUESTED GM CUSTOME…
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10220498 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10172368 · 2006-11-01 (November 1, 2006)
FAILURE WAS/IS INEVITABLE. PARKING BRAKE SHOES ARE POORLY SECURED, THEY ARE ALLOWED TO FLOAT INSIDE OF HAT OF ROTOR. DRIVERS SIDE HAS THE RETAINING CLIP ORIENTED (UPSIDE DOWN) WHERE THE FLOATING BRAKE SHOE IS KEPT IN CONTACT WITH HAT AREA OF ROTOR BY GRAVITY AT ALL TIMES. WHAT IS WORSE, IS THAT THE AREA OF THE SHOE HAVING NO PAD IS IN CONTACT. THIS CAUSED THE METALLIC PORTION OF THE SHOE TO GRIND OVER A 1/4" INTO HAT AREA OF ROTOR. BOUGHT NEW AND AFTER 1 MONTH, EMERGENCY BRAKES FAILED, HAD TO RELY ON TRANSMISSION IN PARK. DEALERSHIP SAID I …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10172368 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10219741 · 2008-02-29 (February 29, 2008)
I WAS REFUSED AN ANNUAL INSPECTION BECAUSE OF NO EMERGENCY BRAKE. I WAS THEN INFORMED THAT 2002 SERIES OF CHEVROLET TRUCK HAD A COMMON PROBLEM WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILURE. I WAS THEN TOLD CHEVROLET DID A SILENT RECALL ON TRUCKS WITH A STANDARD TRANSMISSION AND PAID FOR THE REPAIRS. HOWEVER I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND THE REPAIRS COST $525.88. ALSO I WAS TOLD TO SET THE BRAKE TO INSURE THAT IT WOULDN'T FAIL IN THE FUTURE. NOTHING IN OWNERS MANUAL TELLS YOU TO SET EM. BRAKE SO IT WOULDN'T WEAR OUT BY NOT BEING SET IN ORDER TO KEEP IT A…
Owner-reported narrative. 58,602 miles reported. Look up ODI 10219741 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10224769 · 2008-04-16 (April 16, 2008)
RUPTURE OF PLASTIC-LIKE FUEL LINES ABOVE THE GAS TANK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 42,390 miles reported. Look up ODI 10224769 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10303189 · 2010-01-29 (January 29, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT HAS A 2002 CHEVERLOT AVALACHE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE FAILURE HAPPENED. THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THIS IS THE ONLY TIME THIS HAPPENED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84000. UPDATED 2/22/10 *CN UPDATED 07/06/10.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10303189 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10252011 · 2008-12-16 (December 16, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, SHE HEARD A NOISE IN THE ABS. THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED AND THE SYSTEM NO LONGER WORKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS ABS FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL ON THE ABS SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO ALL CHEVROLET VEHICLES IN ALL STATES, NOT JUST THE WINTER STATES. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 139,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10252011 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10182589 · 2007-02-14 (February 14, 2007)
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND LOST POWER. THE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STALLING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND TOWED IT TO HIS HOME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, W3HICH FAILURE IS RELATED TO A GAS LINE SENSOR. THE DEALER DID NOT KNOW HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SENSOR WAS IN AN AWKWARD PLACE AND IF IT BROKE THEY WERE NOT RESPONS…
Owner-reported narrative. 76,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10182589 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10256326 · 2009-01-26 (January 26, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $2,000. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10256326 at NHTSA ↗