2002 Chevrolet AVALANCHE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
444 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
50,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 312 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 54 of 444 complaints (12.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 206 | 46.4% |
| Steering behavior | 28 | 6.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 18 | 4.1% |
| Engine operation | 15 | 3.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 2.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 11 | 2.5% |
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 | 54 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 45 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 37 |
| Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments | 32 |
| Parking Brake | 28 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 16 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 16 |
| Structure | 14 |
Service Brakes: 54; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 45; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 37; Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments: 32; Parking Brake: 28; Engine And Engine Cooling: 16; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 16; Structure: 14
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 67 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 85 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 57 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 46 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 38 |
| 150,000 and above | 19 |
Under 25,000: 67; 25,000 to 49,999: 85; 50,000 to 74,999: 57; 75,000 to 99,999: 46; 100,000 to 149,999: 38; 150,000 and above: 19
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (85). 132 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 38 |
| 2003 | 65 |
| 2004 | 99 |
| 2005 | 83 |
| 2006 | 35 |
| 2007 | 11 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2011 | 12 |
| 2012 | 15 |
| 2013 | 30 |
| 2014 | 25 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2001: 3; 2002: 38; 2003: 65; 2004: 99; 2005: 83; 2006: 35; 2007: 11; 2008: 5; 2009: 7; 2010: 10; 2011: 12; 2012: 15; 2013: 30; 2014: 25; 2015: 4; 2022: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 206 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 28 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 18 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 10000328 · 2002-12-20 (December 20, 2002)
BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR WHEN APPLYING BRAKES TO COME TO A STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED FIVE (5) TIMES. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 24,042 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000328 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001053 · 2002-12-17 (December 17, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS THE VEHICLE STALLS RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND BRAKES. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT BUT BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 28,366 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001053 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017067 · 2003-05-05 (May 5, 2003)
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. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 18,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017067 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002621 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
TRANSMISSION/DRIVELINE FAILURE
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002621 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049490 · 2003-12-09 (December 9, 2003)
2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2500 HAS A MISS IN THE ENGINE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THAT CANNOT BE FIXED AT THE DEALERSHIP. CHEVROLET SAYS IT IS "ENGINE FADE AND A STIFF SUSPENSION". IT IS A POWER TRAIN PROBLEM, PERHAPS IN THE TRANSMISSION. IT IS NOTICEABLE WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL ON AND PRONOUNCED WHEN CLIMBING HILLS OR TOWING ANY LOAD. THE DEALER (LARRY GREEN CHEVROLET IN BLYTHE CA AND CHEVROLET)BOTH HAVE OPEN FILES ON THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE SAME DEALER WAS REPURCHASED BY CHEVROLET AND THE REPLACEMENT VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10049490 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006957 · 2003-02-11 (February 11, 2003)
THE VEHICLE STALLED.*JB VEHICLE STALLED OUT IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. VEHICLE IN REPAIR SHOP 4 TIMES. DEALERSHIP CHECKED IDLE SPEED AND FUEL PRESSURE, ENGINE WIRING HARNESS JUNCTION BLOCK ASSEMBLY REPLACED. REPLACED TANK TO ENGINE RETURN. PCM REPLACED. FUEL SENDER AND PUMP ASSEMBLY REPLACED. HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXIST. IGNITION KEY WARNING SWITCH WAS INOPERATIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,840 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006957 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059702 · 2004-02-24 (February 24, 2004)
VENTILATION SYSTEM LEAKED WATER INTO THE PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. AS A RESULT, WATER BLEW OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOR THE RADIO SPEAKERS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 43,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10059702 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051383 · 2003-12-30 (December 30, 2003)
VERY DIFFICULT TO FILL FUEL TANK. MUST HOLD NOZZLED TIGHTLY AGAINST FILLER OPENING. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER ABOUT THIS SINCE I PURCHASED IT. THEY "FIXED" IT, BUT THE DIFFICULTY CONTINUES.
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10051383 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088567 · 2004-08-25 (August 25, 2004)
GAS TANK AND FUEL SYSTEM BECAME CONTAMINATED WITH RUST AND WAS CLOGGING THE FUEL INJECTORS. CHEVROLET DEALER REPLACED 2 FUEL INJECTORS AND FUEL LINES AND CLEANED EXISTING GAS TANK. $1300 WORTH OF REPAIRS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 41,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10088567 at NHTSA ↗