2002 Chevrolet AVALANCHE 1500: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 10162849 · 2006-07-19 (July 19, 2006)
PARKING BRAKE DOESN'T WORK. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10162849 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10162981 · 2006-07-20 (July 20, 2006)
ALOT OF SQUEEZING IN PARKING BRAKES. PARKING BRAKES DIDN'T WORK, CHECK BREAKS, RT. BRAKE PAD BURNT OUT. RELEASE SYSTEM DOESN'T RELEASE. HAD TO REMOVE PADS. I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING AROUND W/O EMERGENCY BRAKE RING PADS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10162981 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10166601 · 2006-08-26 (August 26, 2006)
REAR WINDOW FRAME CRACKED LIKE MANY OTHERS, FACTORY DEFECT SHOULD BE REPLACED EVEN IF THE FACTORY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 10166601 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10168642 · 2006-09-19 (September 19, 2006)
2002 AVALANCHE. TAILGATE CABLE FAILURE. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A RECALL FOR 1999-2000 SILVERADO / GMC PICKUPS FOR REPLACING TAILGATE CABLES. I HAVE HAD THE CABLES REPLACED 1 TIME IN 2004 UNDER WARRANTY, AND THEY HAVE BROKE AGAIN FROM RUST-THROUGH 9/2006. DEALER SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS, AND I MUST PURCHASE REPLACEMENTS. THESE ARE THE SAME MANUFACTURED ITEMS IN THE STATED RECALL, WHY IS THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED? THIS IS OR CAN RESULT IN INJURY. THE FIRST TIME IN 2004, I WAS STANDING ON THE TAILGATE WHEN THEY BROKE. LUCKILY I FELL OFF AND …
Owner-reported narrative. 66,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10168642 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 10172464 · 2006-11-02 (November 2, 2006)
SERVICE 4X LIGHT COMES ON ALMOST EVERYTIME DRIVEN ROARING IN DRIVETRAIN WITH RELATION TO SPEED OF TRUCK UNDERSTAND THIS COULD BE WORKMANSHIP PROBLEM. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10172464 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.