Page 3 of 4 · complaints 101–150 of 154

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Apr 24, 201084,000 milesPA

THE ABS KICK IN WHILE TURNING AT LOW SPEED. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 21, 201093,158 milesNJ

I AM CURRENTLY HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE AS TO UNWARRANTED ABS ACTIVATION. THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO STOP A LOW SPEEDS OR HESITATES AT 5 MPH COMING TO A STOP. I BEGAN TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM ABOUT A WEEK AGO, ON OR ABOUT APRIL 14TH, 2010. I CONDUCTED A SEARCH OF YOUR WEB SITE AND SAW THAT THERE HAS BEEN PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS FROM 2005. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET AT THE NUMBER PROVIDED IN YOUR RECALL BULLETIN # 05V-379. WHEN I SPOKE TO A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THEY TOLD ME MY VIN # DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. CHEVROLET WILL NOT HONOR ANY REPAIR TO THIS VEHICLE WHICH I BELIEVE CLEARLY FALLS WITHIN THE MAKE/MODEL/YEAR. I PLAN TO HAVE THE REPAIRS MADE, AND FILE SUIT AGAINST CHEVROLET FOR THE COST OF THOSE REPAIRS. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 19, 201059,000 milesCT

BRAKE LINE BURST NEAR ABS MODULE UNDER TRUCK. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 18, 201082,000 milesFL

DASH LIGHT DON'T WORK. DIMMER SWITCH VERY HOT TO THE TOUCH. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 15, 2010105,000 milesFL

MY 2002 CHEVY AVALANCHE 1500,2WD HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE TRUCK STALLED AND THEN SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I REPLACED THE CRANK POSITIONING SENSOR AND IT WORKS WELL NOW...BUT IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT SHUT OFF,I ALMOST CAUSED A HUGE ACCIDENT. *TR

Parking Brake
Filed Apr 12, 2010134,700 milesPA

AT THE END OF DECEMBER, WE WERE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. I WENT TO APPLY MY BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. I REALIZED THAT I HAD NO BRAKES. I DOWN SHIFTED AND COASTED TO THE NEAREST GARAGE. AFTER A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION, THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDED REPLACED. AT A HEFTY PRICE, I REPLACED IT ALL. THE OLD PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Mar 24, 201084,000 milesNY

NHTSA ACTION # PE05020, NHTSA RECALL # 05V379000, GM CORP, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ANTILOCK. THIS PROBLEM PERSISTS IN MY 2002 CHEVY AVALANCHE. THE RECALL ONLY TEMPORARILY FIXED PROBLEM. I AM REQUESTING NHTSA EXTEND RECALL TO REPAIR ONGOING PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM MAY CAUSE LOSS OF LIFE. I HAVE NOTIFIED GM AND EXPECT A FOLLOW UP BY NHTSA.

Parking Brake
Filed Mar 4, 201020,000 milesTN

PARKING BRAKE FAILS TO HOLD VEHICLE IN ANY ATTITUDE. SYSTEM IS POORLY DESIGNED AND IS TYPICAL OF GM SUVS AND LIGHT TRUCKS. SYSTEM DESIGN AND EXECUTION IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Jan 29, 201084,000 milesNM

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

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices
Filed Jan 3, 201081,000 milesAR

WHEN DRIVING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHEN I FELT A LARGE "THUMP", IN CHECKING MY REAR VIEW MIRROR, DISCOVERED MY SPARE TIRE LAYING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CABLE MECHANISM HAD BROKEN DROPPING TIRE TO PAVEMENT- MAY BE MADE OF SAME CABLE AS TAILGATE CABLE PREVIOUSLY RECALLED. IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN BEHIND ME IT COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

Suspension › Rear
Filed Dec 29, 2009110,000 milesRI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. THE REAR SWAY BAR BROKE, AND WORE OUT THE BRAKE LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR OVER A MONTH BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE GM MANUFACTURER DOES NOT WANT TO COVER THE EXPENSE OF THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 01/20/10 *BF UPDATED 01/22/10.*JB

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Dec 16, 2009120,000 milesWI

2002 AVALANCHE 1500, ABS WOULD ACTIVATE WHEN COMING TO A SLOW STOP. DEALER SAID IT WAS PROBABLY THE SPEED SENSORS, RECALL WAS ALREADY DONE SO THEY WOULDN'T DO IT AGAIN. THAT IS NOT RIGHT! I DON'T CARE HOW MANY TIMES THEY HAVE TO FIX IT, IF SAFETY PARTS ARE FAILING, THEY NEED TO REPLACE THEM! LONG STORY SHORT... I REPLACED THE SENSORS, DIDN'T WORK. I REPLACED THE WHOLE BEARING/HUB ASSEMBLY WHICH CAME WITH PRE-INSTALLED SENSORS. FIXED! *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Nov 17, 200974,000 milesMI

I OWN A 2002 CHEVY AVALANCHE, AND I AM HAVING DAILY PROBLEMS WITH THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ACTIVATING INAPPROPRIATELY AT SLOW SPEEDS AND DURING SLOW TURNS. IT STARTED HAPPENING OCCASIONALLY SOME 2-4 YEARS AGO, AND HAS PROGRESSED TO A DAILY OCCURRENCE. I JUST HAD MAJOR WORK DONE REPLACING MY WHEEL BEARINGS, ROTORS, PADS, SHOCKS, AND STRUTS, BUT THE PROBLEM DID NOT GO AWAY ITS STILL OCCURRING. CHEVROLET IS AWAY OF THE DEFECT, BUT NOT ENOUGH OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED OR HAVE BEEN INJURED FOR THEM TO MAKE IT WORTH THEIR TIME TO FIX OR CONTACT OWNERS OF A CERTAIN POTENTIAL PROBLEM. *TR

Parking Brake
Filed Nov 17, 2009160,000 milesWI

MY EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED ALMOST CAUSING MY CAR TO ROLL INTO TRAFFIC. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SHOULD BE THERE WHEN YOU NEED IT. *TR

Parking Brake
Filed Oct 20, 200915,000 milesMI

THE PARKING BRAKE HAS NOT WORKED SINCE 2003 ON MY 2002 AVALANCHE WHICH HAS 53000 MILES ON IT . HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 16, 200944,500 milesNY

DURING AN EMERGENCY BRAKING CONDITION, THE FRONT BRAKE LINE FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKES. FOUND ALL BRAKE LINES CORRODED TO POINT OF POSSIBLE FAILURE UNDER SAME CONDITIONS. TRUCK HAS ONLY 44,500 MILES ON IT. ALSO FOUND EXTENSIVE CORROSION THROUGHOUT FRAME. TRUCK HAD ADDITIONAL UNDERCOATING INSTALLED BY DEALER(MARCHESE CHEVROLET IN NY). DEALERS REPLY TO CONDITION, YEAH WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL AVALANCHES AND CAVALIERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS NOT KNOWN IF THE PROBLEM IS SUBSTANDARD STEEL OR POSSIBLY A REACTION WITH THE UNDERCOATING. VEHICLE IS NOT BEING USED AT PRESENT TIME. VEHICLE IS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE PURCHASED NEW 12/2002. ADDITIONAL ISSUES WITH BRAKES, DEALER RECALL ON ROTORS 22,000 MILES ALL 4 REPLACED, ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED BY LOCAL SHOP WITH 42,000 MILES, ALL 4 IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT AGAIN. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 11, 200950,000 milesNJ

WATER POURS INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FROM SHUT SUNROOF IF ANY SORT OF HEAVY PRECIPITATION, LAST DATE BELOW BUT HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 2005. HAVE SINCE LEARNED THE FLOODED FLOOR CAN CAUSE RANDOM AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THIS THEN IS A SAFETY ISSUE BIG TIME. *TR

Suspension › Front › Hub
Filed Jun 19, 2009108,000 milesWI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A STRANGE NOISE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE TIRES DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE HUB ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN FOUR MONTHS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 108,000. UPDATED 07/24/09. *LJ

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jun 7, 200938,500 milesPA

2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE - BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH AFTER ONLY 38,000 MILES RESULTING IN NO BRAKES WHILE GOING DOWN HILL. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO AVOID HITTING ANY OTHER VEHICLES. DOWNSHIFTED THE TRANSMISSION AND USED THE PARKING BRAKE TO EVENTUALLY STOP THE VEHICLE. I'VE NOW READ SEVERAL HUNDRED OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. GM SHOULD BE MADE TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE LINES ON ALL CHEVROLET AVALANCHES WITH STAINLESS STEEL LINES. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH ONLY SHOWS UP WHEN YOU TRY TO USE THE BRAKES - WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY WHEN YOU MOST NEED THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed May 31, 2009FL

UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION. *TR

Structure
Filed May 19, 200942,000 milesMI

REAR WINDOW FRAME PLASTIC IS CRACKING, THERE IS A 3/8 GAP THAT HAS FORM MAKING THE WINDOW UNSTABLE AND LEAKING BOTH AIR AND WATER. THE TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages1 injured
Filed May 6, 2009CA

2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE REAR TAILGATE LATCH/LOCK ASSEMBLY. SHARP EDGES ON UNKNOWN HOOK /BARB DESIGN SNAGGING CLOTHING/RIPPING HOLES IN FABRIC AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS CAUSING LACERATIONS AND CUTS ON ABDOMINAL AREAS, THIS OCCURS WHEN I REACH OVER FROM THE END TO RETRIEVE PAYLOAD FROM THE CARGO BAY. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 1, 2009120,134 milesMI

2002 CHEVROLET K1500 AVALANCHE 4WD ACTIVATES ANTILOCK BRAKES WHILE COMPLETING A STOP AT LOW SPEEDS (LESS THAN 5MPH). THIS MALFUNCTION OCCURS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, OFTEN EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE ACTIVATION OF THE ABS SYSTEM HAS THE UNDESIRED EFFECT OF GREATLY LENGTHENING THE STOPPING DISTANCE IN AN UNCONTROLLED MANNER. IN EFFECT, THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER CONTROL WHEN APPROACHING A STOPPED VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC, INTERSECTION, PEDESTRIAN, PARKING, ETC. THIS IS A VERY HAZARDOUS MALFUNCTION OF THE ABS SYSTEM. THIS PARTICULAR TRUCK WAS RECALLED AND REPAIR WAS ATTEMPTED BY A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP A FEW YEARS AGO. THIS PREVIOUS DEALERSHIP REPAIR OF THE UNCONTROLLED ABS BRAKING WAS NOT SUFFICIENT AS THE ABS MALFUNCTION HAS RETURNED ON THIS VEHICLE. ON 4/1/09 THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR MY CURRENT ABS MALFUNCTION CONDITION, STATING THAT "GM WILL ONLY DO THE REPAIR ONCE". THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR DID NOT WORK ON MY 2002 AVALANCHE, AND NOW I AM "STUCK" WITH A VEHICLE THAT IS A SAFETY HAZARD ON THE ROADS DUE TO UNCONTROLLED RELEASING OF BRAKE PRESSURE AT LOW SPEEDS. PLEASE GIVE ME DIRECTION OF WHAT ACTION I CAN TAKE. THANK YOU. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Mar 25, 200955,000 milesFL

02 CHEVY AVALANCHE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE IS DEFECTIVE AND NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. GM HAS HAD DOCUMENTED PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS ON THE '02 AVALANCHE BUT SO FAR HAS ONLY ISSUED A RECALL FOR NORTHERN STATES, BLAMING THE PROBLEM ON ROAD SALT RATHER THAN THE OBVIOUS DESIGN OR MANUFACTURE DEFECT. ROAD SALT DIDN'T CAUSE THIS ABS FAILURE BECAUSE I LIVE IN FLORIDA. THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO THE WHOLE U.S. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NHTSA SHOULD ADDRESS WITH A MANDATORY RECALL FOR ALL '02 CHEVY AVALANCHES. GM REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM RATHER THAN A WARRANTY ISSUE. I DID A 360 ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE DUE TO THIS AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE IT KILLS SOMEONE. *TR

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Feb 17, 2009NH

SON HIT A TREE HEAD ON TOTALED AVALANCHE FRONT END AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHY?????????? *TR

Structure
Filed Feb 16, 200942,000 milesMI

REAR WINDOW FRAME CRACKED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LOWER PORTION. *TR

Power Train
Filed Feb 13, 200985,000 milesVA

FRONT DIFFERENTIAL MECHANISM THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR 4WD OF THE VEHICLE HAS CHRONICALLY MALFUNCTIONED DESPITE 2 REPAIRS WHILE UNDER WARRANTY BY LINDSAY CHEVY IN WOODBRIDGE VA. THE MECHANISM STARTED TO SHOW SIGNS OF PROBLEMS AT 7000 MILES. NOW THE TRUCK HAS 85000 MILES AND THE MECHANISM HAS FAILED. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 6, 200952,100 milesWI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC 1500 AVALANCHE. TWO YEARS AGO, THE ABS SENSOR WAS REPAIRED ON THE VEHICLE UNDER RECALL. CURRENTLY, THE ABS SENSOR IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THE BRAKES DO NOT HOLD IN THE MIDDLE OF STOPPING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS DUE TO THE PREVIOUS RECALL REPAIR. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,100.

Suspension
Filed Feb 5, 2009200,000 milesVA

2002 AVALANCHE SWAY BARS FRONT AND NO REAR S BREAKING AT BUSHINGS. LOOKS LIKE CORROSION AT THE BENDS? *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 26, 2009111,000 milesMT

2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. IGNITION SWITCH IS SHORTING OUT, HAVE TO JIGGLE KEY TO START. WHEN DRIVING TUCK LOOSES POWER AND SHUTS OFF LOOSING ALL POWER STEERING AND ALL POWER BRAKES. HAD TO MUSCLE TRUCK TO SHOULDER OF ROADWAY AND RESTART. DOES THIS INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 26, 200983,000 milesTX

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Dec 16, 2008139,000 milesCA

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.

Parking Brake
Filed Jul 31, 200892,000 milesMA

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE - DOES NOT WORK - DUE TO PREMATURE CORROSION TECHNICIAN AT DEALER STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE AVALANCHE. THE COST TO REPAIR THE PARKING BRAKE AND ALL THE AFFECTED PARTS IS APPROX. $ 600.00. TECHNICIAN STATED THIS SHOULD BE A RECALLED ITEM. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Apr 16, 200842,390 milesOH

RUPTURE OF PLASTIC-LIKE FUEL LINES ABOVE THE GAS TANK. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Apr 2, 200875,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE ABS ACTIVATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK). THE CONTACT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,000.

Steering › Linkages
Filed Mar 9, 200829,000 milesFL

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 CUSTOMER SERVICE TO COVER THE COST OF $201.95 COST. THEY HAD SOME FOREIGNER FROM THE PHILLIPINES CALL ME TO TELL ME THEY WOULD NOT STAND BEHIND THIS MATERIAL AND WORKMANSHIP FAILURE. IT SEEMS TO ME TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE THAT GENERAL MOTORS IS SWEEPING UNDER THE RUG. THE SERVICE MANAGER ADVISED THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MANY OF THESE SHAFTS. THANK YOU. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Mar 1, 2008110,000 milesNJ

HOOD METAL AROUND THE LATCH IS ROTTING. AND THERE IS DELAMATION OF THE METAL. *TR

Parking Brake
Filed Feb 29, 200858,602 milesTX

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 ALIGNED TO PREVENT WEAR. *TR

Parking Brake
Filed Dec 28, 2007TX

GENERAL MOTORS SERVICE BULLETIN #02-05-26-002 2002-2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500 SERIES MODELS I HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND GM OR THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME 'TOUGH LUCK' THIS IS !@#$% AND THEY NEED TO ADDRESS THIS PARKING BRAKE ISSUE!!! EVERY REPAIR PERSON I TAKE TO KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE SO IT'S NOT SOMETHING OBSCURE!! *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Nov 26, 200793,800 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO DOWNSHIFT AND CRUISE TO A STOP. AS OF NOVEMBER 26, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE RUSTED BRAKE LINES CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 93,800. UPDATED 0310/08. *LJ

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Oct 11, 200768,066 milesIN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING 5 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO A STORE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED DURING OR AFTER THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE STORE SUSTAINED $1,900 WORTH OF DAMAGE. THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION RECURRED, HOWEVER, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL. THE DEALER STATED THAT FOR $100 THEY WOULD CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT WOULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT IT CAUSED OR WOULD CORRECT THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE. THE ESTIMATED FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,066 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,166.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Oct 4, 200766,000 milesVA

1. USE OF BRAKES AT LOW SPEED 2. UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKING 3. CHEVROLET REFUSES TO CORRECT PROBLEM RELATED TO RECALL 05V379000. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Aug 11, 2007102,800 milesCO

2002 CHEVY AVALANCHE 1500 4X4 Z71 CORROSION IN THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING HUB CONTAMINATED THE TONE RING ON THE SPEED SENSOR CAUSING THE BRAKES NOT TO WORK CORRECTLY. LOCK UP OR NOT WORK AT ALL VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I REPLACED THE HUD AND IT CURED THE PROBLEM APPEARS THAT THE MOISTURE CAUSING THE CORROSION GOT THRU AT THE SPEED SENSOR PLUG. I SEE CANADA ALREADY HAS A RECALL ON THIS WHY IS THE US TAKING SO LONG TO IMPLEMENT THE RECALL. DOES SOME ONE HAVE TO DIE FOR IT TO BE AN IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 22, 2007150,000 milesAL

VEHICLE WON'T START, ENGINE DIES WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings
Filed Feb 14, 200776,000 milesMI

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 RESPONSIBLE , AND REQUIRED HIM TO SIGN A WAIVER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 76000. *AK

Parking Brake
Filed Jan 30, 2007MA

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE HAD PARKING BRAKE SHOE. PROBLEMS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SHIELD CAME OFF AND HAD EXPOSED THE PARKING BRAKE SHIELD TO THE ELEMENTS. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PAD WORE OUT, AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DIDN'T WORK. THE CONTACT REPLACED ALL OF THE BRAKES IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ADJUSTED, AND THE SERVICE MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS IS NOT COMMON WITH THE AVALANCHE VEHICLES. *AK

Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit
Filed Nov 2, 200685,000 milesNC

SERVICE 4X LIGHT COMES ON ALMOST EVERYTIME DRIVEN ROARING IN DRIVETRAIN WITH RELATION TO SPEED OF TRUCK UNDERSTAND THIS COULD BE WORKMANSHIP PROBLEM. *NM

Parking Brake
Filed Nov 1, 20061,500 milesOK

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 MUST USE EMERGENCY BRAKES FREQUENTLY TO KEEP ADJUSTED...NOT TRUE, THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT W/O PULLING ROTOR OFF. *NM

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Sep 19, 200666,800 milesOH

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 WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE REPORT FOR THE TRUCKS FROM 1999-2000 ENGINEERING ANALYSIS # IS EA05-007. PLEASE LOOK INTO ADDING NEWER VEHICLES TO THIS, AS THEY POTENTIALLY HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. *JB

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Aug 26, 20061 milesCO

REAR WINDOW FRAME CRACKED LIKE MANY OTHERS, FACTORY DEFECT SHOULD BE REPLACED EVEN IF THE FACTORY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. *JB

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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