2002 Chevrolet Avalanche complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SELECTOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE IN HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

ENGINE SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. BRAKES WASN'T WORKING PROPERLY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE BRAKES WORKED PROPERLY AND THEY STATED THAT EVERYTIME HE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE THEY WOULD STATE THAT THE BRAKES ARE FINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM STAYS ON AND TOOK TO A REPAIR SHOP. THEY ADVISED US THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT. THEN WE TOOK IT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD US THERE WAS NO RECALL. DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS INDEED A RECALL. CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP NOT COOPERATING. *TR

RE: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 05V37900, NHTSA ACTION # PE05020. I PURCHASED 2002 AVALANCHE IN LATE JULY, 2006, FROM FUCILLO CHEVROLET IN EAST GREENBUSH NY; MILEAGE ~44,000. IN NOVEMBER, 2008 (~55,000 MILES), I NOTICED UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS AS DESCRIBED IN ABOVE REFERENCES. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CONFIRMED. FUCILLO CHEVROLET DECLINED TO PROVIDE RECALL SERVICE, ADVISING THAT IT HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE, NOTWITHSTANDING THAT THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN REMEDIED. CHEVROLET DECLINED FOR THE SAME REASON, ADVISING THAT THE RECALL REPAIR HAD BEEN DONE AT FUCILLO IN JULY, 2006, AND THAT THEIR OBLIGATION UNDER THE RECALL WAS TO PERFORM THE RECALL SERVICE ONLY ONE TIME, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THE SERVICE FIXED THE DEFECT.. I THEN HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPAIR THE DEFECT AT MY EXPENSE. HE ADVISED THAT THE RECALL SERVICE HAD NOT BEEN DONE, AS COULD BE DETERMINED DURING THE REPAIR. IF THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT IN FACT DONE, THEN THE DEALER MISREPRESENTED TO CHEVROLET (AND ME). HOWEVER, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THE RECALL SERVICE HAD ACTUALLY BEEN DONE OR NOT, IT APPEARS TO ME THAT CHEVROLET AND THE DEALER HAVE TAKEN THE POSITION THAT THEIR OBLIGATION DOES NOT EXTEND TO REMEDYING THE DEFECT -- THEY APPARENTLY MAKE NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN EFFECTIVE REPAIR WORK AND INEFFECTIVE REPAIR WORK. IN EITHER EVENT, CHEVROLET AND ITS DEALER KNEW THAT THERE WAS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE SUBJECT TO RECALL AND DECLINED TO REMEDY THE DEFECT. *TR

FUEL LEAKING FROM TOP OF FUEL PUMP FEED/RETURN PIPES. PIPES WHERE CORRODED AND LEAKING FUEL ON TO THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP WHERE FUEL POOLS UNTIL VEHICLE STOPS OR ACCELERATES AT WHICH POINT THE PUDDLED FUEL SPILLS TO GROUND, OR BLOWS UP UNDER VEHICLE CAUSING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. *TR

ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED....I HAD TO REPLACE A PART ON MY 2002 CHEVY AVALANCHE 'S ABS SYSTEM..AGAIN THE SAME NOISE OCCURRED AND AGAIN IT IS THE ABS SYSTEM..4 YEARS AGO IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY 38,000 MILES I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET $1,200. IT IS AT THE DEALER NOW BEING REPAIRED... ..I'M SURE IT WILL BE $1,200 OR MORE...AGAIN. *TR

REAR BRAKE DUST SHIELDS RUSTED THROUGH AT 62,438 MILES ALLOWING DIRT, STONE, AND OTHER MATERIALS INTO BRAKE SYSTEM. DUST SHIELDS REPLACED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. ON MARCH 27, 2007, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT HEAD ON AT 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED UP AND LANDED ON ITS SIDE IN A DITCH. THERE WAS OVER $18,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE SIDE AND FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED AS WELL. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 78,213. UPDATED 04/23/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK INTO PLACE AS IT SHOULD HAVE. THE SEAT BELT HARNESS BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO FLY FORWARD

BRAKES WERE PULSATING AND TOOK TO LOCAL BRAKE SHOP FOR CHECK. REAR BRAKE JOB COMPLETED. LEFT REAR ROTOR NEEDED REPLACING DUE TO DAMAGE FROM PARKING BRAKE. PARKING BRAKE ALSO REPLACED. SERVICE TECHNICIAN INDICATED DAMAGED ROTOR FROM PARKING BRAKE WAS A DESIGN FLAW BY GM AND ALTHOUGH CHEVY AVALANCE HASN'T HAD A RECALL ON THIS FLAW, THE TAHOE HAS.*CN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HEARD A BUZZING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING AREA. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

AT THE FIRST OF OCTOBER I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM ONSTAR STATING THAT MY SERVICE WOULD NO LONGER BE AVAILABLE FOR MY 2002 CHEVORLET AVALANCHE BEGINNING JAN 2008. ONSTAR IS A SAFETY DEVICE ON MY TRUCK...AND WAS THE DECIDING FACTOR IN CHOOSING A GM VEHICLE. SOME OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE 2003 GMCS AND THEY ARE REPAIRABLE BUT MINE IS NOT. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE..THEY JUST DO NOT WANT TO PAY FOR IT. I HAVE HAD SOME TROUBLE WITH MY TRUCK, EG- HARDBODY FADING, WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION 3 YEARS BACK B/C EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS WORE...NO RECALL BUT THE PART WAS REDESIGNED..HMMM, TAILGATE LEAKING WATER, A LOUD POPPING NOISE THAT TOOK 4 LONG TIMES AT THE DEALER FOR THEM TO FIND, BUT I CAN LIVE WITH ALL THIS...BUT MY ONSTAR WAS A GREAT PIECE OF MIND, ESP WITH AN ILLNESS AND NOW A NEW BABY. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A GM AGAIN, B/C THEY HAVE DUMPED ALL OF US WITH ANALOG SERVICE LIKE A DISEASE...I WAS TOLD I COULD TRADE MY TRUCK AND ONSTAR WOULD GIVE ME AN ADDITIONAL YEAR FREE! BIG WOW...THAT IS AN INSULT. MY TRUCK WAS JUST PAID FOR IN AUGUST AND IN OCTOBER I FIND OUT THE BIG SAFETY DEVICE OF ONSTAR IS OVER. *TR

2002 CHEVY AVALANCHE WITH A NON FUNCTIONING PARKING BRAKE. CUSTOMER STATES THAT IF ANY OF THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT IT COULD SERIOUSLY INJURE OR MAYBE EVEN RESULT IN DEATH FOR SOMEONE. *KB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AND MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STOP. THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND BLEEDERS FAILED. REPAIRS WERE NOT MADE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45,400. UPDATED 01/02/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER CLAIMS TO HAVE REPLACED THE LINE TO THE MASTER CYLINDER WHEN INFACT THEY JUST UNION SPLICED INTO DEFECT AREA. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

2002 AVALANCHE EMERGENCY BRAKE ISN'T WORKING AND THE REAR END WENT OUT IN IT YESTERDAY 8/10/07 AT 92,000 MILES. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH DOWNHILL, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE ATTEMPTED TO STOP, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SHOP AND HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,224.

TRUCK SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I LOSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. WILL OCCUR AT ALL SPEEDS INCLUDING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. VERY SCAREY SITUATION THAT COULD CAUSE A LARGE ACCIDENT IN RUSH HOUR. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE MAKE AND MODEL TRUCK I HAVE. THE PROBLEM IS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED AT CHEVROLET'S EXPENSE!

2002 CHEV AVALANCHE, INTERMITTENT ACTIVATION OF ABS AT SPEEDS TYPICALLY BELOW 10MPH. ON 2 OCCASIONS RESULTED IN BRAKES NOT STOPPING THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY, REQUIRED BRAKE PEDAL TO BE PRESSED WITH FULL BODY WEIGHT TO BRING VEHICLE TO A STOP. BRAKES SEEM TO WORK NORMALLY WHEN STOPPING AT FROM SPEEDS GREATER THAN 10MPH. *TR

CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2500-YEAR 2002:ENGINE CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING-CRANK POSITION SENSOR DEFECT (CPS). THIS SEEMED TO HAPPEN ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY AFTER THE TRUCK HAS BEEN SITTING FOR AT LEAST A FEW HOURS. IT STARTED UP INSTANTLY AND NORMALLY, THEN, AS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD BETWEEN 2 AND 5 MINUTES AFTER STARTUP THE BATTERY LIGHT POPPED ON AND THE ENGINE WAS DEAD. THIS PHENOMENON WAS NOT TOTALLY REPEATABLE - SOMETIMES IT WILL GO FOR A MONTH AND NOT HAPPEN, SOMETIMES IT WILL HAPPEN 3 TIMES A DAY FOR A WEEK. IT HAPPENED TWICE THE DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY AND NOT ALL YESTERDAY. *AK

ENGINE STALLED FREQUENTLY AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT NOTICED. ALL POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES FAIL WHEN ENGINE STALLS, CREATING A VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS EMERGENCY SITUATION. DETERMINED TO BE FAILED CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, ORIGINAL SENSOR HAS NOW BEEN REPLACED BY MODIFIED NEW SENSOR WHICH WAS PUT IN SERVICE IN MID MODEL YEAR 2002. ASK GM AS TO WHY RECALL WAS NOT PUT IN TO PLACE TO REPLACE ALL PREVIOUS KNOWN DEFECTIVE CRANK SHAFT POSITION. WHY WAS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR MODIFIED AND REPLACED IN MID YEAR 2002, IF THERE WAS SUCH A LOW INCIDENCE OF FAILURE. I JUST EXPERIENCED A $2,500 REPAIR BILL DUE TO GM RELUCTANCE TO FIX A "KNOWN" POTENTIALLY FATAL FLAWED PART. THANK GOD MY WIFE DOESN'T DRIVE MY TRUCK, SHE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO STEER OR BRAKE THE TRUCK TO A STOP. *JB

2002 CHEVY AVALANCHE'S MOST COMMON CONSUMER COMPLAINT IS "WATER LEAKING" INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE SUV. FRONT FLOORS ARE COMPLETELY SOAKED WITH STANDING WATER. DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED VARIED METHOD'S TO FIX. THE REASON FOR COMPLAINT< AND PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THIS: NOT ONLY ARE THESE REPORTED PROBLEMS INCONVENIENT (ONE CHEVY AVALANCHE OWNER REPORTED ONE INCH OF WATER IN THE FLOOR OF HIS CAB AFTER AN 8 HOUR DRIVE!), BUT THEY COULD ALSO BE DANGEROUS. ON PAGE 8-1117, VOLUME 4 OF THE GM AUTHORIZED SERVICE MANUAL FROM HELM INC. STATES: "CAUTION: IF ANY WATER ENTERS THE VEHICLE'S INTERIOR UP TO THE LEVEL OF THE CARPET OR HIGHER AND SOAKS THE CARPET, THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM) AND THE SDM HARNESS CONNECTOR MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE SDM COULD BE ACTIVATED WHEN POWERED, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG(S) AND RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY." THIS FACT IS NOT GIVEN TO OWNERS, AND IN REALITY THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM HAS BEEN COMPROMISED BY THE WATER LEAKS. THIS ONE WEBSITE HAS OVER 160 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO MAKE GM ACCOUNTABLE, FIND AND FIX THE PROBLEMS ASAP, BEFORE THERE IS A FATALITY. THANK YOU. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED STATING THAT HE TOOK 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500 TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 09/29/05 FOR WHEEL INSPECTION, AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE'S ODOMETER READ 59,289 MILES. AN INSPECTION WAS DONE WITH INVOICE STATING WHEEL SENSOR AND INC. CLEANING WAS DONE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE FELT THAT THEY DIDN'T APPLY ZINC/X TO THE SENSOR DURING INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED ON 11/13/06 WHILE HE WAS PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND THE VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP ONCE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE DAMAGED THE GARAGE DOOR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP ON THE NEXT DAY, AND WAS SHOWN THAT THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WAS NOT IN ITS PROPER PLACE AND IT WAS RUSTED. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR WHEEL BRAKE DUST COVERS WERE RUSTED AND THEY NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. ALSO, HE WAS HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS HE HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DID HIS OWN RESEARCH ON HIS VEHICLE AND FOUND A RECALL 05V379000 FOR 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE FOR THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTI-LOCK. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP OF THIS RECALL, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE RECALL UNTIL HE REPLACED THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. *AK THE DEALER WOULD NOT FIX THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR ISSUE, IF THE CONSUMER DIDN'T HAVE THE REAR BRAKE BACKING PLATE REPLACED AT HIS EXPENSE. UPDATED 01/29/07. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE OIL INSIDE THE DRIVER SIDE EXTERIOR HEATED MIRROR SEEPED OUT CAUSING A BLUR. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE MIRROR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. AFTER PULLING OVER THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN IDLE AND THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE BUT IT WOULD NOT START. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY A FRIEND THAT THEY EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLE WHICH WAS THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BECAUSE THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR IN THE IGNITION MALFUNCTIONED. NEITHER THE SERVICE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS WERE RUSTING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE STEEL PART WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DENIED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAS YET TO BE REPAIRED. UPDATED 10/23/2006 - THE REAR BRAKE PLATED ALSO RUSTED SO BADLY THAT ONE HAD FALLEN TO PIECES. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT SOME ROTORS FROM THIS YEAR WERE REPLACED BEFORE THE BRAKE PADS WERE. *NM

2002 AVALANCHE 1500 TRUCK. ELECTRIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON WHEN I HIT A BUMP, CONTACTED CHEVY HAS NO RECALL BUT SAID THAT MODULE HAS FAILED AND POSSIBLE FAILURE OF BRAKES TO OPERATE CORRECTLY. SPOKE TO A FRIEND THAT OWNS A CHEVY SUBURBAN, HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. MY COST TO REPLACE $1162.41 PLEASE RESPOND. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE WAS OBSERVED. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO HEAVY CORROSION OF THE BRAKE ROTORS. THE FOUR ROTORS HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN OPERATED IN A SALT BELT STATE. THE RUST CRACKED THE METAL CREATING A WORSENING FAILURE CONDITION. UPDATED 11/3/2006 - THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE ROTORS WERE MADE OF AN INFERIOR MATERIAL. *NM

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. 2002 Z71 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE BRAKE DID NOT LAST A YEAR. GENERAL BRAKE FAILURE. BRAKES WERE NEVER ENOUGH TO STOP CAR SAFELY. NOTE THEY REALLY FAIL WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. REPLACED ROTORS TWICE AND PADS 3 TIMES AND I'M AT 60K! *NM

POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING COMING FROM UNDER CAB AT DRIVERS FEET AND PASSENGERS FEET. TRANSMISSION CROSS MEMBER BOLT HOLES IN FRAME HAVE STRETCHED HORIZONTALLY AND ALLOW CROSSMEMBER TO SHIFT SIDE TO SIDE. ALSO FRONT BODY MOUNTS POP WHEN TURNING CAUSING STRESS ON FRONT MOUNT BOLTS. ** CHEVROLET SAID THIS IS NORMAL AND THE ONLY PATCH THEY HAVE FOR THE POPPING AT THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT IS TO PUT WASHERS BOTH SIDES AND THE SAME PATCH FOR THE BODY MOUNTS.** NOTE PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE OF THE STRETCHED OUT HOLES. *NM

WHEN DRIVING UP TO A DRIVE-UP ATM MACHINE, MY WIFE FOLDED THE PASSENGER SIDE-VIEW MIRROR TOWARD HER SO IT WOULD NOT HIT A POST. AFTER COMPLETING HER TRANSACTION, SHE UNFOLDED THE MIRROR TO IT'S REGULAR POSITION, AND IT BROKE. THE MIRROR DID NOT FALL OFF, BUT HAD TO BE TIED ON TO THE ARM, SO IT WOULDN'T SIT CROOKED. *NM

I OWN 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500 THAT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION IN TEXAS DUE TO THE FAILURE OF MY PARKING BRAKE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING AFTER THE PARKING BRAKE HAS BEEN APPLIED, AND THE VEHICLE PUT INTO DRIVE. I UNDERSTAND THAT A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME TYPE OF PARKING BRAKE THAT MY VEHICLE HAS. I READ FEDERAL NOTICE DP05-009 OUTLINING A RESPONSE FROM A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE PARKING BRAKE FAILURE THAT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY RETAINING PIN THAT GM HAS NOW CORRECTED. THE RESPONSE STATED THAT SINCE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS HAD PARKING PAWLS, A RECALL WAS NOT WARRANTED. IF THE STATE OF TEXAS CONSIDERS THE FAILURE OF THE PARKING BRAKE TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, WHY DOES THE NHTSA DEEM THAT IT IS NOT A DEFECT. *JB

CLUNKING IN HEARD UNDER HOOD AND FELT IN THE STEERING COLUMN. HAVE HAD THAT FOR 2 YEARS AND NOW FINALLY SAW OTHER AVALANCHE AND CHEVROLET OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, AND PERSONAL MECHANIC EVEN REFERENCED THE PROBLEM TO A TSB FOR MY VIN. DEALER PLAYS IT OFF THAT THEY HAVE TO CHARGE FOR INSPECTION BY MECHANIC AND THEY WON'T REPLACE IT BECAUSE ITS PAST WARRANTY. (BILL HEARD CHEVROLET). NOTHING HAS DONE TO FIX IT, UNSURE IF ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE WILL RESULT FROM IT. INVOLVING THE STEERING COLUMN MUST HAVE SOME POSSIBLE ISSUE. *JB

BRAKES WORK SOMETIMES, HALF BRAKES,( WERE YOU HAVE TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP), OR BRAKES GO ON BY THEMSELVES WERE YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER AND STOP AND WAIT OR COOL YOUR BREAKS UNTIL THEY COOL DOWN.( BECAUSE THE BREAKS ARE SMOKING. )PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 7 MONTHS. 2002 AVALANCHE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERS 7 TIMES AND THE LAST TIME ON 05/08/06 BECAUSE I ALMOST HIT A CHILD. THEY REPLACED MY BRAKE LINES BUT BRAKES STILL LOCK UP AND GO ON BY THEMSELVES, WHEN YOU STOP QUICKLY. GAVE THE DEALER THE PAPER WORK ON SALT AFFECTING THE ANTI- LOCK SENSORS RECALL SINCE I LIVE IN FLORIDA ON 05/08/06 AND TOLD ME IN DID NOT APPLY. MY WIFE'S 05 EQUINOX WENT IN FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS ON 05/12/06 WITH NO BRAKES AT ALL EXCEPT FOR THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THEY WANT TO REPLACE HER MASTER CYLINDER. I TOLD THE DEALER ABOUT THE RECALL IN THE NORTHERN STATES AND PROVIDED THEM WITH THE RECALL PAPERWORK AND WAS BLOWN OFF!. MY TRUCK CAME BACK TODAY 05-12-06 WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS AFTER BEING FIX BY THE DEALER. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE SUDDEN DEPLOYMENT STARTLED THE DRIVER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LEAVE THE ROAD AND HIT A LIGHT POLE. THE POLE WAS IMPACTED WITH THE FRONT OF VEHICLE AND THERE WAS NO BRAKING PRIOR TO THE IMPACT. IN FACT THE CONTACT THOUGHT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY HAVE BEEN DEPRESSED HARDER, AS A RESULT OF THE SHOCK. ALTHOUGH SEAT BELTS WERE WORN THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTALED. THE DEALER OFFERED NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. UPDATED 05/30/06

WATER IS ENTERING THE REAR FLOOR AREA WHEN RAINING. *NM

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2500HD 4X4 WITH A 8.1 LITRE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 51,000 MILES ON IT. THE FIRST PROBLEM I NOTICED WAS THAT THE ENGINE WOULD CRANK, BUT IT WOULD NOT START IMMEDIATELY. THE NEXT PROBLEM I EXPERIENCED WAS THAT THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, I WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE POSTED 55 MPH LIMIT, AND I HAD TO DODGE TRAFFIC WHILE TRYING TO STEER MY "DEAD" VEHICLE ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE DID RESTART AND I WAS ABLE TO RESUME AS BEFORE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT LEAST 4 TIMES. THUS FAR AFTER 3 TRIPS TO THE DEALER, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPEAT, DIAGNOSE, OR REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. *JB

VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING DURING IDLE, THEN STALLED WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH. ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE CHEVYAVALANCHEFANCLUB.COM WEB SITE - I FOUND INFORMATION THAT OTHERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I ASKED MY MECHANIC TO REPLACE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS SINCE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS EXTREME WATER INTRUSION INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE, PASSENGER'S SIDE, AND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE SEALS IN THE DOORS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT EVER USING IT, MAKES A ROARING SOUND WHEN YOU ARE DIVING DOWN THE ROAD. DEALER SAID THIS A PROBLEM WITH ALL THE 2002 CHEVY AVALANCHES AND TRUCKS,DESIGN FLAW, BUT THEY WOULD BE GLAD TO FIX IT FOR A PRICE. SAID COULDN'T BELIEVE I HAVEN'T HAD A PROBLEM BEFORE NOW, GUESS ITS BECAUSE I NEVER USE IT AND IT JUST FINALLY FAILED ON ITS ON. IF THE DEALER KNOWS THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE SHOULDN'T GM BE RESPONSIBLE FIR THIS? *NM

MY VEHICLE (A 2002 CHEVY AVALANCHE) WAS INVOLVED IN A TOTAL LOSS COLLISION ON JANUARY 18, 2006. THE COLLISION WAS A FULL FRONTAL CRASH WHICH CAVED IN THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE AVALANCHE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS THROWN OUT OF HIS SEAT BELT DUE TO THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT. THE DRIVER ENDED UP IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THE AIR BAGS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CRITERIA FOR AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WERE MET. THERE WAS A DECELERATION RATE FROM APPROX. 55 MPH TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS HIT (AS SEEN FROM THE EXAMINATION OF THE VEHICLE UPON ARRIVAL TO THE BODY SHOP). THE COLLISION WAS IN THE MIDDLE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. GENERAL MOTORS DID AN INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER, I WAS NOT PLEASED WITH THEIR CONCLUSION. THEY SAID THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT MALFUNCTION. THEY CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE "ABSORBED" THE IMPACT, WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAGS NOT TO DEPLOY. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND IT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BY SOMEONE OTHER THAN THE MANUFACTURER, WHO, IN MY OPINION, WAS BIASED IN HIS REVIEW OF THE INCIDENT. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED EVERY TIME THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED THE BRAKES PULSATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. UPON INSPECTION THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS WERE CORRODED. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE ROTORS HOWEVER; DUE TO THE CORROSION THEY WERE UNABLE TO DO SO, THEREFORE THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED. IN A SEPARATE INCIDENT, WHILE USING THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER FAN, SMOKE CAME FROM THE VENTS. THE FAN WAS TURNED OFF AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE COMPRESSOR, FAN AND RELAY WAS REPLACED.

THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. 1]THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT HAS GONE BAD TWICE IN 61,000 MILES, DEALER REFUSES TO FIX. THIS COULD CAUSE THE U-JOINT IN THE STEERING SHAFT TO FRACTURE ON ROUGH ROADS. 2] THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM HAS INTERMITTENT FAILURE PROBLEMS, THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF BRAKES AT SLOWER SPEEDS AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *NM

BRAKES ON 2002 AVALANCHE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM RAY HUTSON, LACROSSE WI. USING CHEVROLET MAINTENANCE PLAN. 27,821 MILES - PERFORMED 6K MAINTENANCE WHICH INCLUDES; LUBE PARKING BRAKE, ROTATE TIRES, INSPECT BRAKES. OK WITH WORK. 30,533 MILES - PERFORMED DETAIL RECONDITION OF VEHICLE. POOR WORK. 30,583 MILES - REPAIRED TAILGATE, COMPLAINED OF DETAIL WORK. PICKED UP VEHICLE WITH NO NOTICEABLE MILEAGE BUT USED APPROX 6 GALS OF GAS. GUESSING THEY RAN THE ENGINE ALL DAY TO DRY OUT INSIDE OF VEHICLE. 30,916 MILES - COMPLETED TAILGATE REPAIR. OK 34,244 MILES - OIL CHANGE 38,085 MILES - OIL CHANGE AND GOODWRENCH PRE02004 MAINTENANCE CHECK LIST COMPLETED. OK 41,926 MILES - 6K MAINTENANCE SERVICE. FOUND BRAKES AND ROTORS BAD, HAD THEM REPLACED, TOTAL COST WAS $1,321.00. AT TIME OF PICKUP, REQUESTED REASON FOR THIS HAPPENING. WAS IT MY FAULT OR THE GOOD WRENCH PLAN, WHY WERE THE BRAKES NOT FOUND TO BE GOING BAD BEFORE THEY RUINED THE ROTORS? THEY WOULD LET ME KNOW. 2 WEEKS LATER- I CALLED THEM, SAID THEY WOULD CHECK WITH GMC. 4 WEEKS LATER -I CALLED THEM, SAID THEY WOULD CHECK WITH GMC. 3 MONTHS LATER, RECEIVED NOTICE FOR OIL CHANGE. WENT TO RAY HUTSON, ASKED ABOUT BRAKE PROBLEM. WAS TOLD THEY HAD HEARD BACK FROM GMC THE FIRST WEEK, THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT AS PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO LOOK AT. AT THAT TIME, I FELT THAT I WAS NOT A CUSTOMER WORTH A PHONE CALL FROM THEM. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING OVER 20MPH THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. AS THE SPEED INCREASES OR WHILE DRIVING OVER POTHOLES THE NOISE INCREASES. THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE NOISE CAME FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION AND THE DRIVESHAFT. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR BACKING PLATES ARE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE IS LOCATED IN A SALT BELT STATE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN ALERTED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.

I BELIEVE YOUR RECALL SYSTEM IS BROKEN. MY VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR A BRAKE PROBLEM. I WAS NOT EXPERIENCING ANY PROBLEMS BUT I TOOK IT IN FOR THE RECALL ANYWAY. THE SERVICE PERFORMED WAS INADEQUATE TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. 3 MONTHS WENT BY AND THE WHEEL SENSORS FAILED. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK FOR SERVICE THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE I ALREADY HAD ADDRESSED THE RECALL. THIS WOULD SUGGEST I SHOULD HAVE WAITED FOR THE PROBLEM TO EXIST BEFORE ADDRESSING THE RECALL. *NM

THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE BRAKE PROBLEMS... PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT WORK PROPER NOW OR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. GM HAS CONTINUOUSLY DENIED THAT THIS WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES TAKE A LONG DISTANCE TO STOP. (SINCE REAR BRAKE PADS WEAR OUT MUCH QUICKER THAN FRONT PADS, IT APPEARS ANTI LOCK BRAKES ARE NOT APPLYING MUCH PRESSURE TO FRONT PADS). *JB

I PULLED INTO MY GARAGE IN MY 2002 CHEVY AVALANCHE AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND A TERRIBLE BUZZING NOISE CAME OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I DETERMINED THE ENGINE FAN WAS NOT RUNNING AND (AFTER NEARLY AN HOUR) DISCOVERED THE ABS MODULE WAS RUNNING CONTINUOUSLY. I FINALLY DISCONNECTED THE ABS FUSE UNDER THE HOOD BEFORE THE WHOLE THING CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE TRUCK ONLY HAD 55,000 BUT WAS OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY. THE DEALER SAID THE ABS MODULE SHORTED-OUT INTERNALLY. ONLY $975 LATER FOR PARTS AND LABOR I HAD ABS BRAKES AGAIN. 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 WE DON'T USE IT IN OKLAHOMA. THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO THE WHOLE U.S. A CRITICAL SAFETY PART SHOULD NOT SHORT OUT AT 55,000 MILES. 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. IT WAS ONLY BY LUCK THAT THE ABS DIDN'T GO OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ON THE LEFT REAR TIRE THERE IS A SMALL BULGE ON THE SIDEWALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT WITH THE LEFT REAR TIRE. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED AND THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE TIRE LINE IS GOODYEAR P26570R17.

I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT LAST NIGHT (10148159) AFTER FINDING THE DEFECTIVE PART TO MY VEHICLE. I SEARCHED THE NHTSA SIGHT AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME ISSUE, THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE COMPLAINT DID NOT KNOW THE RESOLUTION TO THE ISSUE. I'M THINKING THE DEFECTIVE PART THAT SHOULD BE ISSUED A RECALL FOR IS GOING UN-NOTICED BY THE NHTSA BECAUSE THE PERSON MAKING THE COMPLAINT DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO RESOLVE AND CORRECTLY DESCRIBE IT. BECAUSE OF THIS THE NHTSA MAY OVERLOOK THAT THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE. THE FOLLOWING LINK WILL TAKE YOU TO THE CHEVY AVALANCHE FAN CLUB FORUM WHERE THE ISSUE IS DESCRIBED AND DISCUSSED. HTTP://WWW.CHEVYAVALANCHEFANCLUB.COM/CAFCNA/INDEX.PHP/TOPIC,39437.0.HTML MANY OF THE FORUM MEMBERS ARE BEING TOLD BY CHEVY DEALERS THAT THE ISSUE IS WITH THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH IS IN MOST CASES INCORRECT. THIS IS CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PAY TO $1000.00 FOR PARTS AND REPAIRS THAT ARE NOT NEEDED. THE COST FOR REPAIR OF THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS $110.00 FOR PARTS AND $170.00 FOR LABOR, AND THIS RESOLVES THE PROBLEM. PLEASE HAVE THE INVESTIGATOR TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEBSITE GIVEN ABOVE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE PART THAT IF UNDER THE RIGHT CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE. WITH TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER ON A 6,600LBS TRUCK I FOUND IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AND VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP. CHEVY HAS ALSO RE-DESIGNED THE PART PROVING EVIDENCE THAT THE ORIGINAL DESIGN WAS/IS DEFECTIVE. I SEE