2002 Chevrolet Avalanche problems
Owners have filed 562 complaints about the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche with NHTSA. Service brakes, hydraulic account for 22.6% of them — the clear leader, ahead of structure at 11.9%.
Complaints562
Crashes52
Fires0
Injuries45
Deaths12
What owners report breaking
Service brakes, hydraulic 22.6% · 127
Structure 11.9% · 67
Service brakes 9.6% · 54
Parking brake 6.6% · 37
Engine and engine cooling 6.6% · 37
Tires 6.2% · 35
Power train 5.9% · 33
Air bags 4.3% · 24
Severity
Of those complaints, 52 describe a crash, 45 report an injury and 12 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 8 model years of the Chevrolet Avalanche in this data, 2002 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 8 in the last three years against 83 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 45,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Dt: contact received a recall letter concerning a defect between front hub/bearing assembly and wheel speed sensor. He took the vehicle to dealership to have it repaired. Now, the dealership is saying that the vehicle has excessive play in the hub bearings which was causing the abs sensor to activate. He had no problems with vehicle prior to the recall repair. He has not contacted the manufacturer. Service brakes, hydraulic
Purchased Avalanche in may 2001, had accident in ocean city nj 2 weeks after owning truck. Told dealer problem with brakes. I was told it's in my head. 2003 Took truck through inspection, they said may have front braking problem but passed me through to do load in bed of truck. Now have burning smell in driver front tire area after 40 min of city driving. Just read about brake recall. Please contact me. Service brakes, hydraulic · reported at 150 miles
Dt: the contact stated both rear rotors had to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the rotors were turned. The surface of the rotors then disintegrated, leaving the rotors useless. The rotors were replaced at contact's expense. The manufacturer was contacted and they insisted that they had no knowledge of such failures therefore offered no assistance. *Ak update 1/11/2006 - Service brakes, hydraulic · reported at 22,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…