2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 Owner Complaints

Odometer Fraud. The contact previously owned a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. The contact stated the vehicle was sold to a private buyer with an odometer reading of 205,000 miles. Subsequently, the contact discovered the vehicle was listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace with a rolled-back odometer reading of 158,000 miles. When the contact’s daughter inquired about the discrepancy, the seller confirmed the lower mileage. Upon further investigation, the contact found a second listing for the same vehicle displaying 178,000 miles. The contact messaged the seller and inquired about the accuracy of the odometer reading. The current status of the vehicle was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11742785

Incident

Jun 6, 2026

Mileage

205,000 mi

CAR CRASH AND BRAKS LOCKED AIR BAGS DIDNT DEPLOY, INJURIES LEFT UNPAID AND VEHICLE DAMAGES.

NHTSA ID

11677378

Incident

Nov 22, 2019

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NHTSA ID

11651536

Incident

Mar 29, 2025

‘’’’’’FRAME’’’’’’I was heading to work and and something snapped while driving. I then brought vehicle to fire stone in Kingsport tn. I was told it tie rod end had it replaced well the sound was still thier. Then I returned with vehicle pitman arm and bracket replaced nope banging noise was still there. I then called corporate up spoke Mike I was told to return the vehicle bake to fire stone on a weds all day long they were looking over the vehicle come to find out frame snapped where cross member is on drivers side of vehicle. While the passenger side was still solid. I am not the only one dealing with issue as of now I am finding out more vehicles 2002 to the the 2005 chevy avalanches 5.3 4x4’s have this problem. Why hasn’t there been a recall on this issue like Toyota has done. I have 276,000 miles on this truck would like to have it fixed.

NHTSA ID

11523345

Incident

May 1, 2023

Vehicle was involved in a collision, striking a cement stair case and embankment, before rotating to final rest during which time the cab separated completely from the frame. One occupant was trapped in the cab and one was ejected. Information submitted by case investigator, Trp. [XXX] - Iowa State Patrol INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11491590

Incident

Sep 21, 2022

While driving I suddenly experienced a loss of power. Immediately the truck sputtered to a rolling stop. I was unable to use power steering or power brakes due to the loss of fuel. I later discovered that the fuel line from the tank to the fuel filter was not properly connected. Upon attempting to reconnect, it was noticed that it had broken. The male nipple which goes from the fuel tank, outward about 1 inch, had broken off and was inside of the quick release connection for said fuel line.

NHTSA ID

11449670

Incident

Jan 30, 2022

STEERING: I stopped in my daughter yard and was unloading a 16ft trailer of hay and everything was working normally. When I got back in cranked the engine I started pulling forward, I did not have any power steering at all. I first thought the steering wheel had locked but I really had to power down on the steering to get it to turn. No noise, no indication, no problems of any kind with the steering or anything wrong while driving just a few minutes before. The power steering just stopped working period. I told my daughter we were lucky this hadn't happened on the road while pulling the loaded trailer. This could have been very dangerous or deadly if it had gone out while we were pulling the loaded trailer while on the road. If we had been going around a curve or making a turn and it had happened like it did in the yard while parked with NO indication of a problem it would have been very, very bad especially again with NO indications of a problem with the steering and pulling a trailer loaded with hay. I shudder to think what could have happened if we had been going around a curve at 55mph on the highway and this had happened. Power steering fluid pump up to the full line on the check stick when I pulled it out of the power steering pump. I have had the Avalanche for 3 years and have never had to add fluid nor does it have leak anywhere. Again, NO steering problems whatsoever before this.

NHTSA ID

11442874

Incident

Dec 5, 2021

I went to stop my 2002 Chevy Avalanche 1500 and the pedal started to pulsate like my brake assist was gone as I nearly rear end a vehicle and had to swerve out of the way do to the brakes not wanting to stop the vehicle as there supposed to normally. The truck has a p0265 code which is a fault in the ECBM do to the solder joint on the relay in the board. I'm a mechanic for a living and i cant believe this recall still hasn't been addressed a long time ago! This needs to be looked into ASAP and its not just the 2002 avalanche. All these vehicle's listed have this issues but instead of recalling the EBCM for the solder issues they decide to recall it for corrosion on the wheel speed sensors big mistake that still to this day needs to be addressed. 2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade, EXT & ESV 1999-2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2000-2006 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe 2002-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche 2002-2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer & EXT 2003-2006 Chevolet SSR 1999-2007 GMC Sierra 2000-2006 GMC Yukon / Denali / XL 2002-2007 GMC Envoy / XL 2004-2005 GMC Envoy XUV

NHTSA ID

11442369

Incident

Nov 29, 2021

Stopping, from between 5 and 10 mph, after a small drive - like a few yards.. the anti-lock brake engaged, made a pulsing / ratcheting noise and the brake pedal vibrated -- but the truck did not stop. I could not press down on the pedal any harder, and the truck took SUBSTANTIAL distance to come to a stop. --Dry road. -- I also have an ABS light on the dash from time to time.

NHTSA ID

11422349

Incident

Jun 24, 2021

THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR PANEL ON 2002 AVALANCHES RUST. MY TRUCK WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND NOT RUNNING. I WALKED BY AND MY HAND MADE CONTACT WITH THE RUSTED SPOT CAUSING AN INJURY RESULTING IN ME HAVING TO GO TO THE ER TO GET THE CUT CLEANED AND A TETANUS SHOT. *TR

NHTSA ID

11327374

Incident

May 28, 2020

Mileage

224,187 mi

STEERING WHEEL HARD TO TURNOVER WHEN YOU DRIVE

NHTSA ID

11302744

Incident

Jan 2, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN RATE OF SPEED WHEN HIS VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A GUARDRAIL. AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT, THE VEHICLE MADE A TAILSPIN AND VEERED THE VEHICLE INTO THE OPPOSITE LANE OF TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT'S SON'S VEHICLE MADE IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT'S SON SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS HEAD AND BACK AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION AT THE SCENE. THE CONTACT'S SON WAS TRANSPORTED TO A WHERE HE WAS TREATED FOR GLASS REMOVAL FROM HIS HEAD AND BACK. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE ALSO SUSTAINED INJURIES RESULTING FROM THE COLLISION. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT, HOWEVER, THE INJURIES WERE UNKNOWN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND TAKEN TO A TOW YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO THE DAMAGE FROM THE ACCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11246703

Incident

Jun 1, 2011

I LOST MY BRAKES TOTALLY NOT JUST HALF OF THEM PULLING A SMALL TRAILER WITH IRON GOING DOWN A LONG HILL IN MANKATO, MN. ON MADISON AVE. I REAR ENDED A PICK UP WHICH PULLED OVER AND I CONTINUED ROLLING DOWN THE HILL BUILDING SPEED SO I HAD TO DRIVE MY TRUCK INTO A WALL WITH MY DAUGHTER INSTEAD OF REACHING THE NEXT INTERSECTION. GM HAS NOW CHANGED THEIR BRAKE LINES IN TO STAINLESS STEAL SINCE 2003 BECAUSE THEY KNEW THEY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR BRAKE LINES. MY BRAKE LINES ARE ON TOP OF FRAME RUNNING BACK TO THE REAR AXLE WITH THE GAS TANK BLOCKING MOST OF THE LINES. THERE IS ONLY 1.5 INCHES BETWEEN THE FRAME AND BODY. ALONG SIDE IS THE WIRING HARNESS GOING BACK TO THE REAR, NO ROOM TO INSPECT OR SEE YOUR BRAKE LINES. THIS COULD OF BEEN SO WORSE BECAUSE OF ALL THE TRAFFIC AND OUR LIVES. DO SOMETHING PLS... POLICE REPORT 18-25773 MANKATO POLICE DEPT. BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED!

NHTSA ID

11122217

Incident

Aug 21, 2018

Mileage

190,000 mi

HEARD SNAP WHILE DRIVING HIT MEDIAN,AND TOTALED MY TRUCK.IT NEEDS TO BE NOTICED IF ANY BODY HASN'T BEEN KILLED YET

NHTSA ID

11096876

Incident

May 15, 2018

Mileage

200,000 mi

TURNING INTO MY DRIVEWAY, SLOWING DOWN, APPLYING BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, NO RESISTANCE, PARK BRAKE DIDN'T ,HELP ALMOST HIT MY GARAGE, STEERED TOWARD GARDEN LANDSCAPE TIES, THAT STOPPED ME, LOOKED UNDER TRUCK, LARGE PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING , BOTH BRAKE LINES FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE ABS WERE RUSTED BADLY AND DRIPPING.

NHTSA ID

11093856

Incident

May 10, 2018

Mileage

195,000 mi

EXCESSIVE RUSTING OF THE FRAME, BRAKE LINES, TRANSMISSION LINES, AND FUEL LINES. THE BRAKE, TRANSMISSION AND FUEL LINES RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT AND REQUIRED A FULL REPLACEMENT. THE FRAME HAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND HAS DETERIORATED WELL BEYOND THE FRAME OF MY 2003 CAMARO Z28 WHICH IS 9 YEARS OLDER! THE TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 80K AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED, SO THERE IS NO EXPLANATION FOR THE AMOUNT AND LEVEL OF RUST, EXCEPT THAT THERE WERE INFERIOR METALS AND MANUFACTURING MATERIALS USED IN ITS CONSTRUCTION.

NHTSA ID

11090866

Incident

Apr 28, 2018

Mileage

78,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP, THE DRIVER FORCEFULLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKING DISTANCE WAS EXTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING DUE TO CORROSION IN MULTIPLE BRAKE LINES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,258. *TT *TR

NHTSA ID

11078368

Incident

Nov 8, 2017

Mileage

134,258 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. WHEN THE CONTACT TAPPED THE FUSE BOX LOCATED UNDER THE HOOD, THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED BACK ON AND ILLUMINATED NORMALLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (BOB BROWN CHEVROLET IN ERVINGDALE, IA) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11031389

Incident

Sep 1, 2016

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE ENGINE, AND TRACTION ASSIST INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DON HEWLETT CHEVROLET BUICK (7601 N INTERSTATE HWY 35, GEORGETOWN, TX 78626) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO DON HEWLETT CHEVROLET WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSORS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTONATION CHEVROLET LAUREL (500 WASHINGTON BLVD, LAUREL, MD 20707) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REBUILT, THE TAC MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND THE INTAKE GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSFERRED TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

NHTSA ID

11025319

Incident

Feb 3, 2003

Mileage

24,000 mi

THE BRAKE LINE BROKE DUE TO RUST AND AS I HAVE SEEN THIS IS A ON GOING THING. GM SAYS IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE BUT IT VERY MUCH IS AS WHEN THE LINE BRAKES YOU LOSE PADDLE AND AT HIGH SPEED THIS COULD KILL PEOPLE. THE FACT THAT THEY DO NOT SEE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE TELLS ME A LOT ABOUT GM AND HOW THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT BUY FROM THEM. MY TRUCK WAS ON THE BOAT LAUNCH WHEN THE BRAKE FAILED I'M LUCKY I DID NOT LOSE MY TRUCK AND BOAT. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED AT NO COST

NHTSA ID

11013788

Incident

Aug 5, 2017

Mileage

140,000 mi

ABS PUMP OR SPEED SENSOR ARE DAMAGED AND NOT WORKING ON THIS TRUCK. WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF THE ABS PUMP KEPT RUNNING CAUSING ME TO PULL THE FUSE FOR THE ABS. CHEVROLET IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AS I HAVE BEEN CALLING THEM TRYING TO HAVE THEM INCLUDE MY TRUCK IN THE ABS/SPEED SENSOR RECALL WHICH IS ON OTHER TRUCKS LIKE MINE. CHEVROLET CONTINUES ONLY TO RECALL THESE TRUCKS WHICH WERE MANUFACTURED IN THE "SALT STATES" ONLY. AS STATED ON: HTTP://WWW.CHEVROLETPROBLEMS.COM/RECALLS/AVALANCHE/2002/ SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK RECALL FOR 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE RECALL ANNOUNCED AUGUST 29 2005 NHTSA REFERENCE #05V379000 NUMBER AFFECTED 1,353,718 SUMMARY: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION. THIS CONDITION IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN ENVIRONMENTALLY CORROSIVE AREAS. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ONLY. CONSEQUENCE: THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. FIX: DEALERS ARE TO REMOVE THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR MOUNTING SURFACE ON THE BEARING, APPLY RUST INHIBITOR TO THE CLEANED SURFACE, GREASE THE MOUNTING SURFACE, REINSTALL THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, AND CHECK THE PEAK-TO-PEAK OUTPUT VOLTAGE TO ENSURE THE WHEEL SPEED SIGNAL IS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463. FOR DETAILED INFORMATION & SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS, SEE THE OFFICIAL NHTSA PAGE CONCERNING RECALL #05V379000

NHTSA ID

11013514

Incident

Jul 15, 2017

Mileage

120,000 mi

CABLES THAT HOLD ON THE TAILGATE HAVE BROKEN ON ONE SIDE. CHEVROLET CLAIMS NO RECALL FOR THIS VIN NUMBER VEHICLE. YET ONLINE IT SAYS 2002 AVALANCHE HAS RECALL FOR CABLES.

NHTSA ID

10979762

Incident

Jan 2, 2017

Mileage

200,000 mi

THE BRAKES FAILED DUE TO RUSTED LINES ALMOST CAUSING ME TO WRECK

NHTSA ID

10978823

Incident

Apr 3, 2017

Mileage

98,000 mi

I STARTED TO PULL OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY AND PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR I GOT OUT AND CHECKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID LEAKING OUT OF THE LINE AND I FOUND OUT THAT THE LINES HAD RUSTED INTO AND THIS SHOCKED ME BECAUSE I DON'T THINK A BRAKE LINE SHOULD RUST .ALL MY BRAKE LINES ARE REALLY RUSTY.

NHTSA ID

10953651

Incident

Feb 4, 2017

Mileage

97,000 mi

FOUND FRAME ROTTED AND CRACKED .THOUGHT THE FRAME SHOULD LAST TRUCK ONLY 14 YEARS OLD THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPEN.

NHTSA ID

10950377

Incident

Dec 30, 2016

Mileage

188,000 mi