RoadVitals

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
19
Latest Aug 20, 2014
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 444 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 19 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesElectricalOther / unspecified
Filed Aug 20, 2014

GM HAD REPAIRED THE RUST BRAKE DEFECTS ON MY TYPE OF VEHICLE IN MANY SALT STATES THAT ENDURE COLD WEATHER. BUT BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH OUTRAGE THEY DID NOT REPAIR THIS SAME DEFECT IN MY STATE. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WHEEL BEARINGS WHERE RUST CAUSES THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM TO NEEDLESS ENGAGE WHEN IT SHOULD NOT DURING SLOW SPEEDS SOMETIMES MAKING BRAKING DANGEROUS IN SLOW TURNING AND PARKING SITUATIONS. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FIXING THESE DEFECTS ON MY OWN BUT BECAUSE OF A FAULTY DESIGN IN THE SYSTEM THIS PROBLEM HAS A TENDENCY TO RE OCCUR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10626730
Incident
Aug 5, 2006
Electrical
Filed Jun 18, 2014

I'M HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING SEVERAL TECHNICAL ISSUES WITH MY 2002 AVALANCHE THROUGH YEARS. I CAN REMOVED MY KEY WHEN MY IGNITION TURNED ON TO DRIVE. MY TRUCK ALSO REDUCES ENGINE SPEED WHEN DRIVING AT 45 MPG. IT RESULT FOR ME TO PULL OVER ON THE INTERSTATE TO RESET THE PCM TO DRIVE. THEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL APPEAR ON ALSO. THEN IT WILL CLEAR ITSELF SOMETIMES. SANDY SANSON A GM DEALERSHIP IN PENSACOLA FL WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2006 HAS CHARGE ME UNNECESSARY FOR PARTS AND LABOR TO FIX THESE ISSUES. WHEN BRINGING THE PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF AUTO REPAIR. A SALE REP SAID MY KEYCHAIN CAN WHERE MY IGNITION OUT. HE ALSO STATED THAT MY CAR NEEDED OTHER COMPONENT PARTS IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WHICH NEVER SOLVE THE MAIN ISSUE THAT I REQUESTED TO BE FIX. I ALSO TALK TO THE HEAD SUPERVISOR AND GOT POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. FURTHERMORE, IT HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVE AT THIS MOMENT. I CONTINUE TO DRIVE BECAUSE MY TRUCK IS THE ONLY TRANSPORTATION I HAVE AT THE MOMENT. I'M GOING TO SPEAK TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN ABOUT THIS ISSUES, BUT PLEASE ASSIST ME BECAUSE I BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. THAT ARE IN THE HEADLINE AT THIS MOMENT. I WRITTEN ABOUT MY REDUCE ENGINE SPEED IN THE PAST. *TR

NHTSA ID
10604290
Incident
Apr 15, 2013
Mileage
1,000,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Nov 15, 2011

FUEL PUMP FAILED 3 TIMES ALREADY. ALL DOOR ELECTRICAL SOLENOIDS/CABLE SYSTEM FAILED-POSSIBLE POOR VENTILATION CAUSING EXCESSIVE CONDENSATION RESULTING IN RUSTING OF CABLES. NOTE: A FRIEND WITH THE SAME YEAR MODEL HAS EXACT PROBLEMS AND MORE. ALL COSTLY AND NON-WARRANTY ITEMS! COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS WHEN FUEL PUMPS FAILED BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10435954
Incident
Feb 4, 2004
Mileage
2,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 10, 2009

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.

NHTSA ID
10276336
Incident
Jul 22, 2006
Mileage
45,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesElectrical
Filed Oct 26, 2007

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

NHTSA ID
10206956
Incident
Oct 1, 2007
Mileage
75,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Aug 23, 2006

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

NHTSA ID
10166320
Incident
Jul 1, 2002
Mileage
67,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 4, 2006

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE 8.1L ENGINE DIED AT BOTH LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS (65 MPH) RESULTING IN LOST OF POWER BRAKES AND STEERING. COULD NOT SHIFT TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL. DIAGNOSED BY DEALERSHIP SHOP FOUND THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR WAS FAILING. MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL DIAGNOSES OVER COURSE OF FAILURES DID NOT SHOW THE SENSOR TO BE FAILING. OEM REPLACEMENT OF SENOR INVOLVED COMPLETE REMOVAL AND DISMANTLING OF ENGINE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10146917
Incident
Dec 29, 2005
Mileage
40,000 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Oct 20, 2005

MY TRUCK WAS BOUGHT NEW IN 7/02 SINCE. I AM ON MY THIRD "PHOTO CHRONIC HEATED SIDE MIRROR (TWO PASSENGER ONE DRIVER SIDE) THE ELEMENT INSIDE THE MIRRORS ARE OVER HEATING AND MELTING THE PLASTIC TRIM ON THE MIRROR AND DISTORTING THE GLASS. THE RESULT OF THE FAILURE IS A MIRROR THAT IS BLURRED AND A RAINBOW OF COLORS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED! ONE FAILURE IS NORMAL BUT,THREE ON A TRUCK THAT ONLY HAS 23K ON ISN'T. I HAVE CALLED "G.M." ON THIS PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD IT THE DRIVERS SIDE THIS TIME THE OTHER TWO WERE THE PASSENGER SIDE! LEFT RIGHT HEATED MIRROR WIRING IT'S ALL ONE SYSTEM. IN CLOSING HOW MANY MIRRORS MUST THEY BE REPLACED AND WHAT HAPPENS IF I OR SOMEONE ELSE (WITH THESE MIRRORS) IS CHANGES LANES WITH DISTORTED MIRRORS. THE G.M. REP TOLD ME I HAVE 100.00 DEDUCTIBLE THIS HAPPENS! *JB

NHTSA ID
10140329
Incident
Oct 20, 2005
Electrical
Filed Jul 28, 2005

DT: CALLER HIT A SPEED BUMP OR A SPOT ON THE ROAD THAT RAISED THE SPEED. UP 60 OR 70 MPH AND VEHICLE WENT COMPLETELY DEAD. PULLED OVER ON THE HIGHWAY AND TURNED IT OFF. THEN, IT STARTED AGAIN. HE\\CALLER STATED IT DID NOT HAPPEN IN THE CITY, ONLY ON THE HIGHWAY. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS. ONE DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS A NEGATIVE CABLE. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. CALLER SAID THAT THE PROBLEM STARTED AFTER HE HAD THE INTAKE VALVE COVER REPLACED. CALLER STATED THIS HAPPENED 7 TIMES. CALLER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
10130435
Incident
Mar 28, 2005
Mileage
72,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 10, 2005

2002 CHEY AVALANCHE, 67,000 MILES. ENGINE STOPPED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGWAY. NO ENGINE LIGHT OR OTHER SUCH WARNINGS. ENGINE STARTED BUT STALLED 3 MORE TIMES. AFTER A TOTAL OF 6 SUDDEN ENGINE STOPS THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THIS SEAMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH 02 AVALANCHES. PULLING OUT OTO A BUSY FREEWAY AND HAVING YOUR ENGINE STOP COULD BE DISATEROUS. ALSO THE ACTION DOES NOT GENERATE ANY CODES FOR THE DEALER TO READ CAUSE COSTLY TROUBLESHOOTING .

NHTSA ID
10128216
Incident
Jun 14, 2005
Mileage
67,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seatsSteering
Filed Jun 9, 2005

I OWN A 2002 CHEV. AVALANCHE, THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THE TAILGATE HINGES, AND LOCKS, THE STARPS( RECALL) HAVE BEEN REPLACE. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING BOX, MAKES A THUMPING NOISE THAT CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT PEOPLE THAT HAVE SAME PROBLEMS WITH LESS THAN 50K MILES ARE HAVING THE STEERING, AND LOCKS/HINGES REPAIR FOR FREE, AND I'M BEING TOLD THAT BECAUSE MY VEHICLE HAS 80K MILES I HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS, AND IF A RECALL IS ESTABLISHED THEY WILL RE-EMBURSE ME. IF IT IS DANGEROUS AT 50K MILES WHY IS NOT DANGEROUS AT 8OK MILES.

NHTSA ID
10124649
Incident
Jun 8, 2005
Electrical
Filed Mar 17, 2005

LIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRVING. *AK

NHTSA ID
10114212
Incident
Jan 5, 2005
Mileage
60,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 8, 2005

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RESTARTED UNTIL IT GOT TO THE STOP SIGN FAILED BUT WOULD NOT DIE. THE VEHICLE WAS ROAD TESTED AND THE ENGINE DIED. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND CRANK ENGINE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE HAD AN EXTENDED CRANK TIME. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE RADIO WOULD NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. *TC PHONE INTERVIEW UPDATE (FEBRUARY 15, 2006): THE FIRST DEALER COULDN'T FIND WHAT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. THEY LATER WENT OUT OF BUSINESS. THE VEHICLE KEPT STALLING WITHOUT WARNING AT ALL SPEED. THE STALLED ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART IMMEDIATELY. THE SECOND DEALER FIND THE PROBLEM TO BE THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR RIGHT THE WAY. THE SENSOR WAS BROKEN IN SEVERAL PIECES. THE VEHICLE WAS TRADED IN. THE COMPLAINANT WILL TRY TO FIND THE REPAIR INOVICE AND FAX IT TO ODI.

NHTSA ID
10087839
Incident
Aug 12, 2004
Mileage
28,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 14, 2005

MAIN IGNITION SWITCH DOES NOT ALWAYS SUPPLY POWER TO ALL ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT. WHEN FAILURE OCCURS THE LIGHTS AND ALARMS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DO NOT FUNCTION AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT CORRECTLY. SWITCH HAS TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10106352
Incident
Dec 27, 2004
Mileage
59,546 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 1, 2004

INTERMITTENT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ALL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. ALL DASH GAGES ZERO OUT AND THE ENGINE IS NON RESPONSIVE TO ADDITIONAL THROTTLE. AFTER PULLING OVER AND CYCLING THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON THE GAGES WILL INTERMITTENTLY RESET AND WORK PROPERLY.THIS WAS REPORTED TO LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER. THEY DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM IN A TEST DRIVE AND STATED IT WAS BECAUSE OF A AFTER MARKET AUTO START SECURITY SYSTEM. THE COMPANY THAT INSTALLED THE AUTO START SYSTEM CHECKED IT OUT AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE INSTALL OR THE AUTO START HARDWARE. I HAD THEM REMOVE THE AUTO START HARD WARE, THE PROBLEM MANIFESTED AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE IGNITION SWITCH. REMOVED AND REPLACED SWITCH.*AK

NHTSA ID
10088944
Incident
Aug 30, 2004
Mileage
21,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Jul 13, 2004

1.BRAKES--PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR...THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 DIFFERENT TIMES 2.BRAKES--HAS BEEN RETURNED AT LEAST 10 TIMES FOR BRAKE- ROTOR PROBLEMS 3.SUSPENSION NOISE--HAS BEEN RETURNED AT LEAST 10 TIMES FOR NOISE 4.OIL LIGHTS--HAS BEEN RETURNED 3 TIMES FOR OIL CONSUMPTION--LEAKS 5.ELECTRICAL--HAS BEEN RETURNED TO REPLACE ELECTRIC MOTOR FOR WINDOWS 6.ELECTRICAL-- LOCKS-CLICK AND CLICK AND KEEP CAUSING, AND THE HORN---BEEPS NON STOP THIS ALL WHILE DRIVING 7.VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND LIGHT AND HORN WOULD NOT STOP FLASHING AND BEEPING THE DEALER NOR CHEVROLET WANT TO EXCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS VEHICLE....WE ARE TOLD THAT THE NOISES(AND VIBRATION) FROM THE SUSPENSION JUST STANDARD FOR THE VEHICLE. THE BACK ROTORS HAD GROOVES WAS TOLD NO PROBLEM FOUND..WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE GROOVES THEY TOLD US THIS WAS NORMAL FOR "HEAVY DUTY" TRUCKS..BRAKES..WAS TOLD WE SHOULD ONLY EXPECT TO GET 6-7 THOUSAND MILES. DEALER SHOULD TELL YOU THAT WHEN YOU PURCHASE THE VEHICLE. MOST OF THE TIMES WHEN THE BRAKES GO BAD THERE IS NO WARNING...I JUST HAD NO BRAKES...THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AFTER THE LAST TIME I WAS UNABLE TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO UNIVERSITY MOTORS.....TO DATE HAVE HEARD NOTHING FORM UNIVERSITY MOTORS OR CHEVROLET.... *LA

NHTSA ID
10080944
Incident
Jun 4, 2003
Mileage
10,790 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Feb 24, 2004

VENTILATION SYSTEM LEAKED WATER INTO THE PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. AS A RESULT, WATER BLEW OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOR THE RADIO SPEAKERS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10059702
Incident
Dec 12, 2003
Mileage
43,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 11, 2003

THE VEHICLE STALLED.*JB VEHICLE STALLED OUT IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. VEHICLE IN REPAIR SHOP 4 TIMES. DEALERSHIP CHECKED IDLE SPEED AND FUEL PRESSURE, ENGINE WIRING HARNESS JUNCTION BLOCK ASSEMBLY REPLACED. REPLACED TANK TO ENGINE RETURN. PCM REPLACED. FUEL SENDER AND PUMP ASSEMBLY REPLACED. HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXIST. IGNITION KEY WARNING SWITCH WAS INOPERATIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
10006957
Incident
Dec 1, 2002
Mileage
7,840 mi
Body & structureElectricalVisibility
Filed Oct 29, 2002

TRUCK WOULD KEEP TRYING TO START AND TURN OVER THE ENGINE WHEN KEY WAS IN MY HAND AND 5 FEET AWAY FROM CAB OF TRUCK. THIS HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES OVER THE WEEKEND UNTIL I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER IN GLENDORA GLENDORA CHEVROLET, 1959 AUTO CENTRE DRIVE, GLENDORA CA, 909-394-9899. THE DEALER SPENT THE DAY CHECKING OVER THE COMPUTER AND STARTING SYSTEM AND COULD FIND NO FAULT. THE DEALER CONTACTED CHEVROLET TECH ASSIST DAVE JOHNSON AND HE TOLD THE DEALER TO DO NOTHING UNTIL IT FAILS. THE DEALER WAS BEING TOLD TO GIVE ME BACK THE TRUCK UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I FELT THAT THE TRUCK WAS IN AN UNSAFE DRIVABLE CONDITION FOR ANY TRIPS ON THE HIGHWAY. I REFUSED TO TAKE THE TRUCK BACK AND TOLD THE DEALER TO KEEP THE TRUCK UNTIL THEY COULD FIND THE TROUBLE. 4 DAYS LATER THEY FOUND A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH FOUND REAR GLASS FRAME CRACKED AT TOP OF WINDOW. WENT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY NEED TO KEEP TRUCK FOR A DAY TO REPLACE REAR GLASS. THEY SAID THEY NEEDED TO CALL A GLASS INSTALLER FOR A WINDOW THAT IS SHOWN ON TV ADS TO BE CHANGED OUT BY OWNER AT ANY TIME? THE DEALER WAS RICHARD HIBBARD. WHEN TRUCK WAS PURCHASED A BUMP WAS NOTICED AT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR BUMPER STEP ABOUT 2 FEET FROM CENTER OF TRUCK. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED. THEY SAID TO COME BACK TO REPAIR IT. WHEN WE WENT BACK THE SERVICE DEPT SAID THAT IT WAS A FLAW IN THE BUMPER AND THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. LATER WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO ANOTHER DEALER ,GLENDORA CHEVROLET, AND THEY SAID THE BUMPER WAS DAMAGED INTERNALLY. WE WENT BACK TO HIBBARD AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. ABOUT 7 MONTHS LATER THE BUMPER FAILED A LOW IMPACT (LESS THAN 5MPH) HIT BY ANOTHER TRUCK. WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO A BODY SHOP WE WORKED WITH OVER 15 YEARS AND THEY LOOKED AT THE BUMPER AND FOUND THAT THE DEFECT PRESENT AT TIME OF PURCHASE HAD CAUSED THE BUMPER TO BE WEAKENED AS NOT TO HANDLE THE LOW SPEED IMPACT A MEETING WITH HIBBARD CHEVROLET RESULTED IN NO ACTION . DT

NHTSA ID
769022
Incident
Jul 24, 2002

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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