RoadVitals

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting 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.
8
Latest Feb 14, 2022
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.
2%
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 headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. 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. 8 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 exterior lighting

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

BrakesExterior lightingPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 14, 2022

The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and oil warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the speedometer, the 4-wheel drive function, parking brake, and headlights failed to operate as needed. The instrument panel light failed to illuminate, the gear shifter did not display the selected gear, the sub-frame was corroded, and the wheel hub bearing assembly was fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

NHTSA ID
11451861
Incident
Nov 1, 2020
Mileage
142,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 21, 2005

FOG LAMP CONDENSATION --- I DID NOT NOTICE THAT MY 2002 AVALANCHE WAS SUBJECT TO WATER BUILD UP IN THE FOG LAMPS UNTIL IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I DRILLED A 1/8" HOLE WITH A HIGH SPEED BIT IN THE LOWEST PART OF THE PLASTIC LENSE. NOW, ALTHOUGH CONDENSATION STILL ACCUMULATES ON THE LENSE IT WILL EVENTUALLY RUN DOWN THE LENSE AND OUT THE BOTTOM HOLE. I WAS ALWAYS AFRAID TO TURN THEM ON WITH THE BULBS BEING SUBMERGED IN WATER.

NHTSA ID
10125995
Incident
Jun 20, 2004
Mileage
25,000 mi
Interior & seatsExterior lighting
Filed Mar 30, 2005

WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT SEAT BACK MOVED ON ITS OWN. THE DRIVER TRIED TO MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT WITH SEAT, BUT IT FAILED TO ADJUST PROPERLY. THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS, AND THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED DRIVER THAT THE SEAT WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. *AK THE LEFT FRONT SEAT BACK COVER BOLTS WERE LOOSE AT THE FRAME. *SC THE FOG LIGHTS CONTAINED CONDENSATION. *JB

NHTSA ID
10115185
Incident
Mar 15, 2005
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 30, 2004

I TOOK MY 02 AVALANCHE IN FOR WARRANTY SERVICE WORK FOR SERVERAL ITEMS. ONE ITEM WAS NOT FIXED TO MY SATISFACTION. I REPORTED CONDENSATION IN MY DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS/FOG LIGHT HOUSING. NOT ONLY WAS THERE CONDENSATION, THERE WAS STANDING WATER. WHEN I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE I LOOKED AND THE LIGHTS SEEMED TO BE OK, BUT BY THE TIME I ARRIVED HOME 15 MINUTES LATER, THERE WAS CONDENSATION IN THEM AGAIN. I CALLED THE DEALER TO FIND OUT THAT THEY DIDN'T REPLACE THEM, THEY ONLY "CLEANED THEM OUT AND RESEALED THEM". UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I NOTICED THAT THEY SEPARATED THE HOUSING FROM THE LENS AND THEN USED SILICONE SEALANT TO PUT THEM BACK TOGETHER. THE DEALERSHIP I TOOK IT TO STATED THERE WAS A BULLETIN FROM GM STATING THAT SOME CONDENSATION IS NORMAL AND THE FIX THEY PERFORMED WAS ALL THEY WERE ALLOWED TO DO. I CONTACTED GM AND RECEIVED THE SAME INFORMATION. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK IN AGAIN FOR THE CONDENSATION, THEY HAVE NOW PERFORMED THE SAME FIX. I TOLD THEM AND THE GM REP ON THE PHONE THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, THAT NO AMOUNT OF CONDENSATION IN MY LIGHT HOUSING IS ACCEPTABLE. NOW I AM UNWILLING TO USE MY FOG LIGHTS DUE TO THE FACT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUES WITH THE LENS AND THE CONDENSATION AS WELL AS THE NOW SILICONE BEING SO CLOSE TO THE HEAT OF THE FOG LIGHTS. GM IS REFUSING TO REPLACE MY LIGHT HOUSINGS, I CONSIDER THIS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10088849
Incident
Aug 19, 2002
Mileage
20,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 21, 2004

FOG LAMPS FILL WITH CONDENSATION AND DO NOT DRY OUT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10067629
Incident
Apr 21, 2004
Mileage
200 mi
Body & structureExterior lighting
Filed Jan 28, 2004

MY 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE HAS SEVERAL PROBLEMS. FIRST THE REAR WINDOW AND MID TAILGATE LEAKS INTO THE PASSENGER AREA. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES NOW AND IT IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING. THERE IS MOISTURE IN THE DAYTIME DRIVING LIGHTS THAT WILL NOT GO AWAY. THE RT REAR SEAT BELT LATCH IS HARD TO LATCH WITHOUT SOMEONE HELPING THE PASSENGER THAT SITS IN THAT SEAT. I HAVE 17 INCHE TIRES WITH A 16 INCH SPARE HOW SAFE IS THAT??? I HAVE OIL CONSUMPTION AT LEAST 1 QUART PER 1,000 MILES VEHICLE ALSO BLOWS BLACK, BLUE AND WHITE SMOKE. THEY ARE DOING A CONSUMPTION TEST NOW. THE UNIVERSAL JOINT POPS WHEN CHANGING FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND TO NEUTRAL AND BACK. THERE IS CLUNKING SOUND WHEN PULLING IN OR OUT OF A PARKING SPACE TURNING EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. EMERGENCY BRAKE GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE HAD TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND IT SEEMS NOTHING GETS FIXED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10055071
Incident
Jan 27, 2002
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 2, 2003

I HAVE HAD 3 BROKEN BRACKETS ON MY RUNNING LIGHTS SINCE I BOUGHT MY 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. BUT SINCE I HAVE 62,000 MILE ON IT IT HAS NOW BECOME MY PROBLEM. IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE BRACKETS YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE LIGHT. WHICH I HAVE DONE 6 MONTHS AFTER I RECEIVED THE TRUCK FOR THE SUM OF $70.00. NOW I NEED TO REPLACE BOTH LIGHTS FOR THE SUM OF $100. APIECE. I FEEL THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT AND CHEVY SHOULD TAKE CARE OF IT. ALSO MY CHECK ENIGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN GOING ON ONCE A MONTH FOR THREE MONTHS AND THAT SEEMS TO BE MY PROBLEM TO. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN WORCESTER MASS. AND HAVE SINCE MOVED TO MAINE AND HAVE TO TRAVEL 300 MILES TO BRING IT BACK TO THE DEALER JUST TO BE TOLD BY CHEVY THAT IT IS MY PROBLEM. I WANT THE CONSUMERS TO BEWARE THAT JUST BECAUSE YOU PAY $37,000 FOR A TRUCK DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE MANUFACUTER WILL STICK BY THEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
10037028
Incident
Jan 4, 2003
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 17, 2003

THE VEHICLES HEADLIGHTS ARE STARTING TO ACCUMULATE MOISTURE. CONSUMER STATES"ONCE MOISTURE IS TRAP INSIDE, THE LIGHTS ARE LESS NOTICEABLE TO OTHER DRIVERS AND OBSTRUCTS DRIVERS VISIBILITY." CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH

NHTSA ID
10004090

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .