Chevrolet Avalanche Complaints (2002)
658 consumer complaints on file.
- #10162922July 19, 2006VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
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
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10161540July 5, 2006PARKING BRAKE
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
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10160945June 28, 2006ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE "CARGO LAMP ON" INDICATOR IN THE MESSAGE AREA OF THE DRIVER INSTRUMENT PANEL IS DISPLAYED WHEN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ARE ACTIVATED; BOTH OVERHEAD LIGHTS IN THE FRONT OVERHEAD CONSOLE, THE THREE GARAGE DOOR/GATE BUTTONS(HOME LINK), BOTH VISOR MIRROR LIGHTS, AND BOTH FRONT DOOR COURTESY LIGHTS(THE ONES THAT COME ON WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED). ALL OF THESE ALSO NO LONGER TURN ON THE APPROPRIATE LIGHTS WHEN THEY ARE TRIGGERED. IN ADDITION, THE SUN ROOF/MOON ROOF OPEN/CLOSE BUTTON NO LONGER WORKS EITHER, ON THE 06/25/06 IT TRIGGERED THE "CARGO LIGHT ON" DISPLAY BUT AS OF THE 06/27/06 IT DOES NOTHING. MY CONCERNS ARE THAT THE COMPUTER MAY BE CORRUPT OR MALFUNCTIONING, WHICH COULD LEAD TO FAILURES, ACTIVATIONS, OR DISABLING OF SYSTEMS SUCH AS FUEL INJECTION, BRAKE CONTROL, STEERING, TRACTION CONTROL, ACCELERATION, FUEL RATIOS, TIMING, 4 WHEEL/2 WHEEL DRIVE CONVERSION, BRAKE LIGHTS, TURNING LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, OR ELECTRICAL FIRE, OR WIRING THAT COULD CAUSE ELECTRICAL FIRE ALSO. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10160730June 26, 2006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 2002 CHEVY AVALANCHE 2500 HAS THE PROBLEM OF THE ENGINE DYING AS I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AND ANY OTHER SPEED FOR THAT MATTER. WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS, I LOOSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10158347May 26, 2006PARKING BRAKE
THE PARKING BRAKE ON MY 2002 AVALANCHE HAS CORRODED. THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP WANTS $500.00 TO FIX IT. GM HAS CHANGED THE PARTS, WHICH REQUIRES A COMPLETE CHANGE OF THE ENTIRE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS IS A DEFECT THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10158303May 26, 2006STEERING:COLUMN
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
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10157476May 13, 2006SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10157415May 12, 2006AIR BAGS
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
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10155382April 14, 2006STRUCTURE:BODY
WATER IS ENTERING THE REAR FLOOR AREA WHEN RAINING. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10153942March 28, 2006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
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
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10153848March 27, 2006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10153666March 24, 2006STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
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
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10153307March 21, 2006PARKING BRAKE
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
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10152445March 10, 2006AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
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
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 2
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10152149March 7, 2006SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
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.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10151786March 4, 2006SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, STEERING
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
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10151526March 1, 2006SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
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
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10151478February 28, 2006SUSPENSION:REAR, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
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.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10150460February 16, 2006SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
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.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10150238February 14, 2006SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0