Chevrolet Avalanche Complaints (2002)

658 consumer complaints on file.

#10058061February 12, 2004
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE DRIVEWAY, DRIVER PULLED DOWN THE TAILGATE, AND CABLE SNAPPED IN HALF. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO LIFT THE CABLE UP AND PUT IT INSIDE OF THE TRUNK AREA. BOTH CABLES WERE STILL ATTACHED TO THE BODY OF THE TRUCK. CONSUMER NOTIFIED DEALER ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10057003February 11, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT, POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
OVERTIME I KEPT HEARING A WHINING NOISE, SMELL OF OIL, HEAT AND LIGHT VIBRATION FROM THE DRIVELINE. AT THE DEALERSHIP ON A 100, 000 MILE TOTAL OIL, TRANSMISSION AND COOLANT CHANGE (DID THIS AT 97,018 MI. 1/2/04). THE MECHANIC DID NOTICE A BIT OF PLAY IN THE FRONT & REAR DRIVELINE (DRIVE SHAFTS FROM TRANSFER CASE TO THE FRONT WHEEL AXLE CASE AND THE REAR AXLE CASE), SOME OIL LEAKAGE ON THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE, BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR AXLE, THIS WAS NORMAL HE TOLD ME. MECHANIC FOUND BOTH FINE AND SMALL PIECES OF METAL IN THE FRONT 4X4 TRANSMISSION CASE, BUT SAID THIS WAS NOT A BIG PROBLEM. MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT I SHOULD HAVE THE U-JOINTS REPLACED SOMETIME ON THE DRIVE SHAFTS AND THIS WOULD STOP THE NOISE AND VIBRATION. AT COLDWATER, MI. (1/14/04), I HAD TO REPLACE A RIGHT FRONT HUB BEARING; MECHANIC REPORTED TO ME THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO INSPECT THE REAR AXLE FOR NOISE. MECHANIC FOUND SOME PLAY IN THE DRIVELINE U-JOINTS, RIGHT REAR AXLE AND PINION SHAFT, AND SOME NOISE COMING FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL. ON 1/26/04 I HAD BOTH REAR & FRONT DRIVESHAFT U-JOINTS REPLACED & BALANCED (FLEET PRIDE SAID THERE WAS SOME PLAY IN THEM). THE NOISE AND VIBRATION STOPPED, BUT THE OIL & HOT SMELL STAYED. THEN THE LIGHT VIBRATION AND SOME NOISE (BETWEEN THE SPEEDS OF 40-75 MPH) STARTED TO RETURN IN JUST 150 MILES. AT 106,606 MILES THE REAR AXLE STARTED TO MAKE A CLUNKING NOISE AND HARD VIBRATION THEN STOPPED TURNING AT 106,607 MILES. I HAD THE REAR AXLE REMOVED AND FOUND THAT THE MAIN BEARING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MECHANICAL LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL (EATON G-80) HAD BROKE APART SENDING METAL THROUGH OUT THE REAR AXLE AND DESTROYED AXLE DRIVE SYSTEM. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE PARTS & DAMAGE TO THE REAR. THE FRONT AXLE IS STARTING THE SAME THING, LEAKING, HOT SMELL AND NOISE. I HAVE FOUND THROUGH YOUR SYSTEM THAT THEY HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS AND WHEN I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS, THEY SAID THEY ARE CHECKING INTO IT. SERVICE BULLETINS 03-04-17-001, 03-07-30-005, 02-04-21-005A. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055071January 28, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055017January 27, 2004
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY AVALANCHE. THE DRIVER SIDE CABLE THAT SUPPORTS THE TAILGATE SNAPPED WHILE I WAS STANDING ON THE TAILGATE. LUCKILY THE PASSENGER SIDE CABLE HELD OR ELSE I WOULD HAVE HIT THE GROUND PRETTY HARD, NOT TO MENTION DAMAGE TO MY TAILGATE. THE CABLE APPEARS TO BE COMPLETELY CORRODED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052027January 27, 2004
TIRES
FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BUBBLED ON THE SIDE. AS A RESULT, THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO ROTATE TIRES PREMATURELY. *AK THE ROTATION DID NOT STOP THE TIRES FROM PUSHING OUTWARD IN THE THREAD AND TIRE WEAR. TREAD WEAR WAS ONLY 27%. *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054422January 18, 2004
POWER TRAIN, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
TRANSMISSION AND/OR REAR AXLE LOCKS UP WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION CAUSING ERRATIC VEHICLE HANDLING AND/OR LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION. * CB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10069315January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
IT STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A TURN. MOSTLY ON RIGHT TURNS AS YOU ACCELERATE OUT OF THE TURN THE VEHICLE DIES. IT STARTS RIGHT BACK UP, BUT IT DOES THIS INTERMITTENTLY ABOUT ONCE A WEEK. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS A TOTAL OF 5 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. NEITHER ONE CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IT HAPPENED AGAIN THIS WEEKEND. I AM AFRAID THAT MY HUSBAND OR ANOTHER MEMBER OF MY FAMILY IS GOING TO GET HURT IN THIS TRUCK. I AM TRYING TO DEAL WITH GM BUT THEY ARE GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND. THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING IF THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10070022January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, STRUCTURE
THIS COMPLAINT IS REGARDING OUR CHEVY AVALANCHE. IT WAS PURCHASED IN MAY, 2002. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING IT, WE NOTICED THAT IT WAS CONSUMING QUITE A BIT OF OIL. WE WERE GIVEN AN EXPLANATION THAT THE MOTOR WAS NEW, THE RINGS HAVEN'T SEATED YET AND 3 DIFFERENT TYPES OF OIL HAVE BEEN PLACED IN OUR VEHICLE -- ONE OF SUCH (STRAIGHT 30W) IS SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL NOT TO ADD. NOW OUR VEHICLE IS STILL BURNING OIL AND HAS BEGUN TO BLOW BLUE SMOKE OUT THE TAIL PIPE. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER, THE MANUFACTURER, THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, THE STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. CURRENTLY THE MANUFACTURER HAS US UNDERTAKING AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. THE BODY (THE PLASTIC PART) SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING (WHEN THE WEATHER GOT HOT) STARTED TO DETACH FROM THE METAL PART IN THE FENDER AREA AND THE PLASTIC PANELS IN THE BACK OF THE BED ARE WARPED. WE ARE NOT HAPPY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10070167January 15, 2004
POWER TRAIN, VISIBILITY, EQUIPMENT, WHEELS, TIRES, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE NOT GIVEN PERMISSION TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO START REPAIRS. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE REAR AXLE OR REAR END THAT WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR AND MUST BE REPLACED. I WAS QUOTED A REPAIR COST OF $2,400 FOR A USED PART AND $3,000 FOR A NEW PART. THIS TRUCK HAS AROUND 42,000 MILES AND WAS PURCHASED JUNE 1, 2003. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS RANGING FROM REPLACEMENT OF CD'S TO A DOOR WINDOW MOTOR PROBLEM. I INQUIRED/COMPLAINED ABOUT A NOISE IN THE REAR END AT AROUND 25,000 MILES PRIOR TO THE BREAKDOWN. HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE TAILGATE WOULD FALL OPEN WHEN LOCKED OCCASIONALLY, BUT THIS WAS ADJUSTED AFTER TAKING IT BACK FOR REPAIR. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED ONE HUB ASSEMBLY ON THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK AT A COST OF $250.00. THERE IS AN OIL USAGE PROBLEM THAT REQUIRES AN ADDITIONAL QUART TO BE ADDED BETWEEN CHANGES. I PERSONALLY THINK THAT THIS TRUCK IS A LEMON AND NEEDS TO BE RESEARCHED TO DISCERN IF IT HAS HAD SOME PREVIOUS MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. ALTHOUGH IT WAS PURCHASED NEW THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT IT COULD HAVE HAD SOME MALFUNCTIONS BEFORE IT WAS DELIVERED. I MISPLACED MY RECEIPTS, AND I'M NOT SURE THAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WILL GIVE ME ANOTHER COPY. HOWEVER, I WILL SEARCH FOR THEM AS VERIFICATION THAT I TOOK THE TRUCK IN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FOR VARIOUS AND SUNDRY COMPLAINTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10053133January 13, 2004
STRUCTURE:BODY
DISCOLORATION OF CARGO COVERS AND BODY ARMER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052854January 11, 2004
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
ONE OF MY TAILGATE CABLES BROKE ABRUPTLY WHILE I WAS CLIMBING ONTO ONE CORNER OF THE TAILGATE. THE CORNER DROPPED ENOUGH THAT I WAS DROPPED BACK TO THE GROUND. (I WEIGH ABOUT 185 LBS). I THEN INSPECTED THE OTHER CABLE AND SAW NO EVIDENCE OF A PROBLEM, BUT WHEN I LEANED ON THAT CORNER OF THE TAILGATE, THE SECOND CABLE ALSO BROKE. I CALLED MY DEALER, BUT SINCE I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY ON MILEAGE, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED AND THAT THERE WERE NO SERVICE BULLETINS. I THEN OPENED A FILE WITH GM FIELD SERVICE, AND HAVE NOT HEARD ANY RESPONSE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051503January 2, 2004
PARKING BRAKE
PARKING BRAKE WHEN APPLIED WENT TO FLOOR AND DID NOT HOLD UPON HAVING VEHICAL CHECK BY DEALER FOUND ADJUSTMENT TO BE FULLY ADJUSTED AND BRAKE SHOES TO BE WORN SINCE THE BRAKES WERE NEVER ADJUSTED BY ANYONE THIS HAD TO COME FROM THE FACTORY. I HAD TO HAVE NEW BRAKE SHOES INSTALLED AND EVERY THING ADJUSTED PROPERLY FOR WHICH I HAD TO PAY FOR I FEEL THIS WAS A MANUFACTURE ERROR I THINK THEY SHOULD OF HAD TO PAY FOR THIS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051417December 31, 2003
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
THE TAILGATE CABLES ON MY 2002 CHEVY AVALANCHE UNEXPEDEDLY BROKE WHILE A FRIEND AND I WERE UNLOADING A HOME GYM. BOTH CABLES SNAPPED IN THE MIDDLE AT THE SAME TIME. THIS RESULTED IN THE TAILGATE DROPPING AND MY FRIEND AND I ALMOST FALLING WITH THE HOME GYM ON TOP OF US. I SLIGHTLY STRAINED MY BACK BUT WE HAD NO SIGNIFICANT INJURY. LUCKILY WE HAVE GOOD BALANCE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051437December 31, 2003
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
BOTH OF MY TAILGATE CABLES SNAPPED WHILE UNLOADING AN ATV. LUCKILY I WAS NOT INJURED WHEN THE ATV, RAMPS, AND THE TAILGATE ALL FELL WHEN BOTH CABLES SNAPPED AT THE SAME TIME. 2002 CHEVY AVALANCHE 2500 4X4
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051383December 30, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
VERY DIFFICULT TO FILL FUEL TANK. MUST HOLD NOZZLED TIGHTLY AGAINST FILLER OPENING. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER ABOUT THIS SINCE I PURCHASED IT. THEY "FIXED" IT, BUT THE DIFFICULTY CONTINUES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051215December 28, 2003
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
TAILGATE CABLE SNAPPED ON A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE WHILE LOADING ATV. CABLES SNAPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CABLE AND NOT AT ENDS. I WAS ASSURED BY SALES REPRESENTATIVE THAT THE TAILGATE CAN HANDLE THE WEIGHT OF AN ATV. THE THE TRUCK BED HAS AN ATV TREAD EMBEDDED INTO THE MAT TO ADD TRACTION WHILE LOADING AND UNLOADING. I BELIEVE THE CABLES NEED TO BE RECALLED AND CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE IS INJURED. I WAS QUOTED AN ESTIMATE OF $123.00 TO FIX. I WANT THE MANUFACTURER TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGE SINCE IT RESULTED IN A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10049490December 9, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2500 HAS A MISS IN THE ENGINE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THAT CANNOT BE FIXED AT THE DEALERSHIP. CHEVROLET SAYS IT IS "ENGINE FADE AND A STIFF SUSPENSION". IT IS A POWER TRAIN PROBLEM, PERHAPS IN THE TRANSMISSION. IT IS NOTICEABLE WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL ON AND PRONOUNCED WHEN CLIMBING HILLS OR TOWING ANY LOAD. THE DEALER (LARRY GREEN CHEVROLET IN BLYTHE CA AND CHEVROLET)BOTH HAVE OPEN FILES ON THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE SAME DEALER WAS REPURCHASED BY CHEVROLET AND THE REPLACEMENT VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. ALL VEHICLES ARE WITHIN 100 VIN 'S OF EACH OTHER.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10049291December 5, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, PARKING BRAKE
AT 8000 MILES, WE BROUGHT OUR TRUCK IN FOR SQUEAKING AND GRINDING BRAKES. THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE WAS METAL TO METAL, THE CALIPER BOOTS WERE CRACKED AND TORN, THE LEFT SIDE WAS ALMOST METAL TO METAL AND THE RIGHT ROTOR WAS WORN DOWN. WE WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND COMPLAINED. STEWART DEALERSHIP IN COLMA, CA INSPECTED IT, AGREED THAT IT WAS UNDER OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY. LESS THAN 8000 MILES LATER WE BROUGHT IN OUR AVALANCHE & THE REAR BRAKES & EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS METAL TO METAL AND THE FRONT BRAKES ARE 50%. WE TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO STEWART WHO DID A 28 POINT INSPECTION. WHEN WE GOT THE INSPECTION PAPERWORK BACK, IT SAID THE REAR BRAKES WERE METAL TO METAL, THE FRONT BRAKES WERE 4/32 AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS INSPECTED AND OK.. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS GONE AND THEY SAID IT DIDN'T REQUIRE ATTENTION!! THEY SAID ITS FROM REGULAR WEAR AND TEAR AND NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. WE DECIDED TO TAKE THE TRUCK TO ELLIS BROOKS CHEVROLET IN SF. THEY SAID THAT THE REAR BRAKES & EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS METAL TO METAL. THEY SAID THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10049228December 4, 2003
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
THE TAILGATE CABLES SNAPPED ON MY 2002 AVALANCHE. THE FAILURE POINTS ON THE CABLES WERE RUSTED AND CORRODED. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10047707November 28, 2003
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE DRIVERS SIDE TAIL GATE CABLE FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY 28,000 MIES ON THE VEHICLE. OWNER WAS SITTING ON THE TAIL GATE WHEN FAILURE OCCURRED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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