Chevrolet Avalanche Complaints (2002)

658 consumer complaints on file.

#10524470July 11, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH APPLIED BRAKES TO STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHT AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I HAD NO BRAKES, PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AFTER EXAMINATION SAW BRAKE FLUID UNDER TRUCK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10523901July 9, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 7 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS WAS ACTIVE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT THEN PUMPED THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED RUST AROUND THE ABS AND BRAKE DRUM. THE MECHANIC STATED THE ABS SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE BRAKE DRUMS AND MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT DUE TO THE STATE THE VEHICLE WAS REGISTERED IN, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10522985July 2, 2013
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TWICE IN A ROW WHEN FILLING, GAS BACKED UP AND SPILLED. I ATTRIBUTED THIS TO A FAULTY PUMP. LATER THAT EVENING WHILE PARKED I DISCOVERED A FUEL LEAK. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THE FUEL PUMP HAD RUSTED AND CORRODED AWAY. THE NEXT DAY I BEGAN MY DRIVE HOME FROM FLORIDA TO CHICAGO. I MADE IT ABOUT 200 MILES BEFORE WE CHANGED DRIVERS, AND DISCOVERED THE TRUCK HAD STARTED LEAKING FUEL AGAIN. THANKFULLY, WE MADE IT SAFELY TO A REPAIR SHOP (A NATIONAL COMPANY THIS TIME). THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS THE FUEL TANK, LOCATED A REPLACEMENT TANK, AND I WAS UNDER WAY. I DID MAKE IT HOME TO CHICAGO, SMELLING GAS THE WHOLEWAY, BUT NOT SEEING A SIGNIFICANT LEAK (PROBABLY DUE TO THE CONSTANT DRIVING, I DID KEEP CHECKING) UNTIL I WAS ALMOST HOME. I MADE IT HOME, AND TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL SHOP. THE DIAGNOSED IT AS FUEL LINES, WHICH HAD RUSTED AND CORRODED. I PICKED UP MY TRUCK LAST NIGHT, DROVE IT TO WORK TODAY, THEN DROVE IT RIGHT BACK TO THE MECHANIC, SINCE IT WAS LEAKING GAS AGAIN. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1500 SO FAR IN LABOR AND PARTS, LOST ALMOST A FULL TANK OF GAS WITH ALL THE TANK DROPS, AND STILL DO NOT HAVE MY TRUCK BACK. IM PRETTY SURE MY, MECHANIC IS READY TO GIVE UP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10522296June 28, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
RUSTED BRAKE LINES BURST CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10514507May 31, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS TRAVELING AT 55 MPH WHEN I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT AND WHILE SLOWING DOWN FOR THE LIGHT MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND ENDED UP GOING THROUGH THE LIGHT. IT WAS A GOOD THING NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME OR I WOULD HAVE COLLIDED WITH THEIR REAR END OF THEIR CAR AT 55 MPH AFTER LOOKING INTO WHAT HAPPENED I NOTICED MY BRAKE LIKE HAS CORRODED ENOUGH TO CAUSE A LEAK WHICH UPON INSPECTION ALL 4 BRAKE LINES RUNNING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE BRAKE MANAGEMENT/ EQUALIZATION SYSTEM WAS RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10514143May 29, 2013
EQUIPMENT, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
2002 CHEVY AVALANCHE BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH. WE BOUGHT THE CAR TWO YEARS AGO IN PA. WITH THE CARFAX SHOWING IT HAS BEEN HOUSED ONLY IN NJ AND PA SINCE 2002. WE CURRENTLY LIVE IN NC MOVING HERE ONLY LAST OCTOBER. YESTERDAY WHILE DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY GOING 45 MILES PER HOUR, A CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN AND AS PER PROPER PROCEDURE I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN. MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR BOARD OF THE TRUCK WITH NO RESISTANCE, AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP MYSELF. I ENDED UP IN THE DITCH TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, AND HAVE CONTINUED TO HAVE ISSUES WITH NO RESISTANCE ON THE BRAKES. MY HUSBAND ORIGINAL THOUGHT THE ISSUE WAS THE CYLINDER. BUT AS HE WAS STARTING TO REPLACE THAT PART HE NOTICED A FLUID DRIPPING FROM THE TRUCK. AND UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS BRAKE FLUID. HE BOUGHT ALL NEW BRAKE LINES AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF THE LONG JOB OF REINSTALLING THEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10509997April 29, 2013
POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES, STEERING
AT 95,000 MILES, TRANSMISSION EXPLODED, REPLACED. 1 YEAR LATER, BRAKE LINE EXPLODED, LOST ALL BRAKE FLUID, ALL 4 BRAKE LINES REPLACED AS THEY WERE NOT MADE OF STAINLESS STEEL AND HAD RUSTED. 6 MONTHS LATER, DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS ALL WORN, AFFECTING STEERING, DIFFERENTIAL AND RELATED PARTS ALL REPLACED. ALL EXPLOSIONS TOOK PLACE WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL ROADS, NOT ON THE HIGHWAY, THANK GOD! MECHANIC (FRIEND OF MINE) SAYS HE NEVER SAW ANY CAR WITH AS MANY BAD PARTS AS MY AVALANCHE! I ALSO THANK GOD I BOUGHT IT USED. AMERICAN ENGINEERED CARS HAVE SUCH BAD ENGINEERING DESIGN THAT I NEVER BUY THEM NEW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10508066April 12, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
IT'S COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT GM LIGHT TRUCKS EMERGENCY BRAKES DO NOT HOLD, EVEN ON BRAND-NEW VEHICLES, ENCOMPASSING MANY YEAR AND MODEL NUMBERS. DO A GOOGLE SEARCH. GM HAS ISSUED SEVERAL BULLETINS BUT NO RECALLS. WHAT GIVES AND HOW MANY INJURIES/DEATHS HAVE TO OCCUR FOR YOUR DEPARTMENT TO ACT???? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10504754March 27, 2013
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM), STRUCTURE
WHEN WE PURCHASED A 2002 CHV AVALANCHE, IT WAS EQUIPPED WITH ONSTAR. WHEN EVERYTHING WENT DIGITAL, WE WERE TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE A CONV KIT FOR OUR MODEL. SINCE WE TRAVEL, WHAT OPTONS D WE HAVE OF GETTING ONSTAR TO REPLACE OUR EQUIPMENT. WE HAVE EVERYTHIN EXCEPT THE PHONE, I GUESS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10504271March 23, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
MY BRAKE LINE RUSTED AND LEAKED. I NOW LOOKED ONLINE A SAW ALL OF THE GM VEHICLES THAT IS AFFECTED BY THIS. I AM GLAD I WASN'T DRIVING, BUT SOMEBODY IS GOING TO BE KILLED. I HAD NO WARNING AND NO BRAKE LIGHT, THE LINE JUST STARTED LEAKING, IT IS SEVERELY RUSTED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503074March 14, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
TODAY WHILE I WAS AT A STOP WITH MY TRUCK IN GEAR AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED WITH MINIMAL PRESSURE, I HEARD AIR RELEASE AND MY BRAKE PEDAL FULLY DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. MY BRAKE LINES HAD RUPTURED CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO SPILL OUT AND MY BRAKES BARELY WORKED AT ALL. I HAD TO PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL INTO THE FLOOR WITH EXCESSIVE EFFORT JUST TO SLOWLY ROLL TO A STOP AT LOW SPEEDS. LUCKILY I WAS JUST A MILE OR SO AWAY FROM HOME AND I WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE REST OF THE TRIP WITHOUT INCIDENT. HOWEVER, JUST MINUTES BEFORE THE FAILURE I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR DURING RUSH HOUR. AT THOSE SPEEDS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP QUICKLY, OR AT ALL, IF NEEDED HAD THE BRAKE LINES HAD RUPTURED THEN. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MULTIPLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT WITH POTENTIAL INJURIES OR FATALITIES. I MAY NOT HAVE MADE IT HOME ALIVE IF THAT WERE THE CASE WHICH IS A VERY SCARY THOUGHT. THIS ISSUE REALLY SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10498351February 16, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE COMING TO A STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND NO BRAKES WERE AVAILABLE. LUCKILY I WAS TOWING ATRAILER WITH BRAKES AT THE TIME WHICH STOPPED THE TRUCK PREVENTING A CRASH. A BRIEF LOOK TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE REVEALED A FAILED BRAKE LINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10498296February 15, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, STEERING, ENGINE
THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS GOING HOME FROM WORK ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS GOING 65 MPH AND MY ENGINE DIED I HAD NO POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS VERY HARD TO PUSH. I WAS ABLE TO PUT MY TRUCK IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART IT. THE SECOND TIME THE ENGINE DIED I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT AND IT SHUT OFF. THE THIRD TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS GOING HOME FROM WORK, JUST GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I MADE A LEFT AND WAS GOING TO THE NEXT LIGHT TO MAKE A RIGHT AND THE ENGINE DIED. I TRIED TO PUT THE BRAKES ON, BUT THEY WERE VERY TIGHT AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING. I HAD TO FIGHT TO TURN THE WHEEL AND JUST MADE THE TURN WITHOUT HITTING THE OTHER TRAFFIC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10497844February 12, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT DOWNSHIFTED AND APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE THAT LEADS TO THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 61,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10497946February 12, 2013
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, STEERING
I HAD AN ACCIDENT ON THE HWY IN GEORGIA, THE STEERING WAS HARD TO CONTROL/LOCK, THE TIRE SLED, WAS RUST AND CORRODE ON STRUCTURE, BRAKE AREA, WHEEL AREA, FRAME, TIRE BROKE OFF, ALMOST FLIPPED AND WAS HIT FROM THE BACK, AND TWICE IN THE FRONT AFTER SLAMMING INTO A CEMENT DIVIDER AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AT ALL, I INJURED MY LEFT SIDE, NECK, BACK, AND HIP. BLESSED THAT MY PREGNANT DAUGHTER IN HER 8TH MONTH WASN'T IN THE TRUCK WITH ME. I HAD DONE MULTIPLE REPAIRS ON THE FUEL TANK, TIRE ROD, KNOCK SENSOR, ABS BRAKES, RUNNING BOARD,BRAKES,ROTORS, ETC, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RUST ON THE FRAME WON'T EFFECT THE TRUCKS PERFORMANCE AND IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME GOOD. I ALMOST LOST MY LIFE AND TWO OF US GOT INJURED. IF THESE TRUCKS ARE HAVING AND BEEN HAVING THESE ISSUES- WHY DO THEY JUST PULL ALL OF THEM AND GIVE PEOPLE OTHER OPTIONS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10495973January 31, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, WHEELS
PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND BRAKES COMPLETELY WENT OUT. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY GOING AROUND 5 MPH. WAS ABLE TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO SLOW TRUCK DOWN NEXT TO THE CURB. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10493476January 19, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LINES SEVERELY RUSTED, CAUSING A BURST. EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED TO ENGAGE AS IT WAS TOO BADLY RUSTED TO WORK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10491943January 9, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
I'VE NOTICED A NEED FOR INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS THEN MY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL AND IT WAS LOW SO I FILLED IT UP. TWO WEEKS LATER IT CAME ON AGAIN. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKE LINE FROM THE BRAKE PUMP TO THE REAR BRAKES WAS BLOWN OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR I VISUALLY INSPECTED THE OTHER BRAKE LINES AND THEY APPEAR TO BE FAIRLY WELL RUSTED AND I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF THEY ARE THE NEXT TO FAIL. AFTER READING REPORTS OF ACCIDENTS AS A RESULT OF BRAKE LINE FAILURES, MY WIFE AND I ARE GROWING EXTREMELY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF OUR FAMILY, ESPECIALLY OUR TWO YOUNG CHILDREN, AS THIS VEHICLE IS OUR PRIMARY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10490639January 1, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
THIS IS SECOND FAILURE OF BRAKE LINE. NO INDICATION OTHER THAN SEVERE RUST UNDER VEHICLE. LOSS OF STIFFNESS IN PEDAL WHEN ATTEMPT TO BRAKE DOWN HILL IN SNOW/ICE. BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON , NEEDED TO USE TRANSMISSION TO CONTROL SPEED. VEHICLE DID SUSTAIN DAMAGE WHEN UNABLE TO CONTROL SPEED ENOUGH IT CRASHED INTO A STRUCTURE. THIS ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO STRUCTURE. NO INJURIES BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE IN VEHICLE WERE ABLE TO GET OUT. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD BOTH WHEEL SENSORS FAIL AND ENTIRE HUB ASSEMBLY FAIL. THE BRAKE LINE HAS FAILED AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES BUT WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY BY MANUFACTURE. NO INJURIES AT THAT TIME BECAUSE OF EXPERIENCED DRIVER BEHIND THE WHEEL AS WELL AS THIS INCIDENT AS REPORTED. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10489275December 19, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT COASTED THROUGH AN INTERSECTION BEFORE APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE BRAKE LINES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 143,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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