VehicleVerdict

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 562 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.4 times the median Avalanche year — the 2002 model ranks #1 of 15 Avalanche years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 12 deaths and 45 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 224 reports (40% of the total).

562

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

7

Investigations

52

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

45

Injuries

12

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Avalanche years?

Avalanche NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted562 complaints1999: 0 complaints2000: 2 complaints2001: 2 complaints2002: 562 complaints2003: 238 complaints2004: 202 complaints2005: 85 complaints2006: 14 complaints2007: 493 complaints2008: 323 complaints2009: 96 complaints2010: 147 complaints2011: 161 complaints2012: 43 complaints2013: 105 complaints
Avalanche NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Avalanche years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes22440%
Body & Structure6712%
Engine407%
Tires & Wheels407%
Transmission336%
Airbags244%
Visibility & Wipers224%
Suspension204%
Electrical System204%
Fuel System183%
Steering153%
Lighting81%
Other81%
Latches & Locks81%
Seat Belts71%
Speed Control31%
Seats31%
Child Seat20%

Does the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

05V379000BrakesAugust 29, 2005 · 1,353,718 units

Defect

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION. THIS CONDITION IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN ENVIRONMENTALLY CORROSIVE AREAS. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ONLY.

Consequence

THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS ARE TO REMOVE THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR MOUNTING SURFACE ON THE BEARING, APPLY RUST INHIBITOR TO THE CLEANED SURFACE, GREASE THE MOUNTING SURFACE, REINSTALL THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, AND CHECK THE PEAK-TO-PEAK OUTPUT VOLTAGE TO ENSURE THE WHEEL SPEED SIGNAL IS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

04V129000Body & StructureMarch 17, 2004 · 3,662,211 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE GALVANIZED STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES THAT RETAIN THE TAILGATE IN THE FULL OPEN (HORIZONTAL) POSITION MAY CORRODE, WEAKEN, AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURE. IF BOTH CABLES FRACTURED, THE TAILGATE WOULD SUDDENLY DROP AND STRIKE THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER.

Consequence

ANYONE SITTING OR STANDING ON THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF THE TAILGATE WHEN BOTH CABLES FRACTURED COULD BE INJURED BY FALLING FROM THE TAILGATE. ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BUMPER REMOVED, THE TAILGATE MAY DROP EVEN LOWER. ADDITIONALLY, IF THERE IS CARGO ON THE TAILGATE THE CARGO MAY FALL OFF IF THE SUPPORT CABLES FRACTURE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CABLES. INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 20004. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2004, WHEN REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH OCTOBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR VISIT WWW.MYGMLINK.COM, AND ENTER YOUR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I HAVE A 2002 AVALANCHE AND I AM REALLY DISGUSTED THAT WISCONSIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THE ABS PROBLEM I.E. WI IS NOT A "SALT BELT" STATE. I HAD A MISHAP ON JAN 3RD THIS YEAR THAT I REAR ENDED SOMEONE AT A STOP SIGN AFTER THEY STARTED TO GO AND THEN STOPPED SUDDENLY. NOW I'M WONDERING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 3, 2005 · crash

VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND SLOWLY MOVED BACK AND HIT A FRIEND'S CAR AND THE ENTIRE BUMPER BROKE. INSURANCE REPLACED. IT COST $1200 DOLLARS. DEALER NOTIFIED. *TS *TT

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · December 2, 2002 · crash

THE ENGINE APPEARS TO BE CONSUMING OIL. AT THIS POINT, ENGINE LOSES ROUGHLY 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 2,000 MILES. GM HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN TO DEALERS STATING THAT THIS IS WITHIN ACCEPTABLE LIMITS. THIS IS SOMEWHAT UNSETTLING AS ENGINE COULD LOSE TOO MUCH OIL WHICH WOULD OF COURSE LEAD TO SEVERE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 8, 2002

STANDARD TIRES ISSUED WITH VEHICLE WERE OFFROAD WRANGLER HP WHICH HAVE VERY POOR RAIN HANDLING CAPABILITIES. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS OR GIVEN OPTION OF SWITCHING TO HIGHWAY TIRES WITH BETTER RAIN CAPABILITY. AS A RESULT OF THE POOR CONTROL OF VEHICLE IN RAIN, FRONT EDGE WAS DAMAGED WHEN ENTERED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 13, 2003 · crash

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL IS BLOWING OUT OIL CAUSING OTHER PARTS OF THE VEHICLE TO BURN, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.*AK. CONSUMER STATES THE GEAR OIL BLOWS ON LEFT FRONT BRAKE AND ALL THE RUBBER HOSE WIRES, LINES TIRES AND RUNNING BOARD MAKING THE LEFT BRAKE FAIL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 1, 2002

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche — common questions

Is the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 562 complaints put the 2002 model at #1 of 15 Avalanche years. It is one of the Avalanche years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Avalanche problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (224 complaints), body & structure (67 complaints), tires & wheels (40 complaints).

Does the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 7 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Avalanche years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Avalanche years to avoid are 2002, 2007, 2008, 2003, 2004, 2011, 2010, 2013, 2009, 2012. The cleanest record among Avalanche years belongs to 1999.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.