MYRModel Year Report

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
444
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
7

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

42% of complaints

Complaints per year

2000: 2 complaints 2000 2001: 2 complaints 2002: 444 complaints 2002 444 2003: 204 complaints 2004: 165 complaints 2004 2005: 71 complaints 2006: 11 complaints 2006 2007: 377 complaints 2008: 258 complaints 2008 2009: 76 complaints 2010: 111 complaints 2010 2011: 127 complaints 2012: 36 complaints 2012 2013: 82 complaints
2000: 2 complaints 2000 2001: 2 complaints 2001 2002: 444 complaints 2002 444 2003: 204 complaints 2003 2004: 165 complaints 2004 2005: 71 complaints 2005 2006: 11 complaints 2006 2007: 377 complaints 2007 2008: 258 complaints 2008 2009: 76 complaints 2009 2010: 111 complaints 2010 2011: 127 complaints 2011 2012: 36 complaints 2012 2013: 82 complaints 2013
2000: 2 complaints 2000 2001: 2 complaints 2001 2002: 444 complaints 2002 444 2003: 204 complaints 2003 2004: 165 complaints 2004 2005: 71 complaints 2005 2006: 11 complaints 2006 2007: 377 complaints 2007 2008: 258 complaints 2008 2009: 76 complaints 2009 2010: 111 complaints 2010 2011: 127 complaints 2011 2012: 36 complaints 2012 2013: 82 complaints 2013

2002: 444 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19990
20002
20012
2002444
2003204
2004165
200571
200611
2007377
2008258
200976
2010111
2011127
201236
201382

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

42% · 186 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-01-01

While backing out of driveway, I hit brakes, pedal went to the floor and I hit my dumpster. Found that a rusted brake line burst.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-04

Brake pedal suddenly went to the floor. Resulted in crashing into car stopped ahead.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-27

Structure

15% · 67 reports

Most commonly citing hinge and attachments and frame and members.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-12-05

Parking brake

8% · 37 reports

Most commonly citing linkage and cable and conventional.

Engine and engine cooling

8% · 37 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

INJURY

Tires

8% · 34 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt and temporary/emergency spare tire.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 7 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2002Complaint volume 444 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2002-08-01Engineering analysisClosed 2004-01-12 Throttle sticking closed
  3. I
    2004-02-19Engineering analysisClosed 2004-09-28 Tailgate cable breakage
  4. I
    2004-04-30Engineering analysisClosed 2005-02-28 Hydraulic pump failres
  5. R
    2004-09-18Structure04V129000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2005-04-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 2005-09-13 Unwanted low-speed ABS activation
  7. R
    2005-09-22Service brakes, hydraulic05V379000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2005-12-20Defect petitionClosed 2006-05-31 Parking brake failure
  9. I
    2006-05-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 2006-09-14 Crank position sensor failure - stall
  10. R
    2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E043000 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…

    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).

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. I
    2010-03-30Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-01-05 Brake line corrosion failure

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 186 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 67 reports on file for this year.
  • Parking brake: 37 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V129000 · Structure
  • Recall 05V379000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 42% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.