MYRModel Year Report

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Avalanche Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 2 complaints 2001: 2 complaints 2001 2002: 444 complaints 2002 2003: 204 complaints 2003 2004: 165 complaints 2005: 71 complaints 2005 2006: 11 complaints 2007: 377 complaints 2007 2008: 258 complaints 2009: 76 complaints 2009 2010: 111 complaints 2011: 127 complaints 2011 2012: 36 complaints 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

SERVICE BRAKES 12%

12% of complaints: service brakes — 54 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20130101

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20121004

BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT TO THE FLOOR. RESULTED IN CRASHING INTO CAR STOPPED AHEAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20120527

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 10%

10% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 45 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON WET PAVEMENT, CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND ABS FAILED TO ACTIVATE WHICH RESULTED IN VEHICLE ROLLING OVER.*AK.

NHTSA ODI report, 20020111

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 8%

8% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 37 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
STRUCTURE 7%

7% of complaints: structure — 32 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
PARKING BRAKE 6%

6% of complaints: parking brake — 28 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2002 — complaint volume: 444
I 20020801 — EA (closed 20040112)

THROTTLE STICKING CLOSED

I 20040219 — EA (closed 20040928)

TAILGATE CABLE BREAKAGE

I 20040430 — EA (closed 20050228)

HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES

R 20040918 — structure

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 FR

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

Campaign 04V129000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20050428 — PE (closed 20050913)

UNWANTED LOW-SPEED ABS ACTIVATION

R 20050922 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 RECA

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, REIN

Campaign 05V379000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20051220 — DP (closed 20060531)

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE

I 20060504 — PE (closed 20060914)

CRANK POSITION SENSOR FAILURE - STALL

R 20061018 — fuel system, gasoline

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 MANUFACTURE

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).

Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20100330 — PE (closed 20110105)

Brake line corrosion failure

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (54 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (45 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (37 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V129000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2012 ▲ 2005 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 2007 ■ 2008 ◆ 2003

See all years ranked →

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 12% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.