CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500 · model year

2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500

184 NHTSA complaints, 22 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002CHEVROLETAVALANCHE 1500 carries 184 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 22 crashes, 1 fire, 24 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 AVALANCHE 1500 is service brakes with 45 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic (26) and parking brake (15). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2002 AVALANCHE 1500, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

184
Complaints
22
Crashes
1
Fires
24
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

184 filings

Crashes Reported

22 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES45
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC26
PARKING BRAKE15
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9
AIR BAGS8
STEERING6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP5
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC5
EXTERIOR LIGHTING5
STRUCTURE4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
POWER TRAIN4
STRUCTURE:BODY4
ENGINE4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS3

Recalls (2)

06E04300019/05/2006

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 MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CE

07E10600017/12/2007

WHEELS:HUB

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO M

Recent Complaints

20250730CrashAIR BAGS

CAR CRASH AND BRAKS LOCKED AIR BAGS DIDNT DEPLOY, INJURIES LEFT UNPAID AND VEHICLE DAMAGES.

20250730CrashSERVICE BRAKES

CAR CRASH AND BRAKS LOCKED AIR BAGS DIDNT DEPLOY, INJURIES LEFT UNPAID AND VEHICLE DAMAGES.

20250329UNKNOWN OR OTHER

na

20230522CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

‘’’’’’FRAME’’’’’’I was heading to work and and something snapped while driving. I then brought vehicle to fire stone in Kingsport tn. I was told it tie rod end had it replaced well the sound was still thier. Then I returned with vehicle pitman arm and bracket replaced nope banging noise was still there. I then called corporate up spoke Mike I was told to return the vehicle bake to fire stone on a weds all day long they were looking over the vehicle come to find out frame snapped where cross member is on drivers side of vehicle. While the passenger side was still solid. I am not the only one dealing with issue as of now I am finding out more vehicles 2002 to the the 2005 chevy avalanches 5.3 4x4’s have this problem. Why hasn’t there been a recall on this issue like Toyota has done. I have 276,000 miles on this truck would like to have it fixed.

20221031CrashFatalSTRUCTURE:BODY

Vehicle was involved in a collision, striking a cement stair case and embankment, before rotating to final rest during which time the cab separated completely from the frame. One occupant was trapped in the cab and one was ejected. Information submitted by case investigator, Trp. [XXX] - Iowa State Patrol INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

20220201FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

While driving I suddenly experienced a loss of power. Immediately the truck sputtered to a rolling stop. I was unable to use power steering or power brakes due to the loss of fuel. I later discovered that the fuel line from the tank to the fuel filter was not properly connected. Upon attempting to reconnect, it was noticed that it had broken. The male nipple which goes from the fuel tank, outward about 1 inch, had broken off and was inside of the quick release connection for said fuel line.

20211206STEERING

STEERING: I stopped in my daughter yard and was unloading a 16ft trailer of hay and everything was working normally. When I got back in cranked the engine I started pulling forward, I did not have any power steering at all. I first thought the steering wheel had locked but I really had to power down on the steering to get it to turn. No noise, no indication, no problems of any kind with the steering or anything wrong while driving just a few minutes before. The power steering just stopped working period. I told my daughter we were lucky this hadn't happened on the road while pulling the loaded trailer. This could have been very dangerous or deadly if it had gone out while we were pulling the loaded trailer while on the road. If we had been going around a curve or making a turn and it had happened like it did in the yard while parked with NO indication of a problem it would have been very, very bad especially again with NO indications of a problem with the steering and pulling a trai

20211201SERVICE BRAKES

I went to stop my 2002 Chevy Avalanche 1500 and the pedal started to pulsate like my brake assist was gone as I nearly rear end a vehicle and had to swerve out of the way do to the brakes not wanting to stop the vehicle as there supposed to normally. The truck has a p0265 code which is a fault in the ECBM do to the solder joint on the relay in the board. I'm a mechanic for a living and i cant believe this recall still hasn't been addressed a long time ago! This needs to be looked into ASAP and its not just the 2002 avalanche. All these vehicle's listed have this issues but instead of recalling the EBCM for the solder issues they decide to recall it for corrosion on the wheel speed sensors big mistake that still to this day needs to be addressed. 2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade, EXT & ESV 1999-2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2000-2006 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe 2002-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche 2002-2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer & EXT 2003-2006 Chevolet SSR 1999-2007 GMC Sierra 2000-2006 GMC Yukon /

20210625SERVICE BRAKES

Stopping, from between 5 and 10 mph, after a small drive - like a few yards.. the anti-lock brake engaged, made a pulsing / ratcheting noise and the brake pedal vibrated -- but the truck did not stop. I could not press down on the pedal any harder, and the truck took SUBSTANTIAL distance to come to a stop. --Dry road. -- I also have an ABS light on the dash from time to time.

20200605STRUCTURE:BODY

THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR PANEL ON 2002 AVALANCHES RUST. MY TRUCK WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND NOT RUNNING. I WALKED BY AND MY HAND MADE CONTACT WITH THE RUSTED SPOT CAUSING AN INJURY RESULTING IN ME HAVING TO GO TO THE ER TO GET THE CUT CLEANED AND A TETANUS SHOT. *TR

Mileage: 224,187

20200129STEERING

STEERING WHEEL HARD TO TURNOVER WHEN YOU DRIVE

20190827CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN RATE OF SPEED WHEN HIS VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A GUARDRAIL. AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT, THE VEHICLE MADE A TAILSPIN AND VEERED THE VEHICLE INTO THE OPPOSITE LANE OF TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT'S SON'S VEHICLE MADE IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT'S SON SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS HEAD AND BACK AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION AT THE SCENE. THE CONTACT'S SON WAS TRANSPORTED TO A WHERE HE WAS TREATED FOR GLASS REMOVAL FROM HIS HEAD AND BACK. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE ALSO SUSTAINED INJURIES RESULTING FROM THE COLLISION. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT, HOWEVER, THE INJURIES WERE UNKNOWN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND TAKEN TO A TOW YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO THE DAMAGE FROM THE ACCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED

20180824CrashSERVICE BRAKES

I LOST MY BRAKES TOTALLY NOT JUST HALF OF THEM PULLING A SMALL TRAILER WITH IRON GOING DOWN A LONG HILL IN MANKATO, MN. ON MADISON AVE. I REAR ENDED A PICK UP WHICH PULLED OVER AND I CONTINUED ROLLING DOWN THE HILL BUILDING SPEED SO I HAD TO DRIVE MY TRUCK INTO A WALL WITH MY DAUGHTER INSTEAD OF REACHING THE NEXT INTERSECTION. GM HAS NOW CHANGED THEIR BRAKE LINES IN TO STAINLESS STEAL SINCE 2003 BECAUSE THEY KNEW THEY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR BRAKE LINES. MY BRAKE LINES ARE ON TOP OF FRAME RUNNING BACK TO THE REAR AXLE WITH THE GAS TANK BLOCKING MOST OF THE LINES. THERE IS ONLY 1.5 INCHES BETWEEN THE FRAME AND BODY. ALONG SIDE IS THE WIRING HARNESS GOING BACK TO THE REAR, NO ROOM TO INSPECT OR SEE YOUR BRAKE LINES. THIS COULD OF BEEN SO WORSE BECAUSE OF ALL THE TRAFFIC AND OUR LIVES. DO SOMETHING PLS... POLICE REPORT 18-25773 MANKATO POLICE DEPT. BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED!

Mileage: 190,000

20180519CrashWHEELS

HEARD SNAP WHILE DRIVING HIT MEDIAN,AND TOTALED MY TRUCK.IT NEEDS TO BE NOTICED IF ANY BODY HASN'T BEEN KILLED YET

Mileage: 200,000

20180515SERVICE BRAKES

TURNING INTO MY DRIVEWAY, SLOWING DOWN, APPLYING BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, NO RESISTANCE, PARK BRAKE DIDN'T ,HELP ALMOST HIT MY GARAGE, STEERED TOWARD GARDEN LANDSCAPE TIES, THAT STOPPED ME, LOOKED UNDER TRUCK, LARGE PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING , BOTH BRAKE LINES FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE ABS WERE RUSTED BADLY AND DRIPPING.

Mileage: 195,000

20180429SERVICE BRAKES

EXCESSIVE RUSTING OF THE FRAME, BRAKE LINES, TRANSMISSION LINES, AND FUEL LINES. THE BRAKE, TRANSMISSION AND FUEL LINES RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT AND REQUIRED A FULL REPLACEMENT. THE FRAME HAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND HAS DETERIORATED WELL BEYOND THE FRAME OF MY 2003 CAMARO Z28 WHICH IS 9 YEARS OLDER! THE TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 80K AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED, SO THERE IS NO EXPLANATION FOR THE AMOUNT AND LEVEL OF RUST, EXCEPT THAT THERE WERE INFERIOR METALS AND MANUFACTURING MATERIALS USED IN ITS CONSTRUCTION.

Mileage: 78,000

20180429FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

EXCESSIVE RUSTING OF THE FRAME, BRAKE LINES, TRANSMISSION LINES, AND FUEL LINES. THE BRAKE, TRANSMISSION AND FUEL LINES RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT AND REQUIRED A FULL REPLACEMENT. THE FRAME HAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND HAS DETERIORATED WELL BEYOND THE FRAME OF MY 2003 CAMARO Z28 WHICH IS 9 YEARS OLDER! THE TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 80K AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED, SO THERE IS NO EXPLANATION FOR THE AMOUNT AND LEVEL OF RUST, EXCEPT THAT THERE WERE INFERIOR METALS AND MANUFACTURING MATERIALS USED IN ITS CONSTRUCTION.

Mileage: 78,000

20180429SUSPENSION

EXCESSIVE RUSTING OF THE FRAME, BRAKE LINES, TRANSMISSION LINES, AND FUEL LINES. THE BRAKE, TRANSMISSION AND FUEL LINES RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT AND REQUIRED A FULL REPLACEMENT. THE FRAME HAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND HAS DETERIORATED WELL BEYOND THE FRAME OF MY 2003 CAMARO Z28 WHICH IS 9 YEARS OLDER! THE TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 80K AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED, SO THERE IS NO EXPLANATION FOR THE AMOUNT AND LEVEL OF RUST, EXCEPT THAT THERE WERE INFERIOR METALS AND MANUFACTURING MATERIALS USED IN ITS CONSTRUCTION.

Mileage: 78,000

20180309SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP, THE DRIVER FORCEFULLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKING DISTANCE WAS EXTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING DUE TO CORROSION IN MULTIPLE BRAKE LINES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,258. *TT *TR

Mileage: 134,258

20171002ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. WHEN THE CONTACT TAPPED THE FUSE BOX LOCATED UNDER THE HOOD, THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED BACK ON AND ILLUMINATED NORMALLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (BOB BROWN CHEVROLET IN ERVINGDALE, IA) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

Compare 2002CHEVROLETAVALANCHE 1500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500 have?
The 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500 has 184 NHTSA complaints, 22 crashes, 1 fires, 24 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500?
Yes, the 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500 has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500?
The most-complained component for the 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500 is SERVICE BRAKES with 45 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC and PARKING BRAKE.
Is the 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.