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SteeringPart report

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 Steering Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
5%of 154 total for the year
Median mileage
92,894miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the steering of the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500, 5% of the 154 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 92,894 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“While driving thru a parking lot after picking up my lunch, the food began to fall which I took my eyes off driving to catch it. When I looked up I saw light pole in front of me and when I pushed my brakes, it felt like the pedal went straight to the floor. Its like I pushed so hard I overpowered the system. When I backed away from the pole the brakes felt fine. I hit the pole which in turn caused cosmetic damage along with breaking the steering box because the tire hit the cement base. Also we found the brake fluid level sensor had broken at the fluid reservoir.”

NHTSA complaint #10575402, filed 2014-03, 180,549 miles

“02' chevy avalanche 60k miles, I purchased this truck in nov.2010 it is jan. 2011 not more then 45 days after purchase, the steering is progressively getting worse, grinding noise, turning noise, unbearable to drive and dangerous to drive. Contacted dealer to correct, dealer has not confirmed what will be done yet? This is not normal wear and tear type of issue, factory recall type of issue.”

NHTSA complaint #10375276, filed 2011-01, 60,067 miles

“The vehicles governor shut the vehicle off at 97mph while going around a corner which made the steering wheel lock up and made the brakes not work. Two people where life flighted to hospitals with various injuries... No air bags deployed at all... The first impact in the accident was to the side of the vehicle. Injuries sustained included multiple fractures of the spine of the driver from being ejected almost 40 feet passed where the truck had come to a rest. The debris path was over 150 ft. …”

NHTSA complaint #10616074, filed 2014-07, 146,000 miles

“Engine stall with loss of steering and brakes when turning from tower oaks st onto jones road, a busy 4 lane road. Car stopped in oncoming lane on jones road, just avoiding a head on collision. Crankshaft sensor failure. Had car towed to dealer who infomed me that there was no recall on the crankshaft sensor of the chevrolete avalanche paid dealer $540. For cransshaft sensor replacement. Have not had a stalling problem sence replacing the cranshaft sensor. This is a very dangerous situation and can cause severe accidents as the loss of steering and brakes is critical.”

NHTSA complaint #10891573, filed 2016-07, 92,894 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11442874, filed 2021-12

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201327%
200915%
200711%
200613%
2005129%
2004107%
200395%
200275%

Other parts of the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500

Brakes
96 complaints
Electrical system
11 complaints
Body and structure
11 complaints
Air bags
8 complaints
Fuel system
6 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
6 complaints
Exterior lighting
5 complaints
Suspension
5 complaints
Engine
4 complaints
Tires
4 complaints
Vehicle speed control
4 complaints
Engine cooling
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology