2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 4%of 154 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500, 4% of the 154 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,000 miles.
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.
“My 02 avalanche has had all the fuel, em brake, wheel hub while husband was stopping at light when the top caliper bolt came out wedging the caliper between the wheel and bolt this stopped the truck sounded like gun fire and the rest end went 8 ft into the air. Air bag not deployed. Cost days pays and $ new bolt to get back on road, no injury. Plus drvr fr axle pass too. 2nd tranny only 4yrs apart has failed again with my 6 grkids on my 56th b.d. In tx 105 * heat index. It took 4 hours to get home having to stop every 10 min for 20 min because it was overheating. …”
NHTSA complaint #10876693, filed 2016-06, 260,000 miles“The four wheel drive service lamp frequently illuminates at different speeds and stays on until the truck is restarted, then the lamp will stay off for days , then come back on for no reason, when the truck is scanned no codes are returned, the truck seems to drive fine, but the problem is very annoying.”
NHTSA complaint #10424646, filed 2011-09, 35,000 miles“Front differential mechanism that is responsible for 4wd of the vehicle has chronically malfunctioned despite 2 repairs while under warranty by lindsay chevy in woodbridge va. The mechanism started to show signs of problems at 7000 miles. Now the truck has 85000 miles and the mechanism has failed.”
NHTSA complaint #10258616, filed 2009-02, 85,000 miles“Avalanche 4wd selectors started flashing and would not shift out of 4l. Stopped and turned off vehicle. Restarted and service 4wd light lit. Had no forward or reverse gears. Had to have it towed. Dealer said the encoder motor failed.”
NHTSA complaint #10446557, filed 2012-02, 39,646 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet AVALANCHE 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate properly when the accelerator pedal was depressed. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the entire transmission needed to be replaced at the cost of $2,000. The contact replaced the vehicle. The failure mileage was 83,000 and current mileage was 167,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10256326, filed 2009-01, 83,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10224273Sep 1, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10220319Sep 1, 2022This diagnostic tip advises the tech not to separate the flexplate from the torque convertor or damage my occur if the engine is started while diagnosing for noise from the…
- 10143757Jul 9, 2018This Preliminary information communicates to the dealer technician thatLight Duty Trucks equipped with automatic transmissions and 4 wheel drive may exhibit a condition of…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 3% |
| 2011 | 3 | 11% |
| 2009 | 3 | 15% |
| 2008 | 1 | 3% |
| 2007 | 10 | 9% |
| 2006 | 12 | 31% |
| 2005 | 17 | 13% |
| 2004 | 5 | 3% |
| 2003 | 4 | 2% |
| 2002 | 6 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500
96 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsEngine 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 31, 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