Chevrolet Avalanche 2500 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 85 consumer complaints across the 4 model years of the Chevrolet Avalanche 2500 (2002–2005) that have at least 5 complaints. 2002 has the most, with 60. Across all years, the part named most often is brakes (32 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Avalanche 2500 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 6 | 60,000 | 0 | 486 | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 10 | 40,356 | 0 | 361 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 9 | 118,000 | 0 | 336 | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 60 | 80,050 | 0 | 285 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Brakes32 37%
- Engine cooling28 32%
- Electrical system10 11%
- Fuel system6 6.9%
- Other or unknown3 3.4%
- Engine3 3.4%
- Air bags3 3.4%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)2 2.3%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2002: “My son was driving my 2002 avalanche when the brake pedal went to the floor without any prior warning or dash lights. Although he did go through the intersection he was trying to stop for there was no traffic and no accident. The problem was a brake line failing.”
NHTSA complaint #10906167, filed 2016-09, 200,000 miles2004: “Brake line failure. I was approaching a stop sign and applied the brakes. The pedal went to the floor and the ABS activated and I was not slowing. There was no cross traffic so I luckily avoided an accident. The brake line failed due to rust. Braking ability with only the rear brakes active was virtually nonexistent and there was no warnings on the display. I do not understand how the previous investigation into GM brake lines was dismissed.”
NHTSA complaint #10807079, filed 2015-11, 68,000 miles2003: “Brakes suddenly gave out. Pedal fell to floor and when I took it to be repaired I was told all the brake lines rotted out. I don't understand this because by vehicle was garage kept. My total bill was $875.00.”
NHTSA complaint #10586332, filed 2014-05, 170,000 milesOther Chevrolet models
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About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology