2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500 Problems
- Complaints
- 60filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 80,050miles, 54 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often describe the engine shutting off without warning while driving, and brake lines rusting through so the pedal goes to the floor. Many stalls are attributed by owners or their mechanics to the crankshaft position sensor on the 8.1L V8; brake complaints cluster around corroded lines under the driver's side of the frame. Complaints arrive across a wide mileage range, from under 50,000 to over 150,000 miles, and several owners mention these as gradual conditions that worsened over time.
- Engine cooling
Engine stalls while driving (crankshaft position sensor)
- 32 complaints (53%)
- median 80,100 mi at 7.5 yrs old (31 state mileage)
- filed 2006–2017
Complaints describe the engine quitting without warning at highway speeds, in traffic, or at idle, leaving no power steering or power brake assist. Some vehicles restart immediately, others only after several minutes of cranking. Several owners say a mechanic or dealer replaced the crankshaft position sensor on the 8.1L engine, while others report dealers found no trouble codes or could not duplicate the problem; a number of owners note that a similar sensor campaign covered the 2001 model year but not this one. Reported from roughly 33,000 to 150,000 miles, most commonly between about 45,000 and 105,000 miles, at any speed and sometimes in cold or snowy weather.
What to check: Ask whether the crankshaft position sensor has been replaced and keep records of any stall events. A scan tool check for stored codes and a test drive at highway speed can help confirm the symptom.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I have a Chevrolet avalanche year 2002 keeps shutting down. I ran on highway 55 miles, then my car shut down....many cars behind almost hit. Very scary. I almost died! This problem shut down everyday after 10 minutes run. But not only my. Most the car same year, same model got the same problem too. This is very dangerous and don't know why GM didn't recall this. …”
NHTSA complaint #10174132, filed 2006-11, 69,130 miles“Vehicle stalls out at any speed and will not restart for several minutes. It is random and does this intermittently and is gradually getting more frequent. Based on our research, we understand that the NHTSA is/was aware of this problem. We will be having the crankshaft sensor replaced. This is a serious safety issue for the driver and for anyone traveling behind the vehicle when it loses power.”
NHTSA complaint #10236712, filed 2008-08, 89,000 miles - Brakes
Brake lines rusted through, pedal to the floor
- 19 complaints (32%)
- median 81,000 mi at 11.7 yrs old (17 state mileage)
- 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2007–2017
Owners describe the brake pedal suddenly going to the floor with little or no warning, sometimes while towing or at low speed, and stopping by using the parking brake or gearing down. Inspection typically finds a brake line corroded through, often below the driver's door near the frame rail where a bracket collects dirt and road salt, and shops frequently recommend replacing all the lines. Some owners also report fluid leaks, front rotor wear, and a soft pedal that pulls to one side at low speed. Mostly reported between about 43,000 and 148,000 miles, often on trucks used in areas with road salt; a few owners note the lines looked rusty well before they failed.
What to check: Have the brake lines inspected along the frame rail under the driver's side, especially on a truck from a salt-belt area, and ask whether any lines have been replaced. A firm pedal and no fluid weeping are good signs.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“2002 AVALANCHE 2500 4x4 brake lines are failing one at a time under the driver seat their is a bracket that seems to collect dirt, salt , ect. In my opinion there should be a recall. This should be stainless brake lines. I almost got killed went off road to get stopped, towed home the truck. Now the next problem is trying to find parts actual 1/4 I.d. With metric o.d. 10 mm .”
NHTSA complaint #10286287, filed 2009-10, 81,000 miles“When pulling into my driveway, the brakes pedal went all the way to the floor. I ran into my utility trailer, but no damage was caused. Avalanche is at the garage now, he informed me this is common with chevy trucks. All brake lines need to be replaced and it will cost between $1000 and $1200.”
NHTSA complaint #10547622, filed 2013-10, 76,000 miles
Buying note. On a truck of this age, have the brake lines inspected closely for corrosion before anything else, and ask about crankshaft position sensor replacement history given how often stalling is reported. Records of past repairs and a highway test drive are the most useful things to ask for.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 55 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 60 consumer complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500. 54 of the complaints include a mileage, and 19% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,050 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 285 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling28 47%
- Brakes18 30%
- Electrical system5 8.3%
- Fuel system5 8.3%
- Engine3 5.0%
- Other or unknown2 3.3%
- Air bags1 1.7%
- Exterior lighting1 1.7%
- Steering1 1.7%
- Tires1 1.7%
Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “Don't understand why 2002 trucks were not included in this recall, I had the same problem with crank sensor and engine stalling at highway speeds. I had the senor replaced 3 years ago. The national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) is directing the recall of 11,974 2001-model-year heavy duty pickups built by general motors to fix faulty crankshaft position sensors, under NHTSA campaign id number 07v521000.”
NHTSA complaint #10312694, filed 2010-02, 60,000 milesBrakes: “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 milesElectrical system: “Engine died while driving 60 MPH on the interstate in snowy conditions on 2 lane portion in heavy traffic. By the time I coasted to a stop with no power steering or power brakes I was on an overpass with nowhere to pull out of traffic, so ended up blocking one lane of traffic for about 2 minutes. Obd ii code reader showed no code errors. Replaced fuel filter. Did not fix problem. After checking NHTSA site as well as others on the internet found it might be the ckp (crankshaft position sensor). Took it to dealership where their diagnostic tool verified it was the ckp. …”
NHTSA complaint #10183791, filed 2007-02, 62,000 milesFuel system: “The avalanche is our tow vehicle (only) which is why it has so few miles for a 2002 model year vehicle. Normally it is towing a 9000 pound 28 foot toy hauler, but just by pure luck it was towing a single axle flat bed trailer with the cab for a 1935 Chevrolet pickup on it back from the body shop. I pulled into the driveway and tried to stop and there were no brakes. Tried to apply the parking brakes and the cable snapped. Stopped by driving up a hill into the grass. …”
NHTSA complaint #10560552, filed 2014-01, 62,313 milesMileage when problems were reported
19% of the 54 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 62,000 and 100,395 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
- EA07013Trailer hitch receiver failureClosed · Sep 14, 2007
- PE07025Trailer hitch receiver failureClosed · May 14, 2007
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 285 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11020816Jul 18, 2025Other or unknown. This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- 11012907Dec 18, 2024Engine. This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- 11010544Oct 7, 2024Engine. This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- 11006621Aug 26, 2024Electrical system. Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need…
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024Transmission and drivetrain. GM 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 inadequate packaging…
- 11004761Jun 28, 2024Engine, Fuel system. This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with…
- 11004557Jun 17, 2024Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.
- 11002312Jun 6, 2024Electrical system. This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492…
- 10252735Mar 28, 2024Electrical system. This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement fasteners with conductive finish.
- 10251887Mar 14, 2024Engine cooling. This bulletin advises the technician of possible location of an internal coolant leak from a specific cylinder head and location.
Other model years of the Chevrolet Avalanche 2500
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 6 | 60,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 10 | 40,356 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 9 | 118,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 60 | 80,050 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Chevrolet Avalanche 2500 model years
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500?
Owners of this model year most often describe the engine shutting off without warning while driving, and brake lines rusting through so the pedal goes to the floor. The issues reported most often: Engine stalls while driving (crankshaft position sensor); Brake lines rusted through, pedal to the floor.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500 have?
NHTSA recorded 60 consumer complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500 is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 28 complaints (47% of the total), followed by brakes with 18.
Has the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500 reported?
Among the 54 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,050 miles and the middle half falls between 62,000 and 100,395 miles; 19% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.