2002 Chevrolet Avalanche Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 35about this part
- Share
- 8%of 444 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 34,569miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche, 8% of the 444 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 34,569 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1. Brakes-again..pushed on the brakes and pedal went to the floor 2. Noise still coming from suspension 3. Can smell oil burning returned vehicle to university motors they checked brakes and told me no correction was needed....suspension noise was told that was just how the vehicle sounded, I could feel the vibration on the floor... Oil smell--they tightened the oil filter.”
NHTSA complaint #10080939, filed 2004-07, 31,664 miles“2002 chevy Avalanche, 5.3l engine seized up on me as I was driving and could have caused an accident as I lost power. I'm not getting any satisfaction from GM or the dealer as to why this happened. I just want a new engine. Can you help?”
NHTSA complaint #10046811, filed 2003-11, 51,000 miles“I recently purchased a used 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500hd 4x4 with a 8.1 litre engine. The vehicle has approximately 51,000 miles on it. The first problem I noticed was that the engine would crank, but it would not start immediately. The next problem I experienced was that the engine shut off while I was driving it. This resulted in loss of power steering and power brakes, but more importantly, I was not able to maintain the posted 55 MPH limit, and I had to dodge traffic while trying to steer my dead vehicle onto the shoulder. The vehicle did restart and I was able to resume as before. …”
NHTSA complaint #10153942, filed 2006-03, 51,000 miles“It stalls when accelerating from a turn. Mostly on right turns as you accelerate out of the turn the vehicle dies. It starts right back up, but it does this intermittently about once a week. The truck has been to two different dealers a total of 5 times for this problem. Neither one can duplicate the problem. It happened again this weekend. I am afraid that my husband or another member of my family is going to get hurt in this truck. I am trying to deal with GM but they are giving me the run around. They can't do anything if they can't duplicate the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10069315, filed 2004-01, 600 miles“Vehicle has problem with fuel system. Either the fuel gauge goes out indicating that you have more gas than you really do. The fuel pump goes out causing the vehicle to stall. For example, I was driving up a winding hill when all of a sudden, my truck stopped with no warning on a blind curve. This created a safety issue as this incident could have caused a traffic collision. My truck has been to rally Chevrolet for this problem 4 times in less than 12 months. The first time was february 2003. The second time was april 2003. The third time was june 2003 and the fourth time was january 21, 2005. …”
NHTSA complaint #10107727, filed 2005-01, 28,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10115143Nov 30, 2015This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about gasoline powered cars, mid-size trucks, light duty trucks, and heavy duty trucks with…
- 10112116Jul 17, 2014This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible…
- 10037933Jan 1, 2011Gm: the service engine soon light is on, there is also a misfire or engine noise. There are multiple possible causes.
- 10024344Feb 1, 2008Possible engine oil leak due to pcv freeze-up, equipped with the 4.8, 5.3, 6.0, and 6.2 v-8 engines.
- 10021021Feb 22, 2007Service vme. Supplement to 00-02-35-003l. Update on new I-shaft.
- 10014870May 11, 20051999 - 2005 gen ii cold engine misfire at idle with possible p0171 and/or p0174.
- 10015008Mar 1, 2005Revised diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p1172 and dtc p2636.
- 10011729Jan 31, 2005Resonance noise at idle.
- 10011692Jan 28, 2005Misfire at idle cold and possible p0171 and or p0174.
- 10012155Jun 1, 2004Idle instability, low or rough idle with electronic throttle control.
Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
200 complaintsBody and structure
67 complaintsTires
34 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
22 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology