2002 Chevrolet Avalanche Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 2%of 444 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche, 2% of the 444 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 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.
“2002 Avalanche with approx. 40,000 miles...cannot lock or unlock the back tailgate. Took it into the dealers repair shop and had it fixed and paid for it. They were not willing to work with me on it, even though it was obviously a defect and so close to my warranty expiration. Now at 81,000 miles we have the same problem and cannot lock or unlock the back tailgate. I am afraid that I will break my key off in the lock if I force it too hard. …”
NHTSA complaint #10146534, filed 2005-12, 40,000 miles“I released the tailgate to remove an empty box from the bed of my 2002 chevy Avalanche. I jumped up in the back of the truck and retrieved the box. When I reached the back of the truck (tailgate), the tailgate gave way like a trap door and I went down with it. I hit both my knee and head on the tailgate as the tailgate hit the ground. Both cables (2) broke about 2 inches below the connector. I cut my knee and had a knot on the side of my head. Asprin seemed help, but there is still pain in the outside knee area (left). When I got to work, I pulled up the recall list. …”
NHTSA complaint #10104193, filed 2004-12, 46,648 miles“Pulling out from a stop, the tailgate dropped open and as a result of the cable on the right side breaking, the tailgate fell off and was dragged along by the left side cable scraping the right side of the tailgate badly.”
NHTSA complaint #10066005, filed 2004-04, 43,874 miles“2002 Chevrolet Avalanche drivers side tail gate cable failure. Approximately 28,000 mies on the vehicle. Owner was sitting on the tail gate when failure occurred.”
NHTSA complaint #10047707, filed 2003-11, 28,000 miles“1.brakes--pedal goes to the floor...this has happened 5 different times 2.brakes--has been returned at least 10 times for brake- rotor problems 3.suspension noise--has been returned at least 10 times for noise 4.oil lights--has been returned 3 times for oil consumption--leaks 5.electrical--has been returned to replace electric motor for windows 6.electrical-- locks-click and click and keep causing, and the horn---beeps non stop this all while driving 7.vehicle was parked and light and horn would not stop flashing and beeping the dealer nor Chevrolet want to except any responsibility for this…”
NHTSA complaint #10080944, filed 2004-07, 10,790 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10038344Jun 1, 2013Gm: the front or rear door may not open from the inside or outside handle, the door will not unlock with any method. The probably cause an incorrect installation of a handle…
Latches, locks and linkages: other model years
Other parts of the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
200 complaintsBody and structure
67 complaintsEngine cooling
35 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
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