CarModelProblems.com

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes — runs 7.1× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
154Complaints
2Recalls
15Crashes
1Fires
16Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Service Brakes (29.2% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Service Brakes complaints here are 7.1× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes45 · 29.2%not available
Service Brakes, Hydraulic26 · 16.9%not available
Parking Brake15 · 9.7%not available
Electrical System9 · 5.8%not available
Air Bags8 · 5.2%not available
Steering6 · 3.9%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES45 · 29.2%
PARKING BRAKE15 · 9.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9 · 5.8%
AIR BAGS8 · 5.2%
STEERING6 · 3.9%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP5 · 3.2%
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC5 · 3.2%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING5 · 3.2%
STRUCTURE4 · 2.6%

Percentages are the share of the 154 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 2 campaigns

Wheels:hub

NHTSA campaign 07E106000 · 2007 · reported 12/17/2007

WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline

NHTSA campaign 06E043000 · 2006 · reported 05/19/2006

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“EXCESSIVE RUSTING OF THE FRAME, BRAKE LINES, TRANSMISSION LINES, AND FUEL LINES. THE BRAKE, TRANSMISSION AND FUEL LINES RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT AND REQUIRED A FULL…”NHTSA complaint 11090866 — filed 04/29/2018 · SERVICE BRAKES
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP, THE DRIVER FORCEFULLY DEPRESSED THE…”NHTSA complaint 11078368 — filed 03/09/2018 · SERVICE BRAKES
“THE BRAKE LINE BROKE DUE TO RUST AND AS I HAVE SEEN THIS IS A ON GOING THING. GM SAYS IT IS NOT A SAFETY…”NHTSA complaint 11013788 — filed 08/08/2017 · SERVICE BRAKES

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

232011762013236201515122017712019232021212023312026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500?

Service brakes issues are the most-reported category, cited in 45 of 154 NHTSA complaints (29.2%), followed by service brakes, hydraulic (26), parking brake (15), electrical system (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 have?

154 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 15 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 16 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 have any recalls?

Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 07E106000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.