10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
76,897 miles

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problem #69

Mar 022015

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. When applying the brakes, the brake pedal extended to the floorboard and failed to stop the vehicle. The brake lines were corroded. The vehicle was previously repaired for this failure; however, the failure recurred. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the calipers were corroded. The brake lines were replaced, but the failure was not remedied. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 04/04/16

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #68

Sep 292014

Avalanche

  • 88,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. The contact stated that while traveling at a low speeds, the ABS sensor illuminated and when applying the brake pedal, the vehicle lunged forward. The contact mentioned that excessive force was required into order to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.

- Lancaster , PA, USA

problem #67

Mar 082014

Avalanche 8-cyl

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and the ABS engaged without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. There was a recall related to the failure under NHTSA campaign id number 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic) and the contact's VIN was included in the recall however, the contact's state was not mentioned as one of the salt belt states that were eligible for repairs under the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

problem #66

Oct 012013

Avalanche

  • 62,000 miles
I was driving home around 9:30 pm. As I was going down a hill I stepped on my brakes and the pedal went to the floor. No brakes at all, no saftey features kicked in, no warning lights. Just a catastrophic brake failure. Luckily for me it was a small hill and I was able to stop by going into low gear and using the emergency brake. I turns out that the brakelines from the master cylinder to the ABS control box were rotted and finally gave out. This is a 2002 truck with 62,000 miles on it. I know from previous experience with older cars that if a brake line fails, there is a valve that is supposed to cut off the open line so there is some brakes left. I repeat, no saftey features worked, no warning lights, no valve kicking in, nothing. This is a known issue with GM. A quick search on the web brought up thousands of hits on this problem. Just 20 minutes earlier I was on the nys thruway doing 65 mph. If I lost brakes at that speed and with the other traffic, there most certainly wood have been a crash and possible loss of life.

- Kingston, NY, USA

problem #65

Feb 202012

Avalanche 8-cyl

  • 104,000 miles
All brake hard-lines on my 2002 Chevy Avalanche 1500 4WD are extremely corroded and have begun to fail. This was discovered after having one of the brake lines blow-out during an emergency stop, while driving at highway speeds. An empty truck in front of me had braked suddenly due to a missed exit, requiring that I apply full braking instantly. I would have collided with the truck after my brake lines blew, except that I was able to swerve into another lane to avoid the vehicle. Had there been another vehicle next to me, I would have crashed into the decelerating vehicle. All of my brake tubing is corroded, as well as portions of the frame, brake calipers and rear brake rotors and dust shields. This excessive corrosion appears to be the result of substandard components with inadequate corrosion protection. I am currently replacing all corroded brake system components (quoted $3,100).

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

problem #64

Mar 092012

Avalanche 8-cyl

  • 151,995 miles
As I was slowing to down to park at a bank, brake peddle went right to the floor with almost a complete lose of braking. Proceeded directly to a repair shop. I was informed that due to severe rust on underside of vehicle, all brake lines needed to be replaced as one had blown.

- Falmouth, ME, USA

problem #63

Mar 052012

Avalanche 8-cyl

  • 176,670 miles
Steel brake line failure due to corrosion (rust). Upon inspection, all steel brake lines severely corroded (rusted).

- Parkton, MD, USA

problem #62

May 122011

Avalanche 8-cyl

  • 99,000 miles
Without warning, while driving last spring, 2011 the brake line broke and I lost brakes suddenly while stopping for traffic. The dealer replaced steel brake line on left side of rear axle at my expense. Today, while stopping hard in traffic, the peddle suddenly went to the floor and I lost all brakes. The steel brake line along the frame, from the front of the truck to the rear is leaking fluid from a burst in the steel line. Again, no brakes. I purchased this truck in 2002 and its has always been to the dealership for regular service.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #61

Dec 062011

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • miles
Rusted brake line failure, drivers rear, passenger front, under radiatior.

- Germantown, MD, USA

problem #60

Jan 162012

Avalanche

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that the brake lines were completely corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who verified the failure and stated that all of the brake lines needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 120,000.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #59

Jan 202006

Avalanche

  • 75,000 miles
First time brake line under drivers door rusted out, leaked brake fluid and had to steer to avoid another vehicle stopped for a red light. Had truck towed to a shop for repairs. Mechanic told me this was common problem with GM trucks. Second time luckily I was on my property moving 1000 lb trailer around and notice brakes not working properly. Got out and looked under truck and saw a stream of liquid from around area of front axle. Took truck to nearest mechanic. I stopped by the next day and the mechanic had truck up on lift and came over to me and said "you need a new truck" he said the lines are rusted (brake, fuel and transmission). I also have 2002 Jeep Wrangler with 180K miles and have not had to replace brake lines like I've had to do with my 2002 Chevy Avalanche. I am the original owner of both them.

- Prince Frederick, MD, USA

problem #58

Aug 102010

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that when the vehicle was driven between 25-30 mph, there was an increase in stopping distance and time when the brakes were applied. The contact stated that the front and rear brake pads, rotors and the master cylinder were replaced but the failure persisted. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and was told to take the vehicle to the dealer to be inspected. The dealer suggested that the brake pads, rotors and master cylinder be replaced a second time. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current is 118,000.....updated 12/03/12 updated 01/10/12

- Almont, MI, USA

problem #57

Oct 122011

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • 148,029 miles
I was driving down the interstate on my way to work, in my 2002 Chevy Avalanche, going 65 when everyone in front of me slammed on their brakes. I followed to slam on my brakes but when I pushed the pedal it went straight to the floor, so in order to not rear end anyone I pulled onto the shoulder flying past the cars in front of me with my brake pedal pushed as hard as I could, thankfully no one was hurt. I drove off the rode and got my truck to the nearest garage. When the garage owner looked at my brakes he said my rear brake lines rusted out and that the front were about to do the same. He also said the brake lines are shoved so far into the truck frame he would have to remove the body from the frame to fix it properly.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #56

Oct 152011

Avalanche 8-cyl

  • 94,000 miles
Brake line rusted through and lost braking at 50 mph.

- Delta, PA, USA

problem #55

Oct 042011

Avalanche 8-cyl

  • 87,894 miles
Corrosion of hard brake line from the master cylinder to the rear distribution module resulted in loss of braking capacity when the brake line failed resulting in fluid leakage.

- Jerome, MI, USA

problem #54

Dec 222008

Avalanche 8-cyl

  • 67,000 miles
Coming to a stop and brakes went to the floor ABS light came on, found hole in brake line lines rusted all through out the vehicle. I almost hit a women on Feb 6 2010 another hole was found in the line on Sept 21 2011 brakes did it again to the floor it my emergency brake to stop 2 different lines have holes in them am trying to replace as much as I can. There is a box under the body that my brake lines go into they are rusted really bad to im not sure what the box is for I have had a lot of brake problems. This truck has been not driven for months at a time due to brake problems thank you.

- Indianapolis , IN, USA

problem #53

Aug 022011

Avalanche 8-cyl

  • 83,000 miles
2002 Chevy Avalanche, rusted brake lines, brake line burst(failure), loss of braking.

- Hobe Sound, FL, USA

problem #52

Mar 012010

Avalanche

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated while driving, the ABS lamp illuminated. When he tried to engage the brakes the vehicle did not stop in time, as a result he rear ended another vehicle. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the ABS module was defective and needed to be replaced. He took the vehicle to a dealer who confirmed the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in recall NHTSA campaign id number: 05V379000 ( service brakes, hydraulic:anti lock). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 114,000.

- Apo Ae, 00, USA

problem #51

Jul 032011

Avalanche

  • 155,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed the brakes engaged, unexpectedly, and she began to hear a loud humming noise. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where the contact was informed that the anti lock braking system was engaging involuntarily. An authorized dealer was notified and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 155,000.

- Winston, GA, USA

problem #50

Jul 122010

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • 92,448 miles
Brakes failed on 7/12/10 almost rear ended car before came to stop by veering into left lane to avoid car stopped at red light. Repair shop replaced rusted brake line. Again, 6/9/11, went to brake for red light, brake pedal went to the floor and stopped just before rear ending car stopped at red light. Repair shop says rusted brake lines!

- Round Rock, TX, USA

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