3.0

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
46,751 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #19

Aug 112011

Avalanche

  • 101,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. While driving 65 mph, the contact stated that the engine would stall at any time and the failure occurred more frequently on bridges. Neither the dealer, nor manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 101,000.

- Champlin, MN, USA

problem #18

Nov 012010

Avalanche

  • 81,000 miles
Truck stalls while driving this is happening more and more.

- Lemont, IL, USA

problem #17

Apr 262010

Avalanche

  • 80,140 miles
Driving 2002 Chevy Avalanche 2500 8.1 L at various times and speeds and engine cuts out. No power steering or brakes. Pulled over and after a minute the engine will restart. Researched online and found that the problem with many other like vehicles have same problem (crankshaft position sensor). Reported previous year same engine had recall for crankshaft position sensor.

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #16

Jun 132009

Avalanche

  • 76,687 miles
While driving down the road my 2002 Chevy Avalanche 2500 8.1L engine would shut off. This was happening 4 - 5 times on a daily basis depending on how far I had to drive. The last time this happened I was driving on the highway with my son in the truck and the engine shut down leaving me with limited ability to safely get into the break down lane. Thus is why I ended up getting stuck in the middle of the highway. I had it towed to a dealership whom later replaced my " crankshaft positioning sensor ". this incident occurred on June 13, 2009. I have spoken with several other owners of the same vehicle all of which have had the same issue. From what I understand there was a recall for the same problem ( NHTSA campaign id number: 07V521000 ), with the same motor that was in the 2001 Chevy trucks. What is being done about this issue involving the 2002 vehicles?

- Berlin, MA, USA

problem #15

Apr 142009

Avalanche

  • 66,000 miles
4 times now my vehicle has stalled with no warning or any indication of anything wrong with the vehicle I.e. warning codes, lights, or symbols. There has always been plenty of fuel in the tank. It happened to me this morning on the way to work traveling at about 65 mph after finishing a curve in the road. The engine died for about 2-3 seconds and then it restarted by itself. The other day my daughter and I were coming back from the dr. And I had just made a left hand turn from one busy road to another and it completely stalled on me. I had to stop in afternoon traffic and after about a minute and completely turning the key off and putting it into park it finally started. I talked to the service writer at quality Chevy and he told me that many of the same trucks have been coming in and having the crank position sensor replaced. I did some research and found that the 2001 Silverado's with the 8.1L engine, same as mine, had a recall for them. On the Avalanche fan club web sight, I found a lot of people on there with the same problem as mine and having the crank position sensor replaced. They all had the same deal, vehicle stalls with no codes. Thanks for your help!

- Tooele, UT, USA

problem #14

Jan 302008

Avalanche 8-cyl

  • 89,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle would intermittently fail without warning. After waiting for a short period of time, the vehicle would eventually restart. When the failure occurs, the battery drains shortly afterwards. He took the vehicle to the dealer on numerous occasions, but they could not find any error codes or duplicate the failure. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 89,000 and current mileage was 93,000. Updated 02/10/09. Updated 02/11/09.

- Canton, OH, USA

problem #13

Jul 182008

Avalanche

  • 62,000 miles
Early 2002 Avalanche 2500 with 8.1 liter engine 62K miles. Noticed very intermittent missing at highway speeds occasionally. Engine died on freeway and immediately restarted. 2nd time engine died and wouldn't restart for a couple of minutes. Very dangerous trying to coast across traffic to a shoulder with no steering or brakes assist. Investigated similar problem on internet and fix for others was crankshaft position sensor.

- Coon Rapids, MN, USA

problem #12

Nov 062007

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,000 miles
Intermittent sudden stall. At speed and/or when idling. Causes of breaking and steering. Causes breakdown in traffic lanes of freeway.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #11

Jul 112007

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,600 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500. On 20 occurrences when the contact started the vehicle, it immediately shut off. The vehicle restarted, but then shut off again while driving 50 mph. The fuel pump relay was replaced, yet the failure still exists. ODI number PE06016 was issued. The current mileage is 41,000 and failure mileage was 40,600. Updated 02-01-08

- Citrus Heights , CA, USA

problem #10

Apr 042007

Avalanche

  • miles
Chevrolet Avalanche 2500-year 2002:engine cut off while driving-crank position sensor defect (cps). This seemed to happen almost exclusively after the truck has been sitting for at least a few hours. It started up instantly and normally, then, as driving down the road between 2 and 5 minutes after startup the battery light popped on and the engine was dead. This phenomenon was not totally repeatable - sometimes it will go for a month and not happen, sometimes it will happen 3 times a day for a week. It happened twice the day before yesterday and not all yesterday.

- Plainfield, IL, USA

problem #9

Jan 292007

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles
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. Quoted part and labor to be $300 - $500. Saving up money for repair.

- Dearborn, MI, USA

problem #8

Oct 102006

Avalanche 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,400 miles
: the contact stated while driving 35 mph, the vehicle stalled. After pulling over the side of the road, the vehicle was put in idle and the contact attempted to restart the engine but it would not start. There were no warning signals prior to the incident. The contact was told by a friend that they experienced the same problem with their vehicle which was the same make and model. The problem was caused because the camshaft sensor in the ignition malfunctioned. Neither the service dealer nor the manufacturer were contacted.

- Puyallup, WA, USA

problem #7

Jan 192006

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,553 miles
I submitted a complaint last night (10148159) after finding the defective part to my vehicle. I searched the NHTSA sight and found many complaints with the same issue, though the person making the complaint did not know the resolution to the issue. I'm thinking the defective part that should be issued a recall for is going un-noticed by the NHTSA because the person making the complaint doesn't know how to resolve and correctly describe it. Because of this the NHTSA may overlook that this is the same issue. The following link will take you to the Chevy Avalanche fan club forum where the issue is described and discussed. www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php/topic,39437.0.html many of the forum members are being told by Chevy dealers that the issue is with the fuel pump, which is in most cases incorrect. This is causing the consumer to pay to $1000 for parts and repairs that are not needed. The cost for repair of the crank shaft position sensor is $110 for parts and $170 for labor, and this resolves the problem. Please have the investigator take a look at the website given above for more information about this issue. This is obviously a defective part that if under the right conditions can cause a major accident and possible loss of life. With total loss of engine power on a 6,600lbs truck I found it almost impossible to turn and very difficult to stop. Chevy has also re-designed the part proving evidence that the original design was/is defective. I see this as a more potentially dangerous issue than the tail gate strap recall and at least as equal or higher of an issue as the anti-lock brake defect which the NHTSA has issued recalls for.

- Rowlett, TX, USA

problem #6

Jun 042003

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,790 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 vehicle....we are told that the noises(and vibration) from the suspension just standard for the vehicle. The back rotors had grooves was told no problem found..when asked about the grooves they told us this was normal for "heavy duty" trucks..brakes..was told we should only expect to get 6-7 thousand miles. Dealer should tell you that when you purchase the vehicle. Most of the times when the brakes go bad there is no warning...I just had no brakes...this vehicle is not safe to drive after the last time I was unable to stop at an intersection I returned the vehicle to university motors.....to date have heard nothing form university motors or Chevrolet....

- Independence, WV, USA

problem #5

Aug 112003

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,664 miles
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.

- Independence, WV, USA

problem #4

Aug 312001

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I have been undergoing an oil consumption test on my 2002 3/4 4X4 Chevy avalance for almost 6 months.the service bullitens the dealer gave me had to do with '95 or older cars or with the new car braken period.(I have over 30,000 miles on it) at first they told me the sevice dept forgot to reset the light, now they say this is normal usage,1 quart in 1000 miles. I am thinking of having a reg. Shop check the oil level as well as the dealer, because what I am reading is not what the service dept is writing on their report. One of the sevice techs told me in confidence that I am not the only one complaining about this problem but Chevy isn't going to admit that there is a problem because of possible legal action. How long do I have to continue this testing before something is decided?

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #3

Dec 012002

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • 7,840 miles
The vehicle stalled. Vehicle stalled out in middle of traffic. Vehicle in repair shop 4 times. Dealership checked idle speed and fuel pressure, engine wiring harness junction block assembly replaced. Replaced tank to engine return. PCM replaced. Fuel sender and pump assembly replaced. However problem still exist. Ignition key warning switch was inoperative and had to be replaced.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #2

May 302002

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 600 miles
My brand new 2002 Chevy Avalanche is burning oil and blowing blue smoke out the tail pipe. The manufacturer is now conducting an oil consumption test, but the allowable amount of oil to burn is 1 quart ever 3,000 miles! a new car should not burn oil.

- Ogden, IL, USA

problem #1

Oct 102002

Avalanche

  • miles
Consumer states that while driving at 65 mph and no warning the vehicle will shut off causing consumer to pull over and it will be hard to get the vehicle back started. This happened on three occasions. Dealer notified.

- Eureka, MT, USA