10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
64,184 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #36

Jan 152013

Avalanche 8-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
Well, when driving my 2002 Chevy Avalanche truck the reduce engine light cuts on. In addition, my truck starts to slow down and reduce speed. Sometimes on the interstate while I'm driving also. I've been to two GM dealership and paid money to have it service. As a result, they were charging me a lot of money, but never fixing the problem. It's very dangerous when driving sometime, so I been pulling over and resetting the computer to drive. I've read that there's recalls on some GM truck like mines. Also, I brought it to the GM service department too.

- Pensacola , FL, USA

problem #35

Aug 212011

Avalanche

  • 137,000 miles
Vehicle stalls at high rate of speed, highway driving, truck hesitates and jerks, and comes to the near point of stalling, and low speeds, vehicle does the same, hesitates, and jerks, stalls, all systems fail. Starts back up upon shifting to neutral. Mechanic says it is the crankshaft position sensor on the 8.1 L 8100 series motor, the same motor that is in the 2001 model Silverado, Sierra, and Suburban that is the subject of a recall. Location is in the back of the motor making it near impossible to change out without major engine repair work, removing intake manifold and other complex things, to repair an apparent $60 part. Dangerous due to the fact that there is absolutely no indication that this is happening and happened on a vehicle that has been cared for completely. Also, dangerous due to the size of the vehicle and the near impossible task of steering it to a safe place with no power brakes or steering, especially at highway speeds. Mechanic says part it almost 100% plastic and can succumb to high and low variations in temperature and break down in composition. Which, it has done in this truck, again without no warning, and no apparent cost effective repair. It would appear that the recall should be extended to the 2002 model year as well as the same 8.1 L motor was installed in the Chevrolet Avalanche 2500 truck (by the way, the vehicle was built in 2001), which, other that the different body style has the same chassis and motor as the Suburban. Very dangerous for a woman, who cannot or does not have the strength to steer a 7,000 pound truck that completely stalled at a high rate of speed.

- Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, USA

problem #34

Dec 132010

Avalanche

  • 133,000 miles
Sometimes my 2002 Chevy Avalanche 8.1 will not start. I lock car again with remote fob, unlock and usually it starts. Sometimes it takes several attempts at locking, unlocking before it will start. Now vehicle stalls with no warning, no power brakes, steering etc. Does this at random speeds without notice or any apparent consistency. This has happened on the freeway at high speeds and is very dangerous. To restart I must try and get pulled over safely, lock and unlock truck with fob and hope it starts. Sometimes will do after once, sometimes after several attempts. Not really sure the fob resetting of security system is the difference or it just happens to start. When are they going to fix this potentially fatal problem"?"

- Fairview, OR, USA

problem #33

Oct 232010

Avalanche

  • 70,000 miles
Engine died at 55 mph, restarted right away, died out again in the middle of an intersection about three miles away. Nearly caused an accident. This time it took about 10 minutes before it would start. I found there is a recall on the 2001 Avalanche, why not the 2002?

- Waterloo, IL, USA

problem #32

Sep 142010

Avalanche

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500. While the contact was driving approximately 35 mph, the engine completely stalled without warning. The engine would not restart. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The contact experienced the identical failure as mentioned in the recall associated with the NHTSA campaign id number 07V521000 (engine and engine cooling); however, his model year and model was not included in the recall defect. The failure mileage was 85,000.

- Naperville, IL, USA

problem #31

Jul 282010

Avalanche

  • 59,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500. The contact stated the vehicle would stall without warning. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The VIN was not available. The current and failure mileages were approximately 59,000.

- New Fairfield, CT, USA

problem #30

Feb 222007

Avalanche

  • 60,000 miles
Don't understand why 2002 trucks were not included in this recall, I had the same problem with crank sensor and engine stalling at highway speeds. I had the senor replaced 3 years ago. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is directing the recall of 11,974 2001-model-year heavy duty pickups built by General Motors to fix faulty crankshaft position sensors, under NHTSA campaign id number 07V521000.

- Lake Bluff, IL, USA

problem #29

Jul 032009

Avalanche

  • 91,000 miles
2002 Chevy Avalanche 2500- none problem with crank shaft sensor failing. My vehicle stalled in the middle of traffic. I was almost hit from behind. This has happened several times. Upon research I learned that this is a common problem with this vehicle and that Chevy is aware but has done nothing. Someone is going to be killed or hurt if this is not communicated. It has been reported many times- see web site www.chevyavalanchfanclub.com/cafcna/index.php?topic if you just search Chevy Avalanche engine stalling you will find all of the posts. Many people start by changing their battery, replacing their fuel pump and filter, replacing the air filter but the problem persists. Please address before someone is killed. It is dangerous for a vehicle to stall like this.........

- Casper, WY, USA

problem #28

May 212009

Avalanche

  • 48,000 miles
8.1L 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche engine stalls at speeds of 1 to above 40mph and fails to restart immediately. This engine shut-off happens on a regular basis while operating the vehicle. This a very dangerous situation as you lose all power to steering and stopping the truck. You have to coast to a stop, adding to your chances for an accident. Local dealer can not find a problem, but looking at your website, a similar problem resulted in a recall for model years 2001. That campaign number was 07V521000. It seems very odd that local Chevrolet dealers are unaware of the previous year recall or have an understanding of the potential problem. Only your website seems to know about this issue.

- La Quinta, CA, USA

problem #27

Oct 012008

Avalanche 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,600 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500. The contact took the vehicle to a repair shop and the mechanic stated that the crankshaft position sensor failed. The crankshaft position sensor was replaced. The total cost for parts and labor was $1,035. The manufacturer will be notified. The failure mileage was 81,600 and current mileage is 83,600. Updated 05/26/09 the consumer stated the engine stalled on 3 different occassions and he was unable to restart it. When the engine stalled, the power steering and hydro boost brkae system failed to operate. Updated 05/28/09.

- Watertown , CT, USA

problem #26

Aug 192007

Avalanche

  • 97,895 miles
02 Avalanche 2500, engine just stops running while driving. Speed doesn't make a difference. It just dies and I have no power brakes, no power steering. The has been getting worse and is very dangerous to myself and others in traffic around me. It may take up 5 minutes to restart now. 2 Chevy dealers say they can't find any problem codes and I can't afford to pay for unneeded parts for trial and error repair. Please help get this problem dealt with. I know there are other owners of the same model, year of this vehicle have same problem. It has been know about for some time that the 2002 Avalanche 2500 8.1 liter engine has this problem. It is also known that replacing the crankshaft position sensor will cure it. This should be a safety recall item by GM before someone gets killed in traffic!!!

- Bridgewater, MA, USA

problem #25

Aug 012008

Avalanche

  • 89,000 miles
Vehicle stalls out at any speed and will not restart for several minutes. It is random and does this intermittently and is gradually getting more frequent. Based on our research, we understand that the NHTSA is/was aware of this problem. We will be having the crankshaft sensor replaced. This is a serious safety issue for the driver and for anyone traveling behind the vehicle when it loses power.

- Kuna, ID, USA

problem #24

Nov 152007

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,100 miles
2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500. Engine stalled while driving on the highway. No warning, nothing, engine just stopped. This has happened about 8 times since the first time, and I have finally found out that the problem is the crankshaft position sensor.

- Beavercreek, OH, USA

problem #23

Jun 212007

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles
Vehicle won't start, engine dies while driving.

- Snead, AL, USA

problem #22

May 172007

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,000 miles
(1) driving drove about 35 mph coming to a stop sign and I had been driving for about three miles. (2) the engine just shut down with no warning. ) about 1 to 2 minutes later the truck started again after several attempts. The problem reoccurred about 3 times since.

- Albuqueruqe, NM, USA

problem #21

Jun 082007

Avalanche

  • miles
Truck shuts off while driving. When this happens I lose power steering and brakes. Will occur at all speeds including 70 mph on the interstate. Very scarey situation that could cause a large accident in rush hour. After researching this on the internet, I have found this is a problem with the make and model truck I have. The problem is the crankshaft position sensor. This should be recalled and fixed at Chevrolet's expense!

- Boone, NC, USA

problem #20

Mar 242007

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles
Stalling out of engine at highway speed. Researched problem and discovered thread on www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/ identifying recurring problem with 2002 Chevy Avalanche 2500 crank shaft position sensor.

- New Baden , IL, USA

problem #19

Mar 092007

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles
Engine stalled frequently at any speed without noticed. All power steering and power brakes fail when engine stalls, creating a very serious and dangerous emergency situation. Determined to be failed crankshaft position sensor, original sensor has now been replaced by modified new sensor which was put in service in mid model year 2002. Ask GM as to why recall was not put in to place to replace all previous known defective crank shaft position. Why was the crankshaft position sensor modified and replaced in mid year 2002, if there was such a low incidence of failure. I just experienced a $2,500 repair bill due to GM reluctance to fix a "known" potentially fatal flawed part. Thank god my wife doesn't drive my truck, she wouldn't be able to steer or brake the truck to a stop.

- Draper, UT, USA

problem #18

Dec 302006

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles
My 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche has stalled on me several times and on a number of occasions in heavy traffic. This is a serious safety concern that I need help with. The local Chevrolet dealer says they are not aware of any problem that would cause this.

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

problem #17

Dec 302006

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,000 miles
On several occasions while driving at highway speeds (60-70) the engine has stalled and left me drifting with no power on the interstate. After drifting off the highway with no power assist steering or brakes to stop and letting it sit and turn the key off and put the vehicle transmission in "park" the engine will start back up in a few minutes. Sometimes however it may take several minutes for a restart to occur. I can not be certain, but I believe this to be temperature related. I took the vehicle to the local Chevrolet dealer (sutliff Chevrolet co.) and asked that the crankshaft position sensor be replaced. This request came as a result of much investigation and conversation with other owners of the same year, make and model with the same engine. The dealer said they would change the sensor but would not take responsibility if the sensor breaks upon removal. This they said would require many hors of labor to fix and they will not do that. I would have to assume the bill for repair in addition to the requested repair should this happen. I agreed to pay only for the requested repair and said that this indicates to me that there is a flaw in the part and that Chevrolet or GM should assume any additional responsibility due to a manufacturing defect. They refused and told me there is no problem with the sensor because there is no dic indicating a problem. My research indicates otherwise and the only way I could think of to proof my suspicion was to have the sensor replaced. I will pay for the requested repair, but not for additional cost due to what I perceive to be a defect that is known to exist by GM. I now feel very unsafe driving the vehicle and fear not only for my safety but also for those around me should the sensor failure and subsequent stall situation occur.

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

Read the next 16 complaints »