This complaint involves the crankshaft position sensor failure on my 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche while on the highway. Cause was later diagnosed to be sensor by maita Chevrolet in elk grove ca. I found out that it was a widespread issue on the chevyavalanchefanclub.com website.

- Galt, CA, USA

My 2002 Chevy Avalanche 2500 has the problem of the engine dying as I am driving down the road at freeway speeds and any other speed for that matter. When the problem occurs, I loose power steering and braking ability.

- White City, OR, USA

Vehicle began stalling during idle, then stalled while traveling at 50 mph. Engine shuts off without warning. After researching on the chevyavalanchefanclub.com web site - I found information that others had the same problem. I asked my mechanic to replace the crankshaft position sensor and I have had no problems since.

- Taylorsville, NC, USA

(1) - normal daily driving conditions (2) - intermittent failure of the crank shaft position sensor. This causes the engine to stall unexpectedly. There is absolutely no warning when the engine shuts down. Lack of starting can be several seconds to five or more minutes while the position sensor cools enough to return to alignment and allow the engine to start. Shut down has occurred several times while in the middle of rush hour traffic. With luck I was not hit during these un-expected shut downs and in most cases was able to either get the engine started again or was able to pull of the road. (3) replacement of the sensor which Chevy has since re-engineered from the original design. The old part is not available.

- Rowlett, TX, USA

On several occasions, the 8.1L engine died at both low and high speeds (65 mph) resulting in lost of power brakes and steering. Could not shift transmission into neutral. Diagnosed by dealership shop found that the crank position sensor was failing. Multiple electrical diagnoses over course of failures did not show the sensor to be failing. Oem replacement of senor involved complete removal and dismantling of engine.

- Sewickley, PA, USA

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500 began experienceing intermittent engine stalling while driiving at approximately 38,000 miles. Condition was sporadic but continued getting more and more frequent until vehicle would not restart on June 24, 2005 with 55,000 miles on the odometer. Condition stored no codes on the PCM and was not 100% repeatable. Condition is the result of a faulty crankshaft position sensor which is known to GM and is particular to 2002 vehicles equipped with the 8.1 liter vortec V8 engine. This condition is dangerous due to dramatically reduced steering control and braking power when the stall occurs. Someone is going to get killed as more of these vehicles reach higher mileage !! sherwood Chevrolet replaced sensor on 6/27/2005 at a cost of roughly $200

- Factoryville, PA, USA

Traveling from Texas to Florida, vehicle began stalling. At times the vehicle wouldn't shift out of lower gears, at times it wouldn't start, at times it would shut off. Found dealer in Florida that changed out a wiring harness in the steering column. The vehicle had less than 30,000 miles at this point. Have also had to have the engine replaced at 50,000 miles. Dealer couldn't figure out why the engine wouldn't work, nor could the dealership repair. Replaced with a new engine and is currently at 30,000 on new engine and problems starting again. This vehicle does not tow or drive off road at any time, there is a defect in this product that needs to be addressed.

- Goldsmith, TX, USA

While driving 55 mph vehicle stalled. Dealer was not able to duplicate the problem. The consumer stated that the vehicle restarted until it got to the stop sign failed but would not die. The vehicle was road tested and the engine died. The consumer was unable to shift into neutral and crank engine. The consumer was able to restart the engine and the engine had an extended crank time. The consumer stated that the radio would not work all the time. Phone interview update (February 15, 2006): The first dealer couldn't find what caused the engine to stall. They later went out of business. The vehicle kept stalling without warning at all speed. The stalled engine would not restart immediately. The second dealer find the problem to be the crank position sensor right the way. The sensor was broken in several pieces. The vehicle was traded in. The complainant will try to find the repair inovice and fax it to ODI.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

1. check engine light... 2. oil light... 3. noise still present and getting worse. Returned vehicle to university motors... 1. they cleared the codes and said may have been due to gas(I use bp gas) 2. added 2 qts. Oil(oil was changed on 12/29/02@university motors and replaced the pvc valve. 3. rear locator bar was loose they tightened.

- Independence, WV, USA

I have not given permission to the dealership service department to start repairs. They told me it was the rear axle or rear end that was damaged beyond repair and must be replaced. I was quoted a repair cost of $2,400 for a used part and $3,000 for a new part. This truck has around 42,000 miles and was purchased June 1, 2003. I have had multiple problems ranging from replacement of cd's to a door window motor problem. I inquired/complained about a noise in the rear end at around 25,000 miles prior to the breakdown. However, they could not find the problem. The tailgate would fall open when locked occasionally, but this was adjusted after taking it back for repair. I have also replaced one hub assembly on the front of the truck at a cost of $250. There is an oil usage problem that requires an additional quart to be added between changes. I personally think that this truck is a lemon and needs to be researched to discern if it has had some previous mechanical problems. Although it was purchased new there is a possibility that it could have had some malfunctions before it was delivered. I misplaced my receipts, and I'm not sure that the service department will give me another copy. However, I will search for them as verification that I took the truck in on several occasions for various and sundry complaints.

- Jackson, MS, USA

This complaint is regarding our Chevy Avalanche. It was purchased in may, 2002. Shortly after purchasing it, we noticed that it was consuming quite a bit of oil. We were given an explanation that the motor was new, the rings haven't seated yet and 3 different types of oil have been placed in our vehicle -- one of such (straight 30W) is specifically mentioned in the owners manual not to add. Now our vehicle is still burning oil and has begun to blow blue smoke out the tail pipe. We have contacted the dealer, the manufacturer, the better business bureau, the states attorney's office. Currently the manufacturer has us undertaking an oil consumption test. The body (the plastic part) shortly after purchasing (when the weather got hot) started to detach from the metal part in the fender area and the plastic panels in the back of the bed are warped. We are not happy.

- Ogden, IL, USA

It stalls when accelerating from a turn. Mostly on right turns as you accelerate out of the turn the vehicle dies. It starts right back up, but it does this intermittently about once a week. The truck has been to two different dealers a total of 5 times for this problem. Neither one can duplicate the problem. It happened again this weekend. I am afraid that my husband or another member of my family is going to get hurt in this truck. I am trying to deal with GM but they are giving me the run around. They can't do anything if they can't duplicate the problem.

- Palmdale, CA, USA

My main complaint is that I traveled to Texas in December and I had just had an oil change. During the trip I checked the oil and noticed that the oil was down about 2 quarts or more. When I returned I took it to a GMC dealer where I had the oil changed before I went on the trip, and I was told that it had burned 3 quarts on the trip. I was advised to take it back to a Chevrolet dealer where I bought it. I took it to the Chevrolet dealer and there I was told that it was "normal" for it to have an oil consumption of up to a quart or more in 1,000 miles or 2 quarts up to 2,000 miles. Is this "normal"" I have never had that problem with any other vehicle and I have friends that have the same type of vehicle and they have never had this problem. I have taken it back several times, and they are currently running a concumption test on it. I have had a problem from the beginning of the purchase with alignment, leaking in the box from the rubber around it, the radio not working and had to be replaced, peeling on the front dashboard, and now the oil. We took it back several times before the alignment was fixed and there was a squeeking sound in the front end. It sounded like something was broken in the front end, especially pulling in and out of parking spaces, and when turning or on the curves. We also have a problem with the back right passenger seatbelt. The person sitting in that space cannot put the seatbelt on without assistance. We finally called the customer service of General Motors regarding the sound after we had taken it back around 5 times and had to rent a car, and also now with the oil consumption. We are very unhappy as this is a fairly new car, yet it's like an old runned down jalopy. They have fixed it so much, we just don't feel safe anymore. Is there anything else we can do"

- Hacienda Heights, CA, USA

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500 has a miss in the engine at highway speeds that cannot be fixed at the dealership. Chevrolet says it is "engine fade and a stiff suspension". it is a power train problem, perhaps in the transmission. It is noticeable with or without cruise control on and pronounced when climbing hills or towing any load. The dealer (larry green Chevrolet in blythe ca and Chevrolet)both have open files on the problem. Another vehicle from the same dealer was repurchased by Chevrolet and the replacement vehicle has the same problem. All vehicles are within 100 VIN 's of each other.

- Cathedral City, CA, USA

2002 Chevy Avalanche, 5.3L engine seized up on me as I was driving and could have caused an accident as I lost power. I'm not getting any satisfaction from GM or the dealer as to why this happened. I just want a new engine. Can you help?

- Wilson, NY, USA

Consumer states that when making right turns the vehicle stalls resulting in loss of steering control and brakes. Problem is intermittent but becoming more frequent.

- Palmdale, CA, USA