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4.3

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
26,234 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche brakes problems

brakes problem

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2002 Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Comments

problem #16

Oct 112006

Avalanche 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,095 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

: the contact stated the rear brake rotors were rusting and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined the steel part was a manufacturer defect. The manufacturer was contacted and denied that the problem was a manufacturer defect. The vehicle has yet to be repaired. Updated 10/23/2006 - the rear brake plated also rusted so badly that one had fallen to pieces. The consumer was told by the dealer that some rotors from this year were replaced before the brake pads were.

- Berkeley Springs, WV, USA

problem #15

Aug 202004

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,000 miles
: the contact stated while driving 45 mph on normal road conditions extended braking distance was observed. The problem was due to heavy corrosion of the brake rotors. The four rotors had been replaced twice. The vehicle has been operated in a salt belt state. The rust cracked the metal creating a worsening failure condition. Updated 11/3/2006 - the consumer feels that the rotors were made of an inferior material.

- Murrysville, PA, USA

problem #14

Mar 062006

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,569 miles
: the contact stated every time the brake pedal was applied the brakes pulsate. The vehicle was taken to dealer. Upon inspection the front and rear rotors were corroded. The dealer attempted to turn the rotors however; due to the corrosion they were unable to do so, therefore the rotors were replaced. In a separate incident, while using the air conditioner and heater fan, smoke came from the vents. The fan was turned off and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The compressor, fan and relay was replaced.

- London, KY, USA

problem #13

Sep 212005

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,926 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brakes on 2002 Avalanche and customer service from ray hutson, lacrosse wi. Using Chevrolet maintenance plan. 27,821 miles - performed 6K maintenance which includes; lube parking brake, rotate tires, inspect brakes. Ok with work. 30,533 miles - performed detail recondition of vehicle. Poor work. 30,583 miles - repaired tailgate, complained of detail work. Picked up vehicle with no noticeable mileage but used approx 6 gals of gas. Guessing they ran the engine all day to dry out inside of vehicle. 30,916 miles - completed tailgate repair. Ok 34,244 miles - oil change 38,085 miles - oil change and goodwrench pre02004 maintenance check list completed. Ok 41,926 miles - 6K maintenance service. Found brakes and rotors bad, had them replaced, total cost was $1,321. At time of pickup, requested reason for this happening. Was it my fault or the good wrench plan, why were the brakes not found to be going bad before they ruined the rotors? they would let me know. 2 weeks later- I called them, said they would check with GMC. 4 weeks later -I called them, said they would check with GMC. 3 months later, received notice for oil change. Went to ray hutson, asked about brake problem. Was told they had heard back from GMC the first week, they would not cover it as parts were not available to look at. At that time, I felt that I was not a customer worth a phone call from them.

- Brownsville, MN, USA

problem #12

Dec 142005

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,000 miles
The contact stated both rear rotors had to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the rotors were turned. The surface of the rotors then disintegrated, leaving the rotors useless. The rotors were replaced at contact's expense. The manufacturer was contacted and they insisted that they had no knowledge of such failures therefore offered no assistance. Update 1/11/2006 -

- Dumont , NJ, USA

problem #11

Oct 172004

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Avalanche special edition. At 37,000 miles he heard the brakes rubbing. He noticed the inside of the rear brakes wore out, not on the outside. The contact stated about one year ago he had the rear brakes pads replaced. In addition, the contact stated the emergency brake wore a groove inside the rear rotors. He called a dealer, and the dealer told him to bring the car in so they could look at it. The contact did not want to take the car to dealer. He took the rotors and the brake shoes off the car and took them to the dealer. The dealer told him he should have brought the car in and let them check the car out. The contact stated he has never used the emergency brake. He did want to pay for the new rotors because of the damage done to the rotors by the emergency brake.

- South Gate, MI, USA

problem #10

Sep 282005

(reported on)

Avalanche

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Consumers 2002 Avalanche rotors corroded prematurely which led to having the rotors and pads replaced. The consumer received recall # 05V379000 which was in reference to the rotors after the rotors were already replaced. Based on the consumer's research he believes that the rotors on the vehicle's sold in the salt belt were not properly treated with a corrosion inhibitor. The rotors on the consumer's vehicle had to be replaced after only 28 months of use. The premature rotor corrosion led to premature corrosion of the backing plate on the right rear.

- Fairmont, WV, USA

problem #9

Jul 122005

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
On 7/12/05, I had my vehicle at Chevrolet 73 for the brakes. At that time they informed me I needed brake pads and rotors all the way around the vehicle. They told me and showed me the "excessive rust" on the rotors. The vehicle is only 3 yrs old and only had 35,000 miles on it. I was upset that they got to that point and now it was going to cost me $1000 to replace them. All my service was performed at this dealer. After I complained they told me they would cut the price to $360. They wanted to "cut" the back rotors replace all the pads and if the front rotors need to be replaced they would "have GM pick up that cost". I was extremely skeptical about them doing the work. If they originally felt I needed to replace the pads and rotors, how could this less expensive repair be safe? I did not allow them to do the job and had it performed at another service center. This am my local paper had an article about the recall of 800,000 vehicles due to corrosion affecting the anti-lock brake system leading to low-speed crashes. My vehicle is a 2002 Avalanche and is part of that recall. When I called GM they informed me it was the "anti-lock brakes sensor." My thought is if the sensor is affected by the corrosion, the corrosion also contributed to the rapid deterioration of the rotors and that affected the brake pads. This is a safety issue that should also be recalled along with the sensor. I would appreciate your help in this matter, there may be other GM owners out there that do not realize this is happening and could result in more serious crashes.

- Hammonton, NJ, USA

problem #8

Jul 052005

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles
# 1-July 05---E brake and foot brake went to the floor boards..rear rotors replaced because they were rotted,000 miles 3 and 1/2 years..inferior metal was used.........#2 was told by Chevy I must anticipate all stops and turns..step on brakes sooner burn them out quicker..7/30/05 3 people in truck & the ac on, driving in jersey, almost had three hits. Truck wouldn't stop under quick stops or last minute turns by people in front of me. Found out the 2003 on up have hydraulic in stead of vacuum. Why did I not get a recall or a retro fit notice to have the brake system work off hydraulic and have the rotors replaced because of inferior metal..Chevy charged me $ 100-plus for a diagnostic that made no mention about rotted rotors, but for $500 plus they did say they would cut the rear rotors new pads and shoes-- because the system is called brake in a hat!!!!!!!

- Reeders, PA, USA

problem #7

Jul 232005

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,350 miles
Contact stated the brakes had a grinding noise. Contact replaced them on 7-23-05. He pulled the wheel off, and every single brake and rotor was defective. The pads were defective. He took a sledge hammer to get them off. There was inch pad touching the brakes, and that was the only thing stopping the vehicle. Replaced them, and he brought the parts to the dealer, who said there was nothing he could do. Also, called General Motors, who indicated that this was normal. The car only had 29,000 miles on it. Contact had a brake problem since he bought the car. There were more pads left on the front brakes, which was uncommon. The brake pads were harder than the rotors. In addition, the rear brakes were defective. The dust covers for the rear brakes were gone. The brakes gave no warning that there was a problem. The emergency brake did not work.

- Southbridge, MA, USA

problem #6

Sep 152004

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I noticed brake drag/squeal on the rear brakes of my 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. I took it to a repair shop and was told the rear brakes where shot... and... the rotors were so corroded they couldn't be repaired... they had to be replaced. About 3 months after the repairs I began noticing brake drag/squeal in my rear brakes again. I took it back to the shop that did the repairs and was told the brakes were fine and it might just be "brake dust buildup." I am convinced there is something wrong with my rear brakes and I plan to take my truck to a local Chevrolet dealer as soon as I have time.

- Fairmont, WV, USA

problem #5

Dec 292004

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,879 miles
2002 chev Avalanche failed nys inspection all brakes had to be replaced I have only 29879 miles I think this is very excessive the vehicle has never towed or plowed I use it for camping and other vacationing replaced were the following front brake pads and rotors/ rear brake pads and rotors/ rear E brake shoes, all parts were replaced because of major rusting of all iron old parts not available. I was told by inspection station this is happening alot.

- Peekskill, NY, USA

problem #4

May 012004

Avalanche 8-cyl

  • miles
General Motors corporation and team Chevrolet's failure to honor terms of warranty on consumer's vehicle. (nar) the dealer refused to replace the vehicle rotors which were determined to be defective prior to the consumer purchasing the vehicle. The consumer request reimbursement for the cost to repair the rotors.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #3

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 #2

Mar 032003

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,136 miles
1. brakes again... noise and vibration... 2. noise from suspension returned vehicle to university motors 1. front brake rotors corroded with a slight lip, replaced rotors and pads... 2. they said couldn't find where noise coming from, may have been from brakes...(told them no, this is the same noise since 10790 miles).

- Independence, WV, USA

problem #1

Feb 052004

Avalanche 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Replaced brakes and rotors front and back 3 times within 1 year.

- Dallas, PA, USA

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