Model year
2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 444 complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 0 recalls and 214 complaints under AVALANCHE 1500 and AVALANCHE 2500. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are SERVICE BRAKES (54), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP (45), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC (37). NHTSA lists 7 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 13–14 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $4,800–$5,150, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2002 444 complaints
- 2003 204 complaints
- 2004 165 complaints
- 2005 71 complaints
- 2006 11 complaints
- 2007 377 complaints
- 2008 258 complaints
- 2009 76 complaints
- 2010 111 complaints
- 2011 127 complaints
- 2012 36 complaints
- 2013 82 complaints
Recalls
05V379000 · Aug 29, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION. THIS CONDITION IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN ENVIRONMENTALLY CORROSIVE AREAS. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS,…
04V129000 · Mar 17, 2004
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE GALVANIZED STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES THAT RETAIN THE TAILGATE IN THE FULL OPEN (HORIZONTAL) POSITION MAY CORRODE, WEAKEN, AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURE. IF BOTH CABLES FRACTURED, THE TAILGATE WOULD SUDDENLY DROP AND STRIKE…
Complaints
444 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 38, fire flag on 0, injury field 31, deaths field 3. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| AVALANCHE 1500 | 0 | 154 |
| AVALANCHE 2500 | 0 | 60 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA02015 | THROTTLE STICKING CLOSED · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES | Aug 1, 2002 | Jan 12, 2004 |
| EA04005 | TAILGATE CABLE BREAKAGE · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH; STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE; STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | Feb 19, 2004 | Sep 28, 2004 |
| EA04012 | HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST; STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | Apr 30, 2004 | Feb 28, 2005 |
| PE05020 | UNWANTED LOW-SPEED ABS ACTIVATION · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE; SERVICE BRAKES,… | Apr 28, 2005 | Sep 13, 2005 |
| DP05009 | PARKING BRAKE FAILURE · PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL; PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL; PARKING BRAKE | Dec 20, 2005 | May 31, 2006 |
| PE06016 | CRANK POSITION SENSOR FAILURE - STALL · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | May 4, 2006 | Sep 14, 2006 |
1 more actions are in the file and are not listed in this table.
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalanche 1500 2WD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 13 | 17 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
| Avalanche 1500 4WD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 12 | 15 | 13 | — | — | $5,150 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.