The Lemon IndexAll carsChevroletAvalanche2002
20031st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: brakes
288 owner complaints, first 3 years 13–14 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2002 Ford F-150 562002 Chevrolet Silverado 882002 Ram 1500 72
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
- Rust / frame corrosion145 complaintsmostly at 67,000–127,000 miles (108,000–204,000 km)
- Engine stalling48 complaintsmostly at 45,000–90,000 miles (72,000–145,000 km)
- Fuel pump18 complaintsmostly at 75,000–113,000 miles (121,000–182,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 658 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 18,000 and 47,000 miles (29,000–75,000 km) (the middle half of the 173 complaints, of all 288 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09E012000 (lights), 07E106000 (wheels) and 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Chevy sent dealers 616 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Information regarding front and rear side access door noise”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 288 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 18K to 46K miles (29K to 75K km) on the car (173 of all 288 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Both of my tailgate cables snapped while unloading an atv. Luckily I was not injured when the atv, ramps, and the tailgate all fell when both cables snapped at the same time. 2002 chevy Avalanche 2500 4x4
2002 Chevrolet Avalanche owner · NHTSA complaint 10051437
More owner reports
Rear 3 panel deck lid leaks. 2 dealers stated that the deck lid is not advertised as "waterproof", only "weatherproof". The deck lid leaks when parked or driving thru light rain.
NHTSA complaint 10032961
While driving 35-40 mph tailgate opened, causing cables to break. Tail gate fell off vehicle while still driving.
NHTSA complaint 10081808
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 616 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information regarding front and rear side access door noise
- Subject regarding front and rear side door access door noise (replace door check link)
- Some customers may comment on water leaking down the inside of the endgate
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Lights · recall issued 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Wheels · recall issued 2007
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, …
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2…
Show all 5 recalls
- Brakes · recall issued 2005
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION.
- Body structure · recall issued 2004
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Chevrolet Avalanche recall, all years · All Chevrolet recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedBrake line corrosion failure2011–2015
- ClosedBrake line corrosion failure2010–2011
- ClosedTrailer hitch receiver failure2007–2008
- ClosedTrailer hitch receiver failure2007
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★☆☆ · side — · rollover ★★☆☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,300–$4,600 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 5.3L 8-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Avalanche year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-avalanche/?y=2002" title="Chevrolet Avalanche reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="376" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-avalanche/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 Chevrolet Avalanche reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 198; 100 is average, lower is better). The Chevrolet Avalanche year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2012.
What are the most common 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (25%), body structure (20%) and tires (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche have?
5 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche get?
13 to 14 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 18,000 and 47,000 miles (29,000–75,000 km) (the middle half of the 173 complaints, of all 288 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2002 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche cost in fuel a year?
About $4,300 to $4,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche have?
5.3L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Avalanche year is better than the 2002?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2012 drew the fewest (about half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works