The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated while attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal was firm, and vehicle kept accelerating unintendedly. Several warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a faulty ABS module. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the vehicle was not included in a recall because he was not located in a salt State. The failure mileage was unknown.
2002 Chevrolet Avalanche brakes problems
200 complaints (45% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 67,000. 18 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 200
- of this car's complaints
- 45%
- typical mileage
- 67,000
- crashes
- 18
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip45
- Foundation components: disc: rotor16
- Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings7
- Foundation components: disc: pads6
- Foundation components5
- Conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable3
- Conventional3
- Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module3
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Chevrolet Avalanche brakes problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche brakes
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
- What is wrong
- 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, indiana, iowa, maryland, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia only.
- Risk
- This can cause increased stopping distances during low-speed brake applications, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers are to remove the wheel speed sensor and thoroughly clean the wheel speed sensor mounting surface on the bearing, apply rust inhibitor to the cleaned surface, grease the mounting surface, reinstall the wheel speed sensor, and check the peak-to-peak output voltage to ensure the wheel speed signal is within specifications. The recall began september 22, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 or gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 05V379000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Brake line corrosion failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received Defect Petition DP10-003 on March 2, 2010, requesting the investigation of model year (MY) 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4WD pickup trucks for corrosion failures of the vehicle brake lines.DP10-003 was granted and on March 30, 2010, Preliminary Evaluation PE10-010 was opened on more than six million model year 1999 through 2003 light trucks and sport utility vehicles manufactured and sold by General Motors Corporation (GM).On July 2, 2010, ODI received GM's response to an information request, which included GM's assessment of the frequency and safety consequences of the alleged defect. GM stated that:(1) the brake system of the subject vehicles is split front/rear and should a brake pipe suddenly fail for any reason, the affected vehicle would be capable of stopping with the pressure supplied by the remaining circuit; (2) the subject vehicles were designed to meet the hydraulic circuit partial failure requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 105 and 135, Light Vehicle Brake Systems; and (3) should a brake fluid leak occur for any reason, the brake system malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) would illuminate and warn the driver before the brake fluid level was low enough to cause a loss of line pressure.ODI's and GM's analysis indicates that 85 percent of the complaints occurred on vehicles used primarily in States that use salt on the roads during Winter months (Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin).Overall the complaint rates per 100,000 vehicles for Salt Belt States is 43.0 and Non-Salt Belt is 3.0.In approximately 25 percent of the complaints the brake pipe failure occurred suddenly, with no warning (i.e., no MIL, Brake Fluid Loss Warning), and resulted in extended stopping distances.In 30 of these the increase in stopping distance that resulted was a factor in the crash and in 10 others the vehicle was intentionally steered off the road or into another lane of travel in order to avoid a crash.This investigation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA11-001) for subject vehicles sold or currently registered in Salt Belt States to further assess the scope, frequency and safety risks associated with sudden failures of corroded brake pipes that can result in decreased brake effectiveness. ODI will continue to gather information on subject vehicles outside the Salt Belt as well.
PE10010
Parking brake failure
Odi's review of complaint data received since the close of ea04-011 revealed no indication that the investigation should be re-opened.more details can be found in the federal register notice enclosed in the dp05-009 public file.odi reserves the right to reopen the investigation in the future should conditions warrant.
DP05009
Unwanted low-speed ABS activation
In a letter dated august 29, 2005, gm notified odi that it was recalling certain model year 1999 through 2002 c/k pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles to correct a problem with anti-lock brake system (ABS) wheel speed sensor corrosion that may result in unwanted ABS activation and extended stopping distances during low-speed braking (recall 05v‑379).gm's recall covers approximately 804,000 vehicles currently registered in the following 14 salt-belt states:connecticut, illinois, indiana, massachusetts, maine, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, and west virginia.the recall procedure will involve removing the sensor, cleaning the mounting surface, applying a rust inhibitor (zinc-x) to the surface, and reinstalling the sensor.if necessary, the sensor will be replaced. The population and failure report data given in this resume are for the full region that has been considered by odi as the salt-belt.that includes delaware, iowa, maryland, minnesota, missouri, wisconsin and the district of columbia in addition to the 14 states included in 05v‑379.the states covered by gm's recall have the highest incident rates for the subject condition, accounting for 91% of the incidents, but only 24% of subject vehicle sales in the united states.odi's analysis determined that 840 of the complaints, 244 of the crashes, and 16 of the injuries identified in this investigation occurred in those states.the resulting incident and crash rates are 96.2 and 28.0 per 100,000 vehicles respectively (note:rates are based on vehicle sales, not registered vehicles). The corresponding numbers in the excluded portions of the salt-belt are 399,000 vehicles, 81 incidents (20.3 per 100,000 vehicles), 3 crashes, and no injuries.the statistics in the remaining 30 states are 2,406,000 vehicles, 168 incidents (7.0 per 100,000 vehicles), 31 crashes, and one injury.gm and odi are continuing to monitor the problem experience in states that are not included in the recall.gm will provide odi with updated complaint, field report, and warranty data in november 2005.odi and gm will review that data and assess the appropriateness of the current scope of the recall at that time.
PE05020
Hydraulic pump failres
Gm is conducting a recall on all subject vehicles build between may 1999 and october 14, 1999.significant changes were incorporated into production in early october 1999, and vehicles built after that date have lower warranty failure rates.the complaint and warranty data appear to support the effectiveness of these changes. Gm made additional changes in november 1999, february 2000, may 2001, and february 2004.odi will continue to monitor this problem and will take further action, if warranted, in the future.for further technical details see the attached engineering analysis report.
EA04012
What 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and oil warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the speedometer, the 4-wheel drive function, parking brake, and headlights failed to operate as needed. The instrument panel light failed to illuminate, the gear shifter did not display the selected gear, the sub-frame was corroded, and the wheel hub bearing assembly was fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.
Brake lines are made out of defective materials gm knows they have a problem the lines rust out prematurely . The first one blew out I was backing in a parking space pedal went to the floor. The second one blew at a traffic light pushed on the brake went thru the red light dodged traffic .the third on the interstate traffic was stopping suddenly pushed on the pedal another brake line broke went to the floor and I managed to hit the median cross the middle and get it stopped before a head on collision with the traffic heading the other direction on interstate 81 . The rest of the under side is rust and corrosion free only the brake lines are rusted out ! .that being said gm has a repair kit with coated lines they always have in stock because they know its a major problem !!! I got a repair estimate from my local dealership $1580.00 I am replacing all steel lines . Please make them recall this is going to kill someone
When traveling at low speeds, >5mph, the ABS activates and vehicle continues on to the point of entering traffic. This occurs frequently and without warning, at stop signs and even just pulling out of private driveway into traffic. My local mechanic ran a diagnostic test and indicated that a front speed sensor was at fault. After investigating numerous sites, I found that there was a recall issued for the exact problem on the '02 avalanche as well as other similar chassis trucks from '99-'02. And these were included in a recall of over 1,353,700 trucks under the federal safety agency campaign # 05v379000. The report stated to contact gm and request authorization for the recommended repair. When I did that, the representative stated that there were no open recalls according to the VIN. How does gm determine which VIN is affected? Is the federal safety agency monitoring gm's selection process? I've own the vehicle since 6/05, and the above recall was initiated 9/05, but I've never received any type of notice that my vehicle may or may not be affected and to bring it to a gm dealer for inspection. I've had one hub assembly replaced years ago at my own expense, (I was told I had a bad bearing but they had the replacement part only came assembled as the bearing, hub and sensor). The designer must also have been the supplier. It's good that there is the federal safety agency to try and keep these manufacturers accountable for the safety of the cars they produce, but with more automation in the industry to cut costs, you now have 1 worker overseeing what it took 10 to do. More and more mistakes are bound to happen. Our safety is worth more then their corporate jets and lavish lifestyles.
While driving my truck and towing a trailer, I lost almost all my braking power. Had to down shift and use the emergency brake to stop. Found that a brake line from the master cylinder to the anti-lock brake module (which is mounted under the drivers seat, great place) had rusted through and blew out. Found all the brake lines are severely corroded in this area and need to be replaced. Looks like gm used inferior metal brake lines in constructing the vehicle and located the anti-lock brake module in an area that gets severe exposure to the elements. The vehicle was totally rendered unsafe with the rupture of one brake line, which indicates the system as a whole is a faulty design. I was very luck to have been able to stop and not hit another vehicle.
Brake pedal went to the floor upon braking. Had to downshift to low gear and apply what little brake I had left taking approximately 200 feet to stop. Luckily there was no vehicle in front of me or it would have been a rear end collision. Slowly returned home about a mile away and upon further inspection found the hard brake line right front passenger side had burst. No prior warning to loss of brakes.
Applied brakes to stop and pedal went to floor. Upon inspection found brake line ruptured due to excessive corrosion. Vehicle required 100% replacement of all brake lines.
The brake line that goes the length of the truck from the front to the rear brakes corroded through and resulted in the failure of the brakes on my truck. I had to steer off the road and into some brush and a drainage ditch to stop the vehicle and avoid hitting cars in front of me.
Driving in school parking lot at 10 MPH when all of a sudden, without any warning or notification from dash display, had to depress brake pedal all the way to the floor for the vehicle to stop. Braking distance increased dramatically. Went to the dealership and they informed me that the brake line ad rusted, brake fluid started to leak and all brake lines had to be replaced. Estimated cost of repairs is $1200.00 usd. All the times I took truck in for service and maintenance, not once did they recommend replacing brake lines. Did research online and mechanics and owner's of similar vehicles said that this is a design flaw and should be subject to recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet avalanche. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. The contact had to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed that the brake line needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired but failure persisted. The manufacturer had not been notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
Questions about the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche brakes
Does the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche have brakes problems?
Owners have filed 200 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche, 45% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche brakes problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 67,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 05V379000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Avalanche have bad brakes?
The Chevrolet Avalanche model years with the most brakes complaints are 2002 (200 complaints), 2003 (81 complaints) and 2004 (42 complaints).
Other 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche problems
Body 67Engine 38Tires 34Transmission 25Airbags 22Visibility 22Suspension 19Electrical 17Fuel system 15Steering 14Lights 8Locks 8Seat belts 7Wheels 5Acceleration 3Seats 3
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