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2002 Chevrolet Avalanche brakes complaints

Page 6 of 8: complaints 131 to 160 of 200, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche brakes problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Aug 31, 2005 · Brakes · 42,000 miles · FL

The federal safety agency document 05v379000 describes the exact ABS problem I have on my 2002 chevrolet avalanche 1500 truck. The current gm recall is not broad enough to consider the conditions we have in fl, and restricting this to northern states is ludicrous if this is a consistent manufacturer defect across all states/vehicles. Salt air and towing a boat (ie direct wheel contact with salt water on the ramp) very possibly have LED to my problem. When applying the brakes at approx 4-5 MPH the ABS went on and I very narrowly missed hitting a vehicle in front of me because the truck did not want to brake/slow down.

Filed Aug 31, 2005 · Brakes · NJ

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.

Filed Aug 31, 2005 · Brakes · 150 miles · NJ · crash

Purchased avalanche in may 2001, had accident in ocean city nj 2 weeks after owning truck. Told dealer problem with brakes. I was told it's in my head. 2003 took truck through inspection, they said may have front braking problem but passed me through to do load in bed of truck. Now have burning smell in driver front tire area after 40 min of city driving. Just read about brake recall. Please contact me.

Filed Aug 31, 2005 · Brakes · 16,934 miles · MI

On inspection I was told that I had a lot of corrosion (very rusty)on rear rotors and said I would need to have them resurfaced and service the calipers and replace pads @16,934 actual miles. Very poor braking ability and not wanting to stop as should. Also I kept having problems stopping as should in any distance and came very near in getting into an accident. Had I been going much over the 35 miles I was I would have hit the car that pulled out in front of me for very poor braking. I then took vehicle into another dealership closer to me and was road tested they come up with replacement and that I would need new rotors and pads front because of a lot of corrosion and rust and new rear @ 17,778 actual miles done july 22,2005 for problems spongy brakes as they were, plus the anti-lock did not seem to work right for sometime. Very scared to drive my truck after couple of near accidents.. Resurfacing $110.00 plus pad kit $59.95 without taxes, labor 183.95 and $492.64 no labor charged with arrangements with other dealership.

Filed Aug 30, 2005 · Brakes · 80,000 miles · NJ · crash

I am entering this in regards to your investigation pe05020. This is on an incorrect activation of the anti-lock brake system in chevy trucks 99-2002. I believe my vehicle has this defect and it may have contributed to two accidents. The defect is in the anti lock brake speed sensor and occurs due to corrosion. My family has a snow removal business so I frequently use the truck in bad weather..also I lived across the street from the ocean for a year so the truck was frequently exposed to salt spray. I would be happy to let you examine the truck if you would like. I have not gone to chevy to request repair yet..awaiting advice from my insurance company.

Filed Aug 30, 2005 · Brakes · 30,000 miles · TN

Braking distance is very long. Rear brake pads wear out much faster than front pads. As an engineer, I suspect that the antilock braking system is preventing hydraulic pressure from reaching front calipers, and thereby reducing braking effectiveness.

Filed Aug 3, 2005 · Brakes · 46,000 miles · NY

Dt: caller had faulty brakes for the last three weeks. While coming to a stop the brake will not hold and the vehicle kept rolling. Dealer said they will check it. Manufacturer has not been contacted yet. Vehicle was owned by nester brothers contractors.

Filed Aug 2, 2005 · Brakes · 21,000 miles · PA

# 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!!!!!!!

Filed Jul 12, 2005 · Brakes · 3,000 miles · OH

Dt: contact states he is having a problem with his ABS. The brakes pulsate and they don't stop the vehicle. The consumer noticed the pulsation while driving at lower speeds but not as much as when he is traveling at higher speeds. This occurs during normal braking. This has been going on at some degree since he bought the car. It has gotten progressively worse. It is happening all of the time now. The brake light does not come on. There is also a grinding noise before this happens. The consumer is going to take the car into the dealer tomorrow. He has not yet talked to the manufacturer. The car has 22,000 miles on it. There has not been any kind of repair work done for the brakes.

Filed Jul 8, 2005 · Brakes · NJ

Dt: chevrolet avalanche 2002. Contact states the brakes pulsate; the pedal goes to the floor, and does not have braking capability. This does not happen all the time. Neither weather nor road conditions seemed to affect this problem. The vehicle was repaired twice, but problem recurred. *ak chevrolet replaced the rotors, brake pads as they rusted and or flaked. *sc the consumer believed the problem was with the brake booster and not the rotors.

Filed Jun 24, 2005 · Brakes · 32,087 miles · MO

Dt: the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet avlanche and emergency brake will not hold the vehicle. Dealer did work on this problem, and stated that it was operating the way gm designed it to work.*ak found emergency brake control assembly defective. Replaced pedal assembly. Replaced emergency brake shoes and springs. *tt

Filed Jun 16, 2005 · Brakes · 65,000 miles · NY

In my 2002 chevy avalanche, when I came to slow down to make a stop approx 5-15 MPH, I would apply the brakes and it felt like the peddle was stuck and I could not fully depress the peddle to stop. Also the ABS brakes seemed to kick on even if I was on dry pavement at this slowing stopping speed. When this occured I could not stop as quickly as I normally could with properly functioning brakes. At times if felt like I would not be able to stop at all. There was never any damage due to the failure of the breaks (luckily). A mechanic looked at the hub assembly and indicated what could be done to fix the problem. No repairs were made to the vehicle, but the mechanic turned off the sensors as he saw that one sensor was corroded. He did not look at the other sensor.

Filed May 24, 2005 · Brakes · LA

In the past year, we have had to replace the rear driver side brake pads of vehicle and have also had to replace the caliper as it exploded. The brake pads were changed for the 3rd time on 05/23/05. Luckily, the caliper has not exploded again. The remaining brake pads on the front of the truck and rear passenger side are fine.

Filed May 10, 2005 · Brakes · MI · crash

Truck was at slow speed/icy snow condition. Was appx 10 MPH or under. When braking the ABS engaged and truck would not stop. Vehicle hit pole as vehicle would not stop. Front bumper/grille and reinforcement damage but air bag did not go off.

Filed May 8, 2005 · Brakes · 31,000 miles · MI

Anti-lock brakes activate at low speed when trying to stop. Happens often and to correct problem I will remove fuse from ABS system.

Filed May 3, 2005 · Brakes · 23,000 miles · NY

I was pulling into parking spot and brake pedal went hard. The 2002 chevy avalanche would not stop and stepped on e-brake to stop. This vehicle had 3 other failures all at slow speeds. The ABS light never came on during these failures. I removed ABS fuse and there have been no brake failures since. This truck weighs 5700lbs.and I say stops better without the ABS fuse. At 19000 miles all 4 rotors and brake pads had to be replaced because the inside of the rotors had flaked and rusted so badly that the inside pads where down to metal. Gm states brakes are not covered on there bumper to bumper 3/36000 warranty. The ABS failure occured at 23000 miles. I also deliver auto parts in a 2002 s-10 chevy pickup that has the same ABS failure.

Filed May 3, 2005 · Brakes · 15,000 miles · TN

Parking brake fails to hold the vehicle. Pedal goes to the floor but parking brake does not engage.

Filed May 3, 2005 · Brakes · 43,000 miles · WV

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.

Filed May 2, 2005 · Brakes · MI

I was driving and my anti lock brakes locked causing me to almost hit a car one time and a co worker another. There was a clinking noise following, I found out that it was my driver side wheel bearing and speed sensor and lately a lot of gmc/chevy vehicles have been rumored to have the similar problem. $300 later it's fixed, why isn't this a safety recall?

Filed Apr 8, 2005 · Brakes · 55,000 miles · TX

1) anti-lock brake unit failed; ) park brake needs adjusting every 4 mos eventhough used daily; 2) both found in driveway; no accident 3) replace ABS unit at $950 , and readjust parking brake at $80 each time.

Filed Mar 21, 2005 · Brakes · 40,000 miles · OH

While driving at low speeds ABS system engaged and caused extended stopping distance. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

Filed Mar 11, 2005 · Brakes · 85,000 miles · 00

Consumer states the emergency brake cable is wearing. Out. As a result, a squeaking noise is produced.

Filed Mar 3, 2005 · Brakes, Seats · 44,000 miles · CT

The driver's seat would move while driving at any speed. When applying normal braking consumer can hear a popping noise. The truck would jerk a litte and continue on before stopping. Also, when applying the brake at a sudden stop wheels would lock up. The dealer was notified.

Filed Feb 5, 2005 · Brakes · 20,000 miles · WI

Repeated failure of parking brake. Have had it repaired at dealer 3 times under warranty and repair only lasts about 6 months. I use the brake everytime I park and over time it slowly gets looser to the point that it will not hold the vehicle at all. Vehicle now has 41,000 miles and has fourth failure.

Filed Feb 4, 2005 · Brakes · 72,000 miles · TX

When braking at any speed there would be intermittent extended stopping distance. The brake pedal went to the floor. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

Filed Jan 31, 2005 · Brakes, Steering · 15,896 miles · GA

Mexican assembly factory failure. There was a major failure of the rear axles and parking brake system. *bf the rear axles had grooves worn in them and the rear bearing failed. The consumer requested reimbursement. The parking brake remained inoperative. When the parking brake was released, the acceleration would hang up and a pop would be heard in the rear, there was a rattle behind the steering wheel, and the axle seals leaked. *sc

Filed Jan 20, 2005 · Brakes · 16,000 miles · GA

On 9/5/01, I purchased a 2002 chevrolet avalanche. The parking brake has failed 3 times since purchase. I have had the dealer repair it on 7/12/02, 8/14/02, and again on 12/20/04. The latest failure is today, 1/20/05. The brake either will not hold the parked vehicle or it will stick and not release, causing the vehicle to be immovable. The last repair also included replacing both rear axles and rear axle bearings. This has been a recurring problem and I have heard other avalanche owners with the same complaint.

Filed Jan 15, 2005 · Brakes · 41,000 miles · VA

Complete brake failure and complete emergency brake failure. Had to downshift into d1 to slow down.

Filed Jan 5, 2005 · Brakes · 44,356 miles · TX

I own a 2002 chevrolet avalanche, that did not pass inspection due to the parking brake no holding. This occurred with out warning since my last inspection. I visted the dealer and they asked for mileage and stated it was not under warranty. The mechanic stated that there is no warrning system for this problem. And that this is a design flow found on this vehicle. This will cost me close to $800 for brake shoes drum / rotor assembly and brake pads I believe that a recall should be issued .

Filed Jan 4, 2005 · Brakes · 29,879 miles · NY

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 .

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