2002 Chevrolet Avalanche: harsh or hard shifting

6 of the 444 complaints about the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche describe harsh or hard shifting.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 1%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 32 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Harsh or hard shifting by model year

2012
1
2010
1
2008
2
2007
4
2006
2
2005
2
2004
3
2003
4
2002
6

What owners say

Filed May 26, 2006 · Steering · FL

Clunking in heard under hood and felt in the steering column. Have had that for 2 years and now finally saw other avalanche and chevrolet owners with the same problem, and personal mechanic even referenced the problem to a tsb for my VIN. Dealer plays it off that they have to charge for inspection by mechanic and they won't replace it because its past warranty. (bill heard chevrolet). Nothing has done to fix it, unsure if any mechanical failure will result from it. Involving the steering column must have some possible issue.

Filed Dec 30, 2005 · Transmission · 81,200 miles · NY

2002 avalanche with 81,000 miles at the time of the failure...started a few months ago with a very light hum in the back end. On 12/8/05 made several large clunking noises and died (stopped turning). The garage stated that a main bearing had broken apart sending metal throughout the rear axle and destroyed the drive system. $2000.00 job to replace the entire back axle drive system with a used one. Mechanic said no reason for that to happen with this vehicle and suggested I speak with the dealer before I had the work done. Dealer did nothing except quote me $3000.00 for the same repair and same used part.

Filed Feb 11, 2004 · Transmission · 106,607 miles · NY

Overtime I kept hearing a whining noise, smell of oil, heat and light vibration from the driveline. At the dealership on a 100, 000 mile total oil, transmission and coolant change (did this at 97,018 mi. 1/2/04). The mechanic did notice a bit of play in the front & rear driveline (drive shafts from transfer case to the front wheel axle case and the rear axle case), some oil leakage on the right front axle, both sides of the rear axle, this was normal he told me. Mechanic found both fine and small pieces of metal in the front 4x4 transmission case, but said this was not a big problem. Mechanic suggested that I should have the u-joints replaced sometime on the drive shafts and this would stop the noise and vibration. At coldwater, mi. (1/14/04), I had to replace a right front hub bearing; mechanic reported to me that he would like to inspect the rear axle for noise. Mechanic found some play in the driveline u-joints, right rear axle and pinion shaft, and some noise coming from the differential. On 1/26/04 I had both rear & front driveshaft u-joints replaced & balanced (fleet pride said there was some play in them). The noise and vibration stopped, but the oil & hot smell stayed. Then the light vibration and some noise (between the speeds of 40-75 MPH) started to return in just 150 miles. At 106,606 miles the rear axle started to make a clunking noise and hard vibration then stopped turning at 106,607 miles. I had the rear axle removed and found that the main bearing on the left side of the mechanical locking differential (eaton g-80) had broke apart sending metal through out the rear axle and destroyed axle drive system. I have pictures of the parts & damage to the rear. The front axle is starting the same thing, leaking, hot smell and noise. I have found through your system that they have been having problems and when I asked the dealership about this, they said they are checking into it. Service bulletins 03-04-17-001, 03-07-30-005, 02-04-21-005a.

Filed Jan 28, 2004 · Body, Lights · TN

My 2002 chevrolet avalanche has several problems. First the rear window and mid tailgate leaks into the passenger area. I have taken it to the dealer 4 times now and it is still doing the same thing. There is moisture in the daytime driving lights that will not go away. The rt rear seat belt latch is hard to latch without someone helping the passenger that sits in that seat. I have 17 inche tires with a 16 inch spare how safe is that??? I have oil consumption at least 1 quart per 1,000 miles vehicle also blows black, blue and white smoke. They are doing a consumption test now. The universal joint pops when changing from park to reverse and to neutral and back. There is clunking sound when pulling in or out of a parking space turning either left or right. Emergency brake goes all the way to the floor and does not work. I have had to the dealer several times and it seems nothing gets fixed.

Filed Feb 11, 2003 · Suspension · FL

When the vehicle made a left or right hand turn, the vehicle made a clunk and pop sound, the dealer was unable to duplicate the problem.*jg

Filed Nov 13, 2002 · Suspension · 12,000 miles · FL

The vehicle made a clunking noise in the front end when turned left or right. The vehicle has been to the dealer on 7 occasions yet the problem still exist. *mr