Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I went to stop my 2002 Chevy Avalanche 1500 and the pedal started to pulsate like my brake assist was gone as I nearly rear end a vehicle and had to swerve out of the way do to the brakes not wanting to stop the vehicle as there supposed to normally. The truck has a p0265 code which is a fault in the ECBM do to the solder joint on the relay in the board. I'm a mechanic for a living and i cant believe this recall still hasn't been addressed a long time ago! This needs to be looked into ASAP and its not just the 2002 avalanche. All these vehicle's listed have this issues but instead of recalling the EBCM for the solder issues they decide to recall it for corrosion on the wheel speed sensors big mistake that still to this day needs to be addressed. …
Stopping, from between 5 and 10 mph, after a small drive - like a few yards.. the anti-lock brake engaged, made a pulsing / ratcheting noise and the brake pedal vibrated -- but the truck did not stop. I could not press down on the pedal any harder, and the truck took SUBSTANTIAL distance to come to a stop. --Dry road. -- I also have an ABS light on the dash from time to time.
I lost my brakes totally not just half of them pulling a small trailer with iron going down a long hill in mankato, mn. On madison ave. I rear ended a pick up which pulled over and I continued rolling down the hill building speed so I had to drive my truck into a wall with my daughter instead of reaching the next intersection. GM has now changed their brake lines in to stainless steal since 2003 because they knew they had problems with their brake lines. My brake lines are on top of frame running back to the rear axle with the gas tank blocking most of the lines. There is only 1.5 inches between the frame and body. Along side is the wiring harness going back to the rear, no room to inspect or see your brake lines. This could of been so worse because of all the traffic and our lives. Do something pls... Police report 18-25773 mankato police dept. Before someone gets killed!
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. While driving 20 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle. The contact collided head on into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and the vehicle was towed. The contact sustained minor injuries, but did not require medical attention. The contact, a licensed mechanic, diagnosed that the brake line was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.
My 2002 Avalanche had multiple brake lines fail this morning when I tried to stop when a dump truck pulled out in front of me this morning. I could not stop, the brake pedal was to the floor and I ended up in a field. The service shop showed me the heavily rusted and pitted brake lines. They failed in areas at the bend that were subject to salt exposure. The shop said the metal brake lines all have to be replaced.
I purchased a used 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 in November 2014. I have had continued and consistent unwanted anti-lock brake (ABS) activation when traveling at low speeds and approaching stop signs, stop lights, and yield signs at or near intersections. The unwanted ABS activation has nearly caused several accidents. The unwanted ABS activation appears identical and consistent with GM product recall 05068 and NHTSA campaign number 05v-379 in which 804,000 GMC and Chevrolet vehicles were recalled for unwanted ABS activation. The primary geographic regions affected appears to be the salt belt states. The problem appeared to be ABS wheel sensors not properly prepared prior to installation causing rust and/or corrosion to affect the wheel sensors. …
I am an owner of a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. Lately I have had continued and consistent unwanted anti-lock brake (ABS) activation when traveling at low speeds and approaching stop signs, stop lights, and yield signs at or near intersections. The unwanted ABS activation appears identical and consistent with GM product recall 05068 and NHTSA campaign number 05v-379 in which 804,000 GMC and Chevrolet vehicles were recalled for unwanted ABS activation. The primary geographic regions affected appears to be the salt belt states. The problem appeared to be ABS wheel sensors not properly prepared prior to installation causing rust and/or corrosion to affect the wheel sensors. Although a check of my VIN does not yield any safety recalls on my specific vehicle, I believe my vehicle is affected by the same front wheel sensor corrosion issue as those vehicles listed in the recall. …
Recently my 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche has begun to shut off while driving which causes the vehicle to lose power. Another important safety issue, the brakes began to press all the way to the floor while braking. On August 3, 2011 while my son was driving the vehicle approaching a stop light, he pressed the brakes which went to the floor and rear ended vehicle in front that was making a turn. The front bumper is now damaged ( t-boned) and the air bags did not deploy. I'm not very pleased that I never received any notices about the braking system. I can't afford to make monthly payments and still have to pay costly maintenance fees. I can not afford to jeopardize my life and my family, especially my granddaughter. Something has to be done about these safety issues: braking, cutting off while driving and no deployed air bags.
At slow speeds, the ABS comes on without warning on dry pavement, so this is not a result of a slippery road surface. I have almost hit several things/cars. There was a previous recall for this exact issue (050068a), but the dealer says that the recall repair was already done and they will not perform the repair again. I can understand the dealer's position if this were not the result of a recall, but this seems to be an ongoing issue. The recall repair work was completed in 2006, and now in 2015, I am sure it has rusted again to the point that the same probelm is occurring. Rust in the braking system is a problem with this vehicle, as the brake lines have rusted out and failed twice already.
Engine stall with loss of steering and brakes when turning from tower oaks st onto jones road, a busy 4 lane road. Car stopped in oncoming lane on jones road, just avoiding a head on collision. Crankshaft sensor failure. Had car towed to dealer who infomed me that there was no recall on the crankshaft sensor of the chevrolete Avalanche paid dealer $540. For cransshaft sensor replacement. Have not had a stalling problem sence replacing the cranshaft sensor. This is a very dangerous situation and can cause severe accidents as the loss of steering and brakes is critical.
NHTSA investigations
Brake line corrosion failure
On January 11, 2011, ODI opened EA11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 General Motors (GM) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the United States that NHTSA has viewed as salt states for investigations of corrosion related issues:Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia,…
Brake complaints in other Avalanche 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500?
NHTSA has 96 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500, 62% of the model year's 154 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.