Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving at 65 MPH the engine cut out. Could be the crankshaft position sensor. The truck is a 2500 with an 8.1l engine. Similar issues that the 2001 was recalled for. Same engine and cps as the 2001 but not included in the original recall. This has happened several times at various speeds.
1.brakes--pedal goes to the floor...this has happened 5 different times 2.brakes--has been returned at least 10 times for brake- rotor problems 3.suspension noise--has been returned at least 10 times for noise 4.oil lights--has been returned 3 times for oil consumption--leaks 5.electrical--has been returned to replace electric motor for windows 6.electrical-- locks-click and click and keep causing, and the horn---beeps non stop this all while driving 7.vehicle was parked and light and horn would not stop flashing and beeping the dealer nor Chevrolet want to except any responsibility for this vehicle....we are told that the noises(and vibration) from the suspension just standard for the vehicle. …
Vehicle has problem with fuel system. Either the fuel gauge goes out indicating that you have more gas than you really do. The fuel pump goes out causing the vehicle to stall. For example, I was driving up a winding hill when all of a sudden, my truck stopped with no warning on a blind curve. This created a safety issue as this incident could have caused a traffic collision. My truck has been to rally Chevrolet for this problem 4 times in less than 12 months. The first time was February 2003. The second time was April 2003. The third time was June 2003 and the fourth time was January 21, 2005. There is obviously a problem with the vehicles fuel system. There is also a problem with the cooling system. Every since my husband and I bought the vehicle, we have been smelling coolant after either short trips or long driving trips. …
While driving 55 MPH vehicle stalled. Dealer was not able to duplicate the problem. The consumer stated that the vehicle restarted until it got to the stop sign failed but would not die. The vehicle was road tested and the engine died. The consumer was unable to shift into neutral and crank engine. The consumer was able to restart the engine and the engine had an extended crank time. The consumer stated that the radio would not work all the time. Phone interview update (February 15, 2006): the first dealer couldn't find what caused the engine to stall. They later went out of business. The vehicle kept stalling without warning at all speed. The stalled engine would not restart immediately. The second dealer find the problem to be the crank position sensor right the way. The sensor was broken in several pieces. The vehicle was traded in. …
Engine stalled frequently at any speed without noticed. All power steering and power brakes fail when engine stalls, creating a very serious and dangerous emergency situation. Determined to be failed crankshaft position sensor, original sensor has now been replaced by modified new sensor which was put in service in mid model year 2002. Ask GM as to why recall was not put in to place to replace all previous known defective crank shaft position. Why was the crankshaft position sensor modified and replaced in mid year 2002, if there was such a low incidence of failure. I just experienced a $2,500 repair bill due to GM reluctance to fix a "known" potentially fatal flawed part. Thank god my wife doesn't drive my truck, she wouldn't be able to steer or brake the truck to a stop.
2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500 began experienceing intermittent engine stalling while driiving at approximately 38,000 miles. Condition was sporadic but continued getting more and more frequent until vehicle would not restart on June 24, 2005 with 55,000 miles on the odometer. Condition stored no codes on the PCM and was not 100% repeatable. Condition is the result of a faulty crankshaft position sensor which is known to GM and is particular to 2002 vehicles equipped with the 8.1 liter Vortec v8 engine. This condition is dangerous due to dramatically reduced steering control and braking power when the stall occurs. Someone is going to get killed as more of these vehicles reach higher mileage !! Sherwood Chevrolet replaced sensor on 6/27/2005 at a cost of roughly $200.00
I recently purchased a used 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500hd 4x4 with a 8.1 litre engine. The vehicle has approximately 51,000 miles on it. The first problem I noticed was that the engine would crank, but it would not start immediately. The next problem I experienced was that the engine shut off while I was driving it. This resulted in loss of power steering and power brakes, but more importantly, I was not able to maintain the posted 55 MPH limit, and I had to Dodge traffic while trying to steer my "dead" vehicle onto the shoulder. The vehicle did restart and I was able to resume as before. This has happened to me at least 4 times. Thus far after 3 trips to the dealer, they have not been able to repeat, diagnose, or repair this problem.
(1) - normal daily driving conditions (2) - intermittent failure of the crank shaft position sensor. This causes the engine to stall unexpectedly. There is absolutely no warning when the engine shuts down. Lack of starting can be several seconds to five or more minutes while the position sensor cools enough to return to alignment and allow the engine to start. Shut down has occurred several times while in the middle of rush hour traffic. With luck I was not hit during these un-expected shut downs and in most cases was able to either get the engine started again or was able to pull of the road. (3) replacement of the sensor which Chevy has since re-engineered from the original design. The old part is not available.
Traveling from texas to florida, vehicle began stalling. At times the vehicle wouldn't shift out of lower gears, at times it wouldn't start, at times it would shut off. Found dealer in florida that changed out a wiring harness in the steering column. The vehicle had less than 30,000 miles at this point. Have also had to have the engine replaced at 50,000 miles. Dealer couldn't figure out why the engine wouldn't work, nor could the dealership repair. Replaced with a new engine and is currently at 30,000 on new engine and problems starting again. This vehicle does not tow or drive off road at any time, there is a defect in this product that needs to be addressed.
The engine will die at any time with out warning. This happens fairly often. Sometimes after trying to restart it will restart with no delay and other times it will take a few minutes. Then it will run normally for no specific amount of time. Then it will die again. Incidences May occur hundreds of miles in between. The dealer says they don't know why it would do this and it would be very difficult to diagnose the problem because it happens spontaneously and it usually restarts quickly. This is very dangerous and turning the vehicle to get off the road when the engine dies is very hard to do.
NHTSA investigations
Crank position sensor failure - stall
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe06-016) on May 4, 2006 based on eleven vehicle owner questionnaires (voqs) and early warning (ewr) data alleging sudden engine shutdown while driving as a result of crank position sensor failures in my 2001-2002 general motors c/k platform vehicles equipped with 8.1l engines.in response to an information request letter sent by odi, general…
Engine complaints in other Avalanche years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche, 9% of the model year's 444 complaints. The component named most often is engine (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche, though it has 2 recalls for other components. 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.