2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500 problems

SERVICE BRAKES

WITH MY AVALANCHE, I WAS TOWING A TRAILER WITH A CAR LOADED AND TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 10 MPH, I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW FOR A TURN AND LOST NEARLY ALL THE BRAKING POWER. I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER AND NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES FORWARD OF THE ABS MODULE LOCATED INSIDE THE LEFT FRAME RAIL DIRECTLY BENEATH THE DRIVERS SEAT HAD RUPTURED DUE TO CORROSION. FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED ALL BRAKE LINES IN THAT AREA WERE COVERED WITH CORROSION. ALL BRAKE LINE WERE REPLACED WITH NEW STAINLESS STEEL LINES AFTER RESEARCHING THAT THIS VERY COMMON PROBLEM WAS NOT AUTHORIZED FOR RECALL. REPAIR COST: $950.00. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT BRAKE PROBLEMS OF THIS FREQUENCY AND MAGNITUDE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SUBJECT TO RECALL AS IT IS APPARENT THAT IT IS A DESIGN FLAW AND VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA complaint #11002916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

2002 CHEVY AVALANCHE 2500 WITH 8.1 ENGINE DIES WITHOUT WARNING AT DRIVING SPEEDS. THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON, AFTER THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN, BUT NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND NO WARNING WHATSOEVER. THE VEHICLE JUST SHUTS DOWN. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THERE IS NO POWER STEERING AND NO BRAKES FOR THIS 7000 POUND VEHICLE. SOMETIMES, ONCE PULLED OVER AND SHUTTING EVERYTHING OFF AND TRYING TO RESTART IT WILL RESTART, SOMETIMES TAKING UP TO 10 MINUTES OF TRYING TO CRANK IT INTERMITTENTLY BEFORE IT WILL RESTART. IT HAS DONE THIS, OFF AND ON, AT RANDOM INTERVALS OVER THE YEARS I HAVE OWNED IT. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET OTHERS FROM WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND MOST LIKELY SOLUTION SEEMS TO BE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WHICH SOME SAY HAS BEEN RECALLED ON THE 2001 MODEL ENGINE FOR THE SILVERADOS, BUT CANNOT FIND ANYTHING FOR THE SAME 2002 ENGINE, WHICH IS THE SAME ENGINE. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND FRIGHTENING ENOUGH AT "BACK ROAD" SPEEDS, BUT CONSIDERABLY MORE SO AT MAJOR HIGHWAY SPEEDS AS THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, LEAVING THE DRIVER UNABLE TO STEER, BRAKE OR IMMEDIATELY RESTART THE VEHICLE LEAVING IT STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE THERE IS NO CODE IN THE ECM SO THE DEALERS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE IT. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE?

NHTSA complaint #10959893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

MY SON WAS DRIVING MY 2002 AVALANCHE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING OR DASH LIGHTS. ALTHOUGH HE DID GO THROUGH THE INTERSECTION HE WAS TRYING TO STOP FOR THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AND NO ACCIDENT. THE PROBLEM WAS A BRAKE LINE FAILING.

NHTSA complaint #10906167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

SATURDAY JANUARY 23, 2016 DURING A SNOW STORM MY 2002 CHEVY AVALANCHE 2500 VIN# [XXX] LOST ALL BRAKE CONTROL DUE TO FAILED AND CORRODED BRAKE LINE UNDER DRIVER SIDE DOOR AT RETAINER CLIP ON SIDE OF FRAME WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGNS OF SOFT PEDAL OR INTERMITTENT BRAKING. THIS IS THE SECOND TRUCK DRIVEN A 2004 1500 WITH THE SAME FAILED LINE IN SAME PLACE ON FRAME. JUST BEFORE THE BRAKE LINE FAILED THERE WAS A SMALL CAR IN FRONT OF ME WITH TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT THAT TURNED RIGHT IF THEY CAME TO A FULL STOP I WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO NEGOTIATE AROUND THEM THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJURY AND OR DEATH OF THE OTHER OCCUPANTS IN THE CAR. I DO THINK THAT THIS IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN FOR ALL NOT JUST DRIVERS OF THE AFFECTED TRUCKS BUT ANYONE OR OBJECT IN ITS PATH. I ASKING FOR GM TO RECALL ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES FOR A REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF ALL BRAKE LINES AT THE COST OF GENERAL MOTORS WITH BRAKE LINES COATED LIKE THE POLY ARMOR LINES TO AID IN THE RESISTANCE OF CORROSION. THE CURRENT LINES ARE ONLY MADE OF STEEL WITH NO TOP COATING AND ARE ROUTED IN DIRECT SPRAY OFF OF TIRES AND ROAD WITH NO SPLASH SHIELD TO PROTECT LINE FROM SPRAY OR FOREIGN OBJECTS FROM STRIKING LINES. SINCERELY [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10823359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IDLING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND AFTER PULLING OUT ACROSS THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. AFTER TRYING FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES IT RESTARTED. THOUGHT THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INSTANCE, BUT HAS NOW HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND EVEN WHEN IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #10630223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK AND WAS UNABLE TO PUT IT BACK INTO GEAR.

NHTSA complaint #10625831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. FOUND BRAKE LINE UNDER DRIVERS DOOR RUSTED THROUGH AND GUSHING FLUID.

NHTSA complaint #10558051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE WHILE TOWING A TRAILER, PEDAL RIGHT TO THE FLOOR I'M LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. NO WARNING WHATSOEVER BRAKES HAD BEEN WORKING FINE BEFORE INCIDENT. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION REVEALED BLOWN BRAKE LINE BELOW DRIVERS DOOR AT FRAME RAIL AND ALL LINES LOOK TERRIBLE. ONLINE INVESTIGATION SHOWS THIS TO BE VERY COMMON PROBLEM LETS GET THIS RECALL ISSUED BEFORE ANYONE DIES. THE ABILITY TO STOP IS PRIORITY ONE THERE IS NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT.

NHTSA complaint #10550106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH APPLIED BRAKES TO STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHT AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I HAD NO BRAKES, PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AFTER EXAMINATION SAW BRAKE FLUID UNDER TRUCK.

NHTSA complaint #10524470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

RUSTED BRAKE LINES BURST CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10522296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS GOING HOME FROM WORK ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS GOING 65 MPH AND MY ENGINE DIED I HAD NO POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS VERY HARD TO PUSH. I WAS ABLE TO PUT MY TRUCK IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART IT. THE SECOND TIME THE ENGINE DIED I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT AND IT SHUT OFF. THE THIRD TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS GOING HOME FROM WORK, JUST GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I MADE A LEFT AND WAS GOING TO THE NEXT LIGHT TO MAKE A RIGHT AND THE ENGINE DIED. I TRIED TO PUT THE BRAKES ON, BUT THEY WERE VERY TIGHT AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING. I HAD TO FIGHT TO TURN THE WHEEL AND JUST MADE THE TURN WITHOUT HITTING THE OTHER TRAFFIC.

NHTSA complaint #10498296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS GOING HOME FROM WORK ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS GOING 65 MPH AND MY ENGINE DIED I HAD NO POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS VERY HARD TO PUSH. I WAS ABLE TO PUT MY TRUCK IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART IT. THE SECOND TIME THE ENGINE DIED I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT AND IT SHUT OFF. THE THIRD TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS GOING HOME FROM WORK, JUST GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I MADE A LEFT AND WAS GOING TO THE NEXT LIGHT TO MAKE A RIGHT AND THE ENGINE DIED. I TRIED TO PUT THE BRAKES ON, BUT THEY WERE VERY TIGHT AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING. I HAD TO FIGHT TO TURN THE WHEEL AND JUST MADE THE TURN WITHOUT HITTING THE OTHER TRAFFIC.

NHTSA complaint #10498296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS GOING HOME FROM WORK ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS GOING 65 MPH AND MY ENGINE DIED I HAD NO POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS VERY HARD TO PUSH. I WAS ABLE TO PUT MY TRUCK IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART IT. THE SECOND TIME THE ENGINE DIED I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT AND IT SHUT OFF. THE THIRD TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS GOING HOME FROM WORK, JUST GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I MADE A LEFT AND WAS GOING TO THE NEXT LIGHT TO MAKE A RIGHT AND THE ENGINE DIED. I TRIED TO PUT THE BRAKES ON, BUT THEY WERE VERY TIGHT AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING. I HAD TO FIGHT TO TURN THE WHEEL AND JUST MADE THE TURN WITHOUT HITTING THE OTHER TRAFFIC.

NHTSA complaint #10498296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

AS I WAS ABOUT TO PARK MY AVALANCHE IN THE STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOME I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO COME TO A STOP AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FIRM AND THEN BECAME SOFT AND DEPRESSED QUICKLY QUITE FARTHER THAN NORMAL. THE AVALANCHE CONTINUED TO ROLL AND I HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO GET IT TO COME TO A FULL STOP. AFTER GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE I INSPECTED THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND FOUND A GREAT DEAL OF BRAKE FLUID ON THE UNDER BODY AND PUDDLED ON THE GROUND. AS I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE I FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE HEAVILY CORRODED AND FLAKING OFF RUSTED MATERIAL. THE BRAKE LINE FAILED BECAUSE OF WEAKENED TUBING CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE BRAKE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON AND THERE WAS NO PRELIMINARY WARNING OF BRAKE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKES CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE AN EXCESSIVELY LONGER DISTANCE TO STOP THAN NORMALLY WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE. I FREQUENTLY TOW A 6,500 LB PULL BEHIND CAMPER WITH MY AVALANCHE AND IF THIS BRAKE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED DURING TOWING AND IN TRAFFIC DURING A STOP IT MOST LIKELY COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10477079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

RUSTED BRAKE LINE FAILURE, DRIVERS REAR, PASSENGER FRONT, UNDER RADIATIOR.

NHTSA complaint #10447546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE ON MY WAY TO WORK, IN MY 2002 CHEVY AVALANCHE, GOING 65 WHEN EVERYONE IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES. I FOLLOWED TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES BUT WHEN I PUSHED THE PEDAL IT WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR, SO IN ORDER TO NOT REAR END ANYONE I PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER FLYING PAST THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME WITH MY BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED AS HARD AS I COULD, THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS HURT. I DROVE OFF THE RODE AND GOT MY TRUCK TO THE NEAREST GARAGE. WHEN THE GARAGE OWNER LOOKED AT MY BRAKES HE SAID MY REAR BRAKE LINES RUSTED OUT AND THAT THE FRONT WERE ABOUT TO DO THE SAME. HE ALSO SAID THE BRAKE LINES ARE SHOVED SO FAR INTO THE TRUCK FRAME HE WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE BODY FROM THE FRAME TO FIX IT PROPERLY.

NHTSA complaint #10430731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

VEHICLE STALLS AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED, HIGHWAY DRIVING, TRUCK HESITATES AND JERKS, AND COMES TO THE NEAR POINT OF STALLING, AND LOW SPEEDS, VEHICLE DOES THE SAME, HESITATES, AND JERKS, STALLS, ALL SYSTEMS FAIL. STARTS BACK UP UPON SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL. MECHANIC SAYS IT IS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR ON THE 8.1 L 8100 SERIES MOTOR, THE SAME MOTOR THAT IS IN THE 2001 MODEL SILVERADO, SIERRA, AND SUBURBANS THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. LOCATION IS IN THE BACK OF THE MOTOR MAKING IT NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO CHANGE OUT WITHOUT MAJOR ENGINE REPAIR WORK, REMOVING INTAKE MANIFOLD AND OTHER COMPLEX THINGS, TO REPAIR AN APPARENT $60 PART. DANGEROUS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO INDICATION THAT THIS IS HAPPENING AND HAPPENED ON A VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN CARED FOR COMPLETELY. ALSO, DANGEROUS DUE TO THE SIZE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TASK OF STEERING IT TO A SAFE PLACE WITH NO POWER BRAKES OR STEERING, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MECHANIC SAYS PART IT ALMOST 100% PLASTIC AND CAN SUCCUMB TO HIGH AND LOW VARIATIONS IN TEMPERATURE AND BREAK DOWN IN COMPOSITION. WHICH, IT HAS DONE IN THIS TRUCK, AGAIN WITHOUT NO WARNING, AND NO APPARENT COST EFFECTIVE REPAIR. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO THE 2002 MODEL YEAR AS WELL AS THE SAME 8.1 L MOTOR WAS INSTALLED IN THE CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2500 TRUCK (BY THE WAY, THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT IN 2001), WHICH, OTHER THAT THE DIFFERENT BODY STYLE HAS THE SAME CHASSIS AND MOTOR AS THE SUBURBAN. VERY DANGEROUS FOR A WOMAN, WHO CANNOT OR DOES NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO STEER A 7,000 POUND TRUCK THAT COMPLETELY STALLED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED.

NHTSA complaint #10422115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE STALLS AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED, HIGHWAY DRIVING, TRUCK HESITATES AND JERKS, AND COMES TO THE NEAR POINT OF STALLING, AND LOW SPEEDS, VEHICLE DOES THE SAME, HESITATES, AND JERKS, STALLS, ALL SYSTEMS FAIL. STARTS BACK UP UPON SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL. MECHANIC SAYS IT IS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR ON THE 8.1 L 8100 SERIES MOTOR, THE SAME MOTOR THAT IS IN THE 2001 MODEL SILVERADO, SIERRA, AND SUBURBANS THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. LOCATION IS IN THE BACK OF THE MOTOR MAKING IT NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO CHANGE OUT WITHOUT MAJOR ENGINE REPAIR WORK, REMOVING INTAKE MANIFOLD AND OTHER COMPLEX THINGS, TO REPAIR AN APPARENT $60 PART. DANGEROUS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO INDICATION THAT THIS IS HAPPENING AND HAPPENED ON A VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN CARED FOR COMPLETELY. ALSO, DANGEROUS DUE TO THE SIZE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TASK OF STEERING IT TO A SAFE PLACE WITH NO POWER BRAKES OR STEERING, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MECHANIC SAYS PART IT ALMOST 100% PLASTIC AND CAN SUCCUMB TO HIGH AND LOW VARIATIONS IN TEMPERATURE AND BREAK DOWN IN COMPOSITION. WHICH, IT HAS DONE IN THIS TRUCK, AGAIN WITHOUT NO WARNING, AND NO APPARENT COST EFFECTIVE REPAIR. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO THE 2002 MODEL YEAR AS WELL AS THE SAME 8.1 L MOTOR WAS INSTALLED IN THE CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2500 TRUCK (BY THE WAY, THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT IN 2001), WHICH, OTHER THAT THE DIFFERENT BODY STYLE HAS THE SAME CHASSIS AND MOTOR AS THE SUBURBAN. VERY DANGEROUS FOR A WOMAN, WHO CANNOT OR DOES NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO STEER A 7,000 POUND TRUCK THAT COMPLETELY STALLED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED.

NHTSA complaint #10422115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

VEHICLE STALLS AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED, HIGHWAY DRIVING, TRUCK HESITATES AND JERKS, AND COMES TO THE NEAR POINT OF STALLING, AND LOW SPEEDS, VEHICLE DOES THE SAME, HESITATES, AND JERKS, STALLS, ALL SYSTEMS FAIL. STARTS BACK UP UPON SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL. MECHANIC SAYS IT IS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR ON THE 8.1 L 8100 SERIES MOTOR, THE SAME MOTOR THAT IS IN THE 2001 MODEL SILVERADO, SIERRA, AND SUBURBANS THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. LOCATION IS IN THE BACK OF THE MOTOR MAKING IT NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO CHANGE OUT WITHOUT MAJOR ENGINE REPAIR WORK, REMOVING INTAKE MANIFOLD AND OTHER COMPLEX THINGS, TO REPAIR AN APPARENT $60 PART. DANGEROUS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO INDICATION THAT THIS IS HAPPENING AND HAPPENED ON A VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN CARED FOR COMPLETELY. ALSO, DANGEROUS DUE TO THE SIZE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TASK OF STEERING IT TO A SAFE PLACE WITH NO POWER BRAKES OR STEERING, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MECHANIC SAYS PART IT ALMOST 100% PLASTIC AND CAN SUCCUMB TO HIGH AND LOW VARIATIONS IN TEMPERATURE AND BREAK DOWN IN COMPOSITION. WHICH, IT HAS DONE IN THIS TRUCK, AGAIN WITHOUT NO WARNING, AND NO APPARENT COST EFFECTIVE REPAIR. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO THE 2002 MODEL YEAR AS WELL AS THE SAME 8.1 L MOTOR WAS INSTALLED IN THE CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2500 TRUCK (BY THE WAY, THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT IN 2001), WHICH, OTHER THAT THE DIFFERENT BODY STYLE HAS THE SAME CHASSIS AND MOTOR AS THE SUBURBAN. VERY DANGEROUS FOR A WOMAN, WHO CANNOT OR DOES NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO STEER A 7,000 POUND TRUCK THAT COMPLETELY STALLED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED.

NHTSA complaint #10422115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2002 CHEVY AVALANCHE 2500 WITH 8.1 ENGINE DIES WITHOUT WARNING AT DRIVING SPEED. THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON, AFTER THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN, BUT NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NO PROBLEMS WITH ALTERNATOR OR BATTERY CHARGE. NO SPUTTERING OR SLUGGISHNESS, NO WARNING WHATSOEVER. THE VEHICLE JUST SHUTS DOWN. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THERE IS NO POWER STEERING AND NO BRAKES FOR THIS 7K POUND VEHICLE! SOMETIMES, ONCE PULLED OVER AND SHUTTING EVERYTHING OFF AND TRYING TO RESTART IT WILL RESTART IMMEDIATELY, SOMETIMES IT TAKES UP TO 10 MINUTES OF TRYING TO CRANK IT INTERMITTENTLY BEFORE IT WILL RESTART. IT HAS DONE THIS TWICE IN THE LAST THREE DAYS AND A DOZEN TIMES AT RANDOM INTERVALS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET OTHERS FROM WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND MOST LIKELY SOLUTION SEEMS TO BE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WHICH SOME SAY HAS BEEN RECALLED ON THE 2001 MODEL ENGINE FOR THE SILVERADOS, BUT CANNOT FIND ANYTHING FOR THE SAME 2002 ENGINE. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND FRIGHTENING ENOUGH AT "NEIGHBORHOOD" SPEEDS, BUT CONSIDERABLY MORE SO AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS AS THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, LEAVING THE DRIVER UNABLE TO STEER, BRAKE OR IMMEDIATELY RESTART THE VEHICLE LEAVING IT STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE!

NHTSA complaint #10394019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

SOMETIMES MY 2002 CHEVY AVALANCHE 8.1 WILL NOT START. I LOCK CAR AGAIN WITH REMOTE FOB, UNLOCK AND USUALLY IT STARTS. SOMETIMES IT TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT LOCKING, UNLOCKING BEFORE IT WILL START. NOW VEHICLE STALLS WITH NO WARNING, NO POWER BRAKES, STEERING ETC. DOES THIS AT RANDOM SPEEDS WITHOUT NOTICE OR ANY APPARENT CONSISTENCY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. TO RESTART I MUST TRY AND GET PULLED OVER SAFELY, LOCK AND UNLOCK TRUCK WITH FOB AND HOPE IT STARTS. SOMETIMES WILL DO AFTER ONCE, SOMETIMES AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. NOT REALLY SURE THE FOB RESETTING OF SECURITY SYSTEM IS THE DIFFERENCE OR IT JUST HAPPENS TO START. WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO FIX THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL PROBLEM???

NHTSA complaint #10370672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.