FaultScore

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche fuel system problems

18 of the 562 complaints about the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche are about the fuel system — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 75,000 miles.

A

18

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Fuel System, Gasoline 6 33.3%
Fuel Pump 4 22.2%
Tank Assembly 2 11.1%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 2 11.1%
Fuel System, Other 1 5.6%
Fuel Injection System 1 5.6%
Filler Pipe AND CAP 1 5.6%
Fuel Gauge System 1 5.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 110,000 miles Minocqua, WI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE AND FUEL LINES WAS RUSTED AND LEAKING FLUID. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 10/7/14

NHTSA complaint #10616269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 126,000 miles Lansing, MI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

AS I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND STOPPED RUNNING CAUSING ME TO LOSE ALL POWER ASSIST AND TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL LINE HAD RUSTED OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE.

NHTSA complaint #10592043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 157,000 miles Clarkston, MI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL LINES WERE CORRODED AND CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK. THE FUEL LINES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157,000. UPDATED 2/11/14*CN ALSO, THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED AS WELL. UPDATED 02/18/14

NHTSA complaint #10558013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,000 miles Arlington Heights, IL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TWICE IN A ROW WHEN FILLING, GAS BACKED UP AND SPILLED. I ATTRIBUTED THIS TO A FAULTY PUMP. LATER THAT EVENING WHILE PARKED I DISCOVERED A FUEL LEAK. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THE FUEL PUMP HAD RUSTED AND CORRODED AWAY. THE NEXT DAY I BEGAN MY DRIVE HOME FROM FLORIDA TO CHICAGO. I MADE IT ABOUT 200 MILES BEFORE WE CHANGED DRIVERS, AND DISCOVERED THE TRUCK HAD STARTED LEAKING FUEL AGAIN. THANKFULLY, WE MADE IT SAFELY TO A REPAIR SHOP (A NATIONAL COMPANY THIS TIME). THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS THE FUEL TANK, LOCATED A REPLACEMENT TANK, AND I WAS UNDER WAY. I DID MAKE IT HOME TO CHICAGO, SMELLING GAS THE WHOLEWAY, BUT NOT SEEING A SIGNIFICANT LEAK (PROBABLY DUE TO THE CONSTANT DRIVING, I DID KEEP CHECKING) UNTIL I WAS ALMOST HOME. I MADE IT HOME, AND TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL SHOP. THE DIAGNOSED IT AS FUEL LINES, WHICH HAD RUSTED AND CORRODED. I PICKED UP MY TRUCK LAST NIGHT, DROVE IT TO WORK TODAY, THEN DROVE IT RIGHT BACK TO THE MECHANIC, SINCE IT WAS LEAKING GAS AGAIN. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1500 SO FAR IN LABOR AND PARTS, LOST ALMOST A FULL TANK OF GAS WITH ALL THE TANK DROPS, AND STILL DO NOT HAVE MY TRUCK BACK. IM PRETTY SURE MY, MECHANIC IS READY TO GIVE UP.

NHTSA complaint #10522985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2,000 miles Saint Paul Island, AK

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL PUMP FAILED 3 TIMES ALREADY. ALL DOOR ELECTRICAL SOLENOIDS/CABLE SYSTEM FAILED-POSSIBLE POOR VENTILATION CAUSING EXCESSIVE CONDENSATION RESULTING IN RUSTING OF CABLES. NOTE: A FRIEND WITH THE SAME YEAR MODEL HAS EXACT PROBLEMS AND MORE. ALL COSTLY AND NON-WARRANTY ITEMS! COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS WHEN FUEL PUMPS FAILED BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD.

NHTSA complaint #10435954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 101,000 miles Huntsville, AL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP STARTED TO LEAK FUEL DUE TO RUST. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE FUEL PUMP AND CONFIRMED THE PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED SINCE THE FUEL LEAK COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA complaint #10281952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 156,323 miles Waianae, HI

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

ENGINE SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. BRAKES WASN'T WORKING PROPERLY.

NHTSA complaint #10274300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Hilton, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL LEAKING FROM TOP OF FUEL PUMP FEED/RETURN PIPES. PIPES WHERE CORRODED AND LEAKING FUEL ON TO THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP WHERE FUEL POOLS UNTIL VEHICLE STOPS OR ACCELERATES AT WHICH POINT THE PUDDLED FUEL SPILLS TO GROUND, OR BLOWS UP UNDER VEHICLE CAUSING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD.

NHTSA complaint #10249700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Cushing, OK

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

FUEL PUMP HAS QUIT ON 3 CHEVROLET PRODUCTS OVER THE PAST 4 YEARS - EACH AT ABOUT 75,000 MILES. LAST ONE ON AN AVALANCHE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. FATHER-IN-LAW ALSO HAD FUEL PUMP FAILURE ON CHEVROLET PICKUP AT ABOUT 75,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10121883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 28,000 miles Palmdale, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM

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. THERE WERE A COUPLE OF TIMES WHERE ONCE THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED AND THEN A FREEZE PLUG WAS REPLACED. TO THIS DAY, WE STILL SMELL COOLANT AND THE DEALER CAN NOT FIND A LEAK. I DON'T THINK THIS IS NORMAL.

NHTSA complaint #10107727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 28,000 miles Palmdale, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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. THERE WERE A COUPLE OF TIMES WHERE ONCE THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED AND THEN A FREEZE PLUG WAS REPLACED. TO THIS DAY, WE STILL SMELL COOLANT AND THE DEALER CAN NOT FIND A LEAK. I DON'T THINK THIS IS NORMAL.

NHTSA complaint #10107727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 41,000 miles Centerville, UT

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

GAS TANK AND FUEL SYSTEM BECAME CONTAMINATED WITH RUST AND WAS CLOGGING THE FUEL INJECTORS. CHEVROLET DEALER REPLACED 2 FUEL INJECTORS AND FUEL LINES AND CLEANED EXISTING GAS TANK. $1300 WORTH OF REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10088567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 41,000 miles Centerville, UT

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

GAS TANK AND FUEL SYSTEM BECAME CONTAMINATED WITH RUST AND WAS CLOGGING THE FUEL INJECTORS. CHEVROLET DEALER REPLACED 2 FUEL INJECTORS AND FUEL LINES AND CLEANED EXISTING GAS TANK. $1300 WORTH OF REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10088567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 41,000 miles Centerville, UT

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

GAS TANK AND FUEL SYSTEM BECAME CONTAMINATED WITH RUST AND WAS CLOGGING THE FUEL INJECTORS. CHEVROLET DEALER REPLACED 2 FUEL INJECTORS AND FUEL LINES AND CLEANED EXISTING GAS TANK. $1300 WORTH OF REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10088567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10 miles Lemon Grove, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

VERY DIFFICULT TO FILL FUEL TANK. MUST HOLD NOZZLED TIGHTLY AGAINST FILLER OPENING. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER ABOUT THIS SINCE I PURCHASED IT. THEY "FIXED" IT, BUT THE DIFFICULTY CONTINUES.

NHTSA complaint #10051383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Monroe, LA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

WHILE DRIVING AT 70MPH FUEL PUMP WENT OUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL OUT.

NHTSA complaint #8013453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Methuen, MA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO REFUEL THE TRUCK, THE METAL RING WITH THE RUBBER HOSE BEHIND RING IS FAULTY IN DIAMETER WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW PROPER FUEL FLOW. NO MATTER WHAT GAS STATION THIS ALWAYS OCCURS. OWNER HAS TO USE A WRENCH OR OTHER PEOPLE TO ASSIST WITH FUELING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #8013246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hoboken, NJ

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #757487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche problems

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