Seven problems related to differential unit have been reported for the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
At 95,000 miles, transmission exploded, replaced. 1 year later, brake line exploded, lost all brake fluid, all 4 brake lines replaced as they were not made of stainless steel and had rusted. 6 months later, differential bearings all worn, affecting steering, differential and related parts all replaced. All explosions took place while driving on local roads, not on the highway, thank god! mechanic (friend of mine) says he never saw any car with as many bad parts as my Avalanche! I also thank god I bought it used. American engineered cars have such bad engineering design that I never buy them new.
Front differential mechanism that is responsible for 4wd of the vehicle has chronically malfunctioned despite 2 repairs while under warranty by lindsay chevy in woodbridge va. The mechanism started to show signs of problems at 7000 miles. Now the truck has 85000 miles and the mechanism has failed.
Service 4x light comes on almost everytime driven roaring in drivetrain with relation to speed of truck understand this could be workmanship problem.
2002 Chevrolet Avalanche experiencing a loud knocking noise as well as the front end shimmies when going over bumps in the road. ** answer required***. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but they were unable to find a problem. The only problem they found was that the vehicle needed an alignment and new tires. The vehicle was taken to a tire dealer for a second opinion. When the technician removed the rear differential cover broken parts fell out.
Beginning on 06/09/03 and continuing to the current date, my vehicle has had a recurring front differential leak. First 3 repairs were for the differential seals, until it was discovered that the vent tube was plugged, the next 4 times for repair were due to the fact that when this vehicle is driven on a trip for an extended period of time on the highway, the front differential purges the fluid out the vent tube. The last trip I took the vehicle on was a 400 mile round trip and the vehicle underbody was half covered in diff oil, and it continued to drip for 2 days. My concern is a longer trip, which I purchased the vehicle for, would result in the seizing of the front differential at highway speed, possibly causing an accident.
The consumer heard a rumbling noise coming from front and rear wheels. The mechanic replaced the front and rear pinion bearings but this did not remedy the problem. Later the differential was found to be the problem and it was replaced.
Consumer states that the front differential is blowing out oil causing other parts of the vehicle to burn, the dealer was unable to fix the problem. . Consumer states the gear oil blows on left front brake and all the rubber hose wires, lines tires and running board making the left brake fail when wet.