Chevrolet Avalanche Generation 1 (2002–2006)

Chevrolet Avalanche Generation 1 (2002–2006) — production years, market prices by model year, NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, and live listings for sale on VehiSales.

Chevrolet Avalanche — body generations

Generation Produced Facelift
Generation 1 2002–2006 —
Generation 2 2007–2009 —

Vehicles within one generation share the same platform and body style.

Engines used in the Avalanche

Engine families this model shipped with, by NHTSA VIN build data — each links to every model that shares it.

Engine Years in this model Also used in VIN builds ⓘ
GM 5.3L Vortec / EcoTec3 V8 2002–2013 32 models 87

About this generation

The Avalanche was launched in September 2001 as a 2002 model on the GMT800 platform. First year Avalanches featured light gray plastic body cladding, intended to provide visual distinction from the Suburban/Yukon XL. The Avalanche also gave the public an advance look at the next generation of front fascia designs for the entire GM line. A full-length chrome strip splits each lamp assembly and the grille, with a gold Chevrolet "bow tie" in the center.

The hood and fenders featured aggressive folds, in contrast to the softer designs seen on other models built on the GMT800 platform. Avalanche was nominated for the North American SUV of the Year award and was Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year for 2002. The Avalanche was originally marketed as being able to "change from an SUV to a super SUV." This was made possible by a plastic cover and an exclusive "midgate," marketed by GM as the Convert-a-Cab system, which could open and close.

The midgate was a divider behind the second row of seats that could be folded inward and down, with the seats, to create a longer bed area, or folded up to make a larger cab area. A similar midgate was found on the Subaru Baja (2003–2006), Cadillac Escalade EXT (a rebadged Avalanche), Hummer H2 SUT, and GMC Envoy XUV. The truck was offered as a half-ton 1500 series with a Vortec 5.3L V8 producing 285 hp (216 kW) or as a three-quarter-ton 2500 series with a Vortec 8.1L V8 with 340 hp (253 kW) and the 4L85-E four-speed transmission.

The base layout is rear-wheel drive, but there is an available with selectable high/low four-wheel drive. Avalanche 2500 models from 2004 to 2006 were exclusively available with four-wheel drive. A Z71 Off-Road package was available with off-road suspension, GM's AutoTrac full-time push-button four-wheel-drive system, all-terrain P265/70R17 white-lettered Goodyear tires, seventeen-inch alloy wheels, leather seating surfaces with waterproof accents, front dual power bucket seats, cloth door panel inserts, GM's OnStar telematics system, all-weather rubber floor mats, Chevrolet bowtie emblems embedded into the backrests of the seats (for 2002 models), dual-zone automatic climate controls with rear HVAC vents and remote controls, remote radio controls with headphone jacks for two pairs of headphones, a security system, gray-finished side running boards, power-adjustable, heated side-view mirrors, SRS side impact airbags.

Aside from these details, a Z71 Off-Road decal on the rear side panels identified an Avalanche equipped with this package. Full leather seating surfaces were an available option, also removing the cloth door panel inserts, and also added heated front seats. A Z66 Premium On-Road package was also available with the Z71 Off-Road package equipment, replacing the off-road suspension with sport on-road suspension and without four-wheel drive.

Aside from these details, a Z66 On-Road sticker on the rear side panels identified an Avalanche equipped with this package. As with the Z71 Off-Road package, full leather seating surfaces without the cloth accents were an available option, also removing the cloth door panel inserts, and also added heated front seats. To further distinguish it from its Silverado siblings, the Avalanche was practically fully equipped and only came with bodyside cladding.

The Avalanche included features such as 16-inch alloy wheels and tires (chromed steel on the 2500 model), an AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD player and six speakers, cloth seating surfaces, front bench seat with power front driver's seat, power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, full instrumentation, dual front airbags, and air conditioning. Options included OnStar telematics system, cassette player, leather seating surfaces, front dual power bucket seats that could be heated, and side airbags for the front seats.

Source: Wikipedia — Chevrolet Avalanche — First generation (2001–2006), CC BY-SA.

Recalls & complaints by year (NHTSA)

Year Recalls Complaints Most reported
2003 6 422 Service Brakes, Electrical System, Hydraulic

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

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