2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 462 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 26 Tahoe model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 44 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 46 people were injured and 4 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Wheels, hubDec 17, 2007
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
Campaign 07E106000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasolineMay 19, 2006
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
Campaign 06E043000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipAug 29, 2005
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION. THIS CONDITION IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN ENVIRONMENTALLY CORROSIVE AREAS. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ONLY.
THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS ARE TO REMOVE THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR MOUNTING SURFACE ON THE BEARING, APPLY RUST INHIBITOR TO THE CLEANED SURFACE, GREASE THE MOUNTING SURFACE, REINSTALL THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, AND CHECK THE PEAK-TO-PEAK OUTPUT VOLTAGE TO ENSURE THE WHEEL SPEED SIGNAL IS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Campaign 05V379000 on NHTSA.gov
StructureMar 7, 2003
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.
THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.
Campaign 03V094000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, head restraintSep 17, 2002
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REARWARD FOLDING HEAD RESTRAINTS ON THE SECOND ROW SEATS, TWO POTENTIAL PINCH POINTS EXIST ON EACH OF THE FOLDING HEAD RESTRAINTS WHEN THE RESTRAINTS ARE FOLDED REARWARD AS THE SEATBACK IS FOLDED DOWN.
IF A PERSON WERE TO INSERT THEIR FINGER(S) INTO THE PINCH POINT WHEN THE HEAD RESTRAINT FOLDS, IT COULD TRAP AND PINCH THE FINGER(S) CAUSING INJURY.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE COVERS OVER THE PINCH POINTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 8, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006.
Campaign 02V253000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
34 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Jun 17, 2005
TURNED A/C ON AND HEARD A RATTLE THEN A THUMPING SOUND. A/C STILL WORKED FOR TWO DAYS THEN THE A/C BELT BROKE. THIS WAS A BRAND NEW BELT. MECHANIC REPLACED BELT, DROVE ACROSS THE STREET....COMPRESSOR LOCKS UP AND BREAKS THE BELT. MECHANIC CONTACTS GM AND FINDS OUT THAT THE FAN CLUTCH COULD GO OUT, SEND A SIGNAL TO A/C COMPRESSOR CAUSING TO LOCK UP. REPLACE FAN CLUTCH, REPLACED BELT....AGAIN NOISE THEN BELT BREAKAGE. THE COMPRESSOR IS WORKING THEN LOCKS UP FOR NO REASON. PUTTING IN A NEW COMPRESSOR, NEW BELT, AND THE NEW FAN CLUTCH REMAINS.
Steering, Service brakes, Air, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Interior lighting, Apr 26, 2005
WE BOUGHT OUR ASTRO VAN IN 2001, IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP ABOUT 22 OR 23 TIMES. MOST OF THEM MAJOR THINGS NEEDING TO BE FIXED OR REPLACED.*AK
Power train, Electrical system, Visibility, Structure, Equipment, Mar 8, 2005
CHEVROLET TAHOE 2002, TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *BF THE CONSUMER PURCHASED A VEHICLE THAT ONCE HAD A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM HAD BEEN FULLY CORRECTED. THE CONSUMER THEN FOUND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NEVER FIXED AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES. NOT ONLY WAS THE VEHICLE SLIPPING, SLOW TO SHIFT AND EXHIBITING A NOISE WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, THERE WERE OTHER PROBLEMS SUCH AS NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE SEAT WARMED LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BUTTON WAS PUSHED, THE SPEAKERS WERE CRACKING LOUDLY, THE A/C LIGHT CAME ON BY ITSELF, THE MOON ROOF RATTLED AND WAS LEAKING, THE CARGO POWER SWITCH DID LOCK THE DOORS WITHIN 5 SECONDS OF THE CARGO DOOR BEING CLOSED, THE HANDLE ON THE THIRD ROW SEAT FELL OFF, THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER WAS MISSING, AND THE RUBBER STRIPPING ON THE CARGO DOOR WAS LOOSE. *JB
Electrical system, Dec 31, 2004
WENT TO START CAR SO I COULD PICK DAUGHTER UP FROM A BASKETBALL GAME (11:30 P.M. ON A FRIDAY NIGHT) AND THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START. IT WOULD TURN BUT GOT NO FIRE TO IT. THE FOLLOWING MORNING IT DID THE SAME THING TO INCLUDE THE MONDAY MORNING. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER, IT STARTED ON THE FIRST TRY WHEN THE TOW TRUCK LET IT DOWN. THEY CHECK IT OUT, TOLD ME IT WAS MY FUEL PUMP. CHARGED ME $645. THE FOLLOWING WEEK (SUNDAY, THE SAME THING OCCURED AGAIN AND I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER ON MONDAY AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT, PUT IT ON THE MACHINE AND NO PROBLEM WAS NOTED BY THE MACHINE. SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED THAT IT COULD BE THE SENSORS BECAUSE ABOUT EVERY 300 MILES OR FULL TANK OF GAS, IT HAS STARTED DOING THIS. SUGGESTED I BRING IT IN NEXT TIME WHEN IT DOES NOT START TO SEE IF THEY CAN DETECT THE PROBLEM. CHRISTMAS DAY, IT DID NOT START AS WE WERE ON OUR WAY OUT OF TOWN FOR A FAMILY CHRISTMAS IN ANOTHER STATE. IT DID START THE NEXT DAY (SUNDAY) AND WAS FINE FOR THE WEEK UNTIL TODAY (NEW YEAR'S EVE). AGAIN, HAD IT TOWED TO THE LAST DEALER AND THEY CHECKED IT. IT DID NOT START THE FIRST TIME BUT IT DID THE SECOND TRY. ASKED IF I PUMPED THE GAS WHILE TRYING TO START IT. I DID NOT AND THEY CHECKED THE VEHICLE OUT AND AGAIN PUT IT ON THE MACHINE AND IT DID NOT DETECT ANYTHING WRONG. THEY ASKED THAT I MAKE AN APPT. FOR THURSDAY SO THEY KEEP IT OVER NIGHT AND SEE IF IT WILL START FOR THEM. ALL DEALERS WERE CHEVROLET DEALERS. NO ADDITONAL PARTS WERE PLACED ON TEH VEHICLE. HAVE STEADY OIL CHANGES, TIRE ROTATIONS AND ANY AND ALL SERVICES DONE IN A TIMELY MANNER. SINCE DEC 6 (FIRST INCIDENT) IT HAS NOT CRANKED ON ME 3 SEPARATE TIMES.*AK
Electrical system, Dec 10, 2004
BATTERY DIED, REPLACED. BATTERY LIGHTS COMING ON WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, UNABLE TO START VEHICLE, VEHICLE STALLING. UNABLE TO OPERATE VEHICLE DUE TO LOSS OF POWER. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH IN THE RAIN. BARELY ABLE TO PULL VEHICLE OFF ROADWAY. NO POWER AT ALL INCLUDING LIGHTS AND HAZARD LIGHTS. TOOK TO CHEVROLET DEALER - FOUND NO PROBLEM, NOTHING DONE TO CORRECT. WAS TOLD THAT AFTER MARKET ALARM SYSTEM (INSTALLED AT CHEVROLET DEALER) COULD BE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. TOOK TO AUDIO INSTALLER AND HAD ALARM REMOVED. WAS TOLD BY DIFFERENT CHEVY DEALER THAT THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM RIGHT NOW WITH A TAHOE IN THEIR SHOP. THEY REMOVED ALARM AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS SINCE (2 DAYS). WOULD NEED TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE TO SEE IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE AS IT COULD EASILY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE ONCOMING VEHICLES CAN NOT SEE YOU WITHOUT HAZARD LIGHTS. OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. I HAVE KEPT THE ALARM SYSTEM IF NEEDED TO REVIEW.*AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Structure, Jan 7, 2003, crash, fire
I AM A PARAMEDIC IN ST. CHARLES COUNTY MISSOURI, A SUBURB OF ST. LOUIS. IN THE MONTHS OF NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2002 I RESPONDED TO THREE CRASHES INVOLVING FULL SIZE GM TRUCKS. ALL THE VEHICLES CAUGHT FIRE IN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AFTER A MODERATE TO HIGH SPEED IMPACT. THE VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED IN DRIVER SIDE OFF SET IMPACTS THAT LEAD TO INTRUSION INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLES WERE A 2002 4X4 AVALANCHE, 2001 EXT. CAB 4X4 SILVERADO, AND A 2002 4X4 TAHOE. THE FIRE STARTED NEAR THE BATTERY AND THE FUEL LINES THAT RUN ALONG THE FRAM ON THAT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THEY ALSO, ALL HAD THE 5.3L V-8. I WAS NOT ABLE TO LOOK CLOSELY AT THE AVALANCHE OR SILVERADO DUE TO TAKING CARE OF THE INJURED OCCUPANTS. I DID LOOK AT THE TAHOE ENGINE AND IT APPERED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE HAD BEEN SEVERED IN THE CRASH. ALL VICTIMS WERE NOT TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLES AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS QUICKLY.I AM VERY CONCERNED DUE TO HAVING THREE FIRES IN SUCH A SHORT TIME FRAM. I RUN PROBALLY 500 VEHICLE CRASHES A YEAR AND VERY FEW RESULT IN FIRES EVEN WHEN THE FUEL SYSTEM HAS OBVIOUS LEAKS. I AM VERY CONCERNED DUE TO HAVING THREE IN ABOUT A 2 MONTH TIME FRAME. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED MORE INFO.
Electrical system, Oct 29, 2002
THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS SHORTED OUT THE FUEL PUMP 3 TIMES, DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP AFTER EVERY INCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 25, 2002
FOR THE BATTERY, THE POSITIVE POST (SIDE POST BATTERY) CAME COMPLETELY OUT OF THE BATTERY. WHEN I TRIED TO REPLACE THE BATTERY, THE POSITIVE TERMINAL SPARKED WHICH COULD HAVE CASUED A FIRE. THE WASHER CONTAINER IS UNDER THE BATTERY, WHEN THE BATTERY LEAKED BATTERY ACID, IT STARTED TO CORRODE THE CONTAINER. DT
Electrical system, Sep 18, 2002
WHILE DRIVING INSTRUMENTAL PANEL DIDN'T WORK PROPERLY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK