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: power train
39 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Apr 20, 2004
CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION FAILED THREE TIMES. . FIRST YEAR THAT CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE HE HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. THEN, EXACTLY ONE YEAR LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. CURRENTLY, TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN. WHEN CONSUMER STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT VEHICLE MOVED A LITTLE AND STARTED TO SHAKE. FINALLY, IT STOPPED DOING ANYTHING. CONSUMER FELT HE PURCHASED A LEMON. *AK
Power train, Apr 7, 2004
I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IN THE AFTERNOON ON THE DAY IN QUESTION. ONCE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR ON TO HEAR A WHINING/SLIPPING FEELING OUT OF THE ENGINE AREA. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 2 TIMES ON DIFFERENT DAYS.*AK
Power train, Apr 6, 2004
VEHICLE SERVICE RECORD-VIN #[XXX]PURCHASED '02 TAHOE OCT. 2001 & IN DEC. '01-PROBLEMS BEGAN 12/5/1 MI. 968 VEHICLE TO CONNELL CHEV. HARD TO MOVE SHIFT LEVER THRU POSITIONS; VERY STIFF. RT. REAR OF VEHICLE SITS HIGHER THAN LEFT. REAR. 2/28/2-MI. 3,432 VEHICLE IN FOR VARIOUS PROBLEMS. TOLD SERVICE WRITER TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR WHILE SITTING AT STOP LIGHT. YOU PRESS ON THROTTLE TO ACCELERATE, VEHICLE WOULD PULL AWAY VERY SLUGGISH, SUDDENLY SHIFT BACK DOWN INTO 1ST GEAR & TAKE OFF IN AN UNCONTROLLABLE MANNER. WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR TO COMPENSATE. PROBLEM WHEN SHIFTING FROM GEAR TO GEAR IN ACCELERATING. WILL NOT SHIFT UP UNTIL YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THROTTLE. SHIFTS HARD WHEN SHIFTING THRU GEARS. P/UP VEHICLE. EXPLAINED THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH TRANSMISSION. 7/17/2-MI. 6,668 SAME PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. NEXT DAY, SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG W/TRANSMISSION. 4/14/3-MI. 12,434 TRANSMISSION IS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. WILL SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR WHEN SITTING AT A STOP, & WILL NOT SHIFT UP THRU GEARS UNLESS YOU REMOVE YOUR FOOT FROM THROTTLE. 2/6/4-MI. 23,776 BACK FOR PRIOR PROBLEMS & NEW ONES. TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR AT A STOP, DROPS BACK INTO 1ST GEAR UPON ACCELERATION & WHEN REACHES SHIFT POINT FOR GEARS MAKES LOAD SQUEALING SOUND,LIKE METAL-TO-METAL. VEHICLE HAS SUSPENSION NOISES, LIKE SOMETHING IS HITTING AGAINST PART OF SUSPENSION WHEN BRAKING AND/OR TURNING. 2/10/4-MI. 23,800 TRANSMISSION IS MALFUNCTIONING & DEVELOPING NEW NOISES. SOMETIMES THERE IS A CLUNK WHEN PUT IN REVERSE. 2/11/4-MI.-23,800 RETURNED TO P/U TAHOE. EXPLAINED TO US THAT A DATA RECORDER HAD BEEN PUT IN TO MONITOR OPERATION OF TRANSMISSION, EXPLAINED OPERATION OF RECORDER. 3/8/4-MI. 25,031 RETURNED TO HAVE RECORDER REMOVED. SERVICE WRITER SAID THAT AS SOON AS THEY DO A PRINT OUT FROM RECORDER THEY WILL CONTACT ME & LET ME KNOW OUTCOME. NEVER BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT IT. *LA *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power train, Mar 24, 2004
2002 TAHOE WON'T BACK UP IN 4 WD AND HAS GRINDING NOISE WHEN IN 4 WD. DEALER ADVISED THAT BEARING IN FRONT DIFFERENTIAL BAD. REPLACEMENT OF DIFFERENTIAL ADVISED. DEALER CHARGED ONLY FOR LABOR, APPARENTLY THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM. COST TO REPAIR $447, MILEAGE 39500. *NM
Power train, Mar 11, 2004
TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED FROM ENGINE WHILE DRIVING. ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASSIONS THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE UPON DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND TAKE OFF.*AK
Suspension, Power train, Feb 19, 2004
WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN OVER-DRIVE BETWEEN SPEEDS OF 40 - 43 MPH, THERE WAS A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP HAS SERVICED THE TRUCK SEVERAL TIMES THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE IS STILL UNDETERMINED. *NM THERE WAS A LOUD VIBRATION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN 2 WHEEL AUTO DRIVE AND AT SPEED OF 40-45 MPH/1200 TO 1400 RPMS SHIFTING INTO OVER-DRIVE GOING UPHILL AND OR PULL ON ENGINE. MAY BE A TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEM. THIS WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WHICH HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *SC
Steering, Power train, Tires, Feb 3, 2004
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING HARD,ONLY 26,000 MILES. TTOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD SECOND AND THIRD GEAR WAS GONE. THEY REBUILT THOSE GEARS. PICK TAHOE UP AND WITHIN A HR IT WAS DOING THE SAME THING. RETURN TO DEALERSHIP NEXT DAY, WAS TOLD IT WAS PUMP STICKING. REPLACE THAT. PICK BACK UP AND WITHIN A HR DID THE SAME THING. RETURN VEHICLE AND THEY DECIDED TO REPLACE FOR NEW TRANSMISSION. A WEEK LATER IT HAS NOW STARTING TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STERRING. THERE APPEARS TO BE A LEAK IN THE LINES. THIS 2002 TAHOE HAS HAD PROBLEMS STARTING WITHIN MONTHS OF PURCHASE. STERRING COLUM MAKING CLUNKING NOSE, REQUIRED LUBE TWICE. HEADLIGHTS FILLING WITH WATER. NOSE IN THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AROUND SHOCK AREA. THEY HAD DIFFERENT REPAIRS SUCH AS REPLACING SHOCKS, GREASING. AFTER OVER A YEAR THE DEALERSHIP ADDED BUSHINGS TO THE SHOCKS, SO FAR OK. HAVE REPLACE FIRESTONE TIRES AT 25,000 MILES FOR WEARING ON INSIDE OF TIRE.*AK
Power train, Sep 17, 2003
I HAVE A 2002 TAHOE THAT JUST TURNED 41K MILES. I EXPERIENCED ON A FEW OCCASIONS WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THAT THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO LOSE ACCELERATION FOR A SECOND OR SO BEFORE RE-ENGAGING AND RESUMING NORMAL ACCELERATION. PROBLEM WAS DEFINITELY TRANSMISSION RELATED. THIS SAME INCIDENT HAPPENED TO ME BUT THIS TIME THE ENGINE REVVED, ACCELERATION DIMINISHED, AND LOUD BANGING TUMBLING METAL NOISE WAS HEARD. ENDS UP THE TRANSMISSION MECHANISM THAT CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT FAILED AND BROKE APART BREAKING OTHER INTERNAL COMPONENTS. TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REBUILT. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS HELPFUL BUT STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR 50% OF REPAIR COST FOR REBUILT TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAS A TOW PACKAGE AND HAS NEVER TOWED A THING YET. OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM THIS GRAND IN A VEHICLE DID NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT AND IT APPEARS THIS PROBLEM IS SIMILAR TO OTHER TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD REALLY BE LOOKED AT BY THOSE THAT KNOW. *JB
Power train, Sep 10, 2003
TRANSMISSION FAILED. PART HAS BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES; HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
Power train, Equipment, May 17, 2003
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT OCT-02 @ 21,000 MILES, WOULD ONLY REPLACE 1 PART, TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN MAY 13,2003 @ 31,000 MILES, THIS TIME I WAS TOLD ALL PARTS IN TRANSMISSION WERE DESTROYED AND DEALER WANTED TO FIX BROKEN PARTS AND PUT BACK IN. IT GOT VERY FRUSTRATING AT THIS POINT....CALLED TOLL FREE NUMBER AT CHEVROLET AND GOT NO WHERE, THEY THINK I'M STUPID, I PAY MORE THAN $40,000 FOR A BRAND NEW VEHICLE AND HAVE THIS HAPPEN TWICE IN 5 MONTHS....I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE HERE FOR MY FAMILY AND MYSELF. I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN I WAS DOOMED WHEN I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE, IT TOOK ALMOST 6 WEEKS TO GET AND THEY KEPT GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND ABOUT WHERE IT WAS, THEY KEPT TELLING IT HAD LEFT THE FACTORY AND WAS ON ITS WAY, BUT ALWAYS FOUND AN EXCUSE, THEN THEY SAID IT GOT PULLED OFF THE LINE FOR INSPECTION...WHAT'S WRONG HERE? THEY TOLD ME AT LEAST 5 DIFFERENT TIMES IT HAD LEFT THE FACTORY AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'S ON THE LINE...IT NEVER LEFT THE FACTORY....I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THEN....*JB
Power train, Apr 27, 2003
TRANSMISSION PROBLEM ON MY 2002 CHEVROLET TAHOE. *NLM
Power train, Mar 21, 2003
TRANSMISSION FAILS TO FUNCTION APPROPRIATELY WHEN GOING FROM A STOPPED POSITION TO FORWARD OR REVERSE. IN REVERSE POSITION, LOUD GRINDING NOISE IS HEARD. IN FORWARD, VEHICLE HESITATES BEFORE FINALLY MOVING FORWARD. THIS HAS BEEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIR 3 TIMES. FIRST REPAIR REVEALED FRONT THRUST SHIM WITH TOO MUCH END PLAY; TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY WAS REBUILT (MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPLACE), THRUST WASHER REPLACED AND TRANSMISSION OVERHAULED. TWO RETURN VISITS FOR SAME PROBLEM AND DEALER SAYS THEY CANNOT RECREATE AND HAVE FOUND NO PROBLEMS. *NLM
Power train, Jul 30, 2002
I BEGAN NOTICING THAT MY TAHOE WAS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY IN LATE NOVEMBER OR EARLY DECEMBER 2001. OCCASIONALLY, WHEN I SHIFTED THE CAR FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND PRESSED ON THE GAS THE ENGINE WOULD REV, BUT THE TRUCK WOULD NOT MOVE. ADDITIONALLY, OCCASIONALLY AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN/LIGHT THE ENGINE WOULD REV AND THE TRUCK WOULD NOT MOVE. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO JOHN THORNTON CHEVROLET TO BE LOOKED AT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE VALVE BODY IN THE TRANSMISSION. THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE VALVE BODY HAD BURS LEFT ON IT AT THE TIME IT WAS MANUFACTURED AND THAT THE BURS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REMOVED. THE BURS WERE FALLING OFF OF THE VALVE BODY AND INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING A BLOCKAGE WHICH CAUSED THE PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED THE VALVE BODY. APPROXIMATLEY 3 WEEKS AGO I BEGAN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO SAME DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT, AGAIN, WAS A DEFECTIVE VALVE BODY AND THEY REPLACED IT. I CALLED CHEVROLET TO INQUIRE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF IT, BUT WOULD LOOK INTO IT. TODAY, JULY 30, 2002, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OCCUR. I CALLED CHEVROLET AGAIN AND THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT A DEALERSHIP FOR AN EVALUATION. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN APPOINTMENT, HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY ARE ONLY ABLE TO FIX WHAT CHEVROLET TELLS THEM THEY CAN FIX WHEN THE VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRENTY. SO FAR THIS HAS ONLY OCCURRED WHEN I AM TRYING TO GO FROM A STOP TO START, HOWEVER, I AM CONCERNED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL MALFUNCTION WHEN I AM DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I APPRECIATE YOUR CONCERN AND I HOPE THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO BRING THIS TO RESOLUTION SINCE I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO IN WORKING WITH CHEVROLET AND THE DEALERSHIP.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Wheels, Jun 19, 2002
TRANSMISSION TAKES 30 SECONDS TO SHIFT TO SECOND GEAR. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE, CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK AFTER THE SECOND ATTEMPT, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE STILL MAKES NOISES AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT ADJUSTED CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE ALSO DOESN'T RUN THE SAME. IT FEELS AS IF THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER. THERE IS A SCRAPING NOISE THAT IS HEARD FROM THE REAR WHEELS. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED AND THE ROTORS DEGLAZED. *JG