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: service brakes
163 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 11, 2005
DT: THE 2002 TAHOE ABS DEFECT IN THEM. CALLED GM THEY ARE NOT GOING TO WARRANTY THE VEHICLES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER. THERE IS NO RECALL IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, BECAUSE THEY ARE RECALL THE ONES CANADA. THE BRAKES AT A SLOW SPEED ARE ACTIVATING, AND TOOK TO A GM DEALER AND GM WILL NOT REIMBURSE. TESTING AND FOUND THE ABS SENSORS CORRODED AND GAP SPREAD, PER GM TECH AT DEALERSHIP. THE CONSUMER HAS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM AT OWN EXPENSE AND WANTS REIMBURSMENT!! *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 6, 2005
DC: HIS BRAKES DO NOT WORK CORRECTLY. WHEN YOU STOP THE ABS SYSTEM KICKS IN, THE PEDAL JERKS BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT WANT TO STOP CORRECTLY. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 3, 2005, crash
WE HAVE A 2002 CHEVROLET TAHOE, TRAVELING AT A SLOW SPEED, LESS THAN 5MPH, THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES HAD SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION AND COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. ENDED UP HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US BUT NO DAMAGE WAS INCURRED.
Service brakes, Air, May 3, 2005, crash
MY WIFE AND I OWN A 2002 CHEVROLET TAHOE. ON APRIL 9, 2005 MY WIFE AND YOUNG DAUGHTER WERE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN IN NORTH KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE. MY WIFE APPLIED THE BRAKES AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 10 -15 MPH. INITIALLY, SHE FELT PRESSURE IN THE BRAKE PEDAL THEN THE PEDAL COMPLETELY DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR, ABSENT OF ALL PRESSURE. AS A RESULT OF THE BRAKE FAILURE SHE REAR-ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER WHICH IN TURN ROLLED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF THEM (A TOTAL OF 3 VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED). THE POLICE OFFICER THAT WORKED THE ACCIDENT CHECKED THE BRAKES AND IMMEDIATELY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED DUE TO INOPERABLE BRAKES. AS A RESULT MY WIFE WAS NOT CITED IN THE ACCIDENT. DAMAGE WAS MINIMUM TO THE OTHER 2 CARS, HOWEVER REPAIR COSTS TO OUR TAHOE WAS APPROXIMATELY $4300. ONE OF THE OTHER DRIVERS COMPLAINED OF A HURT KNEE/LEG AND ANOTHER DRIVER COMPLAINED OF AN INJURED BACK. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER EXPERIENCED NO INJURIES. THE EXTENT OF THE OTHER TWO INJURIES ARE UNKNOWN. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND INDICATED THAT THEY WERE IN ACCEPTABLE CONDITION AND REPORTED THERE WERE NO REPAIRS NECESSARY. I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE THE PAST 2 WEEKS AND THEY DO APPEAR TO BE OPERATING PROPERLY. HOWEVER, I HAVE SCHEDULED TO HAVE THE BRAKE SYSTEM INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT DEALER THIS WEEK. I READ A STORY ON FOX NEWS INDICATING GM WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR BRAKE FAILURES AT LOW SPEEDS AND I WANTED TO SUBMIT MY CLAIM FOR CONSIDERATION AS OUR SITUATION APPEARS TO BE SIMILAR TO PREVIOUS INCIDENTS.
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 9, 2004
VEHICLE TRACTION SEEMS TO BE SLIPPING WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT. *AK
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 6, 2004
PROBLEMS WITH SUSPENSION, BRAKES, AND GAS GAUGE GIVING OUT AN IMPROPER READING. *MR FEW DAYS AFTER VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, CONSUMER NOTICED A FUEL SMELL COMING FROM VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHICH THEY FOUND OUT THAT THE GAS CAP WASN'T TIGHT. ALSO, WHICLE PUTTING FUEL, GAS TANK BURST SPILLING FUEL TO THE CONSUMER. IN ADDITION, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED STALLING, SUSPENSION SQUEAKS, AND FUEL RELATED PROBLEMS. *LA
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 18, 2004
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT STOPPING PROBLEMS. . A NUMBER OF TIMES SHE TRIED TO COME TO A STOP, AND VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP SEVERAL TIMES, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ABS BRAKES WERE DIRTY , AND CLEANED THEM. BUT THAT DID NOT HELP. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH ABS BRAKES. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Nov 29, 2002, crash
I WAS IN A WRECK LAST MONDAY NIGHT WHILE DRIVING A COMPANY VAN. THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN YOU SET IT AT A SPEED THEN GO DOWN A HILL IT WOULD GET 15-20 MILES FASTER. ANY HOW THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WENT DOWN AND I HIT A GUARD RAIL WITH THE FRONT OF THE VAN A FIRE STARTED IMMEDIATELY BY MY LEFT FOOT AND NONE OF THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UNTIL THE FIRE GOT TO THEM. THE VAN ROLLED OVER ONCE AND LANDED ON ITS WHEELS THE DOORS WOULDN'T OPEN I ROLLED DOWN THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW AND GOT OUT THAT WAY AND THE ABS BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP WHEN YOU HAVE TO GET ON THEM REAL HARD. DT
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 9, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AND/OR BRAKING, STEERING WHEEL WILL PULL TO THE LEFT. WHEN BRAKING, STEERING PULLLED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT, RESULTING IN VEHICLE SPINNING OUT TWICE.*AK DEALER FOUND CASTER AND CAMBER OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND PERFORMED ALIGNMENT. *TT
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 14, 2002, crash
WHILE DRIVING, APPLIED BRAKES AND WITHOUT WARNING ALL FOUR WHEELS LOCKED UP, RESULTING IN VEHICLE SKIDDING OUT OF CONTROL, THIS MALFUNCTION WAS NOT SERVICED BY DEALER. *AK THE DEALER REFUSED TO SERVICE VEHICLE. THEY TOOK THE WHEELS OFF AND TOOK PICTURES OF THE BRAKES, THE CHASSIS, UNDER CARRIAGE AND THE SPEEDOMETER. THE PICTURES WERE SENT TO THE FACTORY FOR EVALUATION. THEY STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS DRIVEN BY DIFFERENT PEOPLE. GM REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON THIS VEHICLE. *JG
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 2, 2002
CHEVROLET HAS 3 OTHER CASES OPEN THAT HAVE NOT BEEN RESOLVED. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES HARD TO STOP SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED TIRES, BRAKE PADS, ROTORS ETC.. IT APPEARS ALL NEW TAHOES DO THIS AS I DROVE ANOTHER BRAND NEW ONE AND IT DOES THE SAME THING. THE SERVICE MANAGER HAS OPENED TAC CASE # 5303279 WITH CHEVROLET. THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT CHEVROLET ALREADY HAS 3 UNRESOLVED CASES. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THE PROBLEM IS IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM AS THE REAR PASSENGER BRAKE SEEMS TO ACTIVATE FIRST WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED HARD FOR A SUDDEN STOP. THIS THROWS THE REST OF THE VEHICLE TO TRACK TO THE RIGHT WHICH MUST BE ABRUPTLY CORRECTED BY THE DRIVER. THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT CHEVROLET HAS NO FIX. THE SERVICE MANAGER ALSO SAID THEY CLAMPED THE REAR BRAKE LINES ON MY VEHICLE AND THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM, WHICH PROVES THE PROBLEM IS IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. I AM VERY CONCERNED AS I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE TO TOW MY BOAT. IF I MUST APPLY THE BRAKES SUDDENLY (WHICH CAN HAPPEN QUITE OFTEN WHEN TOWING) I WILL LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM IS NOT NOTICEABLE UNDER SLOW/SMOOTH BRAKING. THE PROBLEM IS WORSE THE FASTER YOU ARE GOING. THEREFORE, AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL EASILY LOSE CONTROL. I TEST DROVE ANOTHER BRAND NEW TAHOE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND IT HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER ALSO SAID HE TESTED A USED ONE AND IT HAD THE PROBLEM AS WELL.*AK