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: steering
42 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Apr 19, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT ANY SPEED THERE IS A CRACKING NOISE THAT CAN BE HEARD FROM THE STEERING. THIS STARTED WITH ONLY THE NOISE NOW IT IS VERY HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER; UPON INSPECTION GREASE WAS ADDED TO THE STEERING COLUMN. THE PROBLEM HAS NOW REOCCURRED AND THE DEALER MUST RE GREASE THE STEERING COLUMN. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.
Steering, Nov 2, 2005
DT: THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THUMPING AND TORSION WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REMEDIED THIS CONDITION BY LUBRICATION. THE PROBLEM SOON RETURNED, AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY STATED THEY WOULD NOT ACCEPT ANY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY NOW OR IN THE FUTURE. THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER REPAIRS AT THIS TIME. *AK UPDATED 11/16/05. *JB
Steering, Sep 26, 2005
I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN IN MY 2002 CHEV. TAHOE REPLACED TWICE AND FIXED ANOTHER. THE VEHICLE STARTS MAKING A NOISE WHEN IT IS TURNED. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME, THE STEERING GETS LOOSE AND IT SOUNDS AND FEELS LIKE WORN BALL JOINTS. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANICS AT THE DEALERSHIP, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND OCCURS WITH THE OTHER SIMILAR GM VEHICLES (YUKON AND ESCALADE). I HAD MY STEERING COLUMN REPLACED IN JULY AND IT IS ALREADY MAKING THE NOISE AGAIN. THEY CLAIM IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE BUT I DON'T SEE HOW IT COULDN'T BE. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL RUN OUT SOON AND THE NEXT TIME I REPLACE IT WILL BE OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY BE AN ISSUE THAT WOULD CAUSE ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *NM
Steering, Aug 26, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATES STEERING SHAFT HAS BEEN REPLACED, PACKED AND LUBRICATED OVER 5-6 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 YEARS. IT VIBRATED AND MADE A KNOCKING NOISE. COULD FEEL THE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. THE CONTACT FELT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE AND UNSTABLE. GM SAID THERE WAS NO WAY THEY WOULD TRADE BACK OR BUY BACK THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED ON ANY TYPE OF ROAD CONDITION, AND ALL OF THE TIME. IT WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. GM TOLD THE CONTACT IT WAS NOT LIFE THREATENING. *AK
Steering, Jun 6, 2005
A VERY UNNERVING CONDITION IS PRESENT IN OUR 2002 TAHOE. THERE IS A LOOSE/ UNSTABLE FEELING IN THE STEERING WHEN TURNING. MY MECHANIC SAID WE HAVE A WARPED CENTER STEERING SHAFT AND HE CAN NOT REPAIR AS THE PART IS BACK ORDERED BY TENS OF THOUSANDS NATIONWIDE (INDICATING A UNIVERSAL PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE) I HAVE BEEN EXPECTING A RECALL BUT HAVE NOT SEEN ONE. GM HAS NOT REPLIED TO MY INQUIRY.
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
Steering, Structure, Apr 5, 2005
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT WHEN MAKING TURNS. RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER THAT HOLDS THE ENGINE FROM FRAME TO FRAME NEED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, WHICH WAS MAKING THE STEERING LOOSE, AND UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.*AK
Steering, Dec 24, 2004
I RECENTLY TOOK MY 2002 CHEVY TAHOE IN TO THE DEALER FOR A LONG OVER DUE REPAIR. AFTER DESCRIBING MY PROBLEM TO THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN (A CLUNK SOUND AND FEEL THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH I HAD FIRST NOTICED AT ABOUT 20K MILES), HE TOLD ME THE PROBLEM WAS A "COMMON OCCURRENCE" IN THE YEAR/MODEL AND THAT IT WAS "DUE TO POOR LUBRICATION/DESIGN" WITH THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. HE SHAFT WOULD COST $140 PLUS ONE HOUR LABOR.... HOWEVER; IT IS ON A LONG BACK ORDER. SEEMS STRANGE THAT AN ITEM, WHICH IS A "COMMON OCCURRENCE" AND THE ITEM IS BACK ORDERED (MUST BE A LOT OF REPLACING GOING ON) WOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL FOR A FREE REPLACEMENT. I PAID TOP DOLLAR FOR THIS VEHICLE AND FOR SUCH A STANDARD PIECE OF EQUIPMENT TO BE NEEDED TO BE REPLACE AT THIS LOW OF MILEAGE SEEMS A BIT OUT OF THE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. AFTER REVIEWING MANY SITES ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS THIS OCCURANCE IS COMMON ENOUGH THAT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. WALTER GOODALL. *AK
Steering, Dec 8, 2004
WHEN MAKING TURNS FROM 5 MPH OR MORE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE VIBRATION, AND IT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JERK AND THUMP INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO SEPARATE DEALERS. FIRST DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM, AND THE SECOND DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SHAFT HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE IT IS ON BACK ORDER. *TC
Steering, Oct 21, 2004
POPPING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN. RETURNED TO DEALER AS IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THEY CONCLUDED THAT IT WOULD BE A ONE TIME REPAIR TO RE-LUBE THE STEERING COLUMN.I WAS LED TO BELIEVE THEY HAD A SPECIAL LUBE THAT WOULD CURE THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE DID FINE FOR ABOUT 15000 MILES AND THE NOISE HAS RETURNED. HAVE HAD THE FRONT END ALIGNED SINCE THE ORIGINAL TIRES (FIRESTONE) WORE OUT PREMATURELY. CAN'T SEEM TO KEEP IT ALIGNED.
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
Steering, Suspension, Nov 4, 2003, crash
WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT ROLLED OVER. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE BY THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT LOWER CONTROL ARM SNAPPED IN TWO. *AK
Steering, Mar 21, 2003
POPPING NOISE HEARD IN STEERING SINCE THREE WEEKS OF PURCHASE. DEALER ORIGINALLY ADVISED IT WAS NORMAL ON NEW VEHICLES AND NEEDED TO "WORK OUT THE KINKS." TAKEN IN FOR REPAIRS. FIRST REPAIR ATTEMPT, DEALER FOUND EXCESSIVE PLAY IN LOWER BALL JOINTS AND REPLACED BOTH. PICKED U VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY HEARD POPPING NOISE AGAIN. DEALER THEN PERFORMED SECOND REPAIR ATTEMPT BY FINDING CENTER CROSS MEMBER AND RIDE HEIGHT BUSHINGS IN NEED OF LUBING. POPPING NOISE RECURRED WITHIN MONTH OF PICKING UP VEHICLE AFTER SECOND REPAIR ATTEMPT. SERVICE MGR TOOK TEST DRIVE AND HEARD POPPING NOISE. NOW STATES HE CANNOT RECREATE AND KNOWS SOMETHING IS WRONG BUT NOT SURE WHAT. *NLM
Steering, Oct 15, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND NO WARNING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL PULL TO THE RIGHT AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR
Steering, Sep 10, 2002
STEERING COLUMN IS NOT CENTERED PROPERLY WITHIN VEHICLE, AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT MAY CAUSE SEVERE INJURY. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Steering, Suspension, Jul 10, 2002
VEHICLE WOULD WANDER ACROSS THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING AT MULTIPLE SPEEDS AND GOT MORE SEVERE AT HIGHER SPEED. VEHICLE BEEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS, PROBLEM REOCCURRING. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT CENTERED, THIS IS CAUSING TIRES TO FEATHER, DEALERSHIP HAS ALIGNED THE FRONT END ON TWO OCCASIONS, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *SLC
Steering, Jun 5, 2002
AT 60+ MPH, THE POWER STEERING FEELS UNSTABLE. THIS MAY BE A FAILURE IN THE VARIABLE ASSIST SYSTEM ALTHOUGH DEALER WAS CONFUSED IF TAHOW STILL HAD THIS SYSTEM. IT MAY BE FRONT SUSPENSION INSTABILITY. VEHICLE HANDLES VERY WELL AT LOWER SPEEDS BUT OVER 60, IT WANDERS AND THE STEERING FEELS LIKE IT WILL OVERCOMPENSATE OR OVERSTEER. UNKNOWN IF THE TAHOE STILL HAS A VARIABLE POWER ASSIST STEERING. I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO A CHEVROLET REPRESENTATIVE THAT CAN PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE.*AK