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
462 reports, newest first.
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
Tires, Mar 11, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH A KNOCKING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE REAR. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPLODED. THE DRIVER CHANGED THE TIRE. *NM THE RIM AND LOOKED AS IF IT HAD BEEN COMPLETELY TORE APART AT THE SEAMS. THE SALES DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN A TIRE LOOK LIKE THAT BEFORE. *SC
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 9, 2004
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TROUBLE WITH REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO CORRECT IT. (NAR) *PH *CB
Parking brake, Mar 9, 2004
EMERGENCY BRAKE ON TAHOE'S GO OUT IF YOU DO NOT USE THEM AND COST AROUND $500. TO FIX THE PROBLEM.FROM PEOPLE I HAVE TALKED TO GM KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT DOES NOT CARE AND REFUSES TO FIX.I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS ON ALL TAHOE AND SUBURBANS YEARS 2002 AND 2003.TO PASS A SAFETY TEST IN TEXAS YOU HAVEN'T TO HAVE AN EMERGENCY BRAKE THAT WORKS.I WAS TOLD THAT YOU HAVE TO USE THIS BRAKE ON IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.I DON'T PARK ON A HILL SO I DON'T USE IT.OTHERS ARE THE SAME.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 8, 2004
PROBLEM STARTED AT 21000 MILES. CAR EITHER WON'T START OR LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE HAD FIVE FUEL PUMPS SINCE THEN. NOW HAVE 53K MILES. ALSO, CAR WON'T START ON INCLINE EVEN THOUGH IT HAS 1/4 TANK AS VERIFIED BY DEALER SERVICE. EVERYTHING THAT CAN BE "FIXED" OR REPLACED HAS BEEN AND I AM STILL HAVING STARTING PROBLEMS AND HAVE TO HAVE A NEW FUEL PUMP EVER 3 MONTHS. GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE UNWILLING TO PROVIDE RELIEF. SERVICED ONLY AT DEALERS, THEY CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK
Fuel system, Other, Mar 5, 2004
AFTER FUELING FUEL GAUGE REGISTERED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY AND THEN VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE TEN MINUTES LATER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO HAD TO UPDATE THE COMPUTER TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK
Parking brake, Feb 24, 2004
CONSUMER STATED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DID NOT HOLD. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC STATED THE ACTUATOR BROKE INSIDE THE BRAKE DRUM. *AK *JB
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
Tires, Feb 18, 2004
WHILE CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS DRIVING REAR RIGHT TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE COMPLETELY EXPLODED, SEPARATING THE SIDEWALL FROM THE TREAD. CONSUMER DID NOT HIT OR RUN OVER ANYTHING. PULLED OVER, AND CHANGED THE TIRE. THEN, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRE WAS NOT ON RECALL. FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS LE, TIRE SIZE P265/70R16. *AK
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
Air bags, Feb 11, 2004, crash
ON JANURAY 23. 2004, I WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS GOING ABOUT 65-70 MPH. A PERSON HIT ME FROM THE REAR, HE WAS TRAVELLING AROUND 100-110 MPH. I LOST CONTROL OF MY TAHOE, I WENT SIDEWAYS, THEN I SHOT FORWARD AND HIT THE CENTER DIVIDER( ON THE CENTER RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR) AT ABOUT 65 MPH OR FASTER, I WAS SHOT BACKWARDS INTO A GUARD RAIL AND CAME OFF OF THAT AND THEN THE TAHOE ROLLED ON TO ITS SIDE, SKID FOR ABOUT 30 FEET AND THEN IT FINALLY STOPPED. MY AIR BAGS(FRONT NOR SIDE) NEVER DEPOLYED. I FEEL THAT IF THEY HAD MY WIFE NOR I WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURED. I KNOW THAT THEY ARE DESIGNED TO DEPLOY WHEN YOU HIT SOMETIME LIKE A BRICK WALL AT ABOUT 10-15 MPH. WHAT DO YOU CALL HITTING A CEMENT DIVIDER AT OVER 65 MPH.*AK
Parking brake, Feb 10, 2004
PROBLEM WITH PARKING BRAKE PREVENTS VEHICLE FROM PASSING TEXAS STATE INSPECTION. VEHICLE WILL MOVE FORWARD DURING IDLE WITH PARKING BRAKE FULLY ENGAGED. *AK
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
Visibility, Equipment, Jan 10, 2004
THE BLOWER HAS GONE TWICE (FIRST TIME WAS JAN 2003) SINCE OWNING VEHICLE, IT SUDDENLY STOPS WORKING ESPECIALLY AT LOW TEMPERATURES (UNDER 32F). DEFOGGER SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. DEALERSHIP HAS FIXED PROBLEM TWICE. BACK BLOWER WORKS FINE.*AK
Air bags, Tires, Dec 17, 2003, crash
HAD A FRONT END COLLISION INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WHOM RAN A RED LIGHT. WE ESTIMATED OUR IMPACT SPEED AT 30 MPH UPON COLLIDING TOGETHER. NEITHER FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. SUFFERED NECK AND BACK BRUISING AND MUSCLE STRAIN.*AK
Tires, Dec 2, 2003
PROBLEMS WITH FRONT ALIGNMENT ON 2002 CHEVROLET TAHOE.*MR AT APPROX. 7-8K MILES, CONSUMER STARTED HAVING TIRE PROBLEMS. HE ROTATED THEM BUT TO NO AVAIL. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED AND THEY SAID ROTATE THEM AGAIN. CONSUMER DID. AT 14K MILES NEW TIRES WERE PUT ON THE VEHICLE. THIS DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. CHEVY SAID TO ROTATED THE TIRES EVERY 2K MILES BUT THE CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS RIDICULOUS AND DID IT EVERY 3K MILES BUT TO NO AVAIL. CONSUMER NOTED THEY NEVER TRIED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. (PH
Seat belts, Nov 30, 2003
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT LOCKS UP AND TIGHTENS, RESTRICTING (ELIMINATING!)ANY PASSENGER MOVEMENT. IT IS LIKE A SNAKE AND JUST KEEPS TIGHTENING DOWN. IN ADDITION, PRESSURE BECOMES SO GREAT ON SEAT BELT RELEASE, MY WIFE AND CHILD ARE UNABLE TO RELEASE THE SEAT-BELT. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS, STANDING STILL, FORWARD OR REVERSE, ETC... DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR PROBLEM, RETRACTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED AND SAME CONDITION WAS PRESENT AFTER REPLACEMENT,THIRD RETRACTOR IS SCHEDULED FOR INSTALL. FIRMLY BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN FAULT AND DEALER HAS DONE ALL TO REPAIR PROBLEM AT THEIR LEVEL. IN ADDITION, THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED BY ME ON SEVERAL WORK VEHICLES BOTH TAHOE AND PICK-UP ALL 2002 YEARS. ALL OTHER RETRACTORS IN MY VEHICLE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, WORK PROPERLY.*AK *JB
Seat belts, Nov 24, 2003
THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED WHILE OCCUPIED. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 18, 2003
VEHICLE WOULDN'T START AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. *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
Suspension, Oct 27, 2003
VEHICLE PULLED TO RIGHT WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT ANY SPEED. WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 30 MPH IT FELT LIKE THE BACK OF VEHICLE SWUNG OUT TO THE RIGHT. WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT AND TAKING HANDS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL VEHICLE DROVE STRAIGHT. VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN CHECKED BY DEALER. *AK
Seat belts, Oct 22, 2003
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER CONCERNING SEAT BELTS WHICH SPECIFIED THAT REPAIRS SHOULD TAKE ONLY 15 MINUTES; HOWEVER, HE HAD TO LEAVE VEHICLE FOR A PERIOD OF FOUR HOURS. CONSUMER WAS NOT PERMITTED TO WAIT FOR VEHICLE, AND A LOANER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *AK
Structure, Oct 12, 2003
WATER LEAK INTERIOR PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD. WHEN IT RAINS OR VEHICLE IS PUT THROUGH A CAR WASH WATER ENTERS IN BEHIND DASH AND FLOWS DOWN ONTO PASSENGER SIDE OF FLOORBOARD. APPROXIMATELY 8 TRIPS TO DEALER AND 2 CARPET REPLACEMENTS HAVE YET TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER CANNOT SEEM TO FIND PROBLEM. *LA
Suspension, Oct 6, 2003
FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILED AT 43000 MILES. *LA
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 17, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL OUT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP TWICE BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *NLM